In 2023, Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector experienced a significant surge in visitors with approximately 24 million guests, an increase of 55.5% from the previous year. The growth was driven by factors such as the rise in hotel guests and international visitors, as well as major international markets including India, Russia, the UK, China, and Saudi Arabia.
The emirate’s vibrant calendar of events played a crucial role in attracting visitors to Abu Dhabi. With over 150 events taking place throughout the year, tourists were drawn to pristine beaches, natural landscapes, and cultural sites like Qasr Al Hosn, Qasr Al Watan, and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Performances at museums and art exhibitions at venues such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Manar Abu Dhabi Public Art Gallery showcased the diverse appeal of Abu Dhabi.
In addition to cultural events like the Al Hosn Festival and Liwa Festival, entertainment events such as the Mother of the Nation Festival and Formula 1 Etihad Airways Grand Prix helped solidify Abu Dhabi’s position as a global destination for tourism and entertainment. The increase in meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) events by 44% also brought 960 thousand participants to explore tourist attractions and dining options in Abu Dhabi. This led to a significant increase in food and beverage sector revenues by 21%. Overall, these factors contributed approximately $49 billion to the GDP of Abu Dhabi.
