In a bid to bolster tourism, Abu Dhabi's government has introduced
fee reductions for hotels and restaurants, effective 1 September. The
move is part of an initiative by the Department of Culture and Tourism,
Abu Dhabi (DCT-Abu Dhabi), aimed at not only stimulating tourism but
also enhancing the emirate's appeal and nurturing growth in the
hospitality and tourism industry.
The significant change includes a decrease in the tourism fee paid by
tourists, dropping from 6% to 4%. Additionally, the 15-dirham fee
(US$4) for a single-room one-night stay and the extra fees for tourism
and municipality charges at restaurants have been removed. However, the
local government's 4% fee within the hotel bill remains intact.
This shift in government fees could substantially lower overall hotel
accommodation costs, providing real financial relief to visitors. The
objective is to create a more inviting atmosphere for tourists, spurring
growth in the tourism sector and establishing Abu Dhabi as a premier
global tourism destination.
Abu Dhabi is anticipating a notable influx of approximately 24
million visitors this year. The emirate has also proactively improved
its tourism landscape by forming an aviation agreement with Europe,
streamlining travel processes to accommodate a higher number of
tourists.