Tourists To Abu Dhabi Rise 12%

The number of visitors to Abu Dhabi increased in May this year, with the number of guests at hotels, hotel apartments and resorts rising 12 per cent year-on-year to 192,374, according to official figures.

The number of guest nights rose to 542,567 – an increase of seven per cent compared to the same period last year. Revenues also increased three per cent in May to Dhs360 million, reported official news agency WAM.

However, occupancy rate fell eight per cent from May 2011 to reach 63 per cent. The average length of stay also dropped by four per cent to 2.82 guest nights.

According to Mubarak Al-Muhairi, director general of the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (ADTCA), the emirate is taking several initiatives to attract more tourists.

One of the current campaigns is ‘The Summer In Abu Dhabi’ festival that includes discount deals at several leading hotels and attractions, he said.

Abu Dhabi has been on a drive to push tourism and earlier this year, conducted a major campaign in New York’s Times Square where it set up tents about the emirate and also had massive billboard advertising.