Hyderabad:(IANS) The number of Indian tourists to Abu Dhabi grew by 17 percent in the first five months of 2015 over the same period last year, an official said here on Wednesday.

Abu Dhabi received 105,031 Indian hotel guests from January to May, translating into 393,500 guest nights, at a growth rate of 15 percent over the same period in 2014.

Bejan Dinshaw, country manager for Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, told reporters here that for the whole year, they expect 270,000 Indian tourists, a growth of about 20 percent over 2014.

Last year, the emirate received 231,702 Indian hotel guests. India remained the No.1 overseas source market for Abu Dhabi.

“Abu Dhabi is generating a high level of interest as a multi-faceted tourism destination for the upwardly mobile aspirational Indian travellers,” he said.

India is well connected to Abu Dhabi with 200 flights a week by Etihad Airways and Jet Airways across 14 Indian destinations. While there are daily six flights each from Delhi and Mumbai, four flights each operate from destinations like Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai.

About 600 passengers fly every day from each of the destinations in the south and half of them travel beyond Abu Dhabi.

“Abu Dhabi with its entertainment options, iconic properties, culture, heritage and adventure  is the complete destination for a completely new holiday experience. It is growing as a choice destination for leisure, destination weddings, honeymooners, MICE  (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) and adventure travellers,” he said.

The biggest of seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Abu Dhabi is famous for iconic landmarks including Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Emirates Palace. It also attracts arts and culture lovers with the fast developing Saadiyat Island cultural district.

Abu Dhabi also offers a wide range of attraction for golfing, cruise, desert safari, wildlife and marine adventures.