The Department of Culture and Tourism- Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has signed nine joint marketing partnerships with Indian travel companies, targeting an additional 75,500 visitors from India as the emirate deepens its engagement with one of its most important international tourism markets. The agreements were signed during the Arabian Travel Market and involve leading Indian travel platforms and companies.
The partnerships cover periods ranging from one year to 18 months, with MakeMyTrip securing the largest agreement, targeting 37,500 visitors over 18 months. Thrillophilia and Akbar Holidays are expected to contribute a further 11,000 and 10,000 visitors, respectively, during the same period.
Additional one-year agreements have been signed with RezLive and Utazzo Holidays, each targeting 3,500 visitors; Holiday Tribe, targeting 3,000; TravClan and Pickyourtrail, targeting 2,500 each; and GNRconnect.com, with a target of 2,000 visitors. Collectively, the agreements are designed to expand destination marketing and encourage more Indian travellers to explore Abu Dhabi.
The latest partnerships come as India continues to be Abu Dhabi’s largest overseas source market. In 2025, Indian visitors accounted for 13% of Abu Dhabi’s hotel guests, with the number reaching 436,124, representing a 22% year-on-year increase. India has continued to remain a key source market for Abu Dhabi in 2026.
DCT Abu Dhabi is promoting the destination across arts, culture, cuisine, entertainment and shopping, while stronger airline connectivity, major events and targeted seasonal campaigns are also supporting travel demand from India. The emirate has additionally undertaken destination-marketing initiatives in India, including campaigns around Diwali and Eid.
The nine new agreements underline the growing role of Indian travel companies, online travel platforms and trade partners in Abu Dhabi’s international tourism strategy, while creating additional channels through which Indian travellers can discover and book experiences in the emirate.
