Abu Dhabi, UAE – Abu Dhabi set a new record in 2025 by welcoming 26.6 million visitors. This reflects the growing tourism and cultural appeal of the emirate and reinforces its role as a preferred global destination, according to the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.
Growth of the hotel and accommodation sector
The emirate witnessed a significant increase in hotel revenues, rising by 19.5% to reach AED 9.1 billion.
The number of hotel guests reached 5.9 million, and the occupancy rate increased to 81%,
benefiting from expanded air connectivity and growth in key markets such as India, Russia,
and the United Kingdom. The average length of stay also rose to 2.9 nights.
The Indian market led the way with a 22% increase compared to the previous year.
Cultural and entertainment events
Events organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi attracted over 4.2 million visitors, a 20% increase compared to 2024.
These included the Mother of the Nation Festival, Coldplay concerts, Liwa Village events, and various heritage and cultural festivals.
The meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) sector also organized 6,600 events,
attracting 2.2 million participants, representing a 40% year-on-year increase.
These events included major events such as IDEX, NAVDEX, and the Bridge Summit.
Cultural and heritage sites
Cultural sites in the emirate performed strongly. The Louvre Abu Dhabi welcomed 1.4 million visitors, and Qasr Al Hosn received 843,000 visitors,
a 22% increase. A total of 115 cultural programs were implemented,
encompassing heritage, arts, education, and initiatives for youth and families.
More than 20 cultural sites and libraries,
including museums, art centers, and heritage centers, were also activated.
Additionally, the Natural History Museum, the Zayed National Museum,
and the Al Ain Museum opened this year, further enhancing cultural diversity
and enriching the tourism experience in the emirate.
This growing performance reflects the Abu Dhabi Tourism Strategy 2030.
This strategy aims to expand the tourism and cultural infrastructure
and solidify the emirate’s position as a global destination for culture, creativity, and knowledge.
