Abu Dhabi Welcomes Record Number of Stopover Visitors in 2025

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Etihad Airways are celebrating outstanding success at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, with visitor numbers to Abu Dhabi experiencing remarkable growth.

In the first four months of 2025, the programme has seen 25,000 bookings, an increase of 47 per cent compared to the same period last year. Visitor numbers have surged to 44,000, a substantial 76 per cent rise from 25,000 during January to April 2024.

Many travellers who initially stopover in Abu Dhabi are returning for longer holidays, leveraging the programme’s success. Last year, the emirate welcomed 85,000 stopover visitors—up from 12,000 in 2023—and Etihad Airways expects to host over 130,000 this year, further boosting international tourism.

The programme attracts tourists from across Etihad’s global network, notably from the US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, India, Japan, and South Korea, all eager to experience Abu Dhabi’s rich culture and modern attractions.

A key enhancement is the new Abu Dhabi Pass, launched in March. This digital pass offers free airport transfers, a tourist SIM, unlimited public transport, exclusive attraction discounts (up to 15 per cent), and 24-hour access to hop-on-hop-off buses, making the city more accessible and enjoyable for visitors.

Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, commented, "Abu Dhabi's strategic investment in data-led marketing, diverse programming, and a culture-first approach is yielding significant tourism growth, evidenced by 1.4 million Q1 2025 overnight guests. With the success of our stopover programme, we aim to strengthen partnerships and broaden our global reach, ensuring our unique cultural identity remains central to our long-term tourism vision.

“The multi-sensory teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi opened on 18 April and is the newest addition to Saadiyat Cultural District. This 17,000 sq m immersive art space features transformative exhibits at the intersection of art, science, and technology, adding to the emirate's growing portfolio of world-class experiences.”

Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer, also added, "Our Stopover Programme continues to exceed expectations as more travellers choose to break their journey and discover Abu Dhabi. The 76 per cent growth in visitors during the first four months of 2025 demonstrates the programme's accelerating momentum. By offering up to two complimentary hotel nights, we're giving visitors the perfect opportunity to experience our remarkable destination. The introduction of the Abu Dhabi Pass has further enhanced this experience, providing practical benefits and exclusive discounts that allow visitors to make the most of their time in the emirate."

The average stay length has increased, with visitors exploring more attractions. This aligns with Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030, aiming for 39.3 million visitors, creating thousands of jobs, and contributing AED 90 billion to the economy by 2030.