Abu Dhabi expects 20% growth in tourists from India

Both Etihad Airways and Jet Airways operate close to 200 flights each week from 14 Indian destinations to UAE capital Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority today said the country was expecting a 20% growth in tourist inflows from India in the current calendar year.

For the Jan-June period this year, a total of 105,000 Indians travelled the country, which is an 18% growth from the last year.

"We expect a 20% surge in tourists from India in the current year. However, with major international events lined up in Abu Dhabi in the second half of the current year, we expect to cross the target," said Bejan Dinshaw, country manager, Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, today here. He added India was the largest source market for tourist inflows to the country.

Indian tourists to the country stood at 231,702 in the calendar year 2014, which was 32% growth from the previous year. According to the authority, tourist flow from India is high during May-June and November-December period every year.

Both Etihad Airways and Jet Airways operate close to 200 flights each week from 14 Indian destinations to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital Abu Dhabi.

The UAE, which is home to around two million expatriate Indians, attracts tourists to top tourist attractions there, including the Emirates Palace, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Yas Island, desert safari, adventure sports and also the fast-growing Saadiyat Island Cultural district. Holiday travel and wedding events were witnessing good turnout among the Indians, said Dinshaw.