Abu Dhabi sets target of 24 million visitors by end of year

Abu Dhabi has set a target to attract more than 24 million visitors to the emirate by the end of this year.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi announced the new performance goals before the start of the Arabian Travel Market.

The annual four-day travel and tourism industry event opened yesterday at Dubai World Trade Centre.

Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector had a strong 2022, with hotel occupancy rates reaching 70 per cent, surpassing the Middle East average of 67 per cent, according to the latest government data.

The emirate received 18 million visitors last year – a 13 per cent increase from 2021.

According to officials, visitors are defined as “individuals visiting the emirate of Abu Dhabi, for day trips or overnight stays in hotels or with family and friends”.

The emirate has welcomed visitors from around the world, with the highest number of international visitors coming from India, Saudi Arabia, the UK and the US.

“Our ambitious goal to welcome more than 24 million visitors by the end of 2023 builds on healthy growth over the past year,” said Saood Al Hosani, undersecretary at DCT – Abu Dhabi.

“This encouraging performance was enabled through powerful collaborations and delivery of memorable travel and business experiences across the whole year, supported by an integrated ecosystem of best-in-class services, infrastructure and impactful marketing.

“In Abu Dhabi we are demonstrating the power of partnerships across the tourism sector and the fact that collectively we can thrive.”

Last year, Abu Dhabi hosted more than 100 events during a 180-day period – including concerts by Grammy award-winning singer Sting, K-Pop group Blackpink and Oscar-winning Indian composer AR Rahman.

Abu Dhabi is also a leading destination for global sport, hosting Formula One, NBA and UFC events. “The success we have achieved so far inspires us to strive for more,” said Saleh Al Geziry, director general for tourism at DCT – Abu Dhabi.

Meanwhile, Dubai could exceed its pre-pandemic annual number of international visitors this year following a growing influx of tourists, according to a report.

The emirate hosted 3.1 million visitors in the first two months of the year, data from Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism shows. In January, the number of visitors increased by 50 per cent year on year and stood 9 per cent below the pre-pandemic levels of 2019, according to an assessment by Emirates NBD.

Dubai recorded 14.36 million international visitors last year, inching closer to the 16.73 million in 2019, according to DET statistics.