Abu Dhabi Stopover Programme Sees Record Growth in 2025
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), in partnership with Etihad Airways, marked a major milestone for the Abu Dhabi Stopover Programme during the Arabian Travel Market 2025, celebrating its rapid momentum and soaring visitor numbers.
In the first four months of 2025 alone, the programme recorded an impressive 25,000 bookings—reflecting a robust 47 percent rise in sales compared to the same stretch in 2024. Even more noteworthy, visitor arrivals skyrocketed to 44,000 between January and April 2025, reflecting a dramatic 76 percent surge over the 25,000 travelers who took advantage of the stopover opportunity in the same timeframe last year.
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The Abu Dhabi Stopover Programme has evolved into more than just a convenient travel break — it’s become a gateway to full-fledged vacations. Many travellers who initially spent just a short time in the emirate during a layover are now returning for extended holidays, drawn by the city’s rich blend of culture, luxury, and hospitality.
This momentum builds upon a stellar performance in 2024, when Abu Dhabi welcomed eighty-five thousand stopover guests, up sharply from just twelve thousand the year prior. Looking ahead, Etihad Airways projects that over one hundred thirty thousand travellers will participate in the stopover programme in 2025, marking a significant rise in tourism and reinforcing the emirate’s status as a top global destination.
The programme has seen remarkable traction across Etihad’s international route network, with strong interest from North America—especially the United States and Canada—where more travellers are opting to pause their journey and explore Abu Dhabi’s cultural landmarks. Likewise, tourists from key European markets such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and France are discovering the city’s captivating fusion of heritage and modern design. In Asia, the initiative resonates with travellers from India, South Korea, and Japan, underscoring Abu Dhabi’s broad international appeal.
