Al Ain hotel guests rise 12% in H1 2025

Al Ain is emerging as one of Abu Dhabi’s fastest-growing tourism hubs, posting double-digit growth in hotel guests during the first half of 2025, according to the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). 

The performance mirrors Abu Dhabi’s wider upswing, with hotels across the emirate attracting 2.9 million guests and increasing revenues by 20% in the first half of 2025, supported by an 80% occupancy rate and a 47% rise in visitors to cultural and heritage attractions. 

DCT Abu Dhabi attributes the gains to its Tourism Strategy 2030, which prioritise investment in culture-led experiences, product diversification and targeted international marketing campaigns. 

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Hospitality Surge as Cultural Attractions Drive Demand

Recently named the 2025 Gulf Capital of Tourism, Al Ain welcomed 228,000 hotel guests in the first six months of 2025, up nearly 12% year-on-year, with total hotel revenue rising by 5.8%. 

Visitor numbers to cultural attractions in Al Ain climbed by 40% from January to June compared to the same period in 2024. Leading sites included historic fort Qasr Al Muwaiji which saw the highest growth at 49%, followed by Al Qattara Arts Centre at 42% and Al Ain Oasis with a 40% rise in guests.

These heritage sites, alongside landmarks such as Al Jahili Fort and Al Ain Museum, form part of The Cultural Sites of Al Ain, the UAE’s first Unesco World Heritage listing. For the trade, this concentration of culture and history strengthens Al Ain’s positioning for curated heritage tours and stopovers linked to wider Abu Dhabi itineraries.