The Government of Abu Dhabi has approved a key tourism strategy for the emirate, with the ambitious blueprint signalling a new era of expansion and strategic development in the travel and tourism sector.

His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, approved the Tourism Strategy 2030, which is spearheaded by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).

The strategy seeks to boost visitor numbers from nearly 24 million in 2023 to 39.3 million by 2030 (overnight and same-day), with a 7% year-on-year growth.

Moreover, it plans to significantly elevate the tourism and travel sector's contribution to the UAE's GDP, raising it from approximately AED 49 billion ($13 billion) in 2023 to AED 90 billion annually by 2030.

The strategy is expected to generate an estimated 178,000 new jobs by 2030 as the entire tourism infrastructure develops to meet this demand.

It intends to almost double international overnight visitors from 3.8 million in 2023 approximately to 7.2 million in 2030, expand hotel room availability from 34,000 in 2023 to 52,000 by 2030, and further enhance the holiday home segment to diversify accommodation options.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: "The Tourism Strategy 2030 marks a pivotal moment in Abu Dhabi's transformative journey, representing a vital lever in our ongoing evolution.

“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."

To achieve the strategy’s goals, 26 key initiatives have been identified across four strategic pillars: Offering and City Activation; Promotion & Marketing; Infrastructure & Mobility; and Visa, Licensing, and Regulations.

These pillars form the foundation of Abu Dhabi's comprehensive approach to realising its ambitious tourism targets and fostering sustainable growth in the sector.

The initiatives will be unlocked through the collective vision of DCT Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (Added), the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), and other key government and private stakeholders, who play a strategic role in bringing Abu Dhabi’s tourism vision to life.

The first pillar, Offering and City Activation, looks to further enhance the overall guest experience by unveiling additional cultural sites, theme parks, retails offerings and new hotel chains.

DCT Abu Dhabi will also more than double its Promotion and Marketing efforts, expanding its international reach from 11 to 26 markets and enhancing synergy within Abu Dhabi's tourism ecosystem.

The Infrastructure and Mobility pillar will aim to increase hotel room availability across various categories, including accessible and luxury options, glamping, and farm stays.

Lastly, both visitor experience and tourism business operations will be greatly enhanced with streamlined Visa, Licensing and Regulation processes. In collaboration with relevant government agencies, enhanced platforms and processes will reduce time frames for all applications and permits, to improve the ease of doing business and attract investment. – TradeArabia News Service