Abu Dhabi has achieved a record 7% rise in the number of hotel guest arrivals over the first four months of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016.
Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates and lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf.
Abu Dhabi has been named the second-best city in the world to live, work and do business in, overtaking both London and Paris and moving up two places since the last Ipsos City Index.
More than 18,000 people, aged between 16and 64, in 26 countries worldwide were interviewed for the Index, with New York maintaining the overall world number one spot.
Learn desert survival skills
Abu Dhabi desert hotel Arabian Nights Village has teamed up with Global View Commando to teach desert survival skills among the rolling dunes of the Empty Quarter.
Run by four former Royal Marine Commandos, Global View's desert courses can last from a few hours to a few days, and draw on proven techniques used for years by the British armed forces.
Skills taught include planning for an expedition, navigating in the desert, how best to collect water and how to build a shelter.
Al Ain Oasis
In 2011 UNESCO declared the Cultural Sites of Al Ain to be a World Heritage Site - the first in the UAE
Al Ain Oasis, the first of these sites is open to visitors, is pread over 1,200 hectares, the Al Ain Oasis is filled with palm plantations, many of which are still working farms.
Cool, shady walkways take visitors from the heat of the city to an irrigation system whose channels have been used for centuries to tap into underground wells.
A purpose-built Eco-Centre provides an overview of the site and explains its importance to the development of Abu Dhabi. Beyond the centre, a nifty app and a stylised map allow visitors to navigate the many trails that criss-cross the interior.
The site also connects to neighbouring heritage sites, including the Al Ain Palace and Al Ain National Museums.
Qasr Al Hosn
Built in 1761 to defend the only fresh-water well on Abu Dhabi Island, Qasr Al Hosn – also known as the White Fort – is the oldest stone building in the city.
As such has become a symbol of Emirati heritage, culture and tradition.
Following years of restoration and careful development, the iconic fort will open to the public in 2018, showcasing a range of historical artefacts, photographs and memorabilia.
Before then, a new exhibition outside the fort's walls will tell the story of the Emirati people and of the origins and growth of Abu Dhabi.
Hotels
Marriott Hotel Al Forsan
The new 400-bed, 5-star,Marriott Hotel Al Forsan is located within Khalifa City at the heart of the Al Forsan International Sports Resort.
The centre's facilities include a waterski and wakeboard lake, an equestrian centre, paddock and polo field.
Hotel facilities include six restaurants, bars and lounges and the Saray Spa, complete with marble hammam, 50-metre lap pool and leisure club.
www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/auhal-marriott-hotel-al-forsan-abu-dhabi
Saadiyat Rotana Resort
Located on Saadiyat Island, the 5-star resort Saadiyat Rotana Resort, which opens towards the end of 2017, will feature 327 upscale rooms and suites, 13 beach villas and a private stretch of beach.
www.rotana.com/upcomingopenings