New Airbnb deal set to boost holiday home rentals in Abu Dhabi

Those looking for alternatives to traditional hotels in Abu Dhabi will now have wider options of "high-quality accommodation" open to them.

That's after a deal has been inked between the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and vacation rental platform Airbnb, with the aim to boost the holiday home sector in the UAE capital.

As a regulator of holiday homes in Abu Dhabi, DCT will enable leading holiday home rental platforms to offer short-term rentals responsibly and to help diversify the growing tourism and hospitality sectors.

Under the agreement, Airbnb will provide DCT Abu Dhabi with access to its City Portal, which will share important data and insights about rental activities taking place in Abu Dhabi.

Airbnb will also launch a dedicated responsible hosting page on the platform, helping new and existing hosts in the emirate with understanding and following local rules for holiday homes.

Saood Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, highlighted that the partnership hopes to ensure "tourists and residents in Abu Dhabi are provided with more choice for safe and secure short-term accommodation".

"This cooperation will help us meet the rising demand for high-quality alternatives to established hotels and hotel apartments across Abu Dhabi."