Yas Island And Saadiyat Island Set New Tourism Records In 2024 With Significant Visitor Increases

Miral has reported unprecedented visitor numbers for Yas Island and Saadiyat Island in 2024, showcasing significant growth compared to the previous year. This achievement strengthens Abu Dhabi's status as a top global tourist destination. At the Arabian Travel Market 2025, it was revealed that Yas Island saw over 38 million visits in 2024, marking a 10% increase from 2023.

Hotel occupancy on Yas Island reached an impressive 82%, with a peak of 905 in August. This represents a 9% year-on-year increase and a notable 17% rise in the average daily rate. Saadiyat Island also experienced a similar 10% growth in hotel and museum visits, further enhancing its appeal as a cultural and leisure hub.

Dr. Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral, highlighted that these results align with Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy, focusing on sustainable growth and economic diversification. "These results highlight the strength of our strategic partnerships and our ongoing commitment to elevating Abu Dhabi’s global appeal," he stated.

The theme parks on Yas Island, along with CLYMB, experienced a remarkable 20% increase in visitors. The GCC region contributed significantly with a 56% rise, while international visits surged by 40%. Notably, there was substantial growth from India (44%), China (81%), the UK (40%), and Russia (29%).

Business tourism also flourished with a 17% rise in events and a 7% increase in room nights. To support this expansion, Miral introduced the Yas Island Metaverse project in collaboration with e& enterprise, offering virtual experiences of the destination’s venues and attractions.

Saadiyat Island achieved a hotel occupancy rate of 74% in 2024, accompanied by a 14% increase in ADR. Key markets contributing to this success included the UK (11%), India (30%), and China (58%). These figures reinforce Saadiyat's position as a premier cultural destination.

Upcoming Attractions and Cultural Enhancements

Exciting developments are on the horizon for Yas Island. A significant expansion of Yas Waterworld is planned for summer 2025, adding 12 new rides across an area of 16,900 sqm. Additionally, Yas Bay will see the development of a new beachfront spanning 560m.

Warner Bros. World Yas Island is set to expand with new DC attractions and features from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter alongside two additional rides. These enhancements aim to attract even more visitors to the island.

Awards and Future Goals

In terms of accolades, Yas Island received over 175 global awards in 2024, while Saadiyat Island earned more than 20 awards. This recognition solidifies its reputation as the Middle East’s leading beach destination.

Miral continues to support Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy for 2030. The strategy aims to attract an annual visitor count of 39.3 million, create around 178,000 jobs, and contribute AED90 billion to the national GDP.

Cultural offerings on Saadiyat Island were enhanced by launching teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi on April 18th. The upcoming Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi is set to be completed by late 2025 and will become the region's largest museum upon completion.

With inputs from WAM