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Nov 12, 2023.
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This article also features in The Report: Abu Dhabi 2023 . Read more about this report and view purchase options in our online store.
Tourism & Culture From The Report: Abu Dhabi 2023 View in Online Reader
Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry witnessed substantial growth in the years leading up to the Covid-19 pandemic. The economy was insulated by government policies and relief packages during the crisis, with effective measures implemented to control the virus’s spread. Today, Abu Dhabi’s tourism operators are experiencing a resurgence in international visitors, marking a strong recovery for the sector.
Tourism and cultural activities remain central to Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification efforts, with various investment initiatives aimed at expanding the emirate’s range of leisure and cultural attractions. These endeavours, coupled with the sector’s capacity for job creation, have been largely successful to date.
Continued growth in tourist arrivals is expected as Abu Dhabi’s cosmopolitan image, along with substantial public and private investment, positions the emirate to capitalise on the increasing international recognition of the region’s cultural and leisure offerings. Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a welcoming, safe and diverse destination with robust international connectivity bodes well for future expansion.
This chapter contains interviews with Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi; and Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO, Miral.
Articles from this Chapter
Leisure oasis: the emirate is solidifying its reputation as a welcoming, safe and diverse destination, driving further expansion in the sector obg plus.
Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry underwent significant growth in the years preceding the Covid-19 pandemic. The emirate’s economy received a substantial degree of insulation through government policies and relief packages during the pandemic, while measures implemented to contain the spread of the virus were prompt and effective. Abu Dhabi’s tourism operators are now enjoying the return of international visitors, and the sector as a whole has rebounded well. Indeed, tourism and cultural activities…
Visitor attractions: Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), on efforts to develop new cultural projects in the emirate OBG plus
Interview:Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak What are some of the potential opportunities in the emirate’s meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) market? MOHAMED KHALIFA AL MUBARAK: Abu Dhabi’s MICE segment is a central element in the emirate’s ambition to become a globally recognised destination for leisure and business travellers. The promotion of Abu Dhabi as a MICE destination has yielded substantial results over the past decade. In 2022 the emirate welcomed more than…
Cross-border connections: Gulf countries develop strategic partnerships to promote the region as a leading international travel destination OBG plus
In 2022 the Middle East witnessed the sharpest relative increase in international arrivals of any region in the world, solidifying its rebound from the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic and further raising its profile as an increasingly attractive destination for inbound tourism. According to the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), in 2022 international arrivals in the Middle East recovered to 83% of the levels prior to the onset of the pandemic, outperforming all other regions. Road to Recovery Dubai…
New opportunities: Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO, Miral, on collaborating with international stakeholders and meeting sustainability goals OBG plus
Interview:Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi In what ways is cooperation among local and international stakeholders helping to enrich Abu Dhabi’s tourism and entertainment offerings? MOHAMED ABDALLA AL ZAABI: Abu Dhabi has a collaborative and supportive working environment involving all key national stakeholders – including Etihad Airways, Department of Tourism and Culture – Abu Dhabi, and Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi – working towards a unified goal of making the emirate successful. National…
Shifting dynamics: Many strategies focus on sustainable solutions and support for small businesses as governments look to boost arrivals OBG plus
As emerging markets develop new attractions and tap into new visitor source markets, they are leveraging technology and sustainable development in line with emissions targets. Following sharp declines in 2020, international tourism figures rebounded in 2021 to reach approximately 63% of pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels in 2022. Notably, in September of that year arrivals in the Middle East and the Caribbean surpassed 2019 levels by 3% and 1%, respectively. The recovery in travel demand is projected…
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Read the 2022 Annual Report. In 2022 we harnessed the power of culture, which showed us the pathway to resilience, recovery and revival. It was also a year where we embraced the transformative power of collaboration, bringing a new-found sense of energy, partnership and innovation.
With an overarching mandate to position Abu Dhabi as a preeminent, must-see destination for travellers, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi drives the continuing transformation of the emirate with the aim of establishing it as a brand leader and major player on the international stage. DCT Abu Dhabi expertly leverages the ...
From the data collated, we are able to record, monitor and track Abu Dhabi’s hotel performance using key indicators such as number of room nights booked, hotel occupancy levels, average length of stay, combined revenue and others. Our findings offer a valuable insight into Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector, and assist us with strategic decision ...
Our tourism strategy for Abu Dhabi encompasses two main elements: leisure and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions), achieving lasting value and economic impact through ...
Given that it accounts for 84% of the UAE’s landmass and around 52% of GDP in 2022, Abu Dhabi will be instrumental to the federal tourism drive. The Abu Dhabi Tourism Strategy actually predates the national strategy, having launched in 2021.
Today, Abu Dhabi’s tourism operators are experiencing a resurgence in international visitors, marking a strong recovery for Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry witnessed substantial growth in the years leading up to the Covid-19 pandemic.