DCT data highlights robust growth in Abu Dhabi’s tourism, culture, and events sectors in 2025.
Abu Dhabi Sees 26.6 Million Visitors in 2025 as Hotel Revenues Reach Dh9.1 Billion
Abu Dhabi welcomed 26.6 million visitors in 2025, with hotel revenues rising to Dh9.1 billion, according to the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).
The figures, released as part of the emirate’s 2025 performance review, represent a 19.5% year-on-year increase in hotel revenues, alongside strong growth across cultural, leisure, and business events.
Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, said:
“Landmark attractions and the continued expansion of Saadiyat Cultural District have strengthened Abu Dhabi’s global distinctiveness, while strong hotel performance reinforces long-term sustainable economic impact.”
He added:
“With culture at the heart of the destination, our double-digit growth in 2025 reflects the clarity of our vision and the collective efforts of the wider ecosystem.”
The data represents Abu Dhabi’s full-year performance for 2025, capturing tourism activity prior to the disruptions experienced in 2026.
Growth Across Tourism and Events
The Department of Culture and Tourism reported double-digit growth across multiple segments in 2025. Attendance at cultural and leisure events increased 20% to 4.2 million, while the number of MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) delegates rose 40% to 2.2 million.
A total of 252 cultural and leisure events were held throughout the year, attracting millions of visitors. Key highlights included concerts, sporting tournaments, and heritage festivals across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra.
The MICE sector also saw significant expansion, with the number of events increasing 37% to 6,600.
Cultural Sites Boost Visitor Numbers
Cultural attractions remained a major driver of tourism growth in Abu Dhabi.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi recorded 1.4 million visitors, while Qasr Al Hosn welcomed over 843,000 visitors, representing a 22% year-on-year increase.
In total, more than 8.6 million visits were recorded across cultural sites and libraries in the emirate.
New openings and the reopening of museums and cultural institutions further contributed to strong visitor engagement throughout the year.
Hotel Sector Posts Strong Performance
Abu Dhabi welcomed 5.9 million hotel guests in 2025, along with 338,000 visitors staying in holiday homes and glamping sites.
International arrivals grew 10%, driven by demand from key markets including India, Russia, and the United Kingdom. India remained the largest source market, contributing over 436,000 hotel guests, up 22% from 2024.
Hotel occupancy reached 81%, while both average daily rates and revenue per available room (RevPAR) saw notable increases, underscoring the sector’s strong performance.
The average length of stay across all accommodation types increased to 2.9 nights.
Regional Tourism Gains
Beyond the capital, Al Ain and Al Dhafra also saw notable growth.
Al Ain welcomed over 473,000 guests, up 9% year-on-year, while Al Dhafra recorded nearly 148,000 visitors, with hotel occupancy rising significantly.
While 2025 data reflects robust growth across Abu Dhabi’s tourism and culture sectors, conditions have shifted in recent weeks.
Since February 28, tourism activity across the UAE has been significantly impacted, with flight operations largely halted, disrupting visitor flows and overall travel demand nationwide.
