Abu Dhabi expects further growth in tourism

Abu Dhabi looks forward to growth in visitor numbers this year even as a stronger dollar, falling oil prices and a rising supply of available hotel rooms have an impact on the tourism sector. Last year, a record 3.49 million tourists visited the emirate, according to the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).

Rashid Aboobacker, a senior consultant with TRI Consulting, said growth was helped by an uplift in both corporate activity on the back of large real estate and infrastructure projects, such as Etihad Rail and Khalifa Port, and significant growth in the leisure segment, particularly from India and China.

Arrivals increased by 25 per cent, exceeding last year’s target by nearly 400,000. This year’s target had been set at 3.5 million.“Indications are that 2015 will provide a more challenging operating environment, but we are committed to drive the sector,” Jasem Al Darmaki, the acting director general of TCA Abu Dhabi, said.“The market is likely to face some challenges this year that include a possible diversion of some [Arabian Gulf] tourists to Europe due to a weak euro against dollar, the potential impact of low oil prices on the sector if the prices remain low for a longer period of time, and the growth in supply expected this year,” said Mr Aboobacker.

India was again the largest foreign source market last year as 231,702 guests, or 32 per cent more than 2013, checked into hotels, TCA Abu Dhabi said. Abu Dhabi’s next biggest source markets are the UK, Germany, China, which grew the fastest in terms of number of tourists, and the US.