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The estimated demand for hotel rooms in Abu Dhabi by 2012 has been upped by 4 000 to an estimated 25 000, according to the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA).

The rise is the result of the capital’s booming tourism industry, with a predicted 2.7m visitors staying in hotels by 2012.  This is a full 12.5% more than originally predicted in 2004.  The plan for development will see 13 000 new rooms being built over the next five years.

Focus on the tourism sector is an important part of the emirate’s strategy to diversify its economy away from hydrocarbons over the coming years. 

According to the World Tourism Council, the industry was worth $8 trillion in 2007, and is projected to cross the $15 trn threshold in the next decade.  The annual growth in the industry is at 4.4%, with the Middle East region outstripping this at 5.2% annually over the next few years.

According to previous reports, the value of tourism projects in Abu Dhabi crossed the Dhs 305 billion mark at the end of last year.

Mubarak Al Muhairi, ADTA Director General, stated that while revolutionary, the five year plan to implement this is based on the overriding principle of managed growth.