Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Abu Dhabi? AirROI have just the data insights! Over the last twelve months from February 2024 to January 2025, we've uncovered key trends and opportunities that successful hosts are leveraging in Abu Dhabi:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Abu Dhabi?
The short-term rental market in Abu Dhabi shows distinct revenue patterns across different property tiers. Our analysis reveals that successful properties combine strategic pricing with quality management to maximize earnings potential. Market data demonstrates clear revenue differentiation among properties:
- Typical properties (median) earn $2,314 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $3,732 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $5,236+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $901
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Abu Dhabi
The market in Abu Dhabi shows distinct occupancy patterns influenced by seasonal trends and local dynamics. Properties that maintain high guest satisfaction scores and implement strategic pricing consistently achieve stronger occupancy rates. Current market data shows:
- Typical properties (median) maintain 48% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 74% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 88%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 20%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Abu Dhabi
Daily rates in Abu Dhabi vary based on seasonality, property quality, and market dynamics. Properties that effectively balance competitive pricing with strong amenities typically command higher rates. Market analysis shows the following rate structure:
- Typical properties (median) generate $120 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $182 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $292+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $65
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Abu Dhabi
Peak Season (November, December, October)
- Revenue peaks at $3774.37 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 59.98%
- Daily rates average $238.87
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $2711.12 per month
- Occupancy maintains 47.73%
- Daily rates hold at $165.78
Low Season (February, August, July)
- Revenue drops to $1851.72 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 33.14%
- Daily rates adjust to $144.38
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Abu Dhabi in 2025?
Yes! Abu Dhabi demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 48% and strong monthly revenue averaging $2711 and As a mature market with 651 active listings, there's strong demand despite the competition. There's also room for profit through rental arbitrage strategies, if you can identify competitively priced properties. To maximize your return on investment, consider employing the following strategies:
Peak Season Strategy
- Implement premium seasonal pricing strategies
- Set longer minimum stay requirements during high-demand periods
- Enforce stricter cancellation policies
Shoulder Season Strategy
- Maintain competitive market-based pricing
- Offer moderate-length stay incentives
- Target a mix of leisure and business travelers with flexible booking terms
- Focus on weekend getaway packages and mid-week business traveler promotions
Low Season Strategy
- Adjust pricing to remain competitive in the market
- Target different guest segments (business travelers, long-term stays, holiday visitors, event attendees, remote workers)
- Create targeted promotional campaigns to drive occupancy
Top Places to Start Airbnb in Abu Dhabi
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Corniche | The Corniche is a stunning waterfront area in Abu Dhabi, popular with both tourists and locals. It offers beautiful beaches, parks, and a promenade with cafes and restaurants. It is ideal for tourists looking for leisure and relaxation by the sea. | Corniche Beach, Heritage Park, Abu Dhabi Marina Mall, Emirates Palace, Louvre Abu Dhabi |
| Yas Island | Yas Island is a premier entertainment destination in Abu Dhabi known for its theme parks and attractions. It is particularly popular among families and thrill-seekers, making it a lucrative location for Airbnb hosting. | Yas Waterworld, Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Mall |
| Saadiyat Island | Saadiyat Island is known for its cultural and artistic attractions, including museums and art galleries. It attracts art enthusiasts and those looking to experience the cultural side of Abu Dhabi. | Louvre Abu Dhabi, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Beach, Cultural District |
| Downtown Abu Dhabi | The Downtown area is the heart of the city, close to shopping, dining, and business centers. It appeals to both business travelers and tourists who want to explore the city. | Abu Dhabi Mall, Al-Hosn Palace, The Etihad Towers, UAE Central Bank |
| Al Ain | Although a bit farther from the main city, Al Ain offers a unique desert experience and is known for its cultural heritage. It attracts travelers interested in exploring traditional Emirati culture. | Al Ain Oasis, Al Jahili Fort, Sheikh Zayed Palace Museum, Jebel Hafeet |
| Al Reem Island | Al Reem Island is a rapidly developing area offering modern living options. It appeals to both young professionals and families looking for a convenient location with access to the city. | Reem Mall, Parks and waterfronts, Shams Abu Dhabi |
| Madinat Zayed | Located in the Western Region, Madinat Zayed is a commercial hub and also a stop for travelers heading to Liwa. It attracts visitors looking for an authentic cultural experience away from the city bustle. | Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre, Liwa Desert, Traditional souks |
| Al Dhafra | Al Dhafra region offers a glimpse into the more traditional side of the UAE, including desert adventures and cultural experiences. It attracts tourists looking for adventure and authenticity. | Liwa Oasis, Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter), Camel Trekking |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Abu Dhabi?
We recommend checking directly with Abu Dhabi's local government regarding short-term rental licensing requirements. Current market data shows limited licensing information (11% of listings), making it essential to verify current regulations before starting your Airbnb business.
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Abu Dhabi
L'Escapade @St Regis Saadiyat
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Elegant Yas Island Retreat near all 4 theme parks
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Voyage | 5 Star Al Hadeel Sunset sea view
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Stylish, Cozy & Fun Yas Island Gem ~ Pool, Parking
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Meadows Living @ Ansam 4 - 3.5 Bedroom Apartment
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Reem Island Beach Escape w/ Stellar Balcony Views
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Abu Dhabi
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voyage Vacation | 29 | $1,027,108 | 242 | 3.93/5.0 |
| Bloomfields | 66 | $898,617 | 173 | 1.91/5.0 |
| Sustainable | 38 | $850,119 | 370 | 3.56/5.0 |
| Esperanza | 23 | $746,130 | 1802 | 4.64/5.0 |
| Martina | 24 | $732,041 | 313 | 4.18/5.0 |
| Paul | 20 | $532,902 | 189 | 3.95/5.0 |
| Frank | 7 | $309,299 | 46 | 4.59/5.0 |
| Cleatus | 9 | $304,896 | 131 | 4.69/5.0 |
| Paul | 5 | $290,367 | 79 | 4.71/5.0 |
| YugenStays | 12 | $277,406 | 114 | 3.95/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Abu Dhabi
AirROI also have other key metrics and comprehensive data for your vacation rental, real estate needs. Go explore the advanced metrics that can help you make informed decisions:
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Key Insights
- Market dominated by entire home listings (84.5%), with apartment & condo and house properties comprising 97.4% of inventory
- Untapped potential in boutique & hotels, outdoor & mobile, others segments (2.6% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 651 properties in Abu Dhabi shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 65.7% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 84.6% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (65.7%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (0.6%)
- Market concentration: 84.6% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 651 properties in Abu Dhabi reveals that 2 guests properties dominate the market, representing 37.2% of all listings. The average property accommodates 3.1 guests, with a clear trend towards smaller guest capacities. Properties accommodating 2 guests and 4 guests make up 57.1% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 2 guests (37.2% of market)
- Least common capacity: 7 guests (0.9% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 3.1 guests per property
- Market concentration: 57.1% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly smaller guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 651 properties in Abu Dhabi, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (44.9% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 91-180 days (29.2% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (44.9%)
- Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (29.2%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 73.7%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 27.8%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
211 listings
39.9% of total
2 Nights
137 listings
25.9% of total
3 Nights
38 listings
7.2% of total
4-6 Nights
38 listings
7.2% of total
7-29 Nights
23 listings
4.3% of total
30+ Nights
82 listings
15.5% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 65.8%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 7.2% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (15.5%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 73.0% accepting 3 nights or less
Recommendations
- Set minimum stays between 2-3 nights to align with market standards
- Adjust minimum stays seasonally based on demand patterns
- Consider monthly stay discounts to capture the growing extended-stay market
- Implement different minimum stays for weekends vs. weekdays
Cancellation Policy Distribution
Super Strict 60 Days
2 listings
0.5% of total
Super Strict 30 Days
1 listings
0.2% of total
Flexible
143 listings
35.6% of total
Moderate
131 listings
32.6% of total
Firm
31 listings
7.7% of total
Strict
94 listings
23.4% of total
Key Insights
- Flexible is the preferred policy at 35.6% of listings
- Guest-friendly policies (Flexible & Moderate) dominate at 68.2% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Flexible policies
- Super Strict 30 Days policies are least common at 0.2% of listings
Recommendations
- Consider starting with a Flexible policy to align with market preferences
- Strong market preference for Flexible policies suggests this should be your baseline
- Consider generous cancellation terms as a competitive advantage
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in Feb, Dec, Mar, averaging 45 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Jul, Sep, Aug, averaging 22 days
- Winter shows the longest average booking window at 41 days, while Summer has the shortest at 26 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Winter bookings at least 41 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Summer to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Jul-Aug when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Abu Dhabi
Every property in Abu Dhabi comes standard with Air conditioning. Below shows the distribution of other amenities:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 25.1% of total guests, indicating a moderate local market presence.
- Primary international markets: United Kingdom (18.5%) and United States (17%)
- English is the top language at 59.6%, followed by Arabic (17.3%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 3.5%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Dubai and Abu Dhabi markets
- Develop localized content for United Kingdom and United States
- Prioritize English and Arabic language support
- Tailor experiences for Pre-1950s (Silent Gen) while maintaining broad age appeal
- Implement seasonal promotions aligned with key market travel patterns
Nearby Markets
Explore short-term rental performance in markets surrounding Abu Dhabi. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mina Al arab | 31 | $3,331 | $512.23 | 25% |
| Dubai Marina | 38 | $2,590 | $190.66 | 52% |
| Emaar Beachfront | 20 | $2,462 | $263.66 | 43% |
| Dubai | 13,233 | $1,972 | $220.34 | 43% |
| Business Bay | 1,176 | $1,726 | $183.35 | 45% |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 39 | $1,598 | $212.69 | 31% |
| دبي | 686 | $1,534 | $206.71 | 41% |
| Ras Al-Khaimah | 19 | $1,515 | $251.35 | 29% |
| Jazeerat Al Marjan | 28 | $1,179 | $148.87 | 39% |
| Al jazeera heritage village | 81 | $966 | $202.31 | 35% |
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