Mumbai, March 2020: The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) announced at press conferences in Mumbai and Delhi that the number of visitors from India touched a mark of 4,49,574 in 2019 with an average length of stay of three nights per guest, making India the largest source market for Abu Dhabi. This record number is an 8.2% increase from the year before and a 60% increase from 2015.

In a move to bolster the ties between the tourism industries in Abu Dhabi and India, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) also organized meetings with key tour operators. Commenting on the week in India, Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Executive Director of Tourism and Marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “We are here to demonstrate that DCT Abu Dhabi remains steadfast in its commitment to collaborating closely with the Indian travel trade as we aim to grow the number of visitors to Abu Dhabi even further in 2020. India remains to be Abu Dhabi’s top source market due to our nations’ strong cultural and political ties and our common values, and factors like easy connectivity and a plethora of attractions that caters to every type of traveler – from families, couples, incentive groups to weddings. This week in India has provided the perfect platform to showcase our tourism strategy for 2020 including our involvement in the highly anticipated EXPO 2020.”

Abu Dhabi boasts a diverse range of offerings, providing visitors and residents of all backgrounds with an opportunity to create extraordinary memories. Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Hosn, Qasr Al Watan and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque are iconic cultural experiences. Yas Island continues to attract droves of families to its Ferrari World, Yas Mall and Warner Brothers World, and has recently opened ‘CLYMB’, the world’s biggest flight chamber and tallest climbing wall. Not forgetting, Abu Dhabi’s year-round schedule of high-profile events, covering everything from sport and culture to food and music.

Saeed Al Saeed, Destination Marketing Director at DCT Abu Dhabi said: “India has long been a priority for DCT Abu Dhabi, and the Indian market will certainly play a prime role in shaping our strategy for the future as well. There will be consistent marketing investment in India, spanning from a trade roadshow in the second half of 2020, trade partnerships to digital and social marketing presence, all in the hopes to position Abu Dhabi as the go-to destination for Indian travelers throughout the year.”

Tourism in Abu Dhabi has seen significant growth in 2019, as the emirate welcomed a record 11.35 million visitors throughout the year, a 10% increase from 2018.