Abu Dhabi is preparing for a major tourism boost, targeting an AED90 billion ($24.5 billion) contribution to its GDP by 2030. The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) revealed the new goal, which reflects the emirate’s commitment to expanding its non-oil economy.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, announced that the sector is set to contribute AED62 billion ($16.9 billion) in 2025 — a projected 13% increase from 2024. This growth signals Abu Dhabi’s steady rise as a global destination for travellers, especially in the cultural tourism space.
Tourism Sees Steady Rise in Q1 2025
During a roundtable held for the opening of teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, Al Mubarak highlighted positive performance figures for the first quarter of 2025. International overnight hotel guests rose by 4% year-on-year, with India, China, Russia, and the UK ranking as the top source markets.
Hotel occupancy across the emirate reached an impressive 79%, while Abu Dhabi city alone recorded an even higher rate of 82%. Al Mubarak pointed out that these figures underline the strength of the tourism sector, which continues to grow despite global challenges.
Cultural Investments Driving Tourism Success
Al Mubarak credited Abu Dhabi’s world-class museums for supporting this growth. Cultural landmarks like the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Zayed National Museum, and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi continue to draw international attention. The newly opened teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi also enhances the city’s status as a global arts destination.
These institutions, all located in the Saadiyat Cultural District, reflect the UAE’s values of coexistence and cultural diversity. According to Al Mubarak, the district will welcome three more museums later this year. This expansion underlines Abu Dhabi’s long-term commitment to culture, education, and heritage preservation.
Al Mubarak concluded that the emirate’s sustained investment in tourism, inspired by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s vision, will strengthen Abu Dhabi’s standing as a future-focused cultural capital.
