DCT Abu Dhabi outlined its roadmap for growth in 2023 that will boost Abu Dhabis culture and tourism sectors

The Department of Culture and Tourist (DCT) Abu Dhabi unveiled its growth plan for 2023, outlining how it would advance, safeguard, and promote Abu Dhabi's cultural and tourist industries. This comes after a successful performance in 2022 fueled by the creativity, resiliency, and integration of various industries.

In an interview with the media, Saood Al Hosani, the undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, underscored the importance of culture to the organization's aims and the part it plays in building resilient and creative societies. DCT Abu Dhabi continues its responsibility to develop and share Emirati history and cultural identity as part of a strategic objective to build a strong national identity.

DCT Abu Dhabi is building on the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed, the founding father of the UAE, to strengthen national identity, nurture talent, increase awareness of Emirati heritage and values, and develop a vibrant and innovative culture scene, with the promotion and protection of culture at the centre of its mandate. In addition to curating visual and performing arts activities that draw a varied audience from the UAE, the region, and the world, the department continues to establish policies to conserve Abu Dhabi's legacy, the emirate's museums and cultural monuments, and its heritage.

The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) sees culture and tourism as crucial facilitators for the country's social and economic growth, and its support for the CCI demonstrates its dedication to creating a varied, dynamic, and sustainable economy for the emirate.

DCT Abu Dhabi, as the custodian of CCI, will assist in the development of more than 300 employment in the quickly expanding e-gaming sector. The goal is to create a thriving gaming and esports ecosystem in the capital of the UAE by focusing on more than 20 new businesses with the potential for considerable growth.

In order to ensure that all of its numerous activities are grounded in the culture and history of the emirate, DCT Abu Dhabi actively supports and defends the Arabic language. Through significant programmes like Kalima and Esdarat, the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) continues to foster Arabic competence throughout the UAE population while also promoting the expansion of the Arabic publishing sector. The objectives set forward by ALC Abu Dhabi for 2023 to boost attendance at book fairs and festivals have also been raised.

With the recent opening of numerous new attractions like SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Pixoul Gaming, Adrenark Adventure, and Snow Abu Dhabi, the destination offering continues to expand in order to support the Department's target of welcoming more than 24 million visitors in 2023—up from 18 million in 2022—and encourage travellers to return so they can take advantage of everything Abu Dhabi has to offer.

The emirate is being activated as a year-round tourism destination by Experience Abu Dhabi, the destination brand of DCT Abu Dhabi, that offers exciting, inspiring and restorative experiences that visitors can discover at their own pace. This involves presenting Al Ain, the "living oasis" of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, to local tourists and culture enthusiasts.

Through 22 innovative campaigns over the course of 2023, Experience Abu Dhabi will connect with more than 40 worldwide markets. In order to reach Indian audiences, Experience Abu Dhabi signed a two-year brand ambassadorship deal with Bollywood star Ranveer Singh. Experience Abu Dhabi has also launched a number of market-specific campaigns in 2023, including an Arabic-language campaign video for the GCC starring Ahmed Helmy and Mona Zaki.

The action-packed Abu Dhabi Calendar groups together Abu Dhabi's year-round events and activities. It include family-friendly shows and concerts as well as partnerships with international IP partners like the UFC, NBA, and Formula 1. This also includes a thriving culinary scene, seasonal shopping events, and other factors that promote growth and tourism.