Department of Culture and Tourism

Through our three key sectors: Tourism, Culture and National Library, we work extensively to regulate, support, develop and market Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry through a range of activities aimed at promoting and preserving the emirate’s distinctive heritage and culture.

The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors, fuels economic progress and helps achieve the UAE capital’s wider global ambitions.

Our vision is defined by the Emirate’s heritage, language and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity and innovation, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.

We strive to unite the tourism ecosystem around a shared vision of the Emirate’s potential, to coordinate efforts and investment, to regulate and to use the best tools, policies and systems to support Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a leading global destination, locally and internationally.

The Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 and the Abu Dhabi Plan guides our strategy and role in contributing to the Emirate’s ambitions for economic diversification. Our collaborations with multiple stakeholders, enable us to nurture and cultivate a community that celebrates, preserves and promotes local heritage and values, attract national and international investment across our tourism segments and stimulate growth by building an appealing yet distinctive tourism and cultural destination.

The Tourism sector is charged with reinforcing Abu Dhabi as a world-class destination, in line with our commitment to conserving, promoting and leveraging the emirate’s heritage, culture and tourism assets.

We fulfil our mandate through continued investment into Abu Dhabi’s diverse array of leisure, entertainment and cultural attractions, and a comprehensive programme of profile-raising events organised in partnership with a network of sponsors and industry stakeholders.

We work closely with the emirate’s tourism industry partners providing industry-related guidance, to ensure service providers exceed global standards of excellence.

Our organisation strives to preserve and promote the emirate’s rich cultural and historic heritage. By sharing Abu Dhabi’s unique legacy through a wide-ranging programme of cultural events, exhibitions and museums, we aim to present the emirate as an international cultural destination.

The Culture Sector leverages the cultural heritage of Abu Dhabi to advance the emirate’s development as a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction. Our policies, plans and programmes are driven by our commitment to protecting the many archaeological and historical sites throughout the emirate, including our UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

We strive to promote creativity in Abu Dhabi, encouraging intellectual and artistic pursuits through a vibrant programme of exhibitions, events and festivals. Endeavouring to inspire professionals and enthusiasts in arts, literature and music locally and internationally, we also work to preserve traditional artistic practices and handicrafts.

Our responsibility to promote the dynamic culture of our emirate extends to overseeing the development of the Abu Dhabi’s future museums on Saadiyat Island, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. We are also responsible for the management of existing museums in Al Ain, including Al Ain Museum, Al Ain Palace Museum, Al Jahili Fort and Qasr Al Muwaiji.

Our efforts seek to broaden the audience for artistic and cultural undertakings by providing the community with exhibitions, outreach and education programmes, and academic courses designed to inspire creativity in future generations. We view the collective memory of the people of Abu Dhabi as an invaluable resource, and consider the artistic talents discovered within the community a fundamental part of the enduring heritage of the UAE.

Established in 1981, National Library is one of the UAE’s largest knowledge repositories and a vital resource for intellectuals, scholars and scientists. Dar Al Kutub is responsible for the establishment of regional, community, children’s and mobile libraries. It also acts as a publisher, translates the world's major literary works, promotes talented Emirati writers and researchers by publishing their books and academic works. Dar Al Kutub also collects, preserves and displays ancient Arab and Islamic manuscripts, covering a variety of topics from literature and religion to science and arts.