While Dubai entertains, Abu Dhabi elevates: A new era of cultural tourism

Abu Dhabi is rapidly positioning itself as the cultural heart of the Arab world, recording a significant surge in tourism in the first half of 2025. 

According to the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), over 4 million visitors explored the emirate’s cultural and heritage sites between January and June — a 47% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

This momentum reflects the success of the emirate’s Tourism Strategy 2030, which prioritizes authentic, high-end, and culturally immersive experiences over mass tourism. Flagship institutions like Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Hosn, and the House of Artisans continue to attract culturally curious travelers looking for substance over spectacle.

In contrast to Dubai’s entertainment-first approach, Abu Dhabi is cultivating a more refined identity — rooted in art, heritage, and Emirati hospitality. The strategy is yielding results: hotel revenues rose by 20%, average length of stay increased to 3.2 nights, and key international markets such as India (+29%) and the UK (+17%) showed strong performance.

“These results prove the effectiveness of our strategy: to build a tourism offering based on authenticity, innovation, and cultural depth,” said Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi.

The emirate’s cultural landscape continues to evolve. Among the newest additions in 2025, the teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi and the Al Maqtaa Museum have already welcomed thousands of visitors. 

Meanwhile, the Abrahamic Family House, home to a church, a mosque, and a synagogue, each featuring striking contemporary architecture, stands as a powerful symbol of peaceful coexistence and interfaith dialogue, envisioned for generations to come.

Looking ahead, Abu Dhabi is preparing to unveil one of its most anticipated cultural landmarks: the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, currently under construction on Saadiyat Island. Once completed, it will further elevate the emirate’s status on the global cultural stage.

With its clear strategic vision and bold investments in cultural infrastructure, Abu Dhabi is not just attracting more visitors — it is reshaping what tourism in the region can be: thoughtful, inclusive, and deeply enriching.