Abu Dhabi's hotels record boost in guest numbers in March

The number of hotel guests staying in Abu Dhabi’s 163 hotels and hotel apartments in March reached 464,960, according to data from the Department of Culture and Tourism-Abu Dhabi.

This represented an 12.3-percent increase from totals in the same period last year. With this rise, the total number of hotel guests in the first three months of the year rose 10.9 percent year-on-year to 1,289,537. Key international markets registered impressive percentage gains, contributing to this overall increase.
 

During the month, the numbers of visitors from China, a leading international source market, jumped 15.4 percent to 40,800 while Indian guest numbers rose 32 percent to 35,200 and UK visitor numbers rose 24 percent to 28,000. Other key markets, including the U.S. and Germany, also reported double-digit increases. U.S. visitor numbers were up 29 percent, reaching 19,300. Meanwhile, the number of visitors from Germany rose 36 percent to 18,800 guests. 

The impressive figures follow a record-breaking 2017. Last year, close to five million visitors stayed at hotels in Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
 
UAE-based guest numbers also grew in March to 134,631, rising from March 2017’s total of 130,125. All three regions recorded hotel guest number increases, with Al Dhafra taking the lead. The region recorded a 22.7-percent rise, followed by Abu Dhabi city with a 12.8-percent rise and Al Ain with a 5.3-percent rise.
 
The first quarter of 2018 has seen China maintain its position as leading international hotel guest supplier. More than 127,000 Chinese stayed in the emirate during this period, rising 31 percent from the same period last year. Indian visitor numbers to Abu Dhabi surged past 100,000, rising 30 percent. Germanys visitor numbers followed, recording a 27 percent rise, while the UK recorded a 25-percent increase, and the U.S. recorded a 24-percent jump.
 
“Our progress in attracting more people to explore the emirate as a visitor destination is testament to our continuous investment into Abu Dhabi’s diverse range of attractions and year-round program of events. Our targeted marketing investment in key source markets is being rewarded with impressive double-digit growth as our global awareness grows and we develop into a ‘must visit’ destination built on unique experiences and rich cultural heritage. We have an ambitious target of attracting 8.5 million guests a year by 2021 which will provide a significant boost to the economy and support our drive for economic diversification,” HE Saif Saeed Ghobash, undersecretary at DCT Abu Dhabi, said in a statement.