India regains top spot as Abu Dhabi's largest international source market

DUBAI: India has regained its top spot as Abu Dhabi's largest international source market as guest arrivals into the emirate in the first six months of the year reached more than 1.98 million, a rise of 17 per cent on the corresponding period in 2014, according to a study.

The findings by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) said that India has regained its spot as Abu Dhabi's largest international source market, seeing 1,27,312 Indian nationals arriving into the emirate, an increase of 18 per cent, spending an average 3.71 nights each, well above the overall average of 2.89 nights, it said.

India is closely followed by the UK, China, Germany and the US as the largest overseas markets, with the Philippines providing 63,855 guest arrivals, recording a 24 per cent rise.

Other counties in the top ten include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and Pakistan, said the report released by UAE's official news agency Wam.

Chinese guest numbers rose 72 per cent year-on-year, with 102,217 guest arrivals delivering 148,842 guest nights, although their length of stay dropped by 18 per cent to 1.46 nights.

Russian guests showed the largest drop, by 10 per cent, to 14,453 guest arrivals, which the authority says could be attributable to difficult economic conditions in Russia.

In an effort to stimulate consumer interest and awareness from Russia and the CIS states, a special Abu Dhabi Festival featuring a host of the emirate's tourism providers will be held in Moscow's Hermitage Gardens later this month, dedicated to the emirate's culture and traditions and vibrant sports and events calendar.