UAE: Visitors To Abu Dhabi Hotels Increase Very Steadily

The number of hotel guests staying in the emirate’s 163 hotels and hotel apartments in March reached 464,960, representing an increase of 12.3 per cent compared to the same month last year.

This is according to figures released by the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).

The total number of hotel guests in the first three months of the year was 1,289,537, with key international markets registering impressive percentage gains.

During the month, the numbers of visitors from leading international source market China increased by 15.4 per cent to number 40,800.

Indian guest numbers rose 32 per cent to number 35,200 while UK figures increased 24 per cent to reach 28,000.

Other key markets, notably the United States and Germany, also registered double-digit increases, with the US up 29 per cent to 19,300 and Germany rising 36 per cent to 18,800 guests.

These figures follow a record-breaking 2017 when just shy of five million visitors stayed in Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain Region and Al Dhafra’s range of accommodation.

UAE-based guests also increased in March to 134,631, a rise from March 2017’s total of 130,125.

All three regions registered hotel guest rises with Al Dhafra leading the way with a 22.7 per cent rise, followed by Abu Dhabi city with a 12.8 per cent rise and Al Ain with a 5.3 per cent rise.

The first quarter of this year has seen China maintain its position as leading international hotel guest supplier, with more than 127,000 Chinese staying in the emirate, an increase of 31 per cent compared to the same period in 2017.

Indian visitor numbers have surged past 100,000 and showed a 30 per cent increase while the UK registered a 25 per cent increase.

The US registered a 24 per cent increase while Germany was up 27 per cent.

Saif Saeed Gobash, undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, said, Our progress in attracting more people to explore the emirate as a visitor destination is a testament to our continuous investment into Abu Dhabi’s diverse range of attractions and year-round programme 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.


Tourism Observer

UAE: Department Of Culture And Tourism To Launch Abu Dhabi Culture App

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) is to launch a comprehensive digital initiative which will act as a one-stop reference point for all information relating to culture in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The initiative, planned to launch as part of UAE Innovation Month, is called Abu Dhabi Culture and will allow users to gain instant access to information on all aspects of cultural life and heritage in the emirate.

Abu Dhabi Culture, which features a website, a mobile app and supporting social media presence, will educate culture-seeking locals, expats and tourists on one level, at the same time as becoming a reference point for researchers and academics in search of more detailed information.

The initiative will bring together every aspect and feature of Abu Dhabi culture and will make full use of the latest technologies and functionality, with features such as personalised content, 360 visuals, interactive floor plans, podcasts from culture experts as well as featuring a centralised profiling database across all culture locations and events.

Released as part of Abu Dhabi’s contribution to UAE Innovation Month, this product has been designed to maximise accessibility to Abu Dhabi’s highly rich cultural landscape, both historical and contemporary, said HE Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director General of DCT.

The Abu Dhabi Culture digital experience will be a truly connected hub, immersing users and inspiring them to experience our culture for themselves.

We have made sure all digital touchpoints are as user-friendly as possible, and our aim is to make this a trusted source of information for anyone seeking cultural information about the emirate,basically we want this to be considered a cultural oracle.

For example, the mobile app will provide a 360 degree experience, a comprehensive interactive map, a personalised interface, user-generated stories as well as features which will allow travellers to plan their trip.

Geo-locating technology and podcasts will also be incorporated into the application.

Abu Dhabi Culture App will be launched at a special event on February 27th and will be available in three languages; Arabic, English and French.

It will feature on iOS and Android and can be accessed online.

UAE Innovation Month will take place throughout February will not only celebrate the latest in initiatives in the UAE, but will also aim to support the national innovation strategy.

Abu Dhabi will showcase its own initiatives from February 1st to the 7th, including events organised by DCT.

The initiatives will fall in line with the overarching ethos of the festival, which means to contribute to strengthening the country's position as a global hub for leading edge thinking, enhance the development of new ideas and capabilities, and create a widespread culture of innovation in the country.



Tourism Observer