Record growth marks a milestone year for the capital
Abu Dhabi has posted its strongest-ever performance across tourism, culture, and events in 2025, welcoming 26.6 million visitors throughout the year.
This latest development reinforces its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing cultural destinations, according to the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.
From major global events to museums, hotels, and festivals, the emirate saw double-digit growth across nearly every segment of its visitor economy.
Tourism, hotels and events all see strong growth
Hotel revenues climbed 19.5 per cent year-on-year to AED 9.1 billion, supported by rising demand and stronger international arrivals.
Overall, Abu Dhabi recorded 5.9 million hotel guests, while occupancy rose to 81 per cent, reflecting a healthy increase in travel demand throughout the year.
International arrivals grew by 10 per cent, with India, Russia, the UK, China, and Saudi Arabia among the top source markets. India remained the leading contributor, accounting for 436,124 hotel guests, driven by expanded air connectivity.
Average stay length also increased to 2.9 nights, showing that visitors are spending more time exploring the emirate rather than just passing through.
Culture and leisure drive record attendance
Culture continued to play a central role in Abu Dhabi’s tourism success. More than 8.6 million visitors explored cultural sites and libraries, with institutions like Louvre Abu Dhabi attracting 1.4 million visitors.
One of the standout performers, Qasr Al Hosn, welcomed more than 843,000 visitors, marking a 22 per cent increase year-on-year.
Across the emirate, 252 culture and leisure events drew over 4.2 million attendees, up 20% compared to 2024.
Major highlights included the MOTN Festival, Liwa Village, and sold-out international concerts such as Coldplay’s Abu Dhabi shows, which alone attracted nearly 200,000 fans.
Heritage festivals and community events also saw strong engagement, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s growing cultural identity.
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MICE sector sees major expansion
The meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) sector delivered some of the strongest growth, with 6,600 events hosted in 2025, a 37per cent increase year-on-year.
Attendance surged to 2.2 million delegates, up 40 per cent, driven by major global gatherings such as IDEX/NAVDEX, Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, and Make it in the Emirates.
This growth highlights Abu Dhabi’s rising profile as a global hub for business events and international conferences.
Cultural infrastructure continues to expand
Abu Dhabi also strengthened its cultural offering with major new openings and re-openings across its museum network.
These included the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and the Zayed National Museum, alongside refreshed institutions such as Al Ain Museum and Al Maqta’a Museum.
Across the emirate, more than 20 cultural sites and libraries continue to support education, creativity, and community engagement, reinforcing culture as a long-term driver of both tourism and identity.
Outlook: steady growth into 2026
With strong hotel performance, rising international demand, and expanding cultural infrastructure, Abu Dhabi is continuing to build momentum toward its long-term tourism goals under Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi strategy.
The 2025 results underline a clear trend: Abu Dhabi is no longer just growing as a destination, it is evolving into a global cultural capital with sustained, diversified appeal.
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