Abu Dhabi tourism to rise 15% next year

Abu Dhabi, the Arabian Gulf emirate which holds about seven percent of the world’s oil reserves, forecast that tourist numbers will rise 15% next year.

The emirate expects 1.9 million visitors, according to an e-mailed statement by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority on Tuesday.

Tourism will contribute 11 percent of non-oil gross domestic product in 2011, it said.

Abu Dhabi hosts a Formula One Grand Prix and last week opened Ferrari World, the world’s biggest indoor theme park, to the public.