Tourism Breaking News
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) hosted an exclusive Europe (Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, Romania) Marketplace in Al Ain Region, connecting over 200 travel trade partners from each country with more than 50 Abu Dhabi-based stakeholders, including hotels, attractions, and destination management companies. It forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen relationships with industry partners from key markets and boost visitor numbers to the emirate. Abu Dhabi has experienced a robust increase in visitors from Europe, with overnight guests increasing by 8% year-to-date compared to last year. This positive trend is further bolstered by enhanced accessibility, as flight connectivity from Europe has seen an 18.4% year-on-year increase in total seat capacity to over 3.24 million seats in 2025. These figures, coupled with high visitor satisfaction rates, paint a clear picture of European travellers eager for more of what Abu Dhabi has to offer.
The event featured a range of discussions, networking opportunities, and familiarisation activities designed to ignite collaboration and educate Europe travel partners on Abu Dhabi’s extensive offering. From the vibrant capital city to the historic sites of Al Ain Region, the array of diverse experiences makes Abu Dhabi a destination with endless travel possibilities. Attendees also experienced traditional Emirati performances and engaged in cultural workshops.
Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Europe represents a dynamic and rapidly growing market for Abu Dhabi, and our commitment to fostering robust partnerships within this region is paramount. This marketplace is designed to be an invaluable platform for direct engagement, allowing us to not only showcase the breadth of Abu Dhabi’s unique offerings but to also listen, collaborate and empower our travel trade partners with the insights and tools they need to successfully promote our emirate.”
The Europe Travel Marketplace is part of Abu Dhabi’s broader Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to amplify tourism growth and reinforce the emirate’s position as a world-class travel destination. Through such events, DCT Abu Dhabi continues to expand its network, fostering long-term industry partnerships, and showcasing Abu Dhabi as a destination where travel professionals can find growth and success.
