Abu Dhabi’s Culture & Tourism Boom: 1.4M Visitors Spark $17B Economic Surge in Q1 2025!

Abu Dhabi tourism and culture segments registered strong increases during Q1 2025, with hotel visitors from outside the UAE climbing 4% year-on-year and hotel occupancy at 79% for the emirate and 82% for the city. The emirate received an estimated 1.4 million overnight visitors for the quarter driven by large culture venues such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi and new teamLab Phenomena, both of the Saadiyat Cultural District. Tourism is on track to contribute $16.9 billion to Abu Dhabi’s economy in 2025, a 13% jump over last year, with a target of $24.5 billion by 2030. Upcoming museum launches and new entertainment offerings on Yas Island are expected to further boost visitor numbers. Top source markets include India, China, Russia, and the UK, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s growing global appeal. Sources: Connecting Travel, Zawya, Travel and Tour World