Abu Dhabi Tourism Jumps 47% in H1 2025 with 4M Cultural Site Visitors

Abu Dhabi, UAE: Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector posted strong momentum in the first half of 2025, with cultural and heritage destinations attracting more than four million visitors, a 47 percent increase compared with the same period in 2024. The latest figures, released by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), reflect the emirate’s continued delivery of its Tourism Strategy 2030 and its long-term commitment to becoming a global hub for culture, creativity, and immersive experiences.

Cultural Landmarks Record Double- and Triple-Digit Growth

Between January and June 2025, several of Abu Dhabi’s flagship cultural institutions saw significant year-on-year gains. Louvre Abu Dhabi maintained strong appeal with 784,606 visitors, while the Cultural Foundation welcomed 620,709 people, a 49 percent increase from 2024. Qasr Al Hosn received 467,398 visitors, marking 14 percent growth.

One of the most notable surges came from Manarat Al Saadiyat, which posted a 139 percent rise in attendance, reaching 207,684 visitors. House of Artisans also recorded steady growth, welcoming 234,142 visitors.

The emirate’s newest additions further strengthened its cultural footprint. teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi drew 145,912 visitors in its introductory months, and the newly launched Al Maqtaa Museum attracted 30,974 visitors, reflecting sustained interest in heritage-led experiences.

Strategic Vision Driving Tourism Expansion

Commenting on the performance, Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Our exceptional first-half performance is a powerful testament to DCT Abu Dhabi’s strategic vision and the effective execution of Tourism Strategy 2030. These results are a direct reflection of our deliberate investments in cultural infrastructure, the diversification of our world-class offerings, and our targeted efforts to attract visitors from global markets.”

He added: “This momentum strategically positions us to accelerate toward our ambitious 2030 targets, solidifying Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a must-visit destination where culture and Emirati hospitality are at its core—offering authenticity, innovation, and immersive experiences.”

Hotels Welcome 2.9 Million Guests as Revenues Climb

The emirate’s cultural growth translated into strong performance across the hospitality sector. Abu Dhabi hotels recorded 2.9 million guests in H1 2025, a 2 percent year-on-year rise. The increase in demand contributed to a 20 percent boost in hotel revenues and a 24 percent increase in revenue per available room (RevPAR), reaching USD 121 (AED 446).

Hotel occupancy averaged a robust 80 percent, while international visitors extended their stays to an average of 3.2 nights — highlighting sustained interest in the emirate’s attractions and experiences.

Key international markets also strengthened. Arrivals from India increased 29 percent and from the UK by 17 percent, supported by targeted campaigns and broader outreach initiatives.

Special holiday periods saw even stronger performance. During Eid al-Adha 2025, hotels retained 80 percent occupancy — a 6 percent jump from the previous year — with RevPAR up 21 percent and average daily rate up 14 percent. Asia remained the leading source region during the holiday, followed by GCC travellers from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

Al Ain and Al Dhafra Extend Emirate-Wide Tourism Success

Abu Dhabi’s unified tourism strategy also continues to elevate performance across the wider emirate. Al Ain Region posted a 12 percent rise in hotel guests and a 7 percent uplift in RevPAR. Cultural attractions recorded significant growth:

• Al Ain Oasis welcomed 401,718 visitors (up 40 percent)
• Qasr Al Muwaiji saw 168,042 visitors (up nearly 50 percent)
• Al Qattara Arts Centre hosted 163,542 visitors (up 42 percent)
• Al Dhafra Region equally strengthened its position, recording a 21 percent increase in RevPAR and a 28 percent rise in average length of stay.

Advancing Toward Tourism Strategy 2030 Goals

The strong first-half performance underscores Abu Dhabi’s progress toward its Tourism Strategy 2030 objectives, including:

• Aracting 39.3 million annual visitors
• Supporting 178,000 tourism-sector jobs
• Expanding hotel capacity to 50,000 rooms
• Contributing USD 24.5 billion (AED 90 billion) to Abu Dhabi’s GDP by the end of the decade

The results highlight the momentum of a strategy focused on cultural depth, hospitality excellence, and a diversified destination offering.