Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi Opens Up New Opportunities for India´s Travel Trade with Multi-City Roadshows

• The roadshows offered insight into Abu Dhabi’s year-round tourism offering, and the latest updates across leisure, entertainment and incentive travel
• Meetings were facilitated between representatives from Abu Dhabi’s hotels, attractions, airlines and DMCs, with India´s top travel trade professionals

Abu Dhabi, UAE –23 September, 2025: The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has hosted the Experience Abu Dhabi Roadshow across New Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai from 8-12 September 2025. These events, part of a series of roadshow events hosted by DCT Abu Dhabi, provided local travel trade partners with a comprehensive overview of Abu Dhabi’s dynamic tourism offerings, upcoming attractions, and strategic partnerships.

The three-city roadshow showcased the growth opportunities Abu Dhabi presents to Indian travellers, while facilitating meetings between representatives from Abu Dhabi’s hotels, attractions, airlines, Destination Management Companies (DMCs), and India’s top travel agencies and tour operators.

India is Abu Dhabi’s top source market for inbound tourism. In 2024, the emirate welcomed over 360,000 Indian hotel guests, a 43% increase from the previous year, and is projected to welcome over 400,000 visitors in 2025. Indian travellers have shown strong interest in Abu Dhabi as a destination, with the growth in visitors being driven by an extensive calendar of live events, cultural experiences, increased flight connectivity from major Indian cities, and a diverse range of travel products that appeal to Indian families, luxury seekers, MICE travellers, and trade partners. This represents an exciting opportunity for India’s travel industry professionals to engage with a growing market.

Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The roadshows in India marked a significant step forward in our collaborative work with our valued partners to create memorable experiences for visitors travelling from India to Abu Dhabi. It also allowed India’s travel trade representatives to explore the innovative ideas and shared value that DCT Abu Dhabi has strived to create within the industry, a value that we believe benefits everyone and is key to the emirate’s tourism growth.”

Attendees were introduced to new and upcoming developments across the emirate, including highlights from Yas Island, Al Ain Region, Al Dhafra Region, and Saadiyat Cultural District, as well as exciting projects like teamLab Phenomena and the BAPS Hindu Mandir, which are expected to resonate strongly with Indian travellers in the upcoming festive and winter seasons. The roadshow also highlighted the Experience Abu Dhabi Experts e- learning platform, offered in 13 languages including Hindi, which equips travel trade agents with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to effectively promote Abu Dhabi.

Aligned with DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision to create opportunities for its partners amid an evolving travel ecosystem, the roadshows supported the broader goals of Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to welcome 39.3 million visitors by 2030.

About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi:

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors, fuels economic progress and helps achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions. By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture, creative and tourism industries.

DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.

For more information about the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit: dctabudhabi.ae and visitabudhabi.ae