The meeting included an overview of the revenues and outcomes of tourism activity within the third quarter (Q3) of the year, demonstrating the sector’s recovery trajectory after an abrupt slowdown in the second quarter (Q2) caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Within Q3, Abu Dhabi achieved the highest hotel occupancy rates and the third highest revenue per room in the region. Relative to Q2, hotel revenues saw an increase of 46 percent, with a 95 percent increase in the number of guests.

 The recovery of the sector was further demonstrated through an estimated 83 percent increase in footfall at malls across the emirate, and a 119 percent increase in airline bookings. Seating capacity for all airlines operating in Abu Dhabi was also increased by 364 percent during this period. This was attributed to the boost in domestic tourism activity led by DCT Abu Dhabi through campaigns and initiatives such as ‘Go Safe’, ‘Unbox Amazing’ and ‘Rediscover Abu Dhabi’.

 ‘Go Safe’, the region’s first comprehensive safety and hygiene certification programme, contributed to elevating consumer trust in levels of health and safety across hotels and public venues. The programme was launched across all the hotels in the emirate, with 93 of these hotels obtaining full certification in Q3.

 During the meeting, DCT Abu Dhabi also shared future plans and projects with the attending partners, including the implementation of a cashless payment system across all consumer touchpoints within the sector, and the development of a dedicated bus route for tourism sites, which will make transport across the emirate more accessible, convenient and affordable for visitors.