Abu Dhabi reduces fees for hotel rooms, restaurants from Sept 1

The Department of Culture and Tourism— Abu Dhabi (DCT - Abu Dhabi) on Friday announced that it has reduced government fees applied to hotels in the emirate, supporting the continued growth of the hospitality and tourism sector, and enhancing Abu Dhabi as a leading global leisure and tourism destination.

The change is set to take effect from September 1, 2023 and follows directives from Abu Dhabi Executive Council to further encourage tourists as well as residents to enjoy hospitality offerings in the emirate. This revision of fees seeks to further grow the emirate as a tourism and cultural destination while bolstering support for its thriving hospitality sector.

The government fee amendments include reducing a tourism fee issued to guests from six per cent to four per cent, removing a municipality fee of Dh15 per room per night, removing a six per cent tourism fee and four per cent municipality fee applied to hotel restaurants. The municipality fee for 4 per cent of the value of the invoice issued to the customer will continue.

As part of its mandate, DCT — Abu Dhabi continuously elevates the standards of the emirate’s tourism, culture, and hospitality offerings in the emirate. By curating a diverse range of experiences that cater to the preferences and interests of a wide spectrum of travellers, DCT — Abu Dhabi aims to enable sustainable growth and long-term success.

Earlier, a new strategic partnership has been inked to enhance air connectivity between Abu Dhabi and Europe as the UAE Capital aims to position the emirate as a preferred tourist destination and attract more than 24 million visitors by the end of 2023.

DCT Abu Dhabi signed MoU with the Franco-Dutch airline group Air France-KLM at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. The partnership expands Abu Dhabi’s global connectivity through daily flights to Paris.

Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General of Tourism at DCT – Abu Dhabi, noted the partnership signifies DCT – Abu Dhabi’s commitment to promote, protect and progress the tourism sector of Abu Dhabi and elevate the emirate’s status as a global destination.

“By fostering long-term partnerships with trusted international carriers, we are enabling visitors from around the world to visit and witness our rich heritage and diverse culture. This increased connectivity not only enriches the experience for travellers but also positions Abu Dhabi as an additional access point to the East.”

(With inputs from Ashwani Kumar)

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