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Dubai: Abu Dhabi is setting sights on 24 million visitors during 2023, and with it, a sharp spike in hotel occupancy levels.

Last year, there were 18 million visitors, as Abu Dhabi started to see gains from a recast tourism strategy that places a greater emphasis on offering local ‘experiences’ and as the place for global businesses and sectors to host conferences and exhibitions.

“The new targets follow a surge in Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector in 2022, with hotel occupancy rates and other metrics demonstrating that the sector’s revival is well underway,” said Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary at DCT (Department of Culture & Tourism) Abu Dhabi.

The 18 million visitors represent a 13 per cent increase from 2021, while ‘hotel occupancy rates reached 70 per cent, which surpasses the Middle East average of 67 per cent’, said Al Hosani.