Abu Dhabi: Hotel guests in all three regions of Abu Dhabi increased in total by 5 per cent in September compared to the same month last year with 415,985 domestic and international visitors checking in to one of the emirate’s 163 hotels or hotel apartments.
Figures released by the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi recorded increases for hotel guests during the month with 14 per cent in Al Dhafra region, 8 per cent in Al Ain region and 4 per cent in Abu Dhabi city with a total occupancy rate of 69 per cent.
Guest nights also increased by 15 per cent, 6 per cent and 5 per cent for the three regions respectively.
September’s rise has maintained the emirate’s 7 per cent increase over the year so far in the number of hotel guests staying in the emirate and is on track to surpass 2016’s total of 4.4 million guests.
While September saw a slight drop in domestic tourists into Abu Dhabi, the month was marked by a surge in Chinese hotel guests, recording an increase of 133 per cent in comparison to September 2016.
The rise to more than 28,000 Chinese guests in the month can be attributed to extensive marketing across China carried out by the Department and the granting of visas on arrival from the start of the year to Chinese nationals, according to the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi.
India remained the largest international source market with more than 33,000 hotel guests during the month, while the UK was third behind China showing a 5 per cent rise.
Destination of distinction
“Globally, we have invested heavily in marketing Abu Dhabi as a destination of distinction, the perfect place to visit and explore, with an emphasis on an emirate steeped in history, culture and heritage. Our strategy is to highlight that Abu Dhabi has a wealth of natural and man-made attractions across all regions to entertain and excite the whole family while providing luxurious yet affordable choices of accommodation,” Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director General, Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi said.
“China is showing outstanding growth for us and we have a long-term target of bringing 600,000 Chinese hotel guests a year to the emirate by 2021.”
September also witnessed growth in hotel guests from the United States, a rise of 30 per cent compared to 2016, and in Germany, where there was a 20 per cent increase.
With Louvre Abu Dhabi is set to open at Saadiyat Island on November 11, the Department is forecasting a strong end to the year.
