Abu Dhabi’s ambitious drive to position itself as a global tourism hub is bearing fruit, as the Etihad Airways Stopover Programme, run in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), reported a 76% year-on-year rise in stopover visitor numbers for the first four months of 2025.
From January to April 2025, the initiative attracted 44,000 travellers, up from 25,000 during the same period last year. With momentum building, Etihad Airways projects it will host over 130,000 stopover guests by year-end, making 2025 a milestone year in Abu Dhabi’s evolving tourism narrative.
Strong Q1 Sets Tone for Record-Breaking Year
The announcement follows confirmation that 1.4 million overnight guests arrived in Abu Dhabi during Q1 2025, reinforcing the emirate’s upward trajectory in tourism.
“This strong start to 2025 builds on a successful 2024, which welcomed 85,000 international stopover visitors—a leap from just 12,000 in 2023,” Etihad said in an official statement.
The increased average length of stay is seen as a major indicator of the programme’s success, with more passengers choosing to explore Abu Dhabi’s cultural and leisure offerings before resuming their onward journeys.
Tourism Strategy 2030 in Motion
The Stopover Programme directly supports the Abu Dhabi Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to:
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Attract 39.3 million annual visitors
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Create 178,000 new jobs
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Contribute Dh90 billion to Abu Dhabi’s GDP
Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, credited the programme’s success to a “culture-first approach, strategic marketing, and global partnerships.” He emphasized that initiatives like the stopover campaign are enhancing the emirate’s visibility and global appeal while preserving its cultural identity.
“The Stopover Programme strengthens partnerships and broadens Abu Dhabi’s global reach,” Al Geziry stated. “New attractions such as teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi in Saadiyat Cultural District further add to the emirate’s allure.”
Booking Boom and Global Reach
Etihad revealed that bookings for stopover stays reached 25,000 in the first four months of 2025—marking a 47% year-on-year increase. The programme continues to attract a diverse traveler base from markets including:
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United States
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Canada
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United Kingdom
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Germany
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France
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India
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Japan
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South Korea
Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves noted that the option to include up to two complimentary hotel nights was key to the programme’s appeal.
“The Stopover Programme continues to exceed expectations as more travellers choose to break their journey and discover Abu Dhabi,” Neves said. “This is a perfect way to introduce our guests to the richness of the destination.”
Abu Dhabi Pass Enhances Visitor Experience
The digital Abu Dhabi Pass, launched in March 2025, has further enhanced the stopover journey by bundling value-added services:
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Free airport transfers
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Tourist SIM card (10GB)
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Unlimited access to public transport & hop-on-hop-off buses
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Up to 15% discounts at attractions like Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Watan, and Yas Island’s Ferrari World, SeaWorld, and Warner Bros. World™
These benefits are helping Abu Dhabi position itself as a premium layover destination, enticing transit passengers to extend their visits or return for longer holidays.
