Friday, January 24, 2025 Abu Dhabi attracts 4.8M hotel guests with cultural visitors up 21 percent, showcasing its rise as a leading global hub for tourism and culture. Abu Dhabi Attracts 4.
8 Million Hotel Guests as Cultural Events Boost Visitor Numbers by 21 Per Cent, Cementing Its Role as a Global Tourism and Culture Hub Abu Dhabi continues to solidify its reputation as a world-class destination, with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) announcing impressive growth in both tourism and cultural engagement. Hotels across the emirate welcomed 4.8 million guests between January and October 2024, representing a remarkable 26 per cent increase in international visitors compared to the same period last year.
Meanwhile, cultural attractions and events drew over 3.9 million attendees, showcasing a 21 per cent surge in participation year-on-year. These achievements underscore Abu Dhabi’s success in merging innovation with heritage, reflecting DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision to position the emirate as a global cultural and tourism powerhouse.
H.E. Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, highlighted these milestones during a recent media briefing while detailing plans aligned with the ambitious Tourism Strategy 2030.
As of October 2024, international guests primarily arrived from key markets such as India, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia. Hotel occupancy surpassed pre-pandemic levels, reflecting the emirate’s growing .