Abu Dhabi is taking big steps to grow its tourism industry with the new Tourism Strategy 2030. The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) wants tourism to add $24.5 billion (AED 90 billion) to the emirate’s economy every year by 2030. This is a big jump from the $13.3 billion (AED 49 billion) the sector contributed in 2023.
Tourism Strategy 2030 More Visitors, Bigger Impact
Abu Dhabi plans to attract 39.3 million visitors by 2030, up from 24 million in 2023. This number includes both overnight guests and same-day travelers. The number of international overnight tourists will nearly double, rising from 3.8 million to 7.2 million.
To meet this growing demand, the city will add more hotel rooms—expanding from 34,000 to 52,000 by 2030. It will also boost the number of holiday homes, giving travelers more places to stay. These developments will help create about 178,000 new jobs in the tourism industry.
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Key Areas of Focus
The Tourism Strategy 2030 is built around four main goals:
- Better Attractions and Experiences
Abu Dhabi will add more cultural sites, theme parks, and shopping areas. New hotel brands will also improve the city’s hospitality scene. - Global Promotion and Marketing
The emirate will promote tourism in more countries—expanding from 11 to 26 markets. It also plans to partner with key global travel and lifestyle brands. - Improved Travel and Transport
Getting around Abu Dhabi will become easier. Hotels will grow in all price ranges to suit different budgets. - Simpler Rules and Processes
The government will make it easier for businesses to invest and for visitors to get visas.
A Vision for the Future Tourism Strategy 2030
His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said this plan is part of a bigger vision. It supports the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, which focuses on long-term growth beyond oil.
With the Tourism Strategy 2030, Abu Dhabi is working to become one of the world’s top travel destinations.
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