Hotel occupancy rates in Abu Dhabi averaged 81 per cent during Eid al-Adha, which ran from August 21 to 24 - an impressive six per cent increase compared to the average occupancy figure of 75 per cent during the same period last year, said a report.

The highest occupancy rate with 87 per cent was recorded on the second day of Eid, said a report in WAM, citing figures released by the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi).

This holiday period saw a surge in visitors from both the UAE and further afield, with Emiratis, Saudis, Indians, British and Americans making up 55 per cent of total visitors.

Commenting on the numbers, Saif Saeed Ghobash, under-secretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: "Once again, Abu Dhabi demonstrates its position as a leading tourism destination for visitors from the region and beyond. We are making strong progress in achieving our forecast guest arrivals growth for the year. Eid al-Adha provided further impetus as the capital welcomed a record-breaking number of visitors, with many of our leading hotels achieving near full occupancy with tourists choosing Abu Dhabi as the place to spend their holiday."

In terms of occupancy rate by star rating, the highest was achieved by four-star hotels with 88 per cent. Compared to Eid al-Adha 2017, five-star and four-star hotels experienced a significant increase in occupancy rate. Occupancy across five-star hotels increased by nine per cent while four-star hotels reported an increase of eight per cent, the report said.

"Our diverse portfolio of attractions, the recently opened Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi in particular, Abu Dhabi Summer Season and our ever-growing year-round programme of events, and our established credentials as a tourist and leisure destination provides us with persuasive reasons for travellers to choose the emirate as a ‘must-visit’ year-round location," Ghobash added.