In a bid to establish Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, as a premier wedding destination, the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB) has announced an initiative to extend visa support to Indian nationals hosting weddings across the Emirate.

According to a press statement by the ADCEB, which is a part of the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, this initiative is a strategic part to establish the UAE capital as a premier wedding destination and contribute to Abu Dhabi’s tourism strategy 2030. It aims to boost visitor numbers to 39.3 million by 2030.

The destination wedding segment is among the newest verticals to join the ADCEB as part of an overarching objective to attract domestic and international visitors and increase the sector’s contribution to the GDP to AED 90 billion as per the 2030 strategy, the statement says.

India is recognised as one of the largest markets for destination weddings globally, making it a key target market for Abu Dhabi. By extending visa support to Indian weddings, in the form of absorbing costs, the ADCEB’s destination wedding segment aims to position Abu Dhabi as a world-leading destination for weddings and celebrations of all kinds.

ADCEB says that the move provides an avenue to amplify the Abu Dhabi’s unique cultural and entertainment offerings, cultural attractions and natural landscapes for international audiences. It adds that weddings are also a key revenue stream for the hospitality sector, driving venue and hotel room occupancy, and the service industry sectors such as wedding planning, photography, catering and personal services.