Yas And Saadiyat Islands Celebrate Record Number Of Visitors In 2023

Miral, Abu Dhabi's premier creator of immersive destinations and experiences, has announced a significant leap in visitation numbers for2023 across both Yas Island and Saadiyat Island. This surge in visitors sets a new high in the attraction's records, as disclosed during the Arabian Travel Market 2024 in Dubai on May 6. Yas Island saw a remarkable 38% increase in visits, reaching over 34 million compared to 24.9 million in 202. Saadiyat Island wasn't far behind, with a 44% rise in visitation numbers from the previous year.

Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral, highlighted this achievement as a testament to their dedication to establishing Yas Island as a top global entertainment and leisure destination and Saadiyat Island as a prime location for beach, nature, and cultural experiences. These efforts align with Abu Dhabi's Tourism Strategy 2030, aiming to enhance visitor experiences and contribute to the city's tourism growth and economic diversification.

Particularly, theme parks and CLYMB at Yas Island witnessed an 83% increase in visitation in 2023 compared to the previous year. The region saw a notable rise in visitors from the GCC by 125%, while international visits surged by 167%, predominantly from India, the UK, Russia, and Germany. Additionally, Yas Island's consumer events exceeded expectations, drawing over 560 thousand attendees to events like Lion King, UFC, and performances by renowned artists.

The destination also saw significant activity in the MICE sector, welcoming 23 groups, marking a 77% increase from the previous year. This growth is partially attributed to Miral's collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau, resulting in the creation of a joint fund to bolster Abu Dhabi's status as a key MICE location. Furthermore, the summer months of 2023 proved exceptionally successful, with theme parks on Yas Island experiencing a 96% rise in visitors, and hotels achieving a 90% occupancy rate from June to August.

Looking ahead, Yas Island is set to expand further with several new developments. These include a significant expansion to Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi and the introduction of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Warner Bros. World™ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Saadiyat Island is not left behind, with upcoming attractions like teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, promising to offer unique and innovative experiences.

In 2023, Yas Island and Saadiyat Island garnered more than 170 regional and international awards, with Yas Island receiving 130 accolades and Saadiyat Island over 40, recognising their contributions to the travel and tourism sector. Through managing these destinations, Miral continues to play a pivotal role in driving Abu Dhabi and the UAE's economic growth, aligning with the ambitious goals of Abu Dhabi's Tourism Strategy 2030. This strategy, launched in April 2024, aims to attract 39.3 million visitors, create 178,000 jobs, and elevate the tourism sector's contribution to the UAE's GDP to Dh90 billion annually by 2030.