Abu Dhabi is soaring to new heights in global tourism, thanks to the remarkable success of its innovative Stopover Programme, jointly spearheaded by Etihad Airways and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). With explosive growth in visitor numbers, a surge in bookings, and a strategic focus on turning transit passengers into immersed cultural guests, 2025 marks a defining chapter for Abu Dhabi’s evolving tourism narrative.
Turning Transit into Tourism
The Abu Dhabi Stopover Programme, launched as a strategic initiative to capitalize on the emirate’s geographic advantage as a global transit hub, has evolved into a transformative project that’s reshaping how travellers experience stopovers. The programme allows passengers flying with Etihad Airways to turn layovers into meaningful mini-vacations in the UAE capital, combining convenience with cultural exploration, luxury with local charm.
The effort has been met with extraordinary enthusiasm. In just six months, international visitor numbers tripled. During the first half of 2024, the programme recorded 24,000 international participants—an already impressive number. However, the first four months of 2025 eclipsed that milestone with 44,000 guests opting into the stopover experience, a 76% increase year-on-year. Etihad forecasts that by the end of 2025, over 130,000 travellers will have participated in the programme—a growth of more than 50% compared to 2024.
Etihad Airways and DCT Abu Dhabi: A Strategic Alliance
At the heart of this initiative is the powerful synergy between Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national carrier, and DCT Abu Dhabi. Their coordinated efforts have ensured that what was once just a transit point for international passengers has become a globally recognised stopover destination. Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, emphasized, “This programme is exceeding all expectations. We are transforming travel habits, creating opportunities for people to experience the best of Abu Dhabi even on short visits. Our aim is to make every hour in this city memorable.”
Etihad’s redesigned booking platform enables passengers to seamlessly add a stopover in Abu Dhabi when reserving international flights. Through partnerships with top-tier hotels, cultural attractions, and transportation services, the programme has significantly elevated the travel experience while making it financially attractive for travellers.
Introducing the Abu Dhabi Pass
An instrumental part of the programme’s success is the recently launched Abu Dhabi Pass. Available free of charge to Etihad passengers taking part in the stopover initiative, this pass offers a curated gateway into the city’s top attractions and conveniences. From the moment travellers land at the futuristic Zayed International Airport, they are handed a tourist SIM card preloaded with 10GB of data—a small but vital tool for seamless navigation and connectivity.
In addition, pass holders receive unlimited access to Abu Dhabi’s public bus system and enjoy 24-hour hop-on-hop-off bus tours, ideal for exploring the emirate at one’s own pace. This comprehensive access to transport services encourages spontaneous exploration, making it easier for guests to delve into local neighbourhoods and uncover hidden gems.
Moreover, the Abu Dhabi Pass includes exclusive discounts of up to 15% on tickets to the city’s premier destinations. These include the majestic Louvre Abu Dhabi, the grand architectural wonder Qasr Al Watan, and the adrenaline-pumping theme parks of Yas Island such as Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World™, SeaWorld, and Yas Waterworld. This combination of high culture and family-friendly entertainment offers a broad appeal across different age groups and traveller profiles.
A Win-Win for Travellers and the Economy
The Abu Dhabi Stopover Programme is more than just a tourism initiative—it’s an economic engine. The influx of visitors, even for short stays, supports local businesses, boosts hotel occupancy, and drives footfall to cultural and entertainment venues. The programme is perfectly aligned with Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to welcome 39.3 million visitors annually, create 178,000 new jobs, and contribute AED 90 billion to the emirate’s GDP.
His Excellency Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, remarked, “This initiative is not only enriching the traveller’s journey but also directly contributing to our long-term strategic goals. It encourages people to discover Abu Dhabi’s unique blend of heritage, innovation, and hospitality—even during short visits—and often inspires them to return for longer stays.”
Seamless Hotel Experiences
To further sweeten the deal, Etihad offers complimentary hotel stays of up to two nights through participating accommodations when travellers book flights directly via its official website. This offer transforms the idea of a stopover into a genuine dual-destination journey—one where a transit city becomes an unforgettable part of the holiday.
Etihad’s partnerships span from premium international chains to boutique heritage hotels, giving travellers a range of options to suit their preferences. From panoramic city views and beachfront resorts to culturally rich stays in traditional Arabian settings, every type of guest finds something tailored to their style.
Why Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi has steadily positioned itself as a global beacon for culture, architecture, and innovation. While it may be less ostentatious than Dubai, it delivers a sophisticated charm rooted in Emirati traditions, balanced with forward-thinking sustainability and smart city ambitions. From the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to the Saadiyat Island Cultural District, the emirate provides a cultural depth that resonates with travellers seeking more than just selfies.
The city also offers world-class dining, pristine beaches, vast desert landscapes for adventure sports, and a calendar packed with international events, art fairs, and music festivals. For families, honeymooners, solo explorers, and business travellers alike, Abu Dhabi delivers variety with elegance.
A Model for Global Stopover Tourism
Abu Dhabi’s initiative is setting a benchmark for how stopovers can be reimagined in modern air travel. By providing tangible value and curated local experiences, it is turning what was once idle transit time into memorable cultural immersion. The collaboration between a national carrier and a tourism authority serves as a replicable model for other countries looking to boost tourism numbers without overhauling infrastructure or investing in new attractions.
What sets Abu Dhabi’s approach apart, however, is its attention to detail and understanding of the modern traveller’s desires. The programme doesn’t merely offer hotel rooms or discounts—it offers a narrative, a curated experience that encourages people to explore, engage, and perhaps even fall in love with a city they hadn’t originally intended to visit.
Looking Ahead
With the continued expansion of Etihad Airways’ route network and the further refinement of the stopover offerings, 2025 is expected to end with a record-breaking number of transit tourists choosing to explore Abu Dhabi. Additional services are reportedly in development, including augmented reality guides, custom experience packages for different traveller types, and even AI-assisted itinerary planning.
As Abu Dhabi continues to evolve as a cosmopolitan oasis rooted in heritage, the Stopover Programme is playing a pivotal role in shaping global perceptions. What began as a travel convenience has matured into a tourism success story—one that not only elevates the traveller experience but also strategically supports a nation’s vision for sustainable economic growth.
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