The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has set a new target to attract more than 24M visitors to the emirate by the end of 2023. This was announced ahead of the Arabian Travel Market 2023. The target is part of an ambitious new chapter for the emirate’s tourism sector, following a surge in Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector in 2022.
Hotel occupancy rates and other metrics demonstrated that the sector’s revival is well underway, with the emirate receiving a total of 18 million visitors, representing a 13 percent increase from the previous year. Visitors came from around the world, with the highest number of international visitors arriving from India, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The improved performance can be attributed to increased destination awareness, year-round entertainment and sporting events, as well as trade events and roadshows.
Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary at DCT Abu Dhabi: “Our ambitious goal to welcome more 24M visitors by end of 2023 builds on healthy growth over the past year. This encouraging performance was enabled through powerful collaborations and delivery of memorable travel and business experiences across the whole year, supported by an integrated ecosystem of best-in-class services, infrastructure, and impactful marketing. In Abu Dhabi we are demonstrating the power of partnerships across the tourism sector and the fact that collectively we can thrive.”
Commenting on the new targets, Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The success we have achieved so far inspires us to strive for more. We are committed to deliver on our ambitions for 2023 by further elevating the successful strategy of creating and delivering unique experiences for everyone to enjoy and diverse range of year-round events for visitors in collaboration with our global IP partners. This is complemented by a MICE industry that continues to thrive, owing to the emirate’s world-leading venues, hotels and supporting facilities.”
Abu Dhabi Calendar successfully organized over 100 events featuring world-class talent, including Sting, BLACKPINK, and A.R. Rahman, among others. In addition, Abu Dhabi hosted popular homegrown family festivals like MOTN and LIWA, adding cultural richness to the city. The emirate proved itself as a premier global sport destination by hosting major events such as the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, NBA, and UFC, drawing massive crowds and global attention, cementing its position as a top entertainment and sports destination.
DCT Abu Dhabi launched two tourism campaigns in 2022, ‘Experience Abu Dhabi, Find Your Pace’ and ‘Summer Like You Mean It’, along with a month-long celebration of the fifth anniversary of Louvre Abu Dhabi, and high-profile events like Abu Dhabi Art and Culture Summit Abu Dhabi. In 2023, DCT Abu Dhabi plans to offer even more ambitious campaigns and events, working in partnership to provide unforgettable experiences for a global audience’.
