Abu Dhabi witnesses increase in overseas visitors

A visitor increase of 9.8% to 79,086 arrivals, compared to the previous year, excluding the UAE, has been recorded in the emirate.

Abu Dhabi has seen a dramatic rise in the number of domestic, regional and overseas visitors staying in the emirate’s accommodation during the three-month-long Summer Season period compared to 2014, according to a report by AMEinfo.

The Summer Season event calendar, which ran from June 11 to September 5 across Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain and the Western Region, saw a total of 951,979 visitors check into the emirate’s 169 hotels and hotel apartments – a rise of 21% over the same period in 2014.

Visitors from within the United Arab Emirates showed double digit growth over the same period.

“We are moving to become a year-round destination for the whole family and hope to bring even more partners on board next year for a bigger and better Abu Dhabi Summer Season to encourage a greater number of visitors to come and enjoy Abu Dhabi and its diverse range of scenery, culture and entertainment with us,” said TCA Abu Dhabi acting executive director of tourism sector Sultan Al Mutawa Al Dhaheri.

The greatest increase of arrivals came from India, rising 29.8% to 68,618 from 52,852 in 2014; the Americas showed 24.4% growth to 45,125 and European arrivals grew by 18.1% to 125,098.

Abu Dhabi Summer Season, organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) saw children’s shows, concerts and international theatre performances at venues across the emirate.