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The National
16-07-2025
- Business
- The National
How government can continue serving Abu Dhabi's growing, savvy population effectively
Your smartphone knows when you're running low on storage and offers help. Your car reminds you about scheduled maintenance. Your banking app notices unusual spending patterns and alerts you immediately. So why do governments still expect you to remember when your driving licence expires? This simple question reflects a deeper truth − that public service must evolve further to meet modern expectations. And that's exactly why the Abu Dhabi government is fundamentally rethinking how we serve our people. According to recent data released by the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi, our population grew by 7.5 per cent, hitting 4.1 million last year − among the highest growth rates of any major financial centre globally. We also serve one of the world's most digitally sophisticated populations, with 80 per cent in the working-age bracket and a median age of 33. In Abu Dhabi, advanced technologies are central to any resident's day-to-day experience. When they order food, the app remembers their preferences. When they travel, their calendar automatically suggests departure times based on traffic. When they shop, recommendations appear based on past behaviour. Every interaction, no matter how small or simple, has primed them to expect services that understand context, anticipate needs and respect their time. And then they encounter a public service that still asks them to start from scratch − only now, the paper trail is digital. Too often, governments respond to rising expectations by simply moving old processes online. Fill out this form digitally instead of on paper. Check your application status on a website instead of calling. Download a document instead of collecting it in person. But digitisation isn't transformation. Real transformation asks a different question: what does this person actually need right now, and how can we provide it with minimal effort on their part? Today, even in a digitally advanced environment, people are still expected to navigate government on its terms − through separate processes, disconnected platforms and complex requirements. When someone moves to a new country, they face different systems for housing registration, school enrolment, healthcare access and utility connections − each with its own forms, timelines and rules. What they really need is to settle in smoothly. And the system should recognise this and co-ordinate accordingly. When an entrepreneur wants to start a business, it's not just about speeding up licence approvals but replacing fragmented steps with guided, end-to-end support − so that they can focus on building their venture, not deciphering bureaucracy. Across the Abu Dhabi government, our cross-departmental collaboration to bring Tamm to life has enabled us to prove that government can work this way. This vision would not have been possible without the forward thinking of our nation's leaders, who first conceptualised Tamm as a people-first transformation, one where services anticipate life's milestones and respond to real human needs. Their ambition was clear: to build a government that not only functions efficiently but helps people thrive. With it, we're showing what happens when government is built around life journeys and real needs, not institutional structures. Instead of requiring people to learn which of the 40-plus government entities handles which task, Tamm's AI assistant understands the context and navigates the system for them. It connects the dots across departments, so people don't have to. Today, more than 400,000 residents have engaged with Tamm's AI assistant, which now resolves 95 per cent of routine inquiries instantly. While efficiency metrics reveal a great deal, what truly matters is whether people feel genuinely supported instead of merely processed. Recognition at the World Summit on the Information Society Prizes reinforces this shift: Tamm was awarded first place globally in e-Government, a reflection of our commitment to human-centric digital transformation. But the real outcome is more powerful: Abu Dhabi is proving that government can be responsive, intuitive and human − and others are starting to follow. What makes this transformation possible is when data is used intelligently, not just collected extensively. A pivotal enabler of future AI capabilities is Stargate UAE − a landmark collaboration between Abu Dhabi, OpenAI, Nvidia and other tech leaders − that brings cutting-edge AI infrastructure directly to the emirate. Designed to support the use of frontier AI safely and at scale, Stargate gives us a strategic advantage: the ability to harness next-generation AI models in real time, on sovereign infrastructure, with world-class performance. This is a foundational leap forward that will empower us to build smarter, more responsive public services, tailored to the specific needs of our society. We can see demographic shifts in real-time through our census platform and plan infrastructure before bottlenecks occur. We can identify service gaps before complaints arise. We can spot emerging needs in specific communities and respond proactively. While some might be quick to argue that this is all about control, it really isn't. Think about it. It's the same way your navigation app uses traffic data to suggest better routes. Here, government can use population data to provide better services in line with community needs. What I find interesting is that many observers are still surprised that implementing AI hasn't reduced the importance of human judgment, it has only amplified it. When our systems handle routine transactions automatically, our civil servants can focus on complex cases that require empathy, cultural understanding and creative problem-solving. When AI processes standard applications, people have the freedom to focus on what they do best: understand nuance, exercise judgment and serve the public interest with wisdom that no algorithm can replicate. When the government works properly, everyone benefits in ways that extend far beyond convenience. Entrepreneurs launch businesses faster, hire sooner. Families spend more time together instead of dealing with administrative tasks. Students don't miss opportunities because of confusing processes. New residents feel welcomed rather than overwhelmed. Good governments don't just serve people better − they help them thrive. Despite recent progress, significant challenges remain. Balancing innovation with equity, ensuring data privacy while enabling personalisation, maintaining human connection in an increasingly digital world − these require constant attention. When we think about the future of government, it's worth reflecting on the role it plays in one's daily life today: is it genuinely helpful? Can it help a working parent handle necessary tasks without needing to take time off? Does it take the time to ensure that elderly residents feel supported rather than intimidated and confused by new systems? Transformation doesn't happen overnight. Every improvement reveals new possibilities, and every success raises expectations further. This is simply the reality of serving a dynamic, fast-growing, digitally native population.
The National
03-07-2025
- Business
- The National
How Abu Dhabi's population soared without rough growing pains
When oil engineer Alan Horan came to Abu Dhabi in the spring of 1960, the photographs he took with his trusty Zeiss Contessa camera captured images of a society on the brink of unprecedented change. Camels carrying firewood across Al Maqta causeway, people living in barasti huts made of palm fronds and mile upon mile of sparsely populated coastline offered a glimpse of a way of life that was about to change forever. Fast forward to 2024 and the sheer scale of that change would have surprised even those who were planning a modern future for Abu Dhabi at that time. According to figures released this week by Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi, the emirate's population crossed the four-million mark for the first time after a 7.5 per cent surge last year. Over the past 10 years, Abu Dhabi's population has increased by 51 per cent, rising from 2.7 million in 2014 to more than 4.1 million today. Such change has proved good for Abu Dhabi. The energy and dynamism brought by this growing population of citizens and residents alike helps to drive the emirate's economy; census results released last year found that the number of people in employment rose by 82 per cent since 2011 to reach more than 2.5 million individuals. But like all major change, it has required diligent management. Rapid population growth and urbanisation bring about great opportunity but also some challenges. Other cities going through similar change have experienced strain on their housing supply and environmental stresses, for example on their water resources. There is plenty of evidence, however, that Abu Dhabi has been considering and planning to mitigate such challenges for some time. Plan Abu Dhabi 2030, to take one example, is a forward-looking, long-term strategy for balanced urban growth, one that considers the emirate's environment, land use and transport systems. The increasing development of the capital's islands, such as Fahid Island – where sales of residential developments generated more than Dh3.5 billion ($953 million) last month – will give room for this increasing population to grow. Even the minutiae of everyday life – so-called personal admin – is supported by the city's exceptional digital infrastructure, such as its successful Tamm app. Few capitals are as young as Abu Dhabi, and the city has had the advantage of being able to plan and shape its future almost from scratch, embracing modernity without sacrificing its identity and heritage Significantly, coupled with Abu Dhabi's rising population is the fact that more and more of people who are choosing to put down long term roots in the UAE. Such a development does not spring from nowhere; the emirate's evolving visa rules, its advanced education and healthcare systems, as well as the possibility of buying property – to use either as a home or as an asset – all make the UAE a long-term home. Few capitals are as young as Abu Dhabi, and the city has had the advantage of being able to plan and shape its future almost from scratch, embracing modernity without sacrificing its identity and heritage. As it continues to manage this transformation, a process that never really ends, older cities will be able to learn from this example of 21st-century urban development. It is possible that, in 50 years' time, future Abu Dhabi residents will look at photographs taken of their emirate today and wonder if we too we able to grasp the changes that were coming.
Arabian Business
02-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Abu Dhabi hotels generate $231m in April 2025 as tourism demand surges
Abu Dhabi's hospitality sector posted a strong performance in April 2025, generating AED847m ($231m) in total revenue, according to new data released by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi. The revenue breakdown included: AED540m ($147m) from room bookings AED256m ($70m) from food and beverage services AED51m ($14m) from other hotel-related services The emirate's hotels recorded an average occupancy rate of 87 per cent, with total guest nights surpassing 1.52 million across 172 hotel establishments offering 34,383 rooms. Abu Dhabi tourism boost The average revenue per available room (RevPAR) reached AED614 ($167), underscoring strong travel demand and healthy pricing power. In March 2025, the emirate's hotels welcomed approximately 531,000 guests, led by non-Arab Asian travellers (149,000) and closely followed by European visitors (148,000). UAE nationals made up 97,000 guests, reflecting a solid mix of international and domestic tourism. Five-star hotels attracted the highest volume of guests at 265,000, including 95,000 European travellers. Four-star hotels hosted 143,000 guests, while three-star and below properties received 63,000 guests. An additional 61,000 travellers stayed in hotel apartments, highlighting the emirate's wide range of accommodation options.
Zawya
02-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Hotel revenues in Abu Dhabi reach $231mln in April 2025
Hotel establishments in Abu Dhabi generated revenues amounting to AED847 million in April 2025, comprising AED540 million from rooms, AED256 million from food and beverage, and AED51 million from other services. According to preliminary data released by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and issued by the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi, hotels across the emirate welcomed approximately 531,000 guests in March 2025. The figures underscore Abu Dhabi's growing appeal as a global tourism destination, supported by a diverse range of accommodation options and elevated service standards. A total of 172 hotel establishments were in operation during the month, offering 34,383 hotel rooms. The total number of guest nights exceeded 1.52 million, with an average occupancy rate of 87 percent. The average revenue per available room reached AED614. Guests from non-Arab Asian countries topped the list with 149,000 hotel guests, followed by European visitors with 148,000, and UAE nationals with 97,000. The figures highlight sustained growth in the emirate's tourism sector and reinforce its status as a preferred destination for international travellers. By category, five-star hotels received the highest number of guests with 265,000, led by 95,000 European visitors. Four-star hotels hosted 143,000 guests, while hotels rated three stars or below received 63,000 guests. Additionally, 61,000 guests stayed in hotel apartments.
ARN News Center
16-06-2025
- Business
- ARN News Center
Abu Dhabi hotels generate AED 611 million in March revenue
Abu Dhabi's hospitality sector continues to thrive, with hotel revenues hitting AED 611 million in March 2025. That's according to preliminary figures from the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, in coordination with the Statistics Centre. Room bookings brought in AED 345 million, food and beverage services added AED 228 million, and other sources contributed AED 38 million. The emirate welcomed around 417,000 hotel guests in March, reflecting its growing global appeal. In total, 171 hotel establishments with over 34,000 rooms were in operation, recording more than 1.2 million guest nights and an average occupancy rate of 69 per cent. The average revenue per available room reached AED 486.
