Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a whole welcomed record numbers of international visitors in 2018.

In 2018, the capital of the UAE attracted more than 10 million international visitors, adding to a strong growth trend over three years. Since 2016, Abu Dhabi has increased hotel guests by 13.62 per cent.

Steady advances across different tourism sectors power the boom, including the culture, business, family and medical sectors. Cruise tourism brought more than 350,000 to the emirate.

The Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi revealed that the 10 million guests who visited the capital were made up of overnight visitors and those bound for a single day. Hotel guests in the city increased by 3.94 per cent over 2017. Each year, the city has posted record numbers of guests in hotels.

“We are incredibly pleased to see these positive metrics, as year on year we have exceeded the already ambitious targets set for Abu Dhabi’s growth,” said Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman, DCT Abu Dhabi.

The steady growth solidifies Abu Dhabi’s perception of itself as a prime stepping-off point to see the UAE and the rest of the Middle East.

“The past three years have seen countless significant additions to Abu Dhabi’s structural, touristic and cultural landscape. Most prominent amongst these include the recent reopening of the Al Hosn cultural site, which now offers visitors new experiences of heritage and artistic creativity, and the stunning Louvre Abu Dhabi,” said Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak. The annual Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has attracted millions of spectators to the city since its launch in 2009.

Were you one of the 10 million visitors to Abu Dhabi last year? How was your stay? Tell us. Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com. Please include your full name and location.