Abu Dhabi has started to implement the expansion concept with new infrastructure and projects that will further enhance tourism. This investment is costing over $10 billion and the time frame given is until 2030.
Abu Dhabi will introduce new theme parks, cultural sites, retail experiences and hotels. The emirate will increase hotel room availability, enhance infrastructure, and streamline visa processes.
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030 has the following goals by the end of the decade:
- Create 178,000 new tourism-related jobs.
- Double international overnight visitors from 3.8 million in 2023 to 7.2 million.
- Increase the number of hotel rooms from hotel room 34,000 in 2023 to 52,000.
- Increase countrywide GDP contribution from $13.3 billion in 2023 to $24.5 billion.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi highlighted: “Delivered alongside our key partners, the strategy underscores our steadfast commitment to fostering sustainable growth and strategic development in the travel and tourism sector. Through carefully crafted initiatives that will unlock economic opportunities, amplify our distinctive culture and enhance the emirate’s value proposition, we are laying the foundation for a vibrant and prosperous future that transcends generations.”
The department shared 26 “key initiatives” it needs to focus on. These initiatives aren’t named but are grouped into four pillars:
- Offerings and City Activation
- Promotion and Marketing
- Infrastructure and Mobility
- Visa, Licensing, and Regulations
The first pillar surrounds the building of additional cultural sites, theme parks, retails offerings and new hotel chains. Then, Abu Dhabi will also more than double its promotion and marketing efforts, expanding its international reach from 11 to 26 markets.
The strategy’s infrastructure and mobility pillar will increase hotel room availability, including accessible and luxury options, glamping, and farm stays. This pillar also stipulates boosting airlift and the aviation sector. Abu Dhabi International Airport’s Terminal A brings a major increase in capacity for the emirate’s commercial aviation sector, more than doubling the current passenger capacity, with the new facilities being able to process up to 45 million travelers annually.
Lastly, both visitor experience and tourism business operations will be enhanced with new visa, licensing and regulation processes.
The city is also big on sporting events, similar to Saudi Arabia’s recent focus on boxing, football and wrestling. Abu Dhabi has its own Formula 1 track which wraps around a five-star hotel operated by Marriott. It also has a Ferrari-themed amusement park and continuously hosts UFC events on Yas Island.
