UAE Tourist Arrivals Will Increase 5% In 2010

The report shows average tourist spending in the UAE was the highest in GCC last year at $2,287 (Dh8,400). This is due to the high number of leisure tourists visiting from European markets. The report said “In light of the global economic downturn, the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority has reduced its target by 15 per cent from 2.7 million visitors to 2.3 million guests annually by 2012.” Many of Abu Dhabi’s hotels are four and five star hotels. Another 14,000 hotel rooms will be added by 2012 and about 35 per cent of these will be in the five star category.