Abu Dhabi welcomes more hotel guests in 2009

The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) has revealed that the destination bucked global trends in a "globally depressed" travel market last year by achieving an increase in hotel guest numbers.

Some 1.54 million people stayed in hotels in Abu Dhabi throughout 2009, marking a two per cent rise on the previous year.

The number of guest stays recorded in the final quarter was 16 per cent higher than the corresponding period in 2008.

Mubarak Al Muhairi, director general of the ADTA, said: "The year ended on a high with a very successful last quarter driven by major events and an Eid break with strong stay-at-home characteristics."

He added: "While the last 12 months have been challenging, as they have for all destinations, we believe growth is a very solid performance in the face of global decline."

Over 96,000 people from the UK stayed in hotels in Abu Dhabi last year, making Britain the main market for the emirate ahead of the US.

The ADTA has targeted hotel guest numbers of 1.65 million in 2010.

Posted by Penny, 09 February 2010 13:53

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• Abu Dhabi