ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Abu Dhabi is offering complimentary UAE entry visas to Indian tourists booking holidays through eligible travel partners, the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi) announced on Monday.
Running from August 1 to October 31, the new travel trade programme applies to bookings that include a minimum three-night stay in Abu Dhabi.
Under the initiative, DCT Abu Dhabi will cover the full cost of UAE entry visas for eligible bookings, reducing the upfront cost of travelling to Abu Dhabi while enabling travel partners to create greater value for their customers.
The programme has been developed exclusively for participating travel partners and online travel agencies.
"By covering the cost of UAE entry visas, we are making it simpler for Indian travellers to choose Abu Dhabi while giving our travel partners another compelling reason to recommend the destination," said Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi. India, he added, continues to be one of the emirate's "most important international markets".
"We remain committed to working closely with our travel partners to make Abu Dhabi even more accessible for Indian travellers," Yousuf said.
The programme is available to Indian passport holders departing from India who book an Abu Dhabi holiday through participating travel partners. Eligible bookings must include a minimum stay of three consecutive nights in an Abu Dhabi hotel and a return flight from India.
Participating travel partners can choose between two programme options. They may either work through a DCT-appointed Destination Management Company (DMC), with DCT Abu Dhabi covering visa costs directly, or continue using their existing DMC partners, with DCT Abu Dhabi reimbursing Dh285 for each visa issued.
The programme will initially support up to 20,000 visas during the pilot period and is part of DCT Abu Dhabi's continued engagement with the Indian market. It follows recent initiatives to strengthen air connectivity, expand travel trade partnerships and create new opportunities for Indian visitors to experience Abu Dhabi.