Abu Dhabi launches plan to boost hotel occupancy rate

Abu Dhabi, March 12 (IANS) The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) has launched a plan to boost hotel occupancy rate in the emirate by 10 percent in 2010, WAM news agency reported.

The Horizons Abu Dhabi plan seeks to attract 1.65 million hotel guests this year. It also seeks to encourage global tour operators to submit innovative proposals to help stimulate consumer demand.

The initiative will give a platform to Abu Dhabi's tourism sector to expand its business in the emirate in collaboration with the international travel industry, the report said Thursday.

"Every proposal will be considered in full merit and without bias. ADTA is ready to back all concrete proposals with appropriate resources," said Dayne Lim, ADTA product development director.

"Over the past 18 months or so, Abu Dhabi's visitor infrastructure in terms of accommodation, accessibility and attractions has expanded substantially, and with an increasing stable of leisure offerings being rolled out, it is only appropriate that we strengthen our international visitor attraction efforts," he said.

In 2009, some 3,500 additional rooms were created in desert retreats, luxury beachfront resorts and five hotels on Yas Island, including the iconic Yas Hotel. This year, over 4,000 more rooms will be available for guests, as 10 new hotels are coming up.

ADTA hopes to strengthen its global travel trade partner network to create and implement packages to boost its inbound leisure business.

To boost its international promotional efforts, ADTA will participate in 20 overseas trade fairs not only in its traditional markets in the Gulf Cooperation Council and Europe, but also in potentially lucrative new markets like China, Japan, Russia, India and the US, among others.