This International Museum Day (Sunday May 18), Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi is the ultimate destination for culture lovers. From ancient artefacts and contemporary exhibitions to immersive digital art and hands-on workshops, there’s something to spark your imagination with experiences continuing all month long.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Etihad Airways celebrated the remarkable success of the Abu Dhabi Stopover Programme at Arabian Travel Market 2025, with visitor numbers continuing to accelerate at an impressive pace. The Stopover Programme has achieved 25,000 bookings in the first four months of 2025, representing a 47% growth in sales compared to the same period in 2024. More significantly, the number of visitors has surged to 44,000 between January and April 2025, marking a substantial 76% increase over the 25,000 visitors recorded during the same period last year.

Programme will recognise businesses and frontliners across Abu Dhabi’s tourism and cultural sectors for exceptional service delivery

DCT Abu Dhabi and Informa extend partnership which saw the region’s biggest pop culture event relocate to the emirate in 2022. The 13th edition, held from 18-20 April 2025, attracted more than 38,000 fans over three days to Abu Dhabi’s ADNEC Centre, driving increased visitor growth to the emirate

The highly anticipated Butterfly Gardens Abu Dhabi is set to open in September 2025, marking a significant milestone as the first immersive butterfly sanctuary in the region. This innovative attraction was officially unveiled during the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, the leading event for the travel and tourism industry in the region. The sanctuary promises to offer an unparalleled experience, immersing visitors in nature like never before.

Powered by AI-driven e-learning modules, the Visitor Experience Academy will deliver tailor-made professional training across Abu Dhabi’s visitor journey touchpoints