Etihad Airways, in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT), is celebrating the outstanding success of its Abu Dhabi Stopover programme. Since its relaunch, the initiative has surpassed expectations, delivering a significant boost to Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector. The programme, exclusive to Etihad Airways, has experienced remarkable growth, welcoming 24,000 international visitors in the first half of 2024—a 242% increase compared to the 7,000 visitors in the latter half of 2023.
This surge in performance, paired with a continued rise in demand and an increase in bookings for the second half of the year, has placed the programme on track to meet its ambitious goal of attracting 75,000 international stopover visitors by the end of 2024.
Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, Antonoaldo Neves, expressed his enthusiasm: “The growth of our Abu Dhabi Stopover programme has far exceeded our projections. We’ve seen international visitors more than triple in just six months. This success not only highlights Abu Dhabi’s appeal as a destination but also proves the programme’s effectiveness in encouraging travellers to experience the emirate’s wonders.”
Visitors participating in the programme are taking full advantage of the opportunity to discover Abu Dhabi, with an average stay of two nights. The initiative has gained particular traction in key markets, including England, the USA, Australia, India, and various EU countries.
DCT’s Director General for Tourism, His Excellency Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, also commended the programme’s success: “The Abu Dhabi Stopover programme exemplifies the power of strategic partnerships in driving tourism growth. This innovative initiative is clearly resonating with international travellers, offering them a compelling reason to explore our emirate. The programme’s success reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a must-visit destination and encourages travellers to plan longer stays in the future.”
In addition to the programme’s success, enhancements to the booking process have made it more user-friendly. A new landing page on Etihad’s website has driven a 43% increase in web traffic, offering potential visitors streamlined access to information about Abu Dhabi. Travellers booking flights with Etihad can easily add a stopover and select complimentary hotel stays for one or two nights at premier hotels across the city. This simplified process allows travellers to turn their transit into a memorable Abu Dhabi experience, exploring the emirate’s world-class hospitality, stunning beaches, vibrant dining scene, and thrilling entertainment options.
Buoyed by this success, Etihad Airways and DCT Abu Dhabi are looking to further enhance the programme, aiming to provide even more value and unique experiences for visitors in the coming months.
