Manama: The UAE recorded a 23 per cent decline in the number of visitors from Qatar during the first quarter compared to the same period last year.
However, the figure is not in line with the 10 per cent rise in overall tourist arrivals from the GCC to the Emirates, said Mubarak Hamad Al Shamisi, a senior official from Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, according to a Qatar Tribune report.
"The number of tourists from Qatar dipped to 5,012 from 6,476 during the corresponding period last year," he said. "However, we hope to get more in the near future.
"The GCC remains a primary source market for Abu Dhabi with the first quarter of this year seeing about 29,253 GCC nationals staying in our hotels."
He was attending a press conference to promote the fourth edition of the Abu Dhabi Festival.
Sultan Matar Al Muhairi, event management executive at ADTA, said that to woo a higher number of tourists from the Gulf, ADTA has lined up a number of attractions at the month-long festival that starts on June 30.
"This will be a fun-filled extravaganza of family-centric activities, award-winning international acts and shows, with premium edutainment concepts and value-driven ticket, hotel and attractive deals," he said. "Besides, the size of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) has been increased by three times compared with last year through the addition of three new halls."
GCC families are primary targets for the festival aiming at attracting between 65,000 and 70,000 visitors by way of special hotel packages.
"They include a ‘Kids Go Free' offer at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the world's biggest indoor theme park and home to ‘Formula Rossa', the world's fastest rollercoaster for children under 1.5 metres in height," he said.
Entry will be free for those having Abu Dhabi Adnec ticket.
