Etihad Airways and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) are celebrating the remarkable success of their Abu Dhabi Stopover program. The initiative’s relaunch has surpassed expectations and significantly boosted the emirate’s tourism industry.
Since its launch, the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, exclusive to Etihad Airways, has experienced remarkable growth. In the first half of 2024, it welcomed 24,000 international visitors, a substantial increase from 7,000 in the latter half of 2023—representing an astonishing rise of 242 percent.
Ambitious goals ahead
According to a statement, this strong performance, along with increased demand and higher bookings for the latter half of the year, positions the program to meet its ambitious goal of attracting 75,000 international stopover visitors by the end of 2024.
Exceeding projections
Antonoaldo Neves, chief executive officer of Etihad Airways, noted that the expansion of their Abu Dhabi Stopover program had far surpassed initial projections. He mentioned that they had witnessed a more than threefold increase in international visitors within just six months, highlighting that this achievement not only underscored Abu Dhabi’s allure as a destination but also illustrated the program’s success in enticing travelers to explore the emirate’s unique offerings.
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Travelers will experience Abu Dhabi, with an average stay of two nights, noted the statement. The program has particularly resonated with visitors from key markets, including the U.K., U.S., Australia, EU nations, and India.
Strategic partnerships in action
Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, director-general for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, expressed that the Abu Dhabi Stopover program exemplifies how strategic partnerships can drive tourism growth. He further indicated that this innovative initiative is clearly appealing to international travelers, providing them with compelling reasons to discover the emirate. He also emphasized that the success of the program strengthens Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a must-visit destination and encourages travelers to consider longer stays in the future.
Enhancements to the booking experience
The program’s popularity has also been enhanced by improvements to the booking experience. A newly designed, user-friendly landing page on etihad.com has resulted in a 43 percent increase in web traffic from potential visitors looking for information about Abu Dhabi.
Travelers booking flights with Etihad can effortlessly include a stopover and choose a complimentary hotel stay for one or two nights from a selection of top-tier hotels throughout the city. This streamlined process enables travelers to transform their transit into an enriching experience in Abu Dhabi, allowing them to discover the emirate’s exceptional hotels, stunning beaches, diverse dining options, and vibrant entertainment.
Building on this success, Etihad Airways and DCT Abu Dhabi are looking for ways to further enhance the program, aiming to offer even greater value and unique experiences for visitors.
Etihad connects 80 destinations worldwide from its hub at Zayed International Airport. Conveniently situated at the city’s edge, the airport makes it easy for stopover guests to explore Abu Dhabi before smoothly continuing to their next destinations.
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