Revenue per available room (RevPAR) reached AED 484, reflecting a 25 pc rise: DCT Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi recorded a rise in tourism activity in the first quarter of 2025, with the UAE’s Department of Culture and Tourism reporting around 1.4 million hotel room nights between January and March.
In a press statement, DCT Abu Dhabi stated that this growth contributed to hotel revenues of AED 2.3 billion, marking an 18 pc increase. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) reached AED 484, reflecting a 25 pc rise. Hotel occupancy across the emirate averaged 79 pc including during Ramadan.
It adds that this performance puts the sector on track to contribute AED 62 billion to the emirate’s economy, a 13 pc increase from 2024. Additionally, the sector is expected to support 255,000 jobs.
According to the statement, this year’s growth follows a strong performance in the previous year, when Abu Dhabi recorded a 7 pc increase in total hotel and alternative accommodation guests, with international overnight visitors reaching 3.2 million, a 28 pc rise. Hotel occupancy for the year also stood at 79 pc, generating AED 7.6 billion in hotel revenue, up 18.1 pc, with revenue per available room increasing by 22 pc over the same period.
Aiming to expand its global marketing efforts, DCT Abu Dhabi says that in the previous year, it increased operations from 11 to 25 markets, including the CIS, APAC, and Eastern Europe. This year, it aims to build on this by using the Arabian Travel Market 2025 to highlight new developments and opportunities for trade and tourism.
As per press statement, the growth aligns with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to attract 39.3 million annual visitors, generate 178,000 tourism jobs, and contribute USD 24.3 billion to GDP by the end of the decade. The strategy also includes expanding hotel capacity to 50,000 rooms.
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According to a press statement, as part of its cultural development efforts, DCT Abu Dhabi stated that it has recently opened teamLab Phenomena in the Saadiyat Cultural District, which houses the Louvre
Abu Dhabi this year, it is set to add the Zayed National Museum and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, with the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi on track for completion.
Also Read: Abu Dhabi Airport records 67 pc growth in passenger traffic in H1, 2023
As per a press statement, UAE’s government department says that at this year’s ATM, it will feature key sites and attractions, with a focus on the Saadiyat Cultural District, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra regions. It will host 73 partners including Etihad, Miral, Yas Island and hospitality representatives.
Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani
“Our strategic approach to elevating Abu Dhabi as a cultural and tourism destination is delivering tangible results. Sustained investment into data-led destination marketing, diversified programming, a culture-first ethos and ever-improving visitor experience touch points have driven robust growth in Q1 2025, building on a strong 2024. As we showcase the offerings of our emirate at Arabian Travel Market, we are focused on strengthening our key partnerships, expanding our global reach, and accelerating progress towards our long-term tourism goals, all while ensuring that Abu Dhabi’s unique cultural identity remains at the heart of everything we offer,” says Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary, DCT Abu Dhabi.
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