Abu Dhabi sees surge in Chinese tourists
The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi signed strategic partnerships with 17 Chinese travel partners at the recent ITB China 2025, a trade show on the Chinese travel market, in Shanghai, solidifying the emirate's commitment to the strategically important Chinese market.
Abu Dhabi is experiencing a significant influx of Chinese travelers in the first quarter, contributing to a strong tourism start in 2025. The emirate welcomed 1.4 million overnight visitors in the first quarter, with China as one of the top markets, alongside India, Russia, the UK, and the US.
The increasing number of Chinese visitors aligns with the emirate's ambitious tourism strategy aimed at elevating its global standing.
During the first quarter, hotels across Abu Dhabi generated AED 2.3 billion in revenue—an 18 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) reached AED 484, marking a 25 percent year-on-year rise. Hotel occupancy rates held steady at 79 percent, even during the Ramadan season.
The growth in Chinese tourism is particularly notable. Between January and September 2024, nearly 200,000 tourists visited, generating an increase of over 85 percent in hotel room nights from the same period in 2023.
Top attractions for Chinese visitors include the iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, which would make visitors feeling adrenaline rush, the scenic Abu Dhabi Corniche, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and the Warner Bros Theme Park, home to the world's largest indoor theme park.
Their spending primarily focuses on visiting local sites, dining experiences, and shopping, highlighting the diverse offerings of the emirate.
Looking ahead, the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi aims to solidify the emirate's position as a top global destination. By 2030, the goal is to double the visitor count to 39.3 million annually, triple the economic impact of tourism to AED 90 billion, and create 178,000 new jobs within the sector.
