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Hotels in Abu Dhabi reported a record number of visitors in the first nine months of the year.

New figures released by the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) showed that 1,741,330 people booked a room at one on the emirate's 131 hotels and apartments between January and September 2012.

This was a 15% rise on the corresponding period in 2011 and means the tourism authority is well on its way to achieving its annual target of 2.3 million guests.

Abu Dhabi has emerged as a wonderful place to take a holiday and its reputation was bolstered during the recent World Travel Awards, where it picked up a total of 36 accolades.

HE Mubarak Al Muhairi - director general of TCA Abu Dhabi - said more people will visit the Middle East in the next quarter, as major events including the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Mubadala World Tennis Championships are set to take place.

'This is an encouraging performance given that the same comparative period has seen a significant increase in hotel and resort inventory,' he remarked.