Tuesday, August 13, 2024 In a special interview with ET Travel World, Abdulla Mohammad, the Director of International Operations at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT), highlighted India’s growing significance as a vital source market for Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry. He also outlined the department’s strategic emphasis on engaging with tier 2 and 3 cities, along with unveiling upcoming luxury and cultural projects. The tourism sector in Abu Dhabi has experienced remarkable growth, driven largely by an increasing number of visitors from India, which has now become the top source market for the emirate.
Abdulla Mohammad, Director of International Operations at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT), shared insights during an interview with ET Travel World, emphasizing the crucial role India plays in the region’s tourism landscape. He pointed out that the strategic focus on expanding outreach to tier 2 and 3 cities across India has been a key factor in this growth, reflecting a deeper understanding of the diverse and evolving travel preferences within the Indian market. In the discussion, Mohammad also touched upon the ambitious 2030 tourism strategy, which aims to position Abu Dhabi as a leading global destination.
This long-term plan involves not only enhancing the city’s appeal to luxury travelers but also developing cultural initiatives that showcase Abu Dhabi’s rich heritage and contemporary attractions. By targeting new segments within the Indian market and executing a comprehensive strategy, Abu Dhabi is set to elevate its status on the world stage, making it a must-visit destination for travelers from all walks of life. The Indian market has played a pivotal role in driving the remarkable growth of Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector, with hotel guest numbers from India surging by 37% in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year.
This impressive increase underscores India’s position as the leading source of tourists for Abu Dhabi. Mohammad emphasized the confidence in sustaining this upward trend, pointing out that the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) has already exceeded its annual targets by 21%, necessitating a reevaluation of goals to capitalize on the ongoing momentum. This growth is part of a broader global trend, as Abu Dhabi welcomed a total of 24 million visitors in 2023, solidifying its status as a top international destination.
The surge in Indian tourists has significantly contributed to this achievement, reinforcing the importance of India as a key market for the emirate. As the DCT reassesses its objectives to keep pace with this exceptional growth, the future looks promising for Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry. The Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) Abu Dhabi is embarking on an ambitious expansion strategy, aiming to significantly broaden its international outreach by the year 2030.
Currently, DCT Abu Dhabi focuses on 11 key international source markets, which have been instrumental in driving the emirate’s tourism growth. However, recognizing the vast untapped potential in other regions, the DCT plans to strategically increase this number to 26 markets. This expansion is not just about increasing the quantity of markets but also about identifying and cultivating relationships with countries that exhibit high growth potential, thereby ensuring a sustainable and diverse influx of international visitors to Abu Dhabi.
This strategic shift reflects DCT Abu Dhabi’s proactive approach to future-proofing the emirate’s tourism sector in an increasingly competitive global landscape. By broadening its focus to include 26 high-potential markets, the DCT is positioning Abu Dhabi as a more inclusive and globally recognized destination. The move is designed to attract a wider range of visitors from different cultural backgrounds, enhancing the emirate’s global appeal and ensuring long-term growth and resilience in its tourism industry.
This initiative is expected to not only boost visitor numbers but also to enrich the cultural diversity and economic impact of tourism in Abu Dhabi, making it a leading international hub by 2030. Acknowledging the significant untapped potential in India’s smaller cities, the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) has rolled out a detailed strategy aimed at capturing the interest of tier II and tier III markets. This approach is designed to extend their reach beyond the major metropolitan areas, tapping into the emerging travel aspirations of residents in these smaller yet rapidly growing cities.
By focusing on these markets, DCT is positioning itself to attract a new wave of tourists from across India, ensuring a broader and more diverse influx of visitors to Abu Dhabi. The DCT executive underscored the wide array of experiences available in Abu Dhabi, specifically tailored to meet the interests of various demographic groups, including families, millennials, and Gen Z travelers. This focus on diversity ensures that visitors from different age groups can find something uniquely appealing, making Abu Dhabi a versatile destination for a broad spectrum of tourists.
As outlined in Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030, the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) Abu Dhabi has set ambitious goals to significantly boost the number of visitors to the emirate over the coming years. In 2023, Abu Dhabi welcomed nearly 24 million visitors, a testament to the city’s growing appeal as a global destination. However, the DCT is not resting on its laurels and has laid out a comprehensive plan to elevate this figure to an impressive 39.
3 million visitors by 2030. This target represents an average annual growth rate of 7%, reflecting the DCT’s commitment to sustaining and enhancing Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector. To achieve this substantial increase, the strategy includes a multi-faceted approach that involves expanding into new markets, enhancing the diversity of experiences offered, and investing in innovative marketing campaigns.
The goal is not only to attract more tourists but also to ensure that their experiences in Abu Dhabi are rich and varied, catering to different demographics and preferences. By 2030, Abu Dhabi aims to solidify its position as a leading global tourism hub, with a vibrant, dynamic, and ever-growing influx of visitors contributing to the emirate’s economic and cultural prosperity. The rapidly growing MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and wedding tourism sectors have become central to Abu Dhabi’s strategic development.
Abdulla emphasized the emirate’s well-defined strategy and incentive program designed to attract meeting planners and Indian businesses to select Abu Dhabi for their events. He pointed out that Abu Dhabi’s exceptional connectivity, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and efficient visa processes are significant factors contributing to its allure as a premier location for hosting large-scale events. In 2023, Abu Dhabi successfully hosted 2,477 MICE events, marking a 44% increase compared to the previous year.
These events attracted 960,000 delegates, further solidifying Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a top-tier destination for both business and leisure tourism on the global stage. The rapidly expanding MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and wedding tourism sectors are now key focal points in Abu Dhabi’s strategic growth. Abdulla highlighted the emirate’s clear strategy and robust incentive program aimed at attracting meeting planners and Indian companies to choose Abu Dhabi for their events.
In 2023, Abu Dhabi hosted 2,477 MICE events, representing a 44% increase from the previous year. These events brought in 960,000 delegates, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s standing as a world-class hub for business and tourism..
