Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi’s Growth Roadmap for 2023

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The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi has revealed its growth roadmap for the year 2023, with a focus on promoting the culture and tourism sectors in the emirate. The department aims to enhance the status, progress, preservation, and prosperity of Abu Dhabi through various initiatives and projects.

Undersecretary Saud Al Hosani emphasized the importance of culture in the department’s plans, stating that it plays a crucial role in promoting innovative and resilient societies. He highlighted the department’s ambitious goals for 2023, which include strengthening the culture and tourism sectors, supporting job creation, and spurring the growth of the cultural and creative industries.

The department aims to create more than 300 jobs in the electronic games industry, with the establishment of new companies and the development of a successful system of games and electronic sports in Abu Dhabi. It also focuses on preserving the heritage of Abu Dhabi, organizing visual and performing arts programs, and attracting a diverse audience from within the Emirates and around the world.

Furthermore, the department sees the culture and tourism sectors as important factors in the emirate’s development and aims to attract more than 24 million visitors in 2023. Efforts to promote Abu Dhabi as a tourist destination include the recent opening of new attractions such as Sea World Yas Island, Pixel Games Complex, Adrenarch Adventure Park, and Snow Abu Dhabi.

The department has launched the destination brand “Hayyakum in Abu Dhabi” to promote the emirate as a year-round tourist destination. It plans to launch 22 creative campaigns in more than 40 stations worldwide, targeting different markets and attracting visitors from the region and those interested in cultural events.

Abu Dhabi’s success in attracting 18 million visitors in 2022, a 17% increase from the previous year, demonstrates its growing appeal as a tourist destination. The emirate offers a wide range of cultural experiences, entertainment, sports, trade fairs, and international promotions throughout the year.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi have launched a joint report titled “Culture in the Time of Covid-19: Resilience, Renewal and Renaissance.” The report provides a global overview of the impact of the pandemic on the culture sector and identifies strategies to revive and shape a resilient and sustainable sector for future generations.

The department has organized major exhibitions, visual and performing arts programs, and cultural events throughout the year. It has also included two elements of intangible cultural heritage in UNESCO’s lists, highlighting the importance of Emirati heritage.

Abu Dhabi’s hotel occupancy rates in 2022 exceeded the general average for the Middle East region, with a 70% increase. The number of hotel guests reached 4.1 million, and the average length of stay per visitor was three nights. This resulted in a significant 18% increase in revenue per available room compared to the previous year.

The emirate has also strengthened its position as a global business center and a major destination for business events. It received 600,000 visitors for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions, supported by the Advantage Abu Dhabi 2.0 Program, which provides support and incentives for event organizers and meeting planners.

Abu Dhabi’s growth roadmap for 2023 reflects its commitment to promoting culture, preserving heritage, and attracting visitors from around the world. The department’s initiatives and projects aim to enhance the emirate’s status as a major platform for culture and creativity, where thought leadership, cultural exchange, and innovation flourish.

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism has unveiled its growth roadmap for the year 2023, with a focus on promoting the culture and tourism sectors in the emirate. The department aims to enhance the status, progress, preservation, and prosperity of Abu Dhabi through various initiatives.

Undersecretary Saud Al Hosani emphasized the importance of culture in promoting innovative and resilient societies. He stated that culture is at the heart of all their operations and activities, which motivated them to set ambitious goals for 2023. These goals include strengthening the culture and tourism sectors, supporting the creation of new job opportunities, and spurring the growth of the culture sector through cultural and creative industries.

The department also aims to preserve the heritage of Abu Dhabi and its museums and cultural sites, organize visual and performing arts programs, and attract a diverse audience from within the Emirates and around the world. They see the culture and tourism sectors as crucial factors in enabling the emirate’s development and building a diverse and sustainable local economy.

As part of their efforts, the department plans to support the creation of more than 300 jobs in the electronic games industry and establish a successful system of games and electronic sports in Abu Dhabi. They also focus on promoting and protecting the Arabic language and encouraging society to visit book fairs and festivals.

In terms of tourism, Abu Dhabi aims to attract more than 24 million visitors in 2023, up from the 18 million visitors in 2022. The emirate has recently opened new tourist attractions and projects, including Sea World Yas Island, Pixel Games Complex, Adrenarch Adventure Park, and Snow Abu Dhabi. The department has launched the destination brand “Hayyakum in Abu Dhabi” to promote the emirate as a year-round tourist destination, offering exciting and innovative experiences.

Abu Dhabi’s cultural calendar for 2023 includes major events, entertainment shows, concerts, and collaborations with global partners such as the UFC championship competitions and the National Basketball Association matches. The emirate also plans to host the Abu Dhabi Cultural Summit, which will bring together leaders from various fields to discuss the role of culture in bringing about positive changes in societies.

The department’s efforts have already shown positive results, with an increase in hotel occupancy rates by more than 70% in 2022 compared to the previous year. Abu Dhabi has also become a major destination for business events, attracting 600,000 visitors for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions. The department’s Advantage Abu Dhabi 2.0 Program provides support and incentives for event organizers and meeting planners to further enhance the emirate’s position as a regional center for business events.

Looking ahead, Abu Dhabi has won the bid to host the Thirteenth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization, further solidifying its status as a preferred destination for conferences and highlighting its capabilities for organizing global events.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi continues to collaborate with partners in the field of exhibitions and conferences, such as Miral, Etihad Airways, and Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center, to attract more meetings and events to the emirate.

Overall, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism is committed to the cultural and tourism development of the emirate, with a focus on preserving heritage, promoting innovation, and enhancing the visitor experience.

How does Abu Dhabi’s partnership with UNESCO contribute to the development and preservation of its cultural sector

Snow Abu Dhabi, to entice tourists. The department has launched the destination brand “Hayyakum in Abu Dhabi” to market the emirate as a year-round tourist destination. They plan to launch 22 creative campaigns in over 40 locations worldwide, targeting different markets and attracting visitors interested in cultural events.

Abu Dhabi has seen success in its tourism sector, with 2022 witnessing an increase of 17% in visitors, reaching a total of 18 million. The emirate offers a diverse range of cultural experiences, entertainment, sports, trade fairs, and international promotions throughout the year, making it an appealing destination for tourists.

To further develop the culture sector, Abu Dhabi has partnered with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to release a joint report titled “Culture in the Time of Covid-19: Resilience, Renewal and Renaissance.” This report analyzes the impact of the pandemic on the culture sector globally and provides strategies for revitalizing and shaping a resilient and sustainable sector for future generations.

The department has organized major exhibitions, visual and performing arts programs, and cultural events throughout the year. They have also worked to safeguard Emirati heritage, with two elements of intangible cultural heritage included in UNESCO’s lists.

Abu Dhabi’s hotel occupancy rates in 2022 exceeded the Middle East region’s average with a 70% increase. The emirate welcomed 4.1 million hotel guests, with an average length of stay per visitor of three nights. This resulted in an 18% increase in revenue per available room compared to the previous year.

Moreover, Abu Dhabi has strengthened its position as a global business center and a leading destination for business events. It welcomed 600,000 visitors for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions. The Advantage Abu Dhabi 2.0 Program, which provides support and incentives for event organizers and planners, has played a significant role in attracting business visitors.

Abu Dhabi’s growth roadmap for 2023 reinforces its commitment to promoting culture, preserving heritage, and attracting visitors from around the world. Through various initiatives and projects, the department aims to establish Abu Dhabi as a prominent platform for culture and creativity, where thought leadership, cultural exchange, and innovation thrive.