In 2024, visitor numbers surged on Yas Island and Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, with Yas Island welcoming over 38 million visits, marking a 10% increase from the previous year.

Saadiyat Island achieved a notable 74% hotel occupancy rate, alongside a 14% rise in average daily rates, driven by increased interest from travelers from the UK, India, and China.

Saadiyat Island is positioning itself as a cultural destination, with the new teamLab Phenomena exceeding visitation forecasts and the Natural History Museum set to open by late 2025.

On Yas Island, the average daily rate for hotels rose by 17%, reflecting strong demand throughout the year.

Dr. Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral, credited this success to strategic partnerships and alignment with Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy, which emphasizes sustainable growth.

Consumer event attendance on Yas Island grew by 10%, bolstered by a diverse calendar featuring major events like Hamilton, UFC, and concerts from artists such as the Backstreet Boys.

Other key visitor markets included Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UK, Russia, and Germany, indicating a broad appeal for Abu Dhabi as a travel destination.

To accommodate the growing influx of visitors, Miral has announced significant expansions, including 12 new rides at Yas Waterworld and additional attractions at Warner Bros. World and Ferrari World.

Yas Island is also emerging as a hub for corporate events, with a 17% increase in business events and a 7% rise in room nights, leading to the launch of the Yas Island Metaverse project.

Miral's initiatives are pivotal to Abu Dhabi's Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to attract 39.3 million visitors and create 178,000 jobs by 2030.

Currently, Miral has generated jobs for 220,000 people in the tourism sector, with plans to reach 250,000 by the end of 2025.

Upcoming developments on Yas Island include the expansion of Yas Waterworld and new attractions at Warner Bros. World, both expected to be completed by 2025.