Abu Dhabi, recently named World’s Leading Tourist Board, received 175,309 guests at its hotels and hotel apartments in February – a rise of 17% compared to the same month in 2010, according to figures just released by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA).

The UK maintained its position as Abu Dhabi’s leading source market, producing 12,832 guest nights, a 29% increase.

In February, Abu Dhabi’s total guest nights increased 29% to 524,594, occupancy levels lifted 16% to 77%, and length of stay expanded 10% to 2.99 nights.

Other significant increases were delivered by the USA, up 36% to 8,342 nights; Saudi Arabia, leaping 90% to 15,679 nights and France, rising 49% to 4,760 nights. February also saw Russia enter Abu Dhabi’s top 20 source markets for the first time due to an 88% increase in hotel guests.

“These February figures put us on an early track towards achieving our 2011 target, and we can celebrate having achieved double-digit growth for the first two months of 2011 compared to the same period last year,” said Lawrence Franklin, Strategy & Policy Director, ADTA.

“The year-on-year February increase has primarily been driven by major events held in the emirate, including the IDEX international defence show, the Al Ain Aerobatic Show and Gourmet Abu Dhabi.

“There is also some evidence of demand changing because of regional issues, with hotel guests from Saudi Arabia rising by 90% and a tailing-off in hotel guests from Qatar and Oman.

“Towards the end of this year, Abu Dhabi will have more beachfront accommodation, with the planned September opening of the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Villas and Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, and then the November launch of The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal.”