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Al Ain crowned Capital of Arab Tourism for 2026
Title follows strong first-half performance and 40% surge in cultural visitation
Al Ain has been named the Capital of Arab Tourism for 2026 by the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism, marking a “milestone for the UAE”. The decision, made during the council’s meeting in Baghdad, Iraq, recognises the city’s tourism infrastructure, safety standards, visitor experience and efforts to preserve cultural and natural heritage.
The title makes Al Ain only the second UAE emirate to receive the honour, following Sharjah, and builds on the city’s recent designation as the Capital of Gulf Tourism for 2025, recognised as a destination for culture, nature, wellness and adventure.
According to Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of the UAE Tourism Council, the recognition “further strengthens the UAE’s standing on the global tourism map”.
As part of the 2026 title year, Al Ain is expected to host an expanded programme of cultural festivals, heritage events and exhibitions designed to showcase its diverse attractions.
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Tourism growth reflects rising demand for culture and nature
Known as the Garden City, Al Ain is the UAE’s largest inland settlement and the fourth-largest city after Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Located in the eastern region of Abu Dhabi on the border with Oman, it is emerging as a key leisure destination backed by strong visitor growth and expanded hospitality investment.
During the first half of 2025, Al Ain welcomed 228,000 hotel guests – a year-on-year increase of nearly 12% – generating a 5.8% rise in total hotel revenues, according to the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). The region’s Tourism Strategy 2030 aims to grow the number of overnight leisure hotel guests to 520,000 by the end of the decade.
Al Ain’s distinctive cultural and environmental assets continue to drive much of this growth, with visitor numbers to cultural attractions rising by 40% in H1 2025. Among key heritage sites, Qasr Al Muwaiji, a restored mud-brick fort and museum, saw a 49% increase in visitors, while Al Qattara Arts Centre, located within a restored traditional complex, recorded a 42% rise in visitor numbers.
The city’s six historic palm oases, which maintain working examples of the ancient falaj irrigation system, remain central to its tourism identity. At Al Ain Oasis, the largest of these and home to around 150,000 date palms, visitor numbers climbed 40% year-on-year.
Together with its Iron and Bronze Age sites, the oases form part of the Unesco-listed Cultural Sites of Al Ain, a network of 17 locations that traces the region’s settlement history.
Complementing its heritage offer, Al Ain’s natural landscapes are a growing draw. Jebel Hafit, the UAE’s second highest peak, anchors a cluster of outdoor experiences including hiking and desert camping, while Green Mubazzarah Park attracts visitors for its hot springs and greenery.
Looking ahead, Al Ain is building on this momentum with both restored landmarks and new experiences. Al Ain Museum, the UAE’s first museum, recently reopened with expanded galleries, in-situ archaeological displays and interactive exhibits, while enhancements at Al Ain Zoo, cultural programming, oasis-based eco and agro-tourism experiences are gradually broadening the city’s year-round appeal.
With rising visitor demand, Unesco recognition and its new status as Capital of Arab Tourism, Al Ain is set to play an increasingly prominent role in Abu Dhabi’s and the wider UAE’s broader tourism diversification strategy.
Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030 aims to attract 39.3 million visitors by 2030, supporting the creation of 178,000 new tourism jobs, expanding hotel capacity to 52,000 rooms and contributing AED 90 billion to Abu Dhabi’s GDP.
For more information, visit visitalain.ae
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