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ABU DHABI / Emirates Business
Abu Dhabi recorded a remarkable 30% increase in the number of hotel guest arrivals this June, compared to the same month in 2016, boosted by an exceptional Eid Al Fitr period, which saw many premium hotels fully booked.
In first six months of 2017, the emirate welcomed more than 2.25 million guests to its 165 hotels and hotel apartments – an increase of 7% over first half of last year. HE Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director General of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), said: “I am pleased to say that we are on track to achieve our forecast guest arrivals growth for the year, and we are well placed to maximise these opportunities as we head into the second half of 2017.
“Eid Al Fitr has been a springboard for these figures as Abu Dhabi welcomed record-breaking numbers of visitors, with many of our leading hotels achieving near full occupancy with tourists from across the world choosing Abu Dhabi as the place to spend their holiday. Abu Dhabi Summer Season is also now well underway and we expect the remaining series of theatre, music and entertainment shows along with significant promotions in our retail and hospitality sectors to have a positive effect on demand well into August.â€
Each of TCA Abu Dhabi’s six tier one markets recorded impressive performances, with guests from Saudi more than doubling in June. China’s surge as largest overseas source market continued, posting a 78.5% month-on-month increase, with year-to-date (YTD) guest arrivals up 55% to 185,000, thanks to TCA Abu Dhabi’s sustained promotional activities complemented by an expansion of air access.
India and the United Kingdom maintain second and third spots, with YTD growth of 8% and 2% respectively, with the United States regaining ground after a period of stability, posting double-digit growth for the month, pushing YTD growth to 5%. Domestic tourism grew by 28%, with the 100,087 guests representing 32% of all hotel occupants for the month.
Abu Dhabi’s global destination awareness campaign launched at 2016 end is helping to bolster inbound tourism numbers this year, while looking forward, the emirate is likely to benefit from being named second-best city in world to live, work and do business in.