The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) expanded its Experience Abu Dhabi Roadshow to the Indian cities of Hyderabad, Chandigarh, and Pune, engaging over 600 Indian travel trade partners. With participation from 30+ Abu Dhabi stakeholders, the initiative aimed to boost awareness of Abu Dhabi’s diverse travel offerings and deepen relationships with Tier 2 market influencers. India’s growing significance as a tourism source—contributing 12% of all international hotel guests in 2024—has fueled DCT’s focused outreach.
The roadshow’s April sessions were met with strong enthusiasm, providing detailed insights into Abu Dhabi’s cultural, family-friendly, and adventure experiences, along with updates on new developments and travel packages curated for Indian outbound travelers. Interactive elements, like quizzes and photobooths, made the sessions engaging and memorable for participants. DCT’s Abdulla Mohammad reaffirmed India’s position as a top-priority market, highlighting the success of this regional campaign and Abu Dhabi’s appeal as a blend of heritage and modernity.
Travel agents received curated resources, including destination guides, promotional tools, and access to an e-learning platform to better position Abu Dhabi in the Indian market. Riding on this momentum, DCT Abu Dhabi will host another edition of the roadshow from 8–12 September 2025 in New Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai, to amplify engagement in India’s top metro cities and further solidify its destination brand presence.
A highlight of DCT’s recent innovations is the Abu Dhabi Pass, launched in partnership with Etihad Airways. Offered free to Etihad passengers, this digital travel pass includes 10GB tourist SIM cards, unlimited public transport access, and 24-hour hop-on-hop-off bus services across city landmarks. This initiative reflects Abu Dhabi’s strategic commitment to digital-first travel convenience, part of its broader 2030 vision to welcome 39.3 million annual visitors through enhanced connectivity and elevated guest experiences.
