Abu Dhabi is strengthening its ties with India, its leading overseas tourism market, with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) signing nine new joint marketing partnerships with major Indian travel companies aimed at bringing 75,500 additional visitors to the emirate.
The agreements, signed during the Arabian Travel Market, underline Abu Dhabi’s growing focus on the Indian market and its ambition to attract more travellers with a mix of world-class culture, entertainment, cuisine, shopping and major events.
The largest partnership is with MakeMyTrip, which is expected to bring 37,500 visitors to Abu Dhabi over 18 months. Thrillophilia and Akbar Holidays will contribute a further 11,000 and 10,000 visitors, respectively, over the same period.
Additional one-year partnerships have been signed with RezLive for 3,500 visitors, Utazzo Holidays for 3,500, Holiday Tribe for 3,000, TravClan for 2,500, Pickyourtrail for 2,500 and GNRconnect.com for 2,000 visitors.
India has emerged as Abu Dhabi’s largest overseas source market, with Indian travellers accounting for 13% of the emirate’s hotel guests in 2025. The number of Indian hotel guests reached 436,124, representing a 22% year-on-year increase.
The continued growth is being supported by stronger airline connectivity, Abu Dhabi’s proximity to major international events and a growing calendar of concerts, entertainment and sporting attractions, including the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
DCT Abu Dhabi has also stepped up targeted campaigns for Indian travellers, including initiatives around Diwali and Eid, alongside an ambassador campaign featuring Bollywood stars Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
