Abu Dhabi [UAE], The new Tourism Strategy 2030 for the emirate has been authorized by The Honorable Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. Leading the charge, and representing a new phase of growth and strategic advancement for the travel and tourist industry, is the Department of Culture and Tourist (DCT Abu Dhabi) with its ambitious plan.
The new Tourism Strategy 2030 for the emirate has been authorized by The Honorable Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. Leading the charge, and representing a new phase of growth and strategic advancement for the travel and tourist industry, is the Department of Culture and tourist – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) with its ambitious plan.
The Strategy aims to increase the number of visitors from around 24 million in 2023 to 39.3 million by 2030 (both overnight and on the same day), with an annual growth rate of 7%. Additionally, it intends to greatly increase the contribution of the tourism and travel industry to the UAE’s GDP, from around AED 49 billion in 2023 to AED 90 billion annually by 2030.
By 2030, the Strategy is expected to create 178,000 new employees as the whole tourist infrastructure grows to accommodate this demand. It plans to increase hotel room availability from 34,000 in 2023 to 52,000 by 2030, almost quadruple the number of foreign overnight guests from 3.8 million in 2023 to 7.2 million in 2030, and improve the vacation home market even more to broaden the range of lodging alternatives.
“The Tourism Strategy 2030 marks a pivotal moment in Abu Dhabi’s transformative journey, representing a vital lever in our ongoing evolution, The Strategy, which we are delivering in collaboration with our principal partners, demonstrates our unwavering dedication to promoting strategic development and sustainable growth in the travel and tourist industry. We are establishing the groundwork for a dynamic and successful future that will span decades with well-designed projects that will expand economic prospects, accentuate our unique culture, and strengthen the emirate’s value offer.”
H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak.
Promoting development that is sustainable across four key aspects:
Four strategic pillars—Offering and City Activation; Promotion & Marketing; Infrastructure & Mobility; and Visa, Licensing, and Regulations—have identified 26 major activities that will help realize the objectives of the Strategy. Abu Dhabi’s holistic strategy for achieving its ambitious tourist aims and promoting sustainable development in the industry is based on these pillars.
The initiatives will be made possible by the combined vision of DCT Abu Dhabi, the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), the Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), and other significant public and private stakeholders who are instrumental in realizing Abu Dhabi’s tourism vision.
Offering and City Activation, the first pillar, aims to improve the entire visitor experience by introducing new retail establishments, theme parks, cultural attractions, and hotel chains. increasing the number of annual concerts, festivals, and family events on the emirate’s activities schedule overall. The eating scene will become much more diverse, with more alternatives available such as the opening of training facilities and culinary schools.
Additionally, DCT Abu Dhabi will more than treble its marketing and promotion activities, boosting synergy within Abu Dhabi’s tourist ecosystem and extending its worldwide reach from 11 to 26 markets. Along with forming high-profile agreements with media outlets and well-known businesses globally, it will also create appealing content tailored to individual markets across a range of touchpoints.
The Infrastructure and Mobility pillar of the Strategy will boost the number of hotel rooms available in a variety of categories, such as glamping, farm stays, and accessible and luxurious alternatives. The emirate is poised to improve roads, public transportation, and infrastructure via valuable partnerships. This will facilitate travel inside the emirate and increase tourist inflow by increasing aircraft capacity with both domestic and international carriers.
Finally, reduced procedures for visas, licenses, and regulations will significantly improve both the traveler experience and the operations of tourism-related businesses. Improved platforms and procedures will shorten the periods for all applications and permits in coordination with relevant government authorities, making conducting business easier and drawing in investment.
Expanding upon 2023’s achievements:
Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry had a spectacular upsurge in 2023, drawing close to 24 million tourists. With a roughly AED 49 billion contribution to the UAE’s GDP, the growth in hotel visitors by 27% and the increase in foreign guests by 54% supported the economy.
More than 8.7 million people visited the emirate in 2023, drawn by its vibrant array of over 150 events, pristine beaches and natural landscapes, and cultural sites like Qasr Al Hosn, Qasr al Watan, and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Arrivals from important international markets like India, Russia, the United Kingdom, China, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also played a significant role in 2023. The emirate’s wide appeal is highlighted by record-breaking attendance at the first Manar Abu Dhabi public art show and the Louvre Abu Dhabi, among other museums, cultural festivals, and art exhibits.
An additional 44% growth in MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) events increased the number of visitors. Over 2,477 events and 960,000 attendees experiencing Abu Dhabi’s dining choices and attractions led to a 21 percent revenue rise for the food and beverage industry. Furthermore, Abu Dhabi’s standing as a major international hub for leisure and tourism was reinforced by marquee entertainment events like the MOTN Festival and the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as well as cultural landmarks like the Al Hosn Festival and the Liwa Festival.
Concerning the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism:
Driven by the Department of Cultural and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi’s creative industries and the city’s tourism and cultural sectors are growing sustainably, boosting the country’s economy and assisting in the realization of Abu Dhabi’s larger international goals.
DCT Abu Dhabi aims to unite the ecosystem around a common vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver creative solutions, and use the best tools, policies, and systems to support the culture and tourism industries by collaborating with the organizations that define the emirate’s status as a top international destination.
The people, culture, and geography of the emirate shape DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision. We strive to elevate Abu Dhabi’s standing as a hub of genuineness, creativity, and unmatched experiences, as shown by its enduring customs of hospitality, trailblazing endeavors, and imaginative thinking.
Also Read: Saudi Arabia is targeting 7.5 million Indian tourists as it approaches Vision 2030.
