The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced that hotel occupancy rates in Abu Dhabi during Eid Al Adha 2018 averaged 81 per cent across the four days from August 21st to August 24th. This represented an impressive six percentage point increase compared to the average occupancy figure of 75 per cent during Eid Al Adha in 2017, further underlining the Emirate’s strong appeal as a destination of distinction for family leisure and entertainment. The highest occupancy rate (87 per cent) was recorded on the second day of Eid. This exceptional holiday period saw a surge in visitors from both the UAE and further afield, with Emiratis, Saudis, Indians, British and Americans making up 55 per cent of total visitors.
Commenting on the numbers, HE Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Once again, Abu Dhabi demonstrates its position as a leading tourism destination for visitors from the region and beyond. We are making strong progress in achieving our forecast guest arrivals growth for the year. Eid Al Adha provided further impetus as the capital welcomed a record-breaking number of visitors, with many of our leading hotels achieving near full occupancy with tourists choosing Abu Dhabi as the place to spend their holiday. Our diverse potfolio of attractions, the recently opened Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi in particular, Abu Dhabi Summer Season and our ever-growing year-round programme of events, and our established credentials as a tourist and leisure destination provides us with persuasive reasons for travelers to choose the emirate as a ‘must-visit’ year-round location”.