Tag Archives: DCT Abu Dhabi

Liwa International Festival 2026 concluded after 23 days of festivities in the Al Dhafra Region, Abu Dhabi welcoming more than 700,000 visitors across the festival period, reflecting continued growth in the event’s scale and appeal.Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) in collaboration with Liwa Sports Club, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Abu Dhabi Media Office, Al Dhafra Municipality, Abu Dhabi Police, Abu Dhabi Media Network, and Miral, Liwa International Festival continued to grow as a major winter event, combining heritage, adventure and entertainment within the unique landscape of the Al Dhafra Region. At the heart of the festival, Liwa Village was a central hub for families and friends. In 2026, Liwa Village welcomed 274,440 visitors, marking a 26% and underscoring its growing appeal as a key gathering and entertainment space during the festival. Expanded for the 2026 edition, the village featured five themed zones offering cultural activities, live performances, dining experiences, retail and family entertainment. Enhancements this year included increased seating capacity, new attractions for adults and children, and a continued focus on sustainability, with solar power supplying a significant portion of daily energy needs. Motorsports is a defining feature of the festival, and race participation increased by 47% this year. Events included the Tal Moreeb Car Championship, freestyle and drift competitions, drag racing, off-road challenges and UTV races, alongside large-scale showcases such as Monster Jam and Extreme MudFest, drawing strong competition and visitor engagement throughout the programme. Heritage remained a core pillar of the festival, with traditional competitions, cultural showcases and activations around Tal Moreeb and surrounding historic sites, reinforcing Al Dhafra Region’s living heritage and desert traditions. Looking ahead, the next …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) will exhibit at ITB Berlin from 3-5 March 2026, continuing its annual presence at one of the world’s most influential travel trade events and reinforcing Abu Dhabi as a leading global destination for culture-led travel. At ITB Berlin, DCT Abu Dhabi and its stakeholders will engage with international travel trade partners to explore new opportunities for collaboration built on the emirate’s evolving tourism proposition. Meaningful visitor experiences will take centre stage, with the museums and institutions of Saadiyat Cultural District Abu Dhabi inviting the world to engage with the stories of the UAE and the wider world, and discover the connections that have shaped creativity and innovation throughout history. Zayed National Museum, one of the district’s newest additions, presents the history of the UAE from ancient times to the present and honours the legacy of the country’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his commitment to cultural heritage, education, identity, and belonging. The recently opened Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi offers a 13.8-billion-year journey of the universe, from meteorites and ancient fossils to environmental futures, framed through an Arabian lens. This cultural momentum extends beyond Saadiyat Island, with institutions such as newly reopened Al Ain Museum further reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s commitment to protecting and sharing its heritage. This year’s ITB coincides with Ramadan, and with rising interest in culturally immersive travel experiences, the delegation will educate visitors about this important annual religious event. The Holy Month is one of the most atmospheric times to visit Abu Dhabi, offering travellers opportunities to engage with local traditions, daily life, heritage and architecture through spiritual and …

In a special interview with TravTalk ME, Abdulla Yousuf, Director – International Markets at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), highlighted Spain as one of the emirate’s key source markets under its long-term Vision 2030 tourism strategy. Yousuf explained that Spain has been identified as a high-potential European market, prompting DCT Abu Dhabi to roll out targeted initiatives aimed at strengthening trade engagement and destination awareness. These include hosting familiarisation trips for Spanish travel partners, launching dedicated e-learning programmes, and maintaining regular communication through market-specific newsletters. “Being present at FITUR brings us closer to achieving our vision,” Yousuf said, emphasising the importance of direct engagement with partners. During the event, DCT Abu Dhabi conducted multiple training sessions for Spanish tour operators to enhance product knowledge and improve destination sellability. Further reinforcing these efforts, DCT Abu Dhabi was invited by the Confederation of Spanish Travel Agencies to participate in a special networking event with Spanish agents, offering an additional platform to showcase Abu Dhabi’s diverse tourism offering. Supporting this market development is strong air connectivity growth. Yousuf noted that year-on-year capacity between Abu Dhabi and Spain has increased by over 29% through the emirate’s national carriers, significantly improving access and strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position in the Spanish outbound travel market.

The third edition of the Abu Dhabi Wedding Show took place bringing together leading wedding consultants, planners, designers, creative partners and luxury vendors for a full day of dialogue, discovery and collaboration. Abu Dhabi Wedding Show is an integral part of Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to attract 39.3 million visitors and contribute AED 90 billion to the GDP by 2030.This year’s programme featured keynote sessions and panel discussions led by influential voices from the international wedding industry. Attendees explored Abu Dhabi’s diverse offering for destination weddings, including its rich cultural identity, exceptional venues, luxurious hospitality, and extensive connectivity. Haitham Ali Khamis, Acting Director of Tourism Products Development at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: “Abu Dhabi Wedding Show has become an important meeting point for the global weddings and celebrations community. The conversations and partnerships formed here help move the industry forward and strengthen our ecosystem, in line with Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030, as we continue to foster innovation, support local talent, and create unforgettable experiences for couples from around the world.” Delegates explored the full range of Abu Dhabi’s wedding offering, from iconic hotels and resorts to intimate cultural venues and spectacular outdoor settings. The emirate’s track record of safety and security, seamless travel access and the convenience of 24-hour express civil wedding ceremonies were highlighted as major advantages for couples planning a destination celebration. This year’s edition also spotlighted the role of education and talent development in shaping the sector’s future. In collaboration with the Les Roches school of hospitality management, DCT Abu Dhabi is supporting emerging Emirati talent by providing internship pathways and hands-on learning opportunities through the event, …

Over 400 participants from across the industry, including representatives of hotels, attractions, DMCs, developers and airlines participated at the third annual city tourism briefing in Al Ain by the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). They convened to evaluate the robust growth across Abu Dhabi’s tourism and hospitality sector, foster strategic collaborations, and accelerate progress towards the ambitious goals of the emirate’s Tourism Strategy 2030. H E Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “In collaboration with our industry partners, we have continued to drive success across every segment: culture, leisure, business, and live entertainment. The City Tourism Briefing provides a vital platform for us to celebrate these milestones with the entire ecosystem, and to align on goals and strengthen the collaboration that will further steer momentum toward the ambitions of Tourism Strategy 2030 and ensure that Abu Dhabi remains a world-leading destination shaped by innovation and excellence.” During the briefing, DCT Abu Dhabi officials provided updates on the sector’s performance this year, revealed plans for 2026, and led presentations on the role of marketing campaigns and cultural heritage in promoting the sector locally and internationally. A significant portion of the briefing focused on enhancing connectivity and infrastructure, highlighting the critical role of robust transport networks in supporting the emirate’s tourism objectives. A panel discussion featured transport leaders Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways; Adel Ali, Group CEO of Air Arabia; Nathalie Jongma, Vice President Aviation Development at Abu Dhabi Airports Company; and Azza Al Suwaidi, Deputy CEO of Mobility at Etihad Rail. Etihad Airways revealed that in 2026 it will significantly expand its destination network. Celebrating similar success, Abu …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has launched two new e-learning modules for its Experience Abu Dhabi Experts Platform. The Official Abu Dhabi Pass and Ramadan in Abu Dhabi online modules are designed to equip travel trade industry professionals with the insights and tools they need to deliver exceptional travel planning and guest experiences and further reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading year-round destination.  The e-learning platform provides travel trade industry professionals with an extensive range of destination-related information about the emirate and has become one of DCT Abu Dhabi’s most successful trade engagement initiatives. The new Abu Dhabi Pass and Ramadan content has a strong focus on destination insights that ensure agents have the necessary understanding they need to promote the region and what it has to offer. Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “These new modules reflect how the Experience Abu Dhabi Experts Platform continues to evolve and how we prioritise providing our partners with practical, hands-on tools that make a real difference to how they sell the destination. Whether it’s helping them package the emirate’s leading attractions through the Abu Dhabi Pass or giving them the cultural insight to guide visitors respectfully during the holy month, this expansion ensures the knowledge they gain translates directly into stronger product design, more memorable experiences, and greater visitor satisfaction.” Issued by DCT Abu Dhabi’s official digital pass for Abu Dhabi offers guests savings of up to 50% across more than 70 of Abu Dhabi’s top attractions, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Watan, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and SeaWorld Yas Island Abu Dhabi. The module provides an overview …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) announced that it is updating the Abu Dhabi Hotel Classification Manual to reflect travel trends and deepen relationships with stakeholders by providing guidance on quality standards. The manual establishes clear standards in categories from housekeeping to soundproofing to safety, and is used to determine a hotel or resort’s star rating from one to five stars. First produced in 2007, featuring mandatory minimum criteria and rating criteria, the manual was updated in 2018 to add a guest experience index, mystery shopping and product designators. The new edition is designed to build on this work and add further refinements, creating a global benchmark for hospitality excellence and guest experience. HE Saleh Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The updated Hotel Classification Manual will deliver on Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030 by positioning Abu Dhabi as a thought leader in global hospitality regulation and enhancing the emirate’s alignment with international benchmarks while showcasing unique service excellence elements. It provides granular detail and guidance that chart a clear path for hotels as we meet the strategy’s goal of increasing visitors by more than half between 2023 and 2030.” The updated manual will have changes in three main areas. It will reflect current global best practices, expand category definitions to widen coverage to more hotels and resorts, and introduce accolades to recognise hotels that exceed expectations in specific areas. Visitors, hotels and investors will all benefit from the update: visitors through elevated and more consistent hotel experiences, hotels through new opportunities to differentiate their offering via specialised classifications, and investors through streamlined infrastructure requirements that reinforce Abu Dhabi’s …

Unveiled at World Travel Market (WTM) London, this renewed collaboration through Amadeus Digital Media aims to significantly boost visitor numbers to Abu Dhabi, targeting over 60% growth through Amadeus’ platforms compared to the previous year. The new initiative will leverage cutting-edge AI-powered programmatic campaigns to target travellers who are actively seeking their next destination. A key focus is to engage new consumers who may not have previously considered Abu Dhabi as a travel destination, thereby expanding the emirate’s global appeal. By increasing exposure to a wider consumer base and driving booking conversions, this collaboration is expected to bring substantial benefits to Abu Dhabi’s key industry stakeholders, such as hoteliers and travel agents. HE Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Our long-standing partnership with Amadeus has been instrumental in showcasing Abu Dhabi’s diverse offering to a global audience. This expanded collaboration is pivotal to our journey to achieve the ambitious goals set out in our Tourism Strategy 2030. By harnessing Amadeus’ advanced technology and extensive reach, we are not only aiming for escalated growth in visitor numbers but also strategically building destination awareness in new and emerging markets.” Campaigns stemming from the renewed partnership will strategically target diverse consumer segments, ensuring that Abu Dhabi’s rich cultural heritage, thrilling adventures, family-friendly attractions, and stunning coastal landscapes are prominently featured worldwide. Jan Tissera, President, International, Global Accounts and Destinations, Hospitality, Amadeus, added: “Our collaboration with DCT Abu Dhabi exemplifies our shared commitment to transforming travel through data-driven insights and innovative technology. By combining Amadeus technology and market intelligence with DCT Abu Dhabi’s visionary approach, visitor outreach can be refined to create meaningful, personalized journeys that truly …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) announced the renewal of its strategic partnership with WebBeds, the agreement underscores a shared commitment to driving tourism growth and enhancing Abu Dhabi’s global reach. As part of this growing strategic alliance, the two entities will collaborate to significantly enhance Abu Dhabi’s tourism landscape. This will involve empowering travel trade professionals within WebBeds’ network with enhanced knowledge and resources, enabling them to offer more informed and expertly guided travel experiences. Additionally, DCT Abu Dhabi will develop and disseminate compelling content showcasing Abu Dhabi’s diverse cultural and touristic offerings, including Al Ain Region and Al Dhafra Region, to raise awareness and drive bookings across WebBeds’ extensive global distribution and travel agency networks. , a global leader in travel trade, for a fourth consecutive year. Signed by HE Saleh Al Geziry, Director General of Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi and Amr Ezzeldin, President of WebBeds MEA at World Travel Market (WTM) 2025. HE Saleh Al Geziry, Director General of Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Our collaboration with WebBeds over the past three years has proven highly effective in expanding Abu Dhabi’s global tourism footprint. This partnership has been instrumental in delivering successful campaigns, from local activations to globally recognised initiatives, that showcase our unique cultural heritage and diverse attractions. The fourth renewal underscores our strong, shared commitment to driving sustained visitor growth and building a lasting tourism legacy for Abu Dhabi.” Amr Ezzeldin, President of WebBeds MEA commented: “As we proudly enter this next chapter of our partnership with DCT Abu Dhabi, WebBeds remains committed to supporting Abu Dhabi’s bold vision with renewed energy, regional insight, and creative excellence. …

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 …