More than 2.2 million guests have checked into Abu Dhabi's 148 hotels and hotel apartments in the first 10 months of this year, according to figures released by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi). 

The emirate saw record numbers of visitors in October, which showed a 16 per cent growth on last year's record performance.

The UK remains Abu Dhabi's second largest overseas market with 130,038 Britons checking into the emirate's hotels in the first ten months of this year, a 15 per cent increase on 2012. 

British guests accounted for 604,965 guest nights - an increase of 24 per cent year on year - with an average length of stay of 4.65 nights, again up 8 per cent on 2012.

October chalked up 288,268 guest arrivals - a 29 per cent increase on the same month last year. Guest nights achieved from January-October end came in at 882,470, up 31 per cent year on year and occupancy has risen 10 per cent to 79 per cent. 

"The best news yet is that the average room rate has risen 7 per cent to £84, which still represents terrific value given the high standard of accommodation and service offered in the destination," said HE Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, TCA Abu Dhabi. "The uplift is even better when judged in context of the fact that we have 12 more hotels and an additional 2,187 rooms available than at this time last year.

"October benefited from the Eid break and from a series of major events staged throughout the emirate. We can look forward with quiet optimism to a year-end of similar, if not better performance given that November had a number of event highlights, not least the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and December should benefit from the traditional National Day and seasonal breaks and increased overseas product packaging. We have positive sentiment for end of year results given that we are within comfortable reach of our 2.5 million guest target."

"People are staying longer in the emirate which is a key feature of our promotions and marketing thrust. There is far more to see and do in Abu Dhabi and we want guests to experience as much as possible," said Al Muhairi.

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About Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction which enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. 

The authority manages the emirate's tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. 

The authority supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate's heritage. A key authority role is to create synergy in the destination's development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.