Louvre Abu Dhabi was one of the capital's most visited cultural sites last year. Photo: DCT Abu Dhabi
Louvre Abu Dhabi was one of the capital's most visited cultural sites last year. Photo: DCT Abu Dhabi
Louvre Abu Dhabi was one of the capital's most visited cultural sites last year. Photo: DCT Abu Dhabi
Louvre Abu Dhabi was one of the capital's most visited cultural sites last year. Photo: DCT Abu Dhabi

Louvre Abu Dhabi, Cultural Foundation and Qasr Al Hosn are capital's most popular sites


Hayley Skirka
  • English
  • Arabic

Culture remains at the heart of Abu Dhabi’s tourism growth, according to a government report.

Last year, the UAE capital welcomed 18 million visitors, with three million taking in the emirate's cultural sites, data from the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi reveals.

Overnight visitors reached 4.1 million, a 24 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

And travellers are staying in the capital for an average of three nights, with hotel occupancy rates averaging 70 per cent, higher than the average across the Middle East. According to data analytics company STR, the region averaged 63.6 per cent occupancy last year.

From Louvre Abu Dhabi, which celebrated its fifth anniversary last year, to the recently opened Abrahamic Family House, visitors reported a 99 per cent satisfaction rate at cultural sites.

The three most visited cultural sites in the capital were Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Cultural Foundation and Qasr Al Hosn.

As well as investing in cultural attractions and museums, the Abu Dhabi government also developed natural conservation sites. Photo: DCT Abu Dhabi
As well as investing in cultural attractions and museums, the Abu Dhabi government also developed natural conservation sites. Photo: DCT Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi also celebrated having two "intangible cultural elements" inscribed on Unesco’s lists – camel hidda, the oral tradition of calling a flock of camels, and the date palm.

“Culture is at the heart of everything we do. From our welcoming Emirati hospitality to the evolving Saadiyat Cultural District, we ensure that what we offer to our visitors and our communities is consistently relevant, credible and differentiated,” said Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi.

Several cultural events took place in the city last year, including the largest Abu Dhabi Art to date, with 80 galleries from 28 countries. The past season also saw the completion of the Abu Dhabi Historic Environment Record System with 500 new sites added to the database of known immovable cultural heritage sites.

And the Abrahamic Family House opened its doors in Saadiyat Cultural District, boosting offerings at one of the world's major cultural projects soon to be home to the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum.

Hotels in Abu Dhabi improved compared to 2021, according to data. Photo: W Abu Dhabi
Hotels in Abu Dhabi improved compared to 2021, according to data. Photo: W Abu Dhabi

The city has also increased its presence on a global stage through the launch of Experience Abu Dhabi, the emirate’s destination brand.

A strong calendar of events, including the return of the Mother of the Nation Festival and Abu Dhabi Culinary Season, boosted visitor numbers.

Concerts and events including Disney on Ice, which welcomed 29,000 visitors, and The Lion King, with nearly 50,000, also increased the emirate’s appeal.

And hotels in Abu Dhabi have also improved with the number of under-performing properties dropping from 105 in 2021 to 23.

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Captain Marvel

Director: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck

Starring: Brie Larson, Samuel L Jackson, Jude Law,  Ben Mendelsohn

4/5 stars

The specs
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  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
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If you go

The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes.


The car
Hertz offers compact car rental from about $300 (Dh1,100) per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.


The national park
Entry to Mount Rainier National Park costs $30 for one vehicle and passengers for up to seven days. Accommodation can be booked through mtrainierguestservices.com. Prices vary according to season. Rooms at the Holiday Inn Yakima cost from $125 per night, excluding breakfast.

The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
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Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

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Labour dispute

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LILO & STITCH

Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

Rating: 4.5/5

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UAE squad to face Ireland

Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri (vice-captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmad, Zawar Farid, CP Rizwaan, Aryan Lakra, Karthik Meiyappan, Alishan Sharafu, Basil Hameed, Kashif Daud, Adithya Shetty, Vriitya Aravind

Tips for job-seekers
  • Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
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Price, base / as tested: Dh173,250 / Dh178,500

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Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Fuel consumption, combined: 12.4L / 100km

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Updated: August 08, 2023, 12:55 PM