Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) has announced an 18% increase in UK visitors so far this year.

This recent surge in visitors is partly attributed to its focus on sports tourism as the destination gears up to host three major sporting events in the next few months.

Mubarak Rashed Al Nuaimi, International Promotion Manager, revealed: “We are hosting the F1 next week for the third time and immediately after the Volvo Ocean Race in December.  Then in January 2012 we have the golfing championships.” He added: “I’m expecting a lot of visitors with these big events”

In addition to these sporting events the destination has a number of new attractions and projects coming on stream including Yas Island and Saadiyat Island.

ADTA is on track for a 10% increase in hotel guests this year, with 1,154,587 visitors to date. A total of 98,461 British travellers arrived in Abu Dhabi for the first nine months of the year.