Liwa International Festival 2027 to run from December 11 to January 2
Mon, 19 Oct 2026
Liwa International Festival 2027 will take place from December 11, 2026, to January 2, 2027, in the Liwa desert in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra Region, featuring motorsport championships, heritage experiences, family attractions and international entertainment.
Dr Mohamed Al Zaabi named Abu Dhabi Culture and Tourism Undersecretary
Wed, 07 Oct 2026
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued a resolution appointing Dr Mohamed Al Zaabi as Undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.
Dubai strengthens position as global superyacht hub at Monaco Yacht Show
Mon, 05 Oct 2026
Dubai highlighted its growing role as a global superyacht hub at the Monaco Yacht Show 2026, held from September 23–26. The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism showcased the emirate’s expanding yachting ecosystem and efforts to strengthen the UAE’s connected luxury maritime offering.
DCT Abu Dhabi signs 21 strategic partnerships at ATM 2026
Wed, 23 Sep 2026
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has signed and renewed 21 trade and industry partnership agreements at the Arabian Travel Market, strengthening the emirate's global commercial network and advancing the objectives of Tourism Strategy 2030.
Real American Freestyle to launch Abu Dhabi events with five-year deal
Mon, 21 Sep 2026
Real American Freestyle (RAF) has signed a five-year partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and the UAE Wrestling Federation to bring RAF events to Abu Dhabi.
DCT Abu Dhabi named headline sponsor of STR Club’s 2026 programme
Sun, 20 Sep 2026
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has signed a sponsorship agreement with The STR Club for its 2026 programme of global webinars, leadership workshops and industry events, supporting Abu Dhabi’s position in the global short-term rental (STR) and alternative accommodation sector.
Abu Dhabi Stopover programme expands to Al Ain as visitor numbers grow
Thu, 17 Sep 2026
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Etihad Airways are expanding the Abu Dhabi Stopover programme to Al Ain as international visitor numbers continue to grow.
Abu Dhabi turns summer holiday homecoming into cultural experience
Thu, 27 Aug 2026
Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi Airports and the Culture Sector of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) have launched the Welcome Back to Abu Dhabi campaign at Zayed International Airport (AUH), aimed at families returning from summer holidays ahead of the new school year.
92 Emirati students graduate from Abu Dhabi Tourism Youth Summer Camp
Mon, 24 Aug 2026
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has celebrated the graduation of 92 Emirati students from the 2026 Tourism Youth Summer Camp (TYSC), a flagship initiative aimed at preparing young Emirati talent for careers in the emirate’s tourism and hospitality sectors.
DCT Abu Dhabi becomes first GCC tourism board to earn dual GIMI accreditations
Tue, 11 Aug 2026
Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has become the first tourism board in the GCC region to receive both GIMI Innovation Level 3 Accreditation and GIMI Future Foresight Level 2 Accreditation from the Global Innovation Management Institute (GIMI),
21 Emiratis complete DCT Abu Dhabi hospitality development bootcamp
Mon, 27 Jul 2026
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has marked the completion of its inaugural UAE Bootcamp Career Builder Recognition Programme, with 21 young Emirati hospitality professionals graduating from an intensive leadership course at Les Roches Marbella hospitality school in Spain.
UFC 333 to headline Abu Dhabi Showdown Week in October
Mon, 27 Jul 2026
UFC, in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), has announced the return of the Octagon to the UAE with UFC 333, set to take place at Etihad Arena on Yas Island on October 24 .
Ancient Wadi Suq Era cemetery unearthed in Abu Dhabi’s Al Ain region
Sun, 19 Jul 2026
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has uncovered a Late Bronze Age cemetery dating back to the Wadi Suq period (c. 2000-1300 BCE) at the Pre-Islamic Qattarah Necropolis in Al Ain.