Abu Dhabi
Tourism in Abu Dhabi and Dubai grew by 3.6 per cent during the first three months of 2018, compared to the same period from last year. Hotel occupancy increased by 1.2 per cent and room occupancy rose by 5.7 per cent, according to recent statistics issued by the tourism departments in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The increase in revenue from hotel rooms ranged between 3.9 and 4.8 per cent in both emirates, and preliminary quarterly review reports issued by the UAE Central Banks indicate that the healthy growth recorded by the tourism sector during the first quarter of 2018 helped bolster the sector’s support for the national economy.
Tourism in the UAE enjoys continued growth, particularly in the business and conference tourism sectors, which recorded huge growth rates during the past few years thanks to the sector’s advanced infrastructure that is on par with the world’s best. Moreover, the UAE’s prominent status in various fields made it a key destination for tourists from different countries.
Tourism growth in Abu Dhabi and Dubai coincides with a 17.9 per cent rise in Chinese tourists during the first quarter of 2018, in comparison to the same period from last year. Indian tourists also increased by 9.6 per cent, more tourists were also recorded from the UK, due to an increase in the pound sterling, while the number of tourists arriving from Pakistan and Philippines declined.
More tourists also arrived from Russia during the first quarter of 2018, attributed to the attractive exchange rate of the dirham to rouble. The number of international tourists visiting both emirates rose, with Dubai receiving 1.8 per cent more international tourists during the first quarter, while Abu Dhabi recorded an 11 per cent increase.
The statistics noted that the number of international tourists visiting the UAE grew by 6.5 per cent in 2017 compared to 2016.
