The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Etihad Airways have today unveiled the innovative Abu Dhabi Pass at ITB Berlin, the largest tourism trade fair in the world.
The new Abu Dhabi Pass, WAM reported, revolutionizes the visitor experience by creating a fully digital journey, making it easier to access the emirate’s diverse offerings. Etihad passengers will receive an email containing a link that allows them to access the Abu Dhabi Pass via a dedicated website, with no extra cost or app download necessary.
Benefits of Abu Dhabi Pass for visitors
The complimentary Abu Dhabi Pass offers a variety of advantages for Etihad passengers and all visitors to the emirate. These benefits include a tourist SIM card with 10GB of data for connectivity, unlimited access to public buses, and 24-hour unlimited access to the hop-on-hop-off tourist bus network, which explores key city attractions.
Abdulla Yousuf, director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, stated, “The launch of the new Abu Dhabi Pass reflects our commitment to enhancing the visitor experience by providing seamless access to the emirate’s diverse, world-class attractions, cultural landmarks, and entertainment offerings. Through this partnership, we aim to introduce Abu Dhabi as a top global destination to a wider audience, making it easier for our travel and tourism stakeholders to showcase the very best the emirate has to offer.”
Aysha Al Kaabi, vice president of Commercial Enablement & Engagement at Etihad Airways, remarked, “Our collaboration with DCT Abu Dhabi makes experiencing the emirate’s attractions more appealing than ever. By combining transport, connectivity, and attraction discounts in one digital pass, we’re making it simpler for visitors to enjoy Abu Dhabi’s diverse experiences, from cultural discoveries to family entertainment.”
Growth of Etihad’s stopover program
This agreement builds upon the success of Etihad’s stopover program, which welcomed 85,000 international visitors in 2024, a significant increase from 12,000 in 2023. In 2025, the airline expects to host over 130,000 stopover guests, reflecting a more than 50 percent year-on-year increase. When booking through etihad.com, visitors opting for a stopover in Abu Dhabi can also take advantage of a complimentary hotel stay of up to two nights, effectively turning their journey into two vacations in one.
Read more: Etihad Airways reports $6.9 billion revenue, 25 percent year-on-year growth
Exclusive discounts and experiences with the pass
Pass holders will enjoy exclusive discounts of 15 percent at Abu Dhabi’s leading cultural venues, including Qasr Al Watan and Louvre Abu Dhabi, as well as special rates at Yas Island’s entertainment hotspots. This encompasses Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi, SeaWorld Yas Island, and Yas Waterworld. Additionally, the pass grants access to deals at over 200 restaurants throughout the emirate and savings on popular experiences such as desert safaris and guided city tours.
The Abu Dhabi Pass aligns with the goals set forth in Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030, enhancing the visitor experience through exceptional offerings and improved connectivity. It supports the strategy’s objectives of attracting 39.3 million visitors, creating 178,000 new jobs in the tourism sector, and contributing AED90 billion to Abu Dhabi’s GDP by 2030.
This initiative is further supported by recent infrastructure developments, including the new Terminal A at Zayed International Airport and a growing calendar of cultural and entertainment events.
