Abu Dhabi’s hotel occupancy rose 18% during 2010 compared with 2009 and rose 8% more than last year’s target, according to data from Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA).

The data reveals that 1.81 million people stayed in Abu Dhabi’s 114 hotels and hotel apartments, with guest nights rising to 5.13 million, up 19% over 2009.

The emirate’s hotels recorded 752,777 guests, out of which 40% were domestic guests, equating to an increase of 16% compared with 2009.

Abu Dhabi also recorded a 26% increase in guests from Saudi Arabia, 35% from Oman and 28% from Kuwait.

The occupancy included 117,836 guests from the UK, 78,985 from the US, 36,980 from France, 25,833 from Australia and 14,580 from China.