Abu Dhabi has attracted more than 10 million international tourists

Abu Dhabi continued to meet with the favor of tourists from all over the world in 2018. After a year 2017 that had already ended with double-digit growth, the Gulf Emirate is recording a 21% increase in international tourist arrivals this year.

France, for example, confirms its position as the third largest tourist emitting market in Europe, after the United Kingdom and Germany. For the second year in a row, France is also the European market with the strongest growth

As part of this success, the Louvre Abu Dhabi welcomed more than 1 million visitors, figures that exceeded expectations and put the young museum in the top 100 museums in the world, alongside its Parisian counterpart.

During the 2017/2018 season, cruises also contributed to the good arrival figures of the French, with France ranking in the top 10 issuing markets in this segment. France was already ranked 7th in the 2016/2017 season.

Overall, the Emirate is performing well with a record of more than 10 million foreign tourists visiting Abu Dhabi in 2018, either by the day or during a longer stay.

In terms of overnight stays, the number of international visitors staying in one of the emirate’s hotels or apart-hotels increased by 4% compared to 2017.

The year 2018 was marked by many openings and new events: Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi opened its doors in July on the island of Yas, an agreement was signed with Airbnb to be able to offer users of the platform authentic activities with local guides – the Emirati Experiences, the emirate celebrated the 10th anniversary of its international contemporary art fair Abu Dhabi Art, the destination inaugurated its first marathon, and finally the city’s strongest building, the Qasr al Hosn, reopened in December in an important cultural complex featuring history, traditions, crafts but also contemporary Emirati art in the heart of Abu Dhabi City.

Finally, the Emirate’s hotel complex also benefited from some fine openings: the Grand Hyatt on the Corniche opposite the Emirates Palace, the Saadiyat Rotana, the Rixos and the Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort facing the sea and on one of Abu Dhabi’s most beautiful beaches, The Edition Abu Dhabi combining modern design and Emirati traditions on the Al Bateen marina, and finally the reopening of the Capital Gate under the Andaz de Hyatt brand.