DUBAI: Abu Dhabi hotels reported brisk demand in October with Chinese visitor arrivals to the emirate expanding at high double-digit figures, latest data released by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT) show.
The tourism body said that 418,883 guests checked into Abu Dhabi’s 163 hotels and hotel apartments in October, or about 18 percent higher compared with the same month of last year. Year-to-date guest arrivals meanwhile rose by 8 percent to 3.9 million as of October.
“The emirate [is] on track to surpass last year’s record total of 4.4 million,” the tourism authority said, as it earlier predicted the number of international visitors to Abu Dhabi would reach 4.9 million this year, a 10 percent rise from 2016.
The Abu Dhabi tourism body said that the lifting of the visa restrictions on visitors from China at the beginning of the year underpinned a 88 percent rise in tourists from the Asian country to 32,000 during the month.
The benefits reaped from the department’s extensive marketing campaigns across the country including the new ‘Abu Dhabi Week in China’ initiative held recently in Shanghai, the agency said.
Guest arrivals from the US also rose by 80 percent to 18,000 during the month, while major source markets UK and India reported 26 percent and 22 percent increase in visitors to the emirate, respectively.
“Our sustained efforts in improving the worldwide appeal of Abu Dhabi to tourists for both business and leisure is continuing to reap rewards, with the latest figures for guest arrivals supporting our endeavors,” Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director-General of DCT, said in a statement.
“Record numbers of people are staying in our expansive choice of accommodation across all three regions of the emirate and we aim to sustain and improve on this growth throughout Q4, traditionally our busiest time of the year.”
The Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island was opened early this month as the Abu Dhabi government refocuses its economy on non-oil sectors for growth, and has been extensively marketed by the emirate as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of tourism.
Louvre Abu Dhabi will display more than 700 exhibits, with artwork and artifacts from all over the world.
Abu Dhabi records 18% rise in hotel guests in October
Abu Dhabi records 18% rise in hotel guests in October
Saudia adds 20 flights to Red Sea for Eid Al-Fitr holiday
RIYADH: Saudia has added 20 flights connecting Riyadh and Jeddah with the Red Sea Destination during Eid Al-Fitr holiday, increasing total operations on the routes to 44.
The expanded service comes through collaboration with the Saudi Tourism Authority and Red Sea Global as part of ongoing efforts to promote premier tourism destinations across the Kingdom.
According to a press release, the initiative aims to establish the destination as a world-class luxury tourism hub.
The Red Sea Destination is an ambitious luxury tourism project on Saudi Arabia’s west coast, developed by the Public Investment Fund’s Red Sea Global as part of Vision 2030.
Upon full completion in 2030, the regenerative tourism site will feature 50 resorts with 8,000 hotel rooms and over 1,000 residential properties across 22 islands and six inland locations, all powered entirely by renewable energy.
The press release states that passengers flying to and from the Red Sea will experience “Saudia’s integrated guest experience, including advanced AI-powered digital services for personalized travel planning, streamlined airport procedures, and an onboard experience reflecting Saudi hospitality alongside a wide range of entertainment for guests of all ages.”
The partnership represents a long-term strategic collaboration between Saudia and the Saudi Tourism Authority to strengthen tourism initiatives through expanded flight connectivity, increased seat capacity, and distinctive travel experiences that reflect the Kingdom’s cultural character.
These efforts support Saudi Arabia’s national tourism goal of attracting 150 million visitors by 2030, the statement noted.
Saudia’s expanding fleet continues to drive growth across its global network, which currently serves more than 100 destinations across four continents, including all 26 domestic airports in Saudi Arabia.
The airline plans to introduce additional international routes as part of its strategy to connect the world with the Kingdom. This expansion will be supported by the delivery of 116 new aircraft, joining the existing fleet of 149 planes.
The airline is a member of the International Air Transport Association, the Arab Air Carriers Organization, and has been part of the SkyTeam alliance since 2012.
