DCT Abu Dhabi and Etihad Airways reaffirm their long-term commitment to the Indian market | News
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), in partnership with Etihad Airways and leading tourism stakeholders, has completed a C-level trade visit from India, strengthening long-standing partnerships and setting a clear direction for the next phase of growth in one of the emirate’s key source markets.
The recent visit brought together senior leaders from India’s travel trade ecosystem, including agencies, tour operators and distribution partners, for direct engagement with Abu Dhabi’s tourism leadership and industry stakeholders. It focused on strengthening commercial alignment, strengthening confidence in market continuity and identifying opportunities to drive future demand through improved connectivity and experiences and year-round tourism.
During the visit, participants held discussions with DCT Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways, Miral and other key partners, in addition to experiencing the emirate’s cultural and tourism offerings. The program included visits to the Zayed National Museum and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, reflecting the scale of Abu Dhabi’s cultural development pipeline and its changing visitor offering.
The visit also highlighted Abu Dhabi’s strong operational continuity and tourism performance. Hotel occupancy in the emirate reached 64% in May 2026, while museums in the Saadiyat Cultural District Abu Dhabi recorded a 17% increase in visitor numbers in April compared to March 2026. Abu Dhabi’s air links with India remain strong, supported by more than 300 weekly flights and an airline occupancy rate that reached 92% in April 2026.
Furthermore, the emirate will host more than twenty major events and festivals in May and June alone, reinforcing the role of its vibrant events calendar in driving sustained visitor demand.
Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “India remains one of Abu Dhabi’s most important markets, shaped by strong relationships and a deep understanding of traveler preferences. Air connectivity continues to play a central role in supporting the momentum from India, alongside Abu Dhabi’s growing calendar of cultural, entertainment and sporting events that continue to drive visitor interest throughout the year. With a strong pipeline of experiences and continued collaboration across the travel ecosystem, we remain focused on creating long-term value for our partners and delivering a seamless experience for travelers. This visit was an opportunity to reconnect at a leadership level, to listen and to align on how we move forward together.”
Javier Alija, VP Sales, eCommerce and Distribution at Etihad Airways, said: “With Etihad Abu Dhabi’s operations connecting Abu Dhabi to 11 gateways across India, we are privileged to welcome the leadership of the Indian travel trade to Abu Dhabi to showcase what this extraordinary destination has to offer. After a productive week of personal collaboration, we leave with strengthened partnerships, aligned priorities and a shared confidence in the growth ahead for this market.”
The visit is part of a broader approach to maintain continuity, strengthen engagement and support trading partners with clear and coordinated pathways to market growth. DCT Abu Dhabi works closely with partners in aviation, hospitality and attractions to ensure a seamless experience for travelers and the trade.
India continues to play a key role in Abu Dhabi’s international tourism strategy. Last year, the emirate recorded a 22% increase in the number of hotel guests from India, while willingness to revisit Abu Dhabi among Indian travelers reached 83%.
Building on this momentum, DCT Abu Dhabi is advancing plans across marketing, trade engagement and visitor experiences throughout 2026, including the recent announcement of Sphere Abu Dhabi’s location on Yas Island. A year-round calendar of major concerts and sporting events, extensive trade programs across India and targeted campaigns are planned to maintain demand and deepen market engagement.
