Emirates Palace, the Abu Dhabi landmark hotel which was voted the World’s Leading Meetings & Conference Hotel by World Travel Awards, is reporting a stellar Q1 2011 performance with occupancy in February alone rising to 82 percent compared to 52 percent on the same month last year.

The news came at ITB Berlin, where Emirates Palace exhibited as part of an Abu Dhabi destination pavilion mounted by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. The hotel received strong interest from European operators through the five day show.

(Pictured above: Hans Olbertz, General Manager, briefs Dennis Taskasap of Emeral Travel on the iconic Emirates Palace as interest takes off in Holland)

“The first quarter this year resembled occupancy levels of back in 2008 and we are seeing signs of an upturn in interest from Europe,” said Hans Olbertz, General Manager, Emirates Palace.

“The upturn in interest and performance is due to the many events being staged in the emirate, strong corporate meetings growth and a definite increase in leisure business. We had high occupancy during Chinese New Year and are seeing stronger performance from the European and Russian leisure side.”

Leading Dutch operator Emerald Travel was among those calling at the hotel’s ITB Berlin stand to get more information on the property to satisfy enquiries emanating from within The Netherlands.

(The magnificent Emirates Palace - voted World’s Leading Meetings & Conference Hotel by World Travel Awards)

“My clients have heard of the property, and are hearing more about Abu Dhabi, so are asking me for information,” explained Dennis Taskasap, Managing Director, Emerald Travel.”I came here to get to know more about the hotel and the destination so I can go and report back, but the interest in Holland is most definitely there.”