ABU DHABI, (Pakistan Point News - 01st Jun, 2018) Tourist arrivals in Abu Dhabi and Dubai grew 3.6 percent during Q1 2018 as compared with the same period in 2017, with hotel occupancy and room occupancy in both emirates rising 1.2 percent and 5.7 percent respectively over the same period in 2017, according to official statistics released by the tourism departments in both emirates.
Hotel room returns rose 3.9 percent in Abu Dhabi and 4.8 percent in Dubai during the monitored period, with the CBUAE Quarterly Review indicating the growth posted by the tourism sector in Q1 has provided further momentum to the domestic economy.
According to the figures, the number of tourists arriving in Dubai and Abu Dhabi during Q1 is up 1.8 percent and 11 percent respectively. Overall, the number of UAE-bound tourists grew 6.5 percent in 2017 over 2016.
The tourism sector has been steadily growing over recent years on the back of booming conference and business tourism and a sophisticated world-standard infrastructure that have promoted the country's prestigious position across the international scene and turned the country to a major world tourist destination.
According the official figures, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the largest emirates contributing to the significant growth of the tourism sector, with Chinese tourists coming first in terms of number, increasing 17.9 percent during Q1 as compared to the corresponding period 2017. Indian tourists come second and rose by 9.6 percent over the same period, with tourists coming from UK doubling on the back the sustainable sterling appreciation, while Filipino and Pakistani tourists declined in number.
The number of Russian tourists soared as well during the same period due to a mouthwatering AED-RUB exchange rate, according to CBUAE figures.
