A record 1.28 million people stayed in Abu Dhabi’s 163 hotels and hotel apartments during the first quarter of 2018, with the emirate recording an impressive 10.9 per cent year-on-year rise, a report said.

Figures released by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT) for its hospitality sector revealed that the number of guests staying in Abu Dhabi for the month of March rose by 12.3 per cent to reach 464,960, reported Emirates news agency Wam.

During the month, the numbers of visitors from leading international source market China increased by 15.4 per cent to 40,800, Indian guests increased by 32 per cent to 35,200 and the UK increased by 24 per cent to reach 28,000 guests. Other key markets, notably the US and Germany, also registered double-digit increases with the US up 29 per cent to 19,300 and Germany rising 36 per cent to 18,800 guests.

The impressive figures follow a record-breaking 2017 when just shy of five million visitors stayed in Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain Region and Al Dhafra’s range of accommodation.

UAE-based guests also increased in March to 134,631, a rise from March 2017’s total of 130,125.

All three regions registered hotel guest rises with Al Dhafra leading the way with a 22.7 per cent rise, followed by Abu Dhabi city with 12.8 per cent rise and Al Ain with a 5.3 per cent rise.

The first quarter of this year has seen China maintain its position as leading international hotel guest supplier, with more than 127,000 Chinese staying in the emirate – an increase of 31 per cent compared to the same period in 2017. Indian visitors have surged past 100,000 and showed a 30 per cent increase while the UK registered a 25 per cent increase, the US up 24 per cent and Germany up 27 per cent.

Saif Saeed Ghobash, undersecretary, DCT Abu Dhabi, said: "Our progress in attracting more people to explore the emirate as a visitor destination is a testament to our continuous investment into Abu Dhabi’s diverse range of attractions and year-round programme of events.

"Our targeted marketing investment in key source markets is being rewarded with impressive double-digit growth as our global awareness grows and we develop into a ‘must visit’ destination built on unique experiences and rich cultural heritage. We have an ambitious target of attracting 8.5 million guests a year by 2021 which will provide a significant boost to the economy and support our drive for economic diversification."