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Home›Tomorrow›The Visions›Abu Dhabi Vision 2030

Tomorrow · Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 and Tourism Strategy

Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 set the capital on a path from oil wealth to a broad, knowledge-led economy, and the newer Abu Dhabi Tourism Strategy 2030 adds a clear goal for visitors. The result is the Abu Dhabi you see today: Louvre Abu Dhabi, Yas Island and a wave of luxury hotels, with more to come.

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At a glance

Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 at a glance

Plan
Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 (launched 2008)
Tourism plan
Abu Dhabi Tourism Strategy 2030 (launched 2024)
Visitor goal
About 39 million visitors a year by 2030
Tourism to GDP
About AED 90 billion (approximately $24.5 billion)
Flagship districts
Saadiyat Island, Yas Island, Al Ain

In brief

Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 in brief

Published in 2008, the Economic Vision 2030 asked a forward-looking question: how should the emirate prosper long after oil? Its answer was diversification, with new strength in aerospace, finance, healthcare, logistics, media, culture and tourism, backed by world-class infrastructure and education. Much of that has since come true, from the global investment firms based at Abu Dhabi Global Market to the museums of Saadiyat.

The Abu Dhabi Tourism Strategy 2030, launched by the Department of Culture and Tourism in 2024, builds on that foundation with targets for visitors, jobs and economic contribution. It sits inside the national plan described on our We the UAE 2031 page and alongside the other plans on all the national visions of the region.

Dappled light falls through the latticed dome of the Louvre Abu Dhabi onto its white galleries and reflecting pools on Saadiyat Island.
Photo: Francesco Bini · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Headline goals

Published targets; dollar figures approximate.

Around 39 million visitors

By 2030

The tourism strategy targets roughly 39.3 million annual visitors, counting international and domestic guests and day visitors.

About AED 90 billion from tourism

By 2030

Tourism's contribution to GDP is set to reach about AED 90 billion (approximately $24.5 billion), with some 178,000 new jobs.

A diversified economy

Ongoing

The original vision aims for a larger non-oil share of the economy, supported by sectors such as AI, finance, advanced industry and healthcare.

Flagship projects

To be confirmed

Disney theme park

Yas Island

A Disney resort and theme park on Yas Island has been announced. See Disneyland Abu Dhabi.

To be confirmed

Sphere Abu Dhabi

Yas Island

An immersive Sphere venue modeled on the Las Vegas original is planned for Yas Island. See Sphere Abu Dhabi.

Zayed International Airport

Abu Dhabi

The striking Terminal A, one of the largest terminals in the world, now handles all passenger flights.

Official site ↗

What Abu Dhabi's vision

What Abu Dhabi's vision means for visitors

Expect a calm, elegant capital with serious cultural weight. Saadiyat offers beaches and museums side by side, Yas Island has theme parks and the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and Al Ain adds oasis heritage. Our Abu Dhabi luxury hotels guide lists the best places to stay, and the Yas Island guide covers the parks.

What it means for investors

Abu Dhabi's investment zones on Saadiyat, Yas, Reem and Al Maryah islands allow foreign freehold ownership, and new cultural and leisure landmarks tend to anchor demand nearby. See Abu Dhabi Luxury Real Estate investment on Saadiyat and Yas and investing in property near landmarks.

Questions visitors and investors

Questions visitors and investors ask

Is Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 still current?

Yes. It remains the emirate's long-term economic framework, now complemented by sector plans such as the Abu Dhabi Tourism Strategy 2030.

What is the visitor target?

About 39.3 million visitors a year by 2030, including domestic and day visitors.

When will the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi open?

Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism has announced December 11, 2026. Check the museum's official channels before you travel.

Can foreigners buy property in Abu Dhabi?

Yes, freehold in designated investment zones. Take independent legal advice before buying.

Ultra-Luxury Real Estate · Own Here

Own a home in Abu Dhabi

The places you discover as a guest are the places to own. Freehold for foreign buyers in designated areas, with a golden visa route from AED 2 million.

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Register interest

This page is general information to help you start your research. It is not financial, legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules, prices and thresholds change; confirm every detail with a licensed adviser and the official authority before you act.

Checked October 2026. Prices and dates are approximate and can change. See our standard.