Chinese, US tourists fill Abu Dhabi hotels in Oct
abu dhabi — Abu Dhabi witnessed an 18 per cent annual increase in hotel guest arrivals during October, with 418,883 guests checking into the emirate’s 163 hotels and hotel apartments.
The cumulative number of guest arrivals for the first 10 months of 2017 has increased to reach more than 3.9 million, representing growth of eight per cent on the year and keeping the emirate on track to surpass last year’s record total of 4.4 million, according to figures released by the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi.
October’s double-digit percentage growth in visitors from China (88 per cent), amounting to 32,000, underpinned by the lifting of visa restrictions at the beginning of the year, is indicative of the benefits from the department’s marketing campaigns across that country, including the new ‘Abu Dhabi Week in China’ initiative held recently in Shanghai.
Hotel guest arrivals from the US also posted significant double-digit growth (80 per cent) to reach 18,000. The tier one markets of the UK and India also saw improvement, with an increase of 26 per cent and 22 per cent respectively.
Saif Saeed Ghobash, directorgeneral, Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi, said:
Our sustained efforts in improving the worldwide appeal of Abu Dhabi to tourists for both business and leisure is continuing to reap rewards
Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director-general, Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi
“Our sustained efforts in improving the worldwide appeal of Abu Dhabi to tourists for both business and leisure is continuing to reap rewards. Record numbers of people are staying in our choice of accommodation across all three regions of the emirate and we aim to sustain and improve on this growth throughout Q4, traditionally our busiest time of the year.
“As we head towards the end of year, we expect that Abu Dhabi’s packed calendar of Q4 events will prove significant in boosting these numbers. Abu Dhabi Art, the ongoing Abu Dhabi Classics season and the opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi all proved popular, and we still have the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi Food Festival, the Dar Al Zain Festival and the New Year Countdown Village to come.”
The month’s UAE guest arrivals total of 113,000 was also an increase on the corresponding month last year, representing a rise of almost six per cent. The three regions — Abu Dhabi City, Al Ain and Al Dhafra all showed positive results for hotel guests, with the Al Dhafra region posting a 24 per cent increase in guests arrivals compared to the corresponding month in 2016. The number of guest arrivals in Abu Dhabi city increased by 18 per cent, with Al Ain region showing a 14 per cent increase for the same metric.
Guest nights in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain are also buoyant, with only Al Dhafra decreasing. Both Al Ain and Abu Dhabi increased by 12 per cent.
Ghobash added: “We do face challenges, in particular our average length of stay, which we want to increase by providing a greater choice of things to see, do and experience to encourage our guests to stay longer and visit more of the emirate. We have identified an appetite and need for additional leisure and entertainment events and are working closely with the private sector on partnerships to improve our choices throughout the year.
“Our unique blend of culture, heritage and diverse natural landscapes combined with dynamic family entertainment and business opportunities are proving highly enticing for international visitors and we will continue to capitalise on our growth throughout Q4.”
— business@khaleejtimes.com