Louvre Abu Dhabi celebrates 1mln visitors in first year

The Louvre Abu Dhabi announced on Saturday that it welcomed more than 1 million visitors in its first year, establishing itself as one of the leading cultural institutions on the global stage.

Mohamed Khalifa Al-Mubarak, chairman, Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), said: “One year ago we spoke about the Louvre Abu Dhabi as Abu Dhabi’s gift to the world — and today we are proud to have shared it with more than 1 million visitors already ... Our greatest success, 10 years in the making, is the next generation of Emirati museum professionals who are trained to the highest standard in the cultural sector and are leaders in their field.”

“The Louvre Abu Dhabi’s vision is to celebrate cross-cultural connections that transcend geographies and civilizations, to see humanity in a new light,” he added.

UAE residents have rapidly adopted the museum and made it a favorite destination to gather with family and friends. They represent 40 percent of the museum’s total number of visitors. Emirati nationals are in the top two nationalities of residents who visited the museum and is the top nationality of repeat visitors. The museum has 5,000 members to its loyalty program (Art Club).

The Louvre Abu Dhabi has also become a global magnet for international visitors who account for 60 percent of visits. The museum is driving tourism to the emirate and visitors come from all parts of the globe, including the Middle East, Europe and Asia, with France, Germany, China, UK, the US, India and GCC being the top visitors. Overall, India is the top nationality of visitors, including Indian tourists and UAE residents.

The museum has hosted more than 1,000 school trips, 5,000 guided tours, workshops and masterclasses, and programed 115 special events from Bait Al-Oud performances to talks, film screenings and concerts with more than 400 artists from 22 countries including a major show by British pop star Dua Lipa to celebrate its one-year anniversary on Sunday.

Forty-seven percent of the museum’s staff members are Emirati and a group of talented up-and-coming Emirati curators are working on the collection and in the permanent galleries, as well as in the education and mediation teams.

Manuel Rabaté, director of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, said: “Before the opening, we were often asked if there was an appetite for museums in Abu Dhabi and the amazing response we’ve had in our first year is proving that there is. We look forward to welcoming many more visitors in the exciting years to come.”

Jean-Luc Martinez, president-director of Musée du Louvre and president of the Scientific Council of Agence France-Muséums, said: “One year ago, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, which some described as the most beautiful museum in the world, opened. Today, I pay tribute to an undeniable success: The museum appeals to and charms audiences.”