With a rise in accommodation prices of up to 170% compared to the previous week, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is preparing to welcome Formula 1 fans from all over the world, particularly from Europe. The event reinforces Abu Dhabi’s role as a global tourism hub, with a strong influx of visitors from the United Kingdom, Italy, and Germany, who represent 15% of the total and contribute significantly to international tourism flows.
To evaluate the impact of this major sporting event on the emerging UAE city, we conducted a thorough analysis of industry trends through our destination management platform, D / AI Destinations.
These are the main findings:
European fans take pole position: flights from the UK up by 28%
Data from 2023 and forecasts for 2024 reveal a strong influx of fans from Europe, highlighting the growing importance of Abu Dhabi as a cultural and sports destination for European travellers.
An analysis of GDS (Global Distribution System) flights arriving during this year’s Grand Prix week shows that, while the overall passenger volume remains stable, the composition of their origins has changed significantly.
The top 5 countries of origin for incoming flights via GDS during the Grand Prix week reveal a decrease in visitors from India, the United States, and Russia.
On the other hand, there is a notable increase in arrivals from the United Kingdom and Italy, which has replaced Qatar in the rankings.
Travellers from the UK are up by 28% compared to the previous week.
This data aligns with the visitor trends seen in 2023: 75% of visitors to Abu Dhabi were international, a 5% increase compared to the previous year. The United Kingdom, Italy, and Germany accounted for 15% of visitors during the event week.
Given that England, Italy, and Germany are key European markets for such events, with fans of prominent F1 teams like Ferrari, Williams, and McLaren, this comes as no surprise.
The Grand Prix surpasses other events with rate peaks of nearly 700 euros per night
With accommodation rates rising by as much as 170% compared to the previous week, the Grand Prix is drawing a surge of visitors eager to invest in a unique experience.
An analysis of hotel rates across major online travel agencies reveals that the average price for the event week is 85% higher than in 2023, reaching approximately 1,800 AED (450 euros), while peak rates soar to 670 euros, marking a 170% increase from the week before.
Comparing these rates to those registered for other key regional events provides a clearer perspective on the scale of this growth during the event. These include ADIPEC (Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference) from November 4–7, 2024, and IDEX (International Defence Exhibition & Conference) in February.
The highest rates during the Grand Prix are 3% higher than ADIPEC and 15% higher than IDEX, marking the most notable and sustained increase in both accommodation prices and tourist traffic during the period analysed.
(OTA rate trends in Abu Dhabi from November 2024 to February 2025 – source: D / AI Destinations)
An estimated 170,000 people will spend over $179 million
The high hotel rates highlight that tourists coming to Abu Dhabi for the Grand Prix are big spenders. According to forecasts from our partner PredictHQ, a leader in predictive demand intelligence, the event is expected to draw 170,000 attendees and generate over $179 million in spending, with 85% of that going towards hospitality.
High prices, low satisfaction? Surprising findings from Abu Dhabi
Visitor satisfaction during the 2023 Grand Prix was notably high in quieter residential areas, where high-quality accommodations and a favourable price-to-experience ratio provided an appealing alternative to the more exclusive central locations.
The following areas have the highest hotel rates, with nightly prices for a double room reaching 1,400 euros, 1,000 euros, and 600 euros, respectively. Their proximity to the circuit, along with their premium appeal, reinforced their popularity during high-demand events like the F1 race:
- Saadiyat Island, home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi
- Yas Island, home to the F1 Yas Marina Circuit
- Al Maryah Island
However, these areas don’t rank among the top locations for visitor satisfaction, highlighting that luxury doesn’t necessarily mean high satisfaction.
Despite being situated outside the city centre, the following areas have achieved the highest online satisfaction scores from visitors (ranging from 97 to 99 out of 100):
- New Shahama
- Madinat Al Riyad
- Al Falah
- Al Raha Beach
Excluding Al Raha Beach—which features one of Abu Dhabi’s most highly-rated hotels, the Al Raha Beach Hotel (89.9/100)—the other areas are mainly residential and lack particularly luxurious amenities. Yet, they stand out to visitors for their well-kept and tranquil settings.
Most appreciated attractions, restaurants, and hotels in Abu Dhabi: A balance between luxury and convenience
The analysis of the most reviewed points of interest and the highest Sentiment Scores during the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix reveals visitors’ preferences regarding accommodation, dining, and leisure activities.
Attractions
Among the city’s most popular attractions, three iconic spots stand out, with the Louvre Abu Dhabi achieving an impressive Sentiment Score. This floating museum, showcasing works by Leonardo da Vinci and Jacques-Louis David, is one of the most significant cultural institutions in the Arab world.
- Louvre Abu Dhabi – Sentiment 93/100
- Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi – Sentiment 92/100
- Ferrari World Yas Island – Sentiment 90/100
Restaurants
Visitors have shown a preference for local dishes, fresh seafood, and grilled meats, with a wide and varied menu selection. When analysing the number of reviews and sentiment scores, the top-rated restaurants are:
- Gandofly Seafood Restaurant – Sentiment 99,1/100
- Nasr Restaurant and Grill Muroor – Sentiment 99/100
- Phosphorus Kadoura Seafood Restaurant – Sentiment 98/100
Hotels
It is no surprise that the most popular hotels among visitors are the Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island and the Al Raha Beach Hotel, both located near the most beloved attractions, Yas Marina and the Louvre Abu Dhabi. This confirms that visitors prefer high-end services and immediate access to the city’s main points of interest during their stay.
- Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island – Sentiment 95/100
- Al Raha Beach Hotel – Sentiment 90/100
- Novotel Abu Dhabi Al Bustan – Sentiment 89/100
Tourism and major events: Data-driven strategies for excellence in hospitality
“According to the data, more than 15% of visitors to Abu Dhabi during the Grand Prix week come from the UK, Italy, and Germany, highlighting a significant and increasing European interest in the UAE’s destinations. For rapidly developing destinations like Abu Dhabi, gaining in-depth insights into major events is a key factor for transformation,” says Mirko Lalli, CEO and founder of The Data Appeal Company.
"This empowers tourism authorities to not only create events that impact tourists' travel choices but also to strategically prolong the peak season. Additionally, a comprehensive understanding of traveller behaviour and preferences allows the destination to improve the visitor experience and fine-tune future marketing strategies. In the increasingly complex and competitive tourism industry, making data-driven decisions is no longer optional—it is crucial for staying ahead."
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