In 2024, Miral, Abu Dhabi's leading creator of immersive destinations, reported significant growth in visitor numbers across Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, achieving new records. Yas Island saw over 38 million visits, a 10 per cent increase from 2023. Hotel occupancy on Yas Island reached an impressive 82 per cent, peaking at 90 per cent in August 2024, alongside a 17 per cent rise in the average daily rate compared to the previous year. Saadiyat Island also experienced a 10 per cent growth in visitation across its hotels and museums compared to 2023.
On the back of the encouraging growth, Miral expects to add 30 per cent more room capacity across various segments, depending on what the consumer needs, Dr Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral, tells
TTN. The specific category of these future properties – whether luxury, mid-market hotels, or serviced apartments – has yet to be officially announced.
Yas Island's theme parks and CLYMB saw an impressive 20 per cent rise in visitation alongside an astonishing 56 per cent increase in visitation from the GCC compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, international visits to the theme parks also saw significant growth, with a 40 per cent, rise, led by a substantial increase from key markets, including India (+44 per cent), China (+81 per cent), the UK (+40 per cent), and Russia (+29 per cent).
We will not stop here. We will continue growing
– Dr Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi
Saadiyat Island continues to attract visitors seeking an elevated blend of cultural immersion and leisure. In addition to an increase in visitation compared to the previous year, the destination achieved a remarkable 74 per cent hotel occupancy in 2024, alongside a 14 per cent increase in the average daily rate (ADR) compared to 2023. The destination also experienced prominent visitation growth from key markets, including a 11 per cent growth from UK, 30 per cent growth from India and 58 per cent growth from China, further solidifying its position as a leading beach, nature and cultural destination.
“At Miral, we maintain close collaborations with our extensive network of over 600 partners globally,” Dr Al Zaabi tells our trade readers. “These relationships are facilitated through our automated digital system, enabling them to directly purchase packages and tailor unique experiences for their customers. Our ongoing initiative is to digitalise all transactions as much as possible.
“Events like ATM provide a crucial platform for us to connect with our partners, exchange updates, and listen to their insights. I personally prioritise attending these meetings whenever feasible.
“Just yesterday, I was in Frankfurt, engaging with industry leaders and visiting key theme parks in Germany to exchange knowledge, understand market trends, and discuss potential solutions and challenges. This direct interaction is invaluable for learning and fostering mutual growth,” Dr Al Zaabi says.
