Moving beyond the 3S's—Sun, Sea, and Sand : an interpretation of the Tourism Development Strategy Framework for Abu Dhabi, U.A.Eb

Abstract

This article unpacks the development of Abu Dhabi as a tourist destination, looking at its diversification strategy from the perspective of an oil-dependent economy attempting to move away from oil dependency. Based on a review of academic literature, government documents, and online sources, it fills a gap in understanding the growth trajectory Abu Dhabi has chosen in overcoming oil dependency. Abu Dhabi has gone beyond the 3S's to incorporate cultural tourism among its value propositions, as well as shopping and architecture; its strategy for sustainable tourism development embraces the economic, environmental, cultural, and social pillars of development. This article postulates a framework of tourism development for Abu Dhabi that shows movement beyond the 3S (or other multiple-S) model based on tourism attractions; the framework is important to inform both practice and policy with respect to tourism development in the U.A.E. and elsewhere in the world.