Al Ain has been named the Capital of Arab Tourism for 2026 by the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism, marking a “milestone for the UAE”. The decision, made during the council’s meeting in Baghdad, Iraq, recognises the city’s tourism infrastructure, safety standards, visitor experience and efforts to preserve cultural and natural heritage.
The title makes Al Ain only the second UAE emirate to receive the honour, following Sharjah, and builds on the city’s recent designation as the Capital of Gulf Tourism for 2025, recognised as a destination for culture, nature, wellness and adventure.
According to Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of the UAE Tourism Council, the recognition “further strengthens the UAE’s standing on the global tourism map”.
As part of the 2026 title year, Al Ain is expected to host an expanded programme of cultural festivals, heritage events and exhibitions designed to showcase its diverse attractions.
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Known as the Garden City, Al Ain is the UAE’s largest inland settlement and the fourth-largest city after Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Located in the eastern region of Abu Dhabi on the border with Oman, it is emerging as a key leisure destination backed by strong visitor growth and expanded hospitality investment.
During the first half of 2025, Al Ain welcomed 228,000 hotel guests – a year-on-year increase of nearly 12% – generating a 5.8% rise in total hotel revenues, according to the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). The region’s Tourism Strategy 2030 aims to grow the number of overnight leisure hotel guests to 520,000 by the end of the decade.
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