The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi has announced that the emirate welcomed 26.6 million visitors in 2025, as hotel revenue rose 19.5% year on year to AED 9.1 billion.
Abu Dhabi's tourism sector received 5.9 million hotel guests during the same year, up 2.2% compared with 2024, along with 338,000 guests at holiday homes and glamping sites. Hotel occupancy rose by 3% to 81%, with the average daily rate up 19% and revenue per available room up 23%, according to a post on the Abu Dhabi Government Media Office website.
It explained that this performance was supported by 10% growth in international visitors from key markets, led by the Indian market, which grew 22% compared with 2024. India topped the key markets by number of hotel guests with 436,124 guests, followed by Russia with 257,200, the United Kingdom with 250,906, China with 248,494 and Saudi Arabia with 200,652.
In terms of stays, the average length of stay across all accommodation facilities reached 2.9 nights in 2025, up 3% year on year, while key markets recorded a 2% increase, partly driven by 13% growth in the length of stay of Chinese visitors. Hotels accounted for 92% of total stays, against 8% for holiday homes and glamping sites.
The sector also benefited from improved air connectivity, as inbound seat capacity to Abu Dhabi rose 11% during the year, with the load factor up 2% to 89%, reflecting strong tourism demand and its ability to keep pace with supply growth. Visitors from Russia recorded the longest average stay at 4.3 nights, followed by the United Kingdom at 4.2 nights, Germany at 4.1 nights and Italy at 3.4 nights.
Cultural landmarks boosted Abu Dhabi's tourism appeal, as the emirate's cultural sites and libraries attracted more than 8.6 million visitors in 2025. Louvre Abu Dhabi maintained its position as one of the most visited sites with 1.4 million visitors, while Qasr Al Hosn received more than 843,000 visitors, up 22% year on year. More than 20 cultural sites and libraries were also activated across Abu Dhabi's three regions, supporting the diversity of the tourism experience in the emirate.
Al Ain recorded a strong performance, receiving 473,100 guests, up 9% compared with 2024, with a similar rise in hotel occupancy, driven mainly by leisure tourism. Meanwhile, Al Dhafra received 147,900 guests, up 3%, with hotel occupancy jumping 19%, an indicator of a widening tourism demand base outside Abu Dhabi city.
Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, explained that these results reflect the strength of the path the emirate is taking to consolidate its position as a global destination, adding that continued investment in iconic landmarks and the expansion of the Saadiyat Cultural District support the long-term growth of the tourism sector.
To view the post on the Abu Dhabi Government Media Office website, click here.
