Abu Dhabi's tourism sector is on the rise, with the emirate welcoming a steady stream of visitors in recent months. The latest figures show a significant increase in tourist arrivals, with many attributing this growth to the opening of new cultural and entertainment venues.
What's driving the growth?
The opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi's new pavilion has been a major draw for tourists, with the museum's unique architecture and world-class exhibitions attracting visitors from far and wide. The pavilion, which opened on April 30, 2026, features a stunning collection of contemporary art and artifacts from around the world.
The emirate's tourism authorities have also been working hard to promote Abu Dhabi as a destination for cultural and entertainment enthusiasts, with a range of new attractions and events being launched in recent months. According to Saif Al Dhaheri, deputy governor of the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, the emirate has seen a 25% increase in tourist arrivals since the opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
One of the most popular new attractions is the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, which offers visitors the chance to learn about the traditional Emirati sport of falconry. The hospital, which was established in 1999, has been a major draw for tourists, with over 100,000 visitors in the past year alone.
With its rich history and culture, Abu Dhabi is fast becoming a must-visit destination for tourists from around the world. The emirate's tourism authorities are confident that this growth will continue, with a range of new attractions and events being launched in the coming months.
Key statistics
The latest figures show that tourist arrivals in Abu Dhabi have increased by 15% in the past quarter, with many attributing this growth to the opening of new cultural and entertainment venues. According to the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, the emirate welcomed over 1.2 million tourists in the first quarter of 2026, a 20% increase from the same period last year.
The emirate's tourism authorities are confident that this growth will continue, with a range of new attractions and events being launched in the coming months. The Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority has announced plans to launch a new tourism campaign in the summer of 2026, which will focus on promoting the emirate's cultural and entertainment offerings.
Abu Dhabi's tourism sector is expected to continue to thrive, with the emirate welcoming a record number of visitors in 2026. The emirate's tourism authorities are working hard to promote Abu Dhabi as a destination for tourists, with a range of new attractions and events being launched in the coming months.
Supporting the UAE's tourism vision
The growth of Abu Dhabi's tourism sector is in line with the UAE's national tourism vision, which aims to increase tourist arrivals in the country to 40 million by 2028. The UAE's tourism authorities are working hard to promote the country as a destination for tourists, with a range of new attractions and events being launched in the coming months.
The Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority has announced plans to launch a new tourism campaign in the summer of 2026, which will focus on promoting the emirate's cultural and entertainment offerings. The campaign will include a range of new attractions and events, including a new festival of traditional Emirati music and dance.
The growth of Abu Dhabi's tourism sector is also expected to have a positive impact on the emirate's economy, with the tourism sector expected to contribute 10% of the emirate's GDP by 2028.
A digital first for UAE tourism
The Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority has also announced plans to launch a new digital platform for tourists, which will provide visitors with a range of information and services to help them plan their trip to Abu Dhabi. The platform, which is expected to launch in the summer of 2026, will include a range of new features, including a booking system for tourist attractions and a map of the emirate's cultural and entertainment venues.
The platform will also include a range of new services, including a virtual reality experience of the emirate's cultural and entertainment offerings. The platform is expected to be a major draw for tourists, with over 50,000 visitors expected to use the platform in the first year alone.
The growth of Abu Dhabi's tourism sector is expected to continue to thrive, with the emirate welcoming a record number of visitors in 2026. The emirate's tourism authorities are working hard to promote Abu Dhabi as a destination for tourists, with a range of new attractions and events being launched in the coming months.
