Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, the Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), announced that the tourism sector is set to contribute AED62 billion, approximately $17 billion, to the emirate’s economy in 2025. This figure represents a projected increase of 13 percent compared to the previous year. The long-term goal is to have the tourism sector contribute AED90 billion to the emirate’s non-oil GDP by 2030.

During a recent roundtable event marking the opening of teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, Al Mubarak noted a 4 percent growth in international overnight hotel guests in Abu Dhabi during the first quarter of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. The main source markets for these tourists included India, China, Russia, and the UK. He also highlighted that hotel occupancy rates reached 79 percent across the emirate, with a higher rate of 82 percent in Abu Dhabi city.

Al Mubarak emphasized the importance of Abu Dhabi’s cultural museums, which include the newly opened teamLab Phenomena, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Zayed National Museum, and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, in enhancing the emirate’s tourism appeal. Situated in the Saadiyat Cultural District, these museums are designed to reflect the UAE’s values of coexistence and its diverse cultural identity.

He stated that ongoing investments in the cultural sector align with the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, highlighting the UAE’s growth as a global cultural center. Al Mubarak pointed out the significance of the Saadiyat Cultural District as a treasure of cultural and historical importance, with museums serving as vital centers for future generations. He added that the teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi showcases the UAE’s cultural diversity, reinforcing the emirate’s status as a premier global arts and culture destination. Furthermore, he announced that three additional museums will open in the Saadiyat Cultural District later this year.