Abu Dhabi vs Jerusalem

Abu Dhabi and Jerusalem are level on the CIRA Index at 60. Abu Dhabi grades better on 6 measures, Jerusalem on 10; the same 35 measures from public sources for both.

Scores by each organisation's criteria

• CIRA Index: Abu Dhabi 60, Jerusalem 60
• OECD: Abu Dhabi 66, Jerusalem 66
• UN Tourism: Abu Dhabi 64, Jerusalem 64
• UNDRR: Abu Dhabi 56, Jerusalem 73

Theme by theme

• Demand and seasonality: Abu Dhabi 95, Jerusalem 54
• Economy and jobs: Abu Dhabi 94, Jerusalem 92
• Climate and hazards: Abu Dhabi 35, Jerusalem 60
• Water and environment: Abu Dhabi 38, Jerusalem 56
• Community and housing: Abu Dhabi 50, Jerusalem 83
• Access and continuity: Abu Dhabi 67, Jerusalem 63

Where Abu Dhabi is stronger

• Largest foreign market: 12 % of international arrivals or nights (region figure) (Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi / TTN Worldwide, 2024). At or below 15: grade 4/4.
• Hotel bed or room occupancy: 79 % average annual occupancy (region figure) (Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), Hotel Performance Report 2024 (reported by Aletihad), 2024). At or above 75: grade 4/4.
• Income per head: 79,344 GDP per capita, USD PPP (country figure) (World Bank WDI, 2024). At or above 60,000: grade 4/4.
• Wildfire and storm hazard: low (region figure) (World Bank GFDRR ThinkHazard, current (retrieved 2026)). Grade 3/4.
• Access redundancy: 4 independent ways in: international airport, intercity rail, port, motorway (Abu Dhabi Airports, AD Ports Group, Etihad Rail, Integrated Transport Centre, 2026). At or above 4: grade 4/4.
• Dedicated tourism funding: A dedicated source such as a tourist tax or levy (Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), 2023–2026). Grade 2/4.

Where Jerusalem is stronger

• Average length of stay: 3.7 nights per visitor (Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research & Central Bureau of Statistics, Statistical Yearbook of Jerusalem, Table XI/4 - Guests, Overnight-Stays, Average Overnight-Stays per Guest and Occupancy in Tour, 2024). At or above 3.5: grade 4/4.
• Jobs in tourism industries: 2.7 % of employment in accommodation and food services (country figure) (World Economic Forum, TTDI 2026 (data: Travel & Tourism Economic Impact Research by World Travel & Tourism Council; Travel & Tourism by World Travel & Tourism Council), 2026). At or below 8: grade 4/4.
• Extreme heat days: 16.4 days a year at or above 35°C (last 5 full years) (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 2021–2025). Between 15 and 30: grade 2/4.
• Tropical nights: 51.4 nights a year with a minimum at or above 20°C (last 5 full years) (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 2021–2025). Between 30 and 60: grade 2/4.
• Flood hazard: very low (region figure) (World Bank GFDRR ThinkHazard, current (retrieved 2026)). Grade 4/4.
• Water scarcity: medium (region figure) (World Bank GFDRR ThinkHazard, current (retrieved 2026)). Grade 2/4.
• Green space: 25 % of the urban area that is green or tree-covered (Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research, Shading of Urban Public Spaces, 2022). Between 20 and 30: grade 2/4.
• Rent growth: 3.3 % change in rents over the last 12 months (Israel Central Bureau of Statistics via Ynet News, Q1 2025 to Q1 2026). Between 3 and 6: grade 3/4.
• Early warning and emergency plan: An updated, tested plan that names visitors and tourism operators, with warnings in several languages (Jerusalem Municipality, Emergencies and Security Division, 2026). Grade 4/4.
• Tourism crisis and recovery plan: A plan with named owners, operators and recovery funding (Israel Ministry of Tourism (Gov.il), 2025-2026). Grade 3/4.

Country context (World Economic Forum)

• United Arab Emirates: #22 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026
• Israel: #50 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026

Abu Dhabi in full · Jerusalem in full

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