DCT Abu Dhabi Secures Deals to Attract 75,000 Indian Visitors

The Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has finalised nine new joint marketing agreements with Indian travel firms, aiming to boost the emirate's tourism sector by attracting an additional 75,500 visitors from India. These partnerships are designed to strengthen Abu Dhabi's position as a leading destination within its primary source market.

Key Partnerships

The largest of these agreements involves MakeMyTrip, which is committed to bringing 37,500 visitors to Abu Dhabi over an 18-month period. Other significant partnerships for the same duration include Thrillophilia, targeting 11,000 visitors, and Akbar Holidays, aiming for 10,000 visitors, collectively adding 21,000 more tourists.

Several one-year agreements were also signed:

• RezLive: 3,500 visitors
• Utazzo Holidays: 3,500 visitors
• Holiday Tribe: 3,000 visitors
• TravClan: 2,500 visitors
• Pickyourtrail: 2,500 visitors
• GNRconnect.com: 2,000 visitors

These agreements were formalised at the Arabian Travel Market, where DCT Abu Dhabi showcased the emirate's diverse attractions, including its arts, culture, cuisine, entertainment, and shopping offerings.

India: A Leading Source Market

India has consistently been Abu Dhabi's top international source market for tourists. In 2025, Indian visitors accounted for 13% of all hotel guests in Abu Dhabi, with a significant year-on-year increase of 22%, reaching 436,124 visitors. This growth is attributed to factors such as increased airline connectivity, proximity to major global events like the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and targeted marketing campaigns. These campaigns include promotions around Diwali and Eid, as well as an ambassador initiative featuring celebrity couple Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone.