Abu Dhabi's hotel sector hits Dh682 million in revenues during May
ABU DHABI (WAM) Hotel establishments in Abu Dhabi continued their positive performance in May 2025, driven by higher occupancy rates and an increasing number of international guests.The sector recorded total revenues of Dh682 million, reflecting the sustained growth of the emirate's tourism and hospitality industry.According to preliminary data from the Department of Culture and Tourism-Abu Dhabi, released by the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi, the breakdown of hotel revenues for the month includes Dh408 million from room revenues, Dh224 million from food and beverage services, and Dh50 million from other sources.Abu Dhabi's hotels welcomed approximately 481,000 guests in May 2025, highlighting the emirate's growing appeal as a world-class tourism destination. This growth is supported by the diversity of accommodation options and the high standards of hospitality services.A total of 172 hotel establishments were in operation in Abu Dhabi during the month, offering 34,383 rooms. The total number of guest nights exceeded 1.345 million, with an occupancy rate of 80%. The average revenue per available room reached Dh490.Guests from non-Arab Asian countries topped the list with 155,000 visitors, followed by Europeans with 112,000, and UAE nationals with 88,000, indicating the sector's continued momentum and the emirate's position as a preferred destination for global travellers.Hotels also hosted 31,000 guests from GCC countries, 52,000 from other Arab nations, 25,000 from North and South America, and 8,000 from non-Arab African countries, along with visitors from various other global markets.By category, five-star hotels received the largest number of guests, with 236,000 visitors, led by 72,000 European guests.
Meanwhile, four-star hotels accommodated 126,000 guests, while hotels rated three stars or below welcomed 70,000, and hotel apartments hosted 50,000 guests.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Out Abu Dhabi
9 hours ago
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Mohammed tests Etihad rail and has revealed his thoughts on the project
A royal test ride, 200km/h speed and sleek passenger stations – here's the latest on the UAE's most ambitious public transport project We may still be a little while away from hopping on board, but Etihad Rail just got a major seal of approval – from none other than His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai recently took a test journey from Dubai to Fujairah aboard the passenger train, part of the country's first national rail network set to launch in 2026. Mohammed bin Rashid boards Etihad Rail passenger train for journey between Dubai and Fujairah ahead of commercial launch in 2026. — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) August 2, 2025 Sheikh Mohammed said: 'We have made the journey from Dubai to Fujairah on the Etihad Rail passenger train… The train will connect 11 cities and regions across the UAE, from Al Sila to Fujairah, with a speed of 200 km/h. It is expected to carry 36 million passengers annually by 2030. 'I'm proud of our national projects. I'm proud of the Etihad Rail team led by Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed. And I'm proud of a nation that never stops working – one that adds a new brick to its future infrastructure every single day.' So where are we with Etihad Rail? Right now, the train isn't open to the public – but it's getting there. By 2026, you'll be able to zoom across the country in plush, modern comfort, skipping traffic and slashing travel times. Expect to go from Abu Dhabi to Dubai in just 57 minutes and reach Fujairah in around 105. That's a game-changer for both residents and tourists – and the network's design is all about efficiency, sustainability and connectivity. Here's what we know so far: The rail will connect 11 cities across the UAE from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the east. It's designed to carry up to 36 million passengers a year by 2030. The passenger service is expected to boost domestic tourism, potentially generating Dh24 billion in revenue over the next 50 years. While official ticket prices haven't been announced yet, the RTA's nol card is expected to be part of the payment system. And if early reports are anything to go by, the interiors will feature luxury seating, charging ports, entertainment systems and a little Italian flair – thanks to a partnership with boutique train design firm Arsenale. The bigger picture Etihad Rail isn't just about fast trips between cities. It's part of a Dh50 billion national railway programme designed to future-proof transport in the UAE – with expected economic gains of Dhs200 billion over the next 50 years. Think reduced car dependency, lower emissions and safer roads. Every freight train will take up to 300 trucks off UAE highways and the network is expected to cut land transport emissions by 21 percent annually by 2050. And with freight already in motion, it won't be long until passengers can climb aboard too. Four stations have already been confirmed and construction is in full swing. So while you won't be riding it just yet, Sheikh Mohammed's test journey shows the future of UAE travel is firmly on track – fast, sustainable and seriously stylish. Living in the UAE When is the next public holiday? Here's when you'll have your next day off 5 unexpected Emirates ID perks you should seriously be using And yes, they all make our lives a little bit easier 12 brilliant day trips from Abu Dhabi for when you need to escape the city And some of them are free
Arabian Business
10 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Abu Dhabi's IHC to invest $500mn in reinsurance premiums with RIQ
RIQ, the AI-native reinsurance platform launched earlier this year by IHC, in partnership with BlackRock and Lunate, has entered into a preferred reinsurance partnership with IHC, anchored by a targeted allocation of over US$500 million in risk coverage within the coming decade. The partnership represents IHC's commitment to pioneering intelligent capital deployment and transformative risk transfer solutions. By leveraging RIQ's AI-powered infrastructure, IHC aims to enhance the resilience and operational agility of its group companies. The collaboration also aligns with Abu Dhabi's ambition to lead globally in structured reinsurance and financial innovation. 'A strategic investment' Syed Basar Shueb, CEO of IHC, called it 'a strategic investment in the future of resilient infrastructure and industrial agility'. 'This partnership reflects IHC's conviction in the transformative power of intelligent capital and data-driven risk transfer. By aligning with RIQ, we are catalysing the next chapter of Abu Dhabi's evolution as a global center for reinsurance innovation. This is not just a financial commitment, it is a strategic investment in the future of resilient infrastructure and industrial agility,' Shueb said. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), RIQ will offer a full suite of reinsurance solutions, working closely with IHC and its portfolio companies to structure capital-efficient coverage across complex Specialty and Property and Casualty (P&C) risk classes. Leveraging advanced data modelling and AI-augmented underwriting, the platform is purpose-built to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving risk environment. Seeking regulatory approvals The company is currently in the process of getting regulatory approvals with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM, as it moves toward formal authorisation as a reinsurer. Final preparations are also underway for the execution of the reinsurance transaction between IHC and RIQ, which remains subject to regulatory clearance. This transaction will mark a foundational step in RIQ's operational rollout. Mark Wilson, CEO of RIQ, added: 'We are proud to collaborate with IHC in this milestone partnership. RIQ's platform is engineered to deliver intelligent risk solutions at pace, fusing advanced analytics, underwriting discipline, and strategic capital. This announcement marks a defining step in our mission to reshape global reinsurance from Abu Dhabi outward.' RIQ has promised more updates in the coming months, as it executes on its global buy-and-build strategy. With over US$1 billion in equity commitments from IHC and strategic partners BlackRock and Lunate, RIQ aims to ultimately write US$10 billion per year.
Al Etihad
11 hours ago
- Al Etihad
UAE cementing its leadership in maritime sector through high-impact local projects
2 Aug 2025 15:02 ABU DHABI (WAM)The UAE continues to solidify its position as a leading maritime power and a global model in the maritime sector through pioneering initiatives and projects that place sustainability at the core of its development was among the first countries to adopt integrated policies for marine waste management and ship recycling, as part of its forward-looking vision to build a sustainable economy based on innovation and the protection of environmental this context, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure recently launched the Green Recycling Yards project as part of the third package of transformational initiatives. This project is the first of its kind in the region to regulate offshore ship recycling operations in a safe and environmentally-friendly reflects the UAE's commitment to advancing the green economy by providing infrastructure that aligns with the highest global environmental standards. In support of this direction, the Ministry issued a comprehensive regulatory framework for the safe dismantling of ships, ensuring environmental protection and worker safety—positioning the UAE among the few countries implementing such advanced by its belief in the importance of developing national capabilities in the maritime sector, the UAE has established advanced maritime academies such as the Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy and the Sharjah Maritime Academy. The institutions train and qualify national talents in accordance with the standards of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).These efforts have contributed to enhancing the efficiency of the workforce, and ensuring the readiness of Emirati professionals to lead the Al Malek, Advisor to the Minister for Maritime Transport Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, said: 'In line with its vision to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of maritime transport, the UAE has adopted advanced technologies in ship design and operation, including smart shipping models and automated navigation systems. These are supported by research and development programs carried out by universities and specialised centres, reflecting the country's commitment to embedding innovation at the heart of its maritime advancement.'She added: 'In the field of environmental sustainability, the UAE has made significant strides—starting with its ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, followed by the launch of the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 and the National Hydrogen Strategy 2050. The country has also developed green infrastructure to supply ships with low-sulphur fuel and natural gas, while national ports have invested in emission reduction projects.'Al Malek continued: 'In this context, the UAE has launched several pioneering initiatives that reflect its proactive vision and commitment to building a more resilient and sustainable maritime sector. Among the most notable is its joining of the Green Shipping Corridor initiative, launched by the United Kingdom during COP26, which aims to accelerate the transition to low-emission maritime transport.'The UAE also established the UAE Logistics Integration Council as a national platform to coordinate efforts, and ensure the continuity and efficiency of maritime supply noted that believing in the importance of innovation in service development, the country created the National Centre for Maritime Navigation and the Maritime Services Window to unify maritime operations and streamline procedures. The efforts strengthen the integration of the federal maritime system, and enhance the global competitiveness of the nation's terms of digital transformation, the UAE has launched a series of technological initiatives, including Blue Pass, a unified digital platform that connects ship operators, ports, and service providers. The country's ports have undergone a significant transformation through the automation of loading and unloading services, and the integration of digital systems across various modes of transport, which has helped accelerate operations and reduce the Zero Bureaucracy Programme has played a key role in reducing transaction processing times—from one working day to less than an hour—and cutting the number of required form fields from 55 to just 3 in some services. As a result, customer satisfaction has reached 95.5%.The achievements reflect the UAE's distinguished standing within the IMO, where it has ratified 35 international instruments and contributed to the development of standards for autonomous ships and the fight against fraudulent ship UAE currently operates 106 ports across 78 countries, with annual container throughput exceeding 21 million units and a maritime sector contribution of over Dh135 billion to the national maritime academies have graduated 497 officers and engineers, including 100 women, highlighting the nation's commitment to gender equality. The UAE was among the first to establish a maritime equality award, and has led the Arab Women in Maritime its leadership journey, the UAE will host the World Maritime Day Parallel Event in September 2025 under the theme: 'Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity.' The event will feature pioneering initiatives to support the decarbonisation of maritime shipping, and promote innovation and sustainable technologies. This comprehensive ecosystem of projects reflects the UAE's commitment to a bold and sustainable maritime vision—driving the shift toward a green economy and smart ports, and reinforcing its status as a global maritime hub at the heart of international trade.
