Abu Dhabi is set to create 178,000 new jobs within the tourism sector, as His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has approved the launch of Abu Dhabi's Tourism Strategy 2030. Let's delve into and understand the components of this strategy.
Tourism Strategy Aims To Boost Visitor Numbers
The Strategy aims to increase visitor numbers from around 24 million in 2023 to 39.3 million by 2030, achieving a 7% year-on-year growth. Additionally, it intends to substantially enhance the tourism and travel sector's contribution to the UAE's GDP, elevating it from about Dhs 49 billion in 2023 to Dhs 90 billion annually by 2030.
By 2030, the strategy is projected to create around 178,000 new jobs as the tourism infrastructure evolves to accommodate increased demand. It aims to nearly double international overnight visitors (tourists who stay at least one night in a destination they are visiting), from approximately 3.8 million in 2023 to 7.2 million in 2030, expand hotel room availability from 34,000 to 52,000 by 2030, and enhance the holiday home segment to provide more diverse accommodation options.
To accomplish the strategy's objectives, 26 key initiatives have been identified and grouped into four strategic pillars: Offering and City Activation; Promotion and Marketing; Infrastructure and Mobility; and Visa, Licensing and Regulations.
The Four Key Pillars:
- Offering and City Activation: Improve guest experience by introducing new cultural sites, theme parks, retail options, and hotel chains. Expand the events calendar with year-round concerts, festivals, and family events. Diversify dining options and introduce culinary schools and training programs.
- Promotion and Marketing: Double efforts in promotion and marketing, expanding reach to 26 international markets. Strengthen synergy within Abu Dhabi's tourism ecosystem. Establish partnerships with media outlets and brands for collaborations and create tailored content for different markets.
- Infrastructure and Mobility: Increase hotel room availability, including accessible and luxury options, glamping, and farm stays. Enhance roads, public transport, and infrastructure through collaborations. Increase flight seat capacity with local and international airlines to boost visitor numbers.
- Visa, Licensing and Regulations: Improve visitor experience and business operations by streamlining visa, licensing, and regulation processes. Collaborate with government agencies to reduce application and permit time frames, making it easier to do business and attract investment.