Etihad Airways, alongside the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi celebrated the success of the Abu Dhabi stopover programme at Arabian Travel Market 2025.
They say visitor numbers continue to accelerate at an impressive pace.
The Stopover Programme has garnered 25,000 bookings in the first four months of 2025, representing 47% growth compared to 2024.
The number of visitors grew to 44,000 through April 2025, marking a substantial 76% increase.
The programme welcomed 85,000 international stopover visitors last year.
Etihad Airways anticipates more than 130,000 stopover guests in total in 2025.
The programme attracts visitors from across Etihad’s global network, with notable interest from the US and Canada.
The programme’s appeal has been cemented by the new Abu Dhabi Pass launched in March, which provides additional benefits for travellers.
The digital Abu Dhabi Pass offers free airport transfers, a tourist SIM card with data connectivity, unlimited access to public buses, and 24-hour unlimited access to the hop-on-hop-off tourist bus network.
Pass holders also enjoy discounts of up to 15% at leading attractions including Qasr Al Watan, Louvre Abu Dhabi, and Yas Island’s attractions Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld.
Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad Airways CEO, said: “By offering up to two complimentary hotel nights, we’re giving visitors the perfect opportunity to experience our destination.”
The average length of stay for stopover visitors has increased since 2024, with travellers exploring more attractions during their visit.
