Abu Dhabi holiday resorts and hotel apartments reported Tuesday an average occupancy rate of 77 percent for the first six months of 2014, according to the state news agency WAM.

According the report, the first half of 2014 marked the best performance in the history of Abu Dhabi hospitality sector.

Figures released by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, TCA Abu Dhabi, show that from January to the end of June, 1,700, 135 guests checked into the emirate's accommodation, a 28 percent increase year on year.

"The arrivals delivered 5,147,392 guest nights, which were up 22 percent compared to the same period last year with occupancy climbing 8 percent year on year," said the report.

"The occupancy increase should also be viewed alongside the fact that the number of hotels in the emirate in June this year stood at 154 with a total of 27,405 rooms against June 2013 when there were 145 hotels accounting for 25,270 rooms," said Jasem Al Darmaki, the deputy director general of TCA Abu Dhabi.

Darmaki added "There was considerable up-lift in arrivals during the month within the UAE market, the GCC, China, Russia, India, France, Germany.

In 2013, Abu Dhabi welcomed 2.8 million tourists. For 2014, the sheikhdom targets 3.1 million guests, according to TCA statistics. The annual Abu Dhabi Formula-1 Grand Prix, which will run on November 21-23, will host for the first time 60,000 spectators after the circuit in Yas Marina island was expanded, a 9.10 percent increase in capacities over 2013.

Boosting tourism from all continents as source markets is part of the government's strategic plan "Abu Dhabi Vision 2030" which aims to reduce the Gulf Arab emirate's dependency on oil income.