Abu Dhabi named top luxury destination for US travellers in 2026

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Abu Dhabi Corniche

Abu Dhabi has been named the world’s most in-demand luxury travel destination for US travellers in 2026, according to new data from travel insurance provider Travel Guard. The UAE capital ranked first in a global analysis of Google search trends, recording an impressive 421% year-on-year surge in searches, the highest increase worldwide and roughly two-thirds higher than the second-placed destination, Acapulco in Mexico.

The findings place Abu Dhabi at the forefront of a growing global appetite for high-end travel, with the city emerging as one of only two Middle Eastern destinations to make the top 10, joined by Aswan in Egypt at number seven.

Taking second place in the ranking, Acapulco, Mexico, saw luxury travel searches rise 253% compared to last year, as American travellers rediscover the coastal city’s five-star resorts, nightlife and beaches, while Mexico City’s role as a co-host of the FIFA World Cup 2026 is further driving national tourism interest.

The top 10 luxury destinations seeing the biggest spike in US searches for 2026:

1 Abu Dhabi, UAE – +421%

2 Acapulco, Mexico – +253%

3 Punta del Este, Uruguay – +236%

4 Macau, Macau SAR – +87%

5 Da Nang, Vietnam – +83%

6 Tallinn, Estonia – +39%

7 Aswan, Egypt – +35%

8 Tokyo, Japan – +34%

9 Banff, Canada – +33%

10 Chengdu, China – +32%

Travel Guard attributed Abu Dhabi’s soaring popularity to its distinctive blend of cultural landmarks, modern infrastructure and outdoor experiences. From architectural icons such as Louvre Abu Dhabi and the soon-to-open Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, to desert adventures and headline events including the Formula 1 season finale, the capital continues to attract visitors seeking diverse and enriching experiences.

Louvre Abu Dhabi

Rising global profile

Once viewed as a quieter counterpart to Dubai, Abu Dhabi is now asserting itself as a world-class destination for culture, entertainment and hospitality. In December, the city was named the world’s most sought-after Christmas destination for UK travellers, with search interest up 91% in the last quarter of 2025, according to Travelbag data.

This growing interest is reflected in record-breaking visitation numbers. In the first half of 2025, Abu Dhabi’s cultural and heritage sites welcomed more than four million visitors – up 47% year on year – led by Louvre Abu Dhabi with some 780,000 guests. Hotels saw 2.9 million visitors during the same period, boosting revenues by 20% and pushing occupancy to 80%, while Abu Dhabi Airports reported 15.8 million passengers, a 13.1% increase.

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Even during the quieter summer season, the city maintained strong momentum. Between May and August 2025, hotels hosted 2.04 million guests, while Yas Island and Saadiyat Island achieved their best-ever summer results with international arrivals up 50%. The 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix capped the year with a record-breaking 339,000 fans in attendance.

Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Global accolades and forward momentum

Abu Dhabi continues to collect international recognition for its safety and visitor experience. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque was ranked eighth among the world’s most visited attractions on Tripadvisor’s 2025 global list. Additionally, the emirate has been named the world’s safest city for the ninth consecutive year in Numbeo’s Safety Index and was rated the safest destination for solo travellers by Travelbag.

With the recent openings of Zayed National Museum and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, and the eagerly awaited Guggenheim set to follow in 2026, the emirate is cementing its status as the cultural capital of the region.

Under its Tourism Strategy 2030, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) aims to attract 39.3 million visitors and contribute AED 90 billion to GDP by 2030, supported by expanded global partnerships with Expedia Group, Amadeus and WebBeds to amplify Abu Dhabi’s profile in key source markets.

For more information, visit travelguard.com