Abu Dhabi sees robust growth in H1

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi announced robust tourism growth in the first half of 2025, a testament to the successful execution of its ambitious Tourism Strategy 2030. Strategic investment in cultural and heritage sites attracted over 4 million visitors between January and June 2025, a 47 per cent year-on-year increase on H1 2024.

TT Bureau

A key pillar of DCT Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030 is commitment to diversify offerings that profoundly reshape its visitor landscape. Through strategic initiatives and investments that aim to preserve its rich cultural heritage while embracing a forward-looking vision, the emirate is being established as a city renowned worldwide for its culture and creativity.

Culture at the heart of growth

Between January and June 2025, Abu Dhabi’s cultural and heritage sites welcomed over 4 million visitors, marking an incredible 47 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024. Flagship institutions continued to thrive, with Louvre Abu Dhabi maintaining strong visitor numbers at 784,606.

His Execellency Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary, 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. 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.

Strategic expansion boosts results

This strategic diversification and expansion of the emirate’s cultural offerings, coupled with an enhanced visitor experience, contributed to a significant growth across the hospitality sector. Abu Dhabi’s hotels welcomed 2.9 million guests between January and June 2025, a 2 per cent increase compared to 2024. This momentum translated into substantial economic gains.

Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) reached 446, a 24 per cent year-on-year increase, while hotel occupancy remained strong at 80 per cent. The average length of stay for international hotel guests also saw an increase, reaching 3.2 nights.