KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi has clinched an esteemed position on Tripadvisor’s prestigious list of Top 25 Tourist Attractions in the World, released as part of the travel company’s annual Travelers Choice Awards. The Mosque secured an unprecedented 10th place in the “best of the best” attractions category, the highest rating in the Middle East.
“Experiences make a trip, and our ‘Best of the Best Things to Do’ Awards offer some of the highest-rated activities from across the world, highlighted by our community of travellers. Whether you’re a thrill seeker or a leisurely explorer, the ‘Best of the Best’ badge has the seal of approval from global travellers as a source of inspiration for an unforgettable vacation,” said President of Tripadvisor, Kristen Dalton.
The 2024 list, which was led by the Empire State Building and hosts landmarks like the Louvre in France and the Colosseum in Rome, was “determined based on the quality and quantity of traveller reviews and ratings posted on Tripadvisor over the 12-month period between April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024, as well as an additional editorial process.”
The Grand Mosque received 35,815 reviews, with an average 5-star rating, making it one of the highest rated destinations globally. The listing places the landmark alongside world-renowned attractions such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, affirming its status among the global elite.
It is estimated that over the 16 years since it has opened, 67 million visitors have visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, with 2023 seeing a 70% increase in footfall.
Qasr Al Watan, the UAE’s Presidential palace, also earned a distinctive 6th spot among the top tourist attractions in the Middle East, surpassing even the Pyramids of Egypt, and trailing the Burj Khalifa, which came in third place, following the Grand Mosque and Petra in Jordan.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi also received high praise, ranking as the third in the Amusement and Water Parks section, just behind Siam Park in Spain and Disney World in Paris. It was again the only park in the Middle East to make it into the top 25, with over 16,000 reviews and an average four-star rating.
Several tours and experiences from the UAE also ranked highly, including Desert Buggy Riding, which ranked 9th on the Bucket List Experiences list. With a monthly average of 490 million visitors, Trip Advisor is one of the most popular travel sites in the world, and the high achievement of the UAE’s attractions is a strong indicator of the strength of the tourism industry, and the country’s accession as a major visitor hotspot.