Abu Dhabi’s hospitality industry posted robust growth in March 2025, with hotel revenues reaching AED611 million ($166.34 million), according to preliminary figures released by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), in collaboration with the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi (SCAD).
The revenue includes AED345 million from room bookings, AED228 million from food and beverage services, and AED38 million from additional sources. These figures reflect the emirate’s rising status as a premier global travel destination, supported by its diverse hotel offerings and high-quality guest experiences.
Hotel Occupancy and Visitor Demographics Highlight Market Strength
During the month, Abu Dhabi welcomed approximately 417,000 hotel guests, with total guest nights surpassing 1.2 million. Across 171 hotel establishments and 34,341 rooms, the average occupancy rate stood at 69%. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) reached AED486, signaling strong performance across property categories.
International visitor data revealed that non-Arab Asian nationals led arrivals, contributing 152,000 hotel guests. European tourists followed with 123,000, while UAE nationals accounted for 58,000 stays. These trends emphasize the emirate’s growing appeal across multiple source markets.
Among hotel categories, five-star establishments saw the highest demand, accommodating 205,000 guests in March. Notably, 78,000 of these were European travelers. Four-star properties recorded 119,000 guests, while three-star and below welcomed 54,000. Additionally, serviced apartments hosted 38,000 visitors.
Strategic Growth Targets Underpin Sector Expansion
The positive momentum in Abu Dhabi’s hospitality sector is in line with the emirate’s Tourism Strategy 2030. The plan aims to attract 39.3 million annual visitors, create 178,000 new tourism-related jobs, and expand hotel capacity to 50,000 rooms. By the end of the decade, the strategy also seeks to raise the tourism sector’s contribution to GDP to AED90 billion.
With sustained investments in tourism infrastructure and international marketing efforts, Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its reputation as a global destination for leisure, business, and cultural travel
