Indian tourists’ interest in Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry has increased significantly, with India now being the top source market. Abdulla Mohammad, DCT’s Director of International Operations, discussed the strategic significance of India, the company’s focused growth strategies in tier 2 and tier 3 markets, and the ambitious 2030 tourism plan, which seeks to establish Abu Dhabi as a top travel destination worldwide.
India Drives Record Growth in Abu Dhabi Tourism: 10 Key Points To Know
- India as Top Source Market: India has become the leading source market for tourism to Abu Dhabi, contributing significantly to the growth of the emirate’s tourism industry.
- Strategic Focus on India: The Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) Abu Dhabi is emphasizing India’s importance, with a special focus on tier 2 and tier 3 cities to attract more Indian tourists.
- Rising Indian Middle Class: The increasing discretionary income of India’s middle class has led to a surge in outbound travel, with Abu Dhabi emerging as a top destination for first-time international travelers.
- Tourism Growth in 2023: In 2023, hotel visitors from India to Abu Dhabi increased by 37% compared to the same period the previous year, reflecting India’s significant contribution to the tourism industry.
- Ambitious 2030 Tourism Plan: Abu Dhabi’s 2030 tourism strategy aims to increase the number of visitors from 24 million in 2023 to 39.3 million by 2030, with a year-on-year growth rate of 7%.
- Targeting Smaller Cities: DCT Abu Dhabi has been working for over 18 months on targeting tier 2 and tier 3 cities in India, partnering with airlines, and using customized marketing strategies to tap into these growing markets.
- Diverse Tourist Offerings: Abu Dhabi offers a wide range of experiences tailored to different demographics, including families, millennials, and Gen Z, with attractions ranging from beaches and amusement parks to cultural sites.
- Focus on Wedding and MICE Tourism: Abu Dhabi is placing significant emphasis on wedding tourism and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism, offering incentives and superior infrastructure to attract large events.
- Luxury Tourism Expansion: New projects are planned for Saadiyat Island and other parts of Abu Dhabi, aimed at enhancing the luxury tourism market with high-end experiences, including personal driver and concierge services.
- Cultural Experiences Highlighted: The Saadiyat Cultural District is set to become a cultural hub by the end of 2025, featuring world-renowned museums like the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Guggenheim Museum, further boosting Abu Dhabi’s appeal as a top travel destination.
“India is important not just for the UAE and Abu Dhabi in particular, but for the entire world,” said Mohammad, highlighting the country’s increasing prominence in the world’s tourism scene. He pointed out that the middle class in India has more discretionary cash, which has led to a surge in outbound travel, with Abu Dhabi being the most popular destination for tourists visiting other countries for the first time.
Abu Dhabi is a popular travel destination for Indians because of its close proximity to India as well as its extensive historical and commercial ties. “There is always this connection, and it’s not something that came up just now; it’s been years in the making,” he said.
Historical Expansion in The Indian Market
India has made a significant contribution to the expansion of Abu Dhabi’s tourist industry; in the first half of the year, hotel visitors from India increased by 37% over the same period last year. “India is the leading source market for tourism to Abu Dhabi, and we are confident that this growth will continue,” Mohammad said. The DCT has already surpassed its annual target by 21%, therefore reevaluating the objectives is necessary to keep up the pace. In 2023, Abu Dhabi hosted 24 million tourists from throughout the world.
“We have a strong affinity for India, and we are dedicated to making Abu Dhabi a top destination for Indian travelers, whether they are looking for luxury, culture, or adventure. It is anticipated that the sustained emphasis on Tier-II and III cities, together with creative marketing and upscale services, will spur more growth and strengthen Abu Dhabi’s allure for the Indian market,” he stated.
By 2030, DCT Abu Dhabi hopes to expand its portfolio of overseas source markets from 11 to 26 high-growth prospective markets.
Focusing on Tier-III and Tier-II Cities
A thorough plan has been established by DCT to target tier 2 and tier 3 markets, realizing the unrealized potential in India’s smaller cities. “We started focusing on these cities more than 18 months ago, working closely with our partners, including airlines, to expand connectivity and tap into these growing markets,” Mohammad said.
He made the argument that Tier-II cities like Bangalore and Hyderabad have great potential and are equally important to metropolitan areas. The strategy includes holding roadshows, seminars, and customized marketing efforts based on the interests of tourists visiting these areas.
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Varied Encounters for Millennials and Families
The DCT executive emphasized the wide variety of activities Abu Dhabi provides to travelers from various demographic groups, especially families, millennials, and Gen Z. Everyone can find something to do in Abu Dhabi. There’s always something to suit every traveler’s pace, whether it’s lounging on the beach, taking part in heart-pounding activities at Ferrari World, or visiting top-notch amusement parks,” he added.
The centerpiece of Abu Dhabi’s initiatives to increase its allure is the newly adopted 2030 tourism plan. 26 projects make up the plan, which is divided into four major pillars: upmarket marketing and promotion, infrastructure and transportation, city activation, and visa rules. “Our goal is to make the entire city as vibrant as Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, offering a variety of options beyond the traditional hotspots,” he said.
As to the Tourism Strategy 2030 of Abu Dhabi, DCT Abu Dhabi hopes to grow the number of visitors from about 24 million in 2023 to 39.3 million by 2030, representing an average 7% YoY rise.
A Deliberate Emphasis on Wedding and MICE Tourism
Abu Dhabi also places a lot of emphasis on the expanding MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and wedding tourism sectors. “We have a very clear strategy and incentive program to attract meeting planners and Indian companies to choose Abu Dhabi for their events,” Abdulla said. He cited the main attributes that draw big events to Abu Dhabi, including its excellent infrastructure, easy access to the city, and expedited immigration procedures.
With new projects planned for Saadiyat Island and other areas of the city, Abu Dhabi’s luxury tourist market is expected to grow. “Saadiyat Island is known for its luxury products, and we have a steering committee that regularly reviews the master plan for the island,” Abdulla said. A variety of opulent experiences will be available on the island, such as personal driver and concierge services.
Experiences related to culture are also highly valued; by the end of 2025, the Saadiyat Cultural District is expected to be a masterpiece of culture. “The district will house world-renowned museums like the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Museum of Natural History, Zayed National Museum, and the Guggenheim Museum,” he said.
In order to position Abu Dhabi as a top travel destination, DCT Abu Dhabi is also getting ready for new digital marketing efforts. “We have two main campaigns in the pipeline, one for the summer and another for the winter, with a dedicated version for the Indian market,” Abdulla said. These advertisements are part of a larger initiative under the 2030 plan to target certain audiences with messages that are effective and personalized.
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