Abu Dhabi sees 4% rise in... | Connecting Travel

UAE capital welcomed 1.4 million overnight guests in the first quarter

UAE capital Abu Dhabi welcomed 1.4 million overnight guests in the first quarter of 2025, an increase of 4% on the same period last year, which was also a record.

The emirate attracted 3.2 million international overnight guests in 2024, which was 28% higher than 2023.

Best-performing markets in the first quarter include India, China, Russia, the UK and the US, according to the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).

Hotels generated AED2.3 billion (US$630 million) in revenue during the quarter, an 18% increase compared to last year, and revenue per available room (RevPAR) rose 25% to reach AED484 (US$132). Hotel occupancy was 79% across the emirate and 82% in Abu Dhabi city.

HE Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, said the strategic approach to elevating Abu Dhabi as a cultural and tourism destination was delivering "tangible results".

Museums and cultural attractions are playing a key role in the capital's tourism success, with the Louvre Abu Dhabi recording more than 1.4 million visitors in 2024, its highest attendance since opening in 2017.

Adding to the cultural mix in the Saadiyat Cultural District is recently opened teamLab Phenomena, an interactive, multi-sensory experience that blends art, science and technology.

Also set to open here this year are Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and the National History Museum Abu Dhabi, while the city's Yas Island will welcome a Harry Potter attraction at Warner Brothers World as well as 18 new attractions at Yas Waterworld.

Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030 aims to attract 39.3 million overnight and same day visitors by 2030, with plans to contribute US$16.9 billion to the emirate’s economy in 2025, up 13% on the previous year, and US$24.5 billion by 2030.

For more information, visit dct.gov.ae/en/default.aspx

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