Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector continues to thrive, with the city welcoming 1.4 million overnight guests in the first quarter of 2025, reflecting sustained growth compared to the same period last year, reported the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).
The announcement comes ahead of DCT Abu Dhabi’s participation in Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, where it will promote the emirate as a globally appealing destination for international visitors.
“Our strategic approach to elevating Abu Dhabi as a cultural and tourism destination is delivering tangible results. Sustained investment into data-led destination marketing, diversified programming, a culture-first ethos, and ever-improving visitor experience touchpoints have driven robust growth in Q1 2025, building on a strong 2024,” stated His Excellency Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi.
Hotel revenues surge 18 percent
Abu Dhabi drew visitors from top-tier target markets and beyond, with the best-performing markets including India, China, Russia, the UK and the U.S. This resulted in significant gains for the industry, with hotels generating AED2.3 billion in revenue, an 18 percent increase compared to the same period last year, and revenue per available room (RevPAR) reaching AED484, a 25 percent year-on-year increase. Hotel occupancy maintained high levels of 79 percent across the emirate during the period, including in Ramadan.
These early indicators reflect that Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector is on track to reach its target of contributing AED62 billion to the economy in 2025, a 13 percent increase from 2024, supporting 255,000 jobs across the emirate during the year. This success reflects Abu Dhabi’s evolving and increasingly distinctive value proposition and range of offerings, driven by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Strategy 2030.
“As we showcase the offerings of our emirate at Arabian Travel Market, we are focused on strengthening our key partnerships, expanding our global reach, and accelerating progress towards our long-term tourism goals—all while ensuring that Abu Dhabi’s unique cultural identity remains at the heart of everything we offer,” added Al Hosani.
DCT Abu Dhabi expands operations to 25 markets
In 2024, Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector witnessed positive performance across multiple metrics. Last year, the emirate saw a 7 percent year-on-year increase in overall hotel and alternative accommodation guests combined, with international overnight visitors reaching 3.2 million—a 28 percent year-on-year increase.
Last year, hotel occupancy rates also reached 79 percent across the emirate. This strong demand translated into substantial gains, as total hotel revenue grew by 18.1 percent year-on-year, generating over AED7.6 billion. RevPAR also climbed by 22 percent, reflecting the industry’s robust profitability.
Supporting this growth, DCT Abu Dhabi significantly expanded its global marketing efforts, increasing operations from 11 markets in 2023 to 25 markets in 2024, with a focus on emerging regions such as the CIS, APAC and Eastern Europe.
DCT Abu Dhabi to expand partnerships at ATM 2025
Home to world-class museums, contemporary art, rich heritage, a diverse culinary landscape, and hospitality rooted in Emirati values, Abu Dhabi has established itself as a destination where culture is reimagined to deliver meaningful impact and experiences. At ATM 2025, DCT Abu Dhabi will bring this cultural and creative story to life at its stand, welcoming travel trade partners, media and industry leaders to explore the destination’s latest developments, partnerships and opportunities.
Now open to the public, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi is a key addition to Saadiyat Cultural District, which will be one of the greatest concentrations of world-leading cultural and educational institutions.
Already home to Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Saadiyat Cultural District is growing as an unparalleled community of museums and cultural landmarks, and in 2025 will welcome Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the UAE, and Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, narrating the story of life on earth and the origins of our universe.
Also on track for completion is Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, featuring a global collection of modern and contemporary art that reflects the diversity of cultures and trends from around the world.
The addition of teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi reinforces the emirate’s position as a global cultural epicentre, offering visitors a unique and transformative experience while showcasing its commitment to creativity, innovation and cultural collaboration on a global scale.
Read: ATM 2025 opens today, uniting travel professionals from over 166 countries
Experience Abu Dhabi stand to showcase city’s key cultural sites
In line with ATM 2025’s theme of Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity, the Experience Abu Dhabi stand will showcase key cultural sites and attractions across the emirate, with a focus on Saadiyat Cultural District, a global platform for cultural exchange, and Al Ain Region and Al Dhafra Region, offering visitors a diverse blend of wellness, nature and adventure.
Organized by DCT Abu Dhabi and located in Sheikh Saeed Hall, the Experience Abu Dhabi stand will offer a program of activations and experiences, joined by 73 key trade and tourism partners from across the emirate, including Etihad, Miral, Yas Island, hospitality representatives and many more.
Abu Dhabi’s upward trajectory is aligned with the Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to attract 39.3 million visitors annually, support the creation of 178,000 new tourism jobs, expand hotel capacity to 50,000 rooms, and contribute AED90 billion to the emirate’s GDP by the end of the decade.
