Abu Dhabi Outlines Tourism Strategies; Targets 39.3 Million Visitors by 2030

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Abu Dhabi has outlined its ambitious Tourism Strategy 2030, which focuses on extensive and sustainable growth to establish the emirate as a global tourism destination, Wego can report.

The strategies have been approved by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

In a press release published by Abu Dhabi DCT (Department of Culture and Tourism), the Tourism Strategy 2030 highlights the emirate’s aim to:

• Boost visitor numbers from nearly 24 million in 2023 to 39.3 million by 2030 (overnight and same-day).
  • Nearly double the international overnight visitors from approximately 3.8 million in 2023 to 7.2 million by 2030. This expansion also entails increasing hotel room availability to 52,000 by 2030 and offering a wider range of accommodation options
• Generate 170,000 new jobs by 2030 to enrich the employment sector 

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However, the biggest objective of this strategy is to significantly amplify the UAE’s GDP, which is contributed by the travel and tourism sector, lifting it from roughly AED 49 billion in 2023 to AED 90 billion annually by 2030.

Ensuring extensive and sustainable growth across the four strategic pillars

As stated in the press release, Abu Dhabi has figured out 26 key initiatives across the four strategic pillars: Offering and City Activation; Promotion & Marketing; Infrastructure & Mobility; and Visa, Licensing, and Regulations, in order to achieve significant growth in the tourism sector. 

The first pillar aims to enhance the guest experience with new cultural sites, theme parks, retail offerings, and hotels, boosting the events calendar with concerts, festivals, and family events. Dining options will diversify, including culinary schools. 

DCT Abu Dhabi will double its Promotion and Marketing, expanding its international reach from 11 to 26 markets and forming strategic partnerships with media and brands. 

The Infrastructure and Mobility pillar will increase hotel rooms, enhance roads and public transport, and boost flight capacity.

Streamlined Visa, Licensing, and Regulation processes will enhance visitor experience and ease of doing business, attracting investment.

In an interview with CNBC, DCT Abu Dhabi Chairman Al Mubarak elaborates on these extensive strategies by investing around 7 billion USD in creative industries. He also added that regularly updating and enhancing their regulations and policies is a step toward achieving sustainable tourism. Furthermore, he stated that their primary objective is building up the safety of their residents and tourists. 

By expanding on its success in the tourism sector of 2023, a remarkable surge attained by its tapestry of rich landscapes, beaches, cultural sites and flagship entertainment options that are available to visitors to cherish, Abu Dhabi aspires to position itself as a global centre for leisure and tourism.