Abu Dhabi: record 2025 tourism year, 26.6 million visitors and hotel revenue up 19.5%
LVIn short
Abu Dhabi closed 2025 with 26.6 million visitors, an all-time record, and hotel revenues up 19.5% to AED 9.1 billion, according to the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi). MICE delegates rose 40% and cultural attendance grew 20%, with hotel occupancy climbing to 81%.
Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi) has confirmed the sector's best year on record: 26.6 million visitors in 2025, an all-time high for the emirate, driven by events, culture and new hospitality capacity.
2025 in numbers
- Total visitors: 26.6 million, an all-time record
- Hotel revenue: AED 9.1 billion, up 19.5% year on year
- Hotel occupancy rate: 81%, up 3 percentage points
- MICE delegates (events, conferences, incentives): 2.2 million, up 40%
- Culture and leisure event attendance: 4.2 million, up 20%
- Visitors to cultural sites and libraries: over 8.6 million, with Qasr Al Hosn up 22%
Why it matters for property
An 81% occupancy rate alongside record visitor numbers is not just a tourism-sector figure: it is the most direct signal of demand for short stays and hospitality assets across the emirate. More visitors and more MICE delegates mean more booked nights, and that kind of market supports both hotel assets and short-term residential rentals in areas close to attractions and convention hubs.
There is also a slower but equally relevant effect: a city investing in culture, events and hospitality capacity becomes more attractive to people weighing a longer-term move, not just a holiday. That widens the potential pool of housing demand well beyond short-stay tourism.
| Indicator | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Total visitors | 26.6 million | record |
| Hotel revenue | AED 9.1bn | +19.5% |
| Hotel occupancy | 81% | +3 p.p. |
| MICE delegates | 2.2 million | +40% |
| Cultural event attendance | 4.2 million | +20% |
Original source
Article based on Abu Dhabi turns to tourism, culture as new 'weapons' against conflicts — DCT Abu Dhabi · 12 Aug 2026. Reading, analysis and commentary are original.
Frequently asked
How many visitors did Abu Dhabi welcome in 2025?
26.6 million, an all-time record according to Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi).
How much did hotel revenue grow?
Up 19.5% year on year, to AED 9.1 billion, with occupancy rising 3 percentage points to 81%.
Which other tourism segments grew?
MICE delegates (events, conferences, incentives) rose 40% to 2.2 million, while culture and leisure event attendance grew 20% to 4.2 million.
What does this mean for the property market?
81% occupancy and record tourism flows are fuelling demand for short stays and hospitality assets, while also reinforcing the city's appeal for long-term residents and expats.
Luca Vallelonga
Italian real estate consultant in Dubai since 2021 · Senior Real Estate Advisor, Gabetti Middle East · BRN 85642
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