Culture at its Core
The intrinsically rich UAE culture, together with the cultural initiatives and programmes Abu Dhabi regularly launches, constitute the bedrock for the capital’s tourist attractions. The UAE’s authentic heritage reflects the very essence of the national identity while the cultural programmes enhance Abu Dhabi's standing as the region’s emerging cultural hub. Cultural tourism has increasingly become a crucially important socio-economic catalyst which informs all tourist activities and programmes, cultural events and initiatives.
Museums, Monuments & More
Abu Dhabi boasts several ancient archaeological sites, some dating back thousands of years and which give deep insights into the country and its culture. Additionally, the emirate’s museums chart the history Abu Dhabi’s history for visitors. A major cultural development thrust is underway with Saadiyat Island due to host the world’s single largest concentration of premier international cultural institutions.
That’s Entertainment
Abu Dhabi is emerging as an entertainment hub with a wide variety of entertainment options, for individuals and families alike and for all ages. Yas Island, which will be home to the world’s largest indoor theme park – Ferrari World – is the destination’s entertainment centre.
From Souk to Shopping Mall
Shopping is a popular pastime in Abu Dhabi. The choice is amazing from browsing and bargaining in traditional souks (markets) for everything from jewellery to carpets to leisurely browsing in the most modern of malls amidst the world’s most sought-after brands.
Sports Tourism – On the Right Mark
Abu Dhabi has developed into a recognized major international sporting events destination. Each year it hosts competitive events with a global following across golf, motorsport, watersports, adventure racing and athletics. Worldwide media coverage results and the local population find new outlets for their sporting endeavours.
Additionally, visitors can gain insights into local sports, like camel racing, falconry and horsemanship.
The Happening Place for Business Tourism
With a state-of-the-art and expanding business tourism infrastructure, Abu Dhabi has emerged as ‘The Happening Place For Business Tourism.’ The UAE capital follows, on the other hand, wide-ranging strategies to support this sector with activities and programs that help foster and increase the inflow of regional and global events to the local arena. Given the huge developments underpinning the tourism sector in the Emirate, especially in building hotels and conference centers, many expect for Abu Dhabi to be the No. 1 Destination for business tourism in MENA, with the expanding list of investment opportunities it offers.
Ecotourism
The UAE capital enjoys an affluently rich natural environment, where the desert meets the sea shores, with both enfolding widely diverse forms of wildlife and marine life. Ecotourism is an integral part of the economic plans enacted by the local government mainly aiming at attaining strong sustainable development. Abu Dhabi offers for its visitors numerous scouting, adventurous, and entertaining opportunities in its natural reserves, wildlife parks, and other unique natural sites (e.g. islands, oases, and beaches).
Events and Festivals
Abu Dhabi is constantly and actively bustling and hustling with events and festivals throughout the year. As soon as the emirate farewells one, another hurriedly comes in, with a brand new look featuring unique set of activities. Thereby, the capital constantly keeps its bustling form all the year around. All local events and festivals are well received and attended by the public, which adds to their success and acclaim. The annual agenda involves a whole lot of festivals that suit all people of ages, like cinema festivals, concerts, sports champions, shopping festivals, culinary events, family festivals, and others.
Luxury Tourism
The UAE capital is now coming to be known as the singular destination for luxury tourists, given its top-notch tourist packages that target the elite and top classes seeking luxury and welfare. Abu Dhabi has successfully managed to stabilize its position in such flourishing tourist sector through a chain of world-class hotels, luxurious resorts, and stylish exhibitions that collectively offer a brilliantly unrivaled tourist experience that showcases such destination at its best.
Educational Tourism
Today, governments are increasingly focusing on education as a basically integral component of tourism attraction. Education is currently taking the form of a tourist product that is capable of attracting students searching for knowledge and science. The government of Abu Dhabi adopts a long-term educational outlook which aims at making Abu Dhabi the science and research hub in the region. The emirate's plan in this sector can be summarized as follows: help opening branches for globally-known universities locally, support entering into twinning programs (between local universities and global ones), providing IT-specialized schools, building research centers, arts and music institutes, among other educational facilities to be built. With this plan successfully accomplished and carried out in upcoming years, Abu Dhabi will be truly the regional hub for education and knowledge.