Okay, picture this: sun, sand, theme-park screams of joy (the good kind), and hotel rooms turning into tiny VIP lounges for exhausted — but very happy — families. That’s basically Abu Dhabi’s summer in a nutshell, and Miral just dropped the receipts: Yas Island and Saadiyat Island had a blockbuster season. Not just “nice” — proper, headline-making growth across attractions, hotels, and visitor origins. Let’s unpack the good kind of chaos.
Saadiyat Island: culture, calm beaches, and a new star attraction
Saadiyat wasn’t peeking from the sidelines — it recorded a 14% rise in visits to cultural landmarks. The showstopper? teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, which opened in April 2025 and immediately outperformed expectations. In other words: people came, they wandered, they admired, and then they posted about it.
Saadiyat continues to flex its twin strengths: pristine beaches and high-end cultural experiences — perfect for travellers who want their holiday to be equal parts luxe lounger and cultured explorer.
Yas Island: rollercoasters, waterfronts, and hotel high-fives
If Yas Island were a person, it’d be the one who shows up to brunch and somehow brings more friends — and better snacks. Visitation was up 15% overall. The theme parks? Their best summer ever: +9% on visits year-on-year, with August absolutely stealing the show at +16%. And international visitors? They rocketed +50% year-on-year. Cue confetti.
Where did these visitors come from? A tasty mix: GCC and China both pumped in +31%, Russia dialed it up with +86%, and the UK chipped in +47%. Not bad for a summer playlist of global travellers.
Other wins on the island:
- Yas Marina and Yas Bay Waterfront footfall jumped 27% — more strolls, more sunset photos, more “let’s grab one more drink” moments.
- The Yas Neighbour Hotel Partner program (launched last year) grew 67%, proving that when Yas wins, the whole neighbourhood prospers.
- Families loved the value plays — the “Kids Go Free” program grew 31% in 2025. More kids = more ice cream = more memories. Math checks out.
Hotels: occupancy up, ADR up — everybody’s smiling
Hotels across both islands had a summer glow-up:
- Yas Island averaged 85% occupancy, peaking north of 90%. The WB Abu Dhabi hit a high ADR of AED 1,470 in August 2025 — that was the month the city’s hotel game said “we’re open for fabulous.”
- Saadiyat Island posted 66% occupancy and an average ADR around AED 1,000 across summer — solid for a destination that trades in seaside serenity and museum-heavy days.
Bottom line? Beds were full, guests were happy, and revenue charts were probably looking smug.
The bigger picture — Abu Dhabi, the global destination
Dr. Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral summed it up nicely: this summer was a milestone. Between Yas’s thrills and Saadiyat’s cultural pull — topped off by teamLab’s stellar debut — Abu Dhabi’s offering is clearly attracting a wider, more international audience. Short version: people want immersive experiences, and Abu Dhabi delivered.
What this means (and why you should care)
- Families: more kid-friendly deals and activity-packed days (see: Kids Go Free growth).
- International travellers: more reasons to choose Abu Dhabi over other sun-and-surf choices (hello, theme parks + culture combo).
- Hoteliers and local businesses: a clear signal that tourism demand isn’t just back — it’s growing, diversifying, and spending.
Final note (with a wink)
If summer 2025 were a movie, it would be a feel-good blockbuster with multiple sequels planned. Yas Island and Saadiyat Island didn’t just weather the summer — they turned it into a festival of experiences. So whether you’re chasing rollercoaster adrenaline, gallery calm, or beachfront cocktails (sometimes all in one day — no judgment), Abu Dhabi seems ready with a ticket and a smile.
