Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector is set for substantial growth, with ambitions to contribute AED62 billion to the local economy in 2025—a 13 percent rise compared to 2024. The emirate is also targeting AED90 billion in non-oil GDP from tourism by 2030, according to Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).
Speaking at a roundtable during the launch of teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, Al Mubarak shared positive tourism performance figures for the first quarter of 2025. International overnight hotel guests increased by 4 percent year-to-date compared to Q1 2024. India, China, Russia, and the United Kingdom remained the key international markets driving this growth.
Al Mubarak noted that hotel occupancy levels across the emirate reached 79 percent in Q1 2025, with Abu Dhabi city itself recording an even higher occupancy rate of 82 percent.
He emphasized the vital role of Abu Dhabi’s cultural institutions in boosting tourism. Highlighting venues such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum, and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, along with the newly opened teamLab Phenomena, Al Mubarak said these sites are enhancing the emirate’s appeal as a cultural destination.
Located within the Saadiyat Cultural District, these museums stand as “cultural and knowledge beacons reflecting the UAE’s values of coexistence and its diverse cultural identity,” he said.
Al Mubarak credited the continued growth and investment in the cultural sector to the vision of the UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He affirmed the country’s growing global influence in the arts and culture space.
He further stressed the importance of the Saadiyat Cultural District as a heritage-rich area where museums play a pivotal role in shaping the future. “teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi embodies the UAE’s cultural diversity, fostering Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading global arts and culture destination,” he stated.
Looking ahead, Al Mubarak also announced that three additional museums are slated to open in the Saadiyat Cultural District later this year.
