Abu Dhabi’s hotel sector showed continued growth in May 2025, driven by higher occupancy rates and a rising number of international guests.
The total revenue for the month reached Dhs 682 million, reflecting the emirate’s expanding tourism and hospitality sector.
Revenue breakdown
According to preliminary data from the Department of Culture and Tourism-Abu Dhabi, the hotel industry generated Dhs 408 million in room revenues, Dhs 224 million from food and beverage services, and Dhs 50 million from other sources. This performance highlights the diversity and strength of the emirate’s hospitality offerings.
Hotel guest numbers
Abu Dhabi’s hotels welcomed approximately 481,000 guests in May 2025, marking a significant increase. The emirate’s diverse range of accommodation options and high standards of service contributed to this growing appeal. A total of 172 hotels operated in the city during the month, offering 34,383 rooms, with a total of 1.345 million guest nights. The average occupancy rate for the month stood at 80%, with an average revenue per available room of Dhs 490.
Visitor demographics
The majority of hotel guests came from non-Arab Asian countries, accounting for 155,000 visitors. Europeans followed closely with 112,000 visitors, while UAE nationals made up 88,000 of the total. The sector also saw strong performances from guests from the GCC (31,000), other Arab nations (52,000), North and South America (25,000), and non-Arab African countries (8,000), reflecting the broad international appeal of Abu Dhabi.
Hotel category breakdown
Five-star hotels received the highest number of visitors, with 236,000 guests, including 72,000 from Europe. Four-star hotels accommodated 126,000 guests, while three-star or lower-rated hotels hosted 70,000. Hotel apartments welcomed 50,000 guests, underscoring the range of accommodation options available to travellers.
The continued growth of Abu Dhabi’s tourism and hospitality sector underscores the emirate’s increasing position as a leading global destination for both leisure and business travellers.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
