This latest award is all about its people
Abu Dhabi residents have another reason to feel proud this week.
The UAE capital has been ranked the eighth most welcoming city in the world, with visitors praising everything from friendly service to the warm reception they receive across the emirate.
The ranking comes from a global study by business insurance company Mooney Supermarket, which analysed more than 100,000 traveller reviews across 107 cities.
Looking at restaurants, cafés, attractions and leisure experiences, the study found that 55.3 per cent of reviews about Abu Dhabi highlighted excellent service and hospitality, placing it among the world’s top 10 most welcoming destinations.
Edinburgh took the number one spot, followed by Hanoi, Liverpool, Paris, Dublin, Montreal and Vienna, while Abu Dhabi ranked ahead of Birmingham and Bristol.
For anyone who calls Abu Dhabi home, the news probably won’t come as much of a surprise.
Whether it’s the staff who greet you at your favourite coffee shop, the hotel teams who go the extra mile, or the people who are always happy to help a lost visitor, good hospitality has become part of everyday life here.
The recognition is also the latest in a string of international wins for the emirate.
Earlier this year, attractions across Yas Island and Saadiyat Island picked up more than 195 regional and international awards, recognising everything from visitor experiences and sustainability to entertainment and hospitality.
It’s another sign that Abu Dhabi continues to raise the bar across its tourism and leisure sectors.
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi also made history by becoming the first theme park in the Middle East to win the prestigious Liseberg Applause Award, one of the highest honours in the global attractions industry.
The award celebrates excellence in guest experience and innovation, putting the park alongside some of the world’s most respected attractions.
Meanwhile, ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi strengthened the capital’s reputation as a world-class events destination after taking home five titles at the 2026 Eventex Awards, including World’s Best Convention Centre and World’s Best Sustainable Venue.
These achievements all point to the same thing: Abu Dhabi isn’t just investing in new attractions and major events, it’s creating experiences that people genuinely enjoy.
Over the past few years, the emirate has welcomed record numbers of visitors, expanded its cultural offering, hosted blockbuster concerts and sporting events, and continued to develop destinations that residents enjoy just as much as tourists.
From new restaurants and family attractions to world-class museums and beaches, the city has evolved into a place where there’s always something happening.
But perhaps the biggest takeaway from this latest ranking is that it’s not just the attractions making an impression, it’s the people.
Being recognised as one of the world’s most welcoming cities is perhaps the strongest endorsement of all.
After all, travellers may arrive for the attractions, but it’s exceptional hospitality that turns a holiday into an unforgettable experience.
