Abu Dhabi records 26% rise in international visitors

• Surge in UAE capital tourism
• 3.9m visit events and landmarks
• GDP target of $24bn by 2030

Abu Dhabi welcomed almost five million guests to its hotels in the year through to October.

The latest figures from the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) Abu Dhabi show that the number of international guests was up 26 percent year on year over the 10-month period.

Visitors mainly came from India, China, Russia, the UK and Saudi Arabia. 

The UAE capital also saw more than 3.9 million visitors across its cultural events and landmarks, a 21 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

“By crafting authentic experiences, developing our infrastructure, and fostering talent, community engagement and key partnerships, we are shaping the emirate into a thriving global leader in the tourism and culture sector,” said DCT Abu Dhabi under-secretary Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani.

Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030 aims to attract 39.3 million visitors, create 178,000 new jobs in the tourism sector and contribute AED90 billion ($24.49 billion) to GDP by 2030. 

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The emirate plans to invest AED36.72 billion ($10 billion) in infrastructure as part of its tourism plans.

In recent years Abu Dhabi has earned a reputation as a host of major sporting events including the NBA, the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Indian Premier League in cricket, the ITU world triathlon and the Fina swimming world championships.