Abu Dhabi hotels generate $185.7 million in May 2025 amid growing international visitors
According to preliminary data from the Department of Culture and Tourism-Abu Dhabi, as released by the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi, the revenue breakdown for hotels in May includes AED408 million from room revenues, AED224 million from food and beverage services, and AED50 million from other sources.
Abu Dhabi's hotels welcomed approximately 481,000 guests in May 2025, showcasing the emirate's increasing appeal as a premier tourism destination. This growth is bolstered by a variety of accommodation options and high standards of hospitality services.
A total of 172 hotel establishments were operational in Abu Dhabi throughout the month, providing 34,383 rooms. The total number of guest nights surpassed 1.345 million, with an occupancy rate of 80 percent. The average revenue per available room reached AED490.
Guests from non-Arab Asian countries led the visitor count with 155,000, followed by Europeans with 112,000, and UAE nationals with 88,000, reflecting the sector's sustained momentum and the emirate's status as a favored destination for global travelers. Hotels also catered to 31,000 guests from GCC countries, 52,000 from other Arab nations, 25,000 from North and South America, and 8,000 from non-Arab African countries, in addition to visitors from various other global markets.
By category, five-star hotels attracted the highest number of guests, accommodating 236,000 visitors, with 72,000 of them being European guests. Meanwhile, four-star hotels hosted 126,000 guests, three-star hotels or below welcomed 70,000, and hotel apartments catered to 50,000 guests.
Read more: Abu Dhabi hotel revenues surge to over $230 million in April 2025
Strong tourism growth reflects robust demand
Abu Dhabi's hotel sector revenue in May 2025, which amounted to AED682 million (approximately $185.7 million), underlines the emirate's sustained momentum in tourism growth, surpassing previous months and reflecting robust demand. The Department of Culture and Tourism-Abu Dhabi, in conjunction with the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi, publishes these monthly statistics, providing an authoritative and transparent view of performance in the hospitality sector. This data is part of a continual effort to monitor and enhance Abu Dhabi's competitiveness as a global tourism destination.
Comparatively, in April 2025, the total hotel revenues were higher at AED847 million, with hotels hosting about 531,000 guests and achieving an occupancy rate of 87 percent, indicating some seasonal variation but overall steady high performance. The average revenue per available room in April was AED614, higher than May's AED490, suggesting dynamic pricing strategies depending on demand cycles. Five-star hotels consistently attract the largest share of guests and revenue, reinforcing Abu Dhabi's positioning as a luxury destination.
Official statistics and reports on Abu Dhabi's hotel performance can be accessed through the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi websites. The Hotel Price Index Monthly report published by the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi provides detailed economic statistics including occupancy, revenue per available room, and pricing trends, giving stakeholders critical insights into the hotel sector's health and prospects.
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