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ABU DHABI / Emirates Business
The hospitality market in Abu Dhabi registered a 5% increase in occupancy levels in the first quarter of 2018, according to JLL’s Q1 2018 Real Estate Market Overview Report.
According to the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, the number of guests staying at hotels in the emirate earlier this year rose by 15% (compared to Q1 2017) to reach 405,850. This increase was in part driven by visas now being granted on arrival for Chinese visitors, Abu Dhabi’s largest overseas source market, ahead of India and the UK.
“With the UAE now undertaking increased business with China, the hospitality sector has witnessed positive sentiment†said Peter Stebbings, Head of Abu Dhabi operations.
“The notable increase of Chinese visitors is supported by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism Authority’s investment into Baidu, the Chinese equivalent of google, which commenced in Q4 of 2017. Attractions such as the opening of The Louvre Museum continued to boost visitor numbers from France†he added.