Abu Dhabi to increase cultural attractions as it targets ambitious tourism growth

Abu Dhabi is set to open a series of new attractions in 2025 as it works towards ambitious tourism goals. 

Outlined in Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030, the city aims to increase annual global visitor numbers to 39.3million, up from 24million in 2023. 

Speaking at World Travel Market (WTM), Abdulla Yusuf, director of international operations at the Department of Culture and Tourism for Abu Dhabi, told Travel Weekly: “One of the key pillars of the strategy is about city offering and activation. We want to create a very busy events calendar so no matter what time of the year travellers come to Abu Dhabi, there’s something they can experience.”

He added: “We don’t want to only concentrate tourism in one specific area but create vibrancy across the destination.”

As part of its expanded offering, Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. 

New additions will include the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, which will host permanent art collections, exclusive exhibitions and a children’s education facility; the Zayed National Museum, showcasing the history and culture of the Emirates; and the National History Museum Abu Dhabi, where visitors can learn about the region’s geological history. 

TeamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi is “opening soon”in the Saadiyat Cultural District featuring immersive art installations centred on the theme of Environmental Phenomena. 

This October, Abu Dhabi also announced that it will bring the world’s second Sphere to the city, after the first opened in Las Vegas in September 2023, to host events, shows and concerts.

Warner Brothers World Abu Dhabi is also set to expand to include a Harry Potter attraction, although the opening date has not yet been confirmed. 

“We want to bring ideas from different parts of the world as well as showcase our own culture and heritage," Yusuf said.

Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030 also includes goals to increase hotel room supply from 34,000 to 52,000 and to extend the average international overnight hotel stay from 3.2 to 3.9 nights. 

“We aim to grow both our luxury and affordable luxury offering,” Yusuf added. 

The pipeline of new properties includes Liwa Hotel by Autograph Collection, opening in 2025 in the Liwa Desert, and Nobu Hotel Abu Dhabi, set to open in 2027 on Saadiyat Island.

Mandarin Oriental Residences Saadiyat Island is also in development, featuring 228 branded residences.