Abu Dhabi Falconry Season Issues 823 Permits as Heritage Practice Draws Cultural Tourism Interest

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi opened the 2026–2027 falconry season on October 20, 2026, with the regulated period running through January 31, 2027. The agency had issued 823 permits by early November, according to The National, with further applications anticipated as the season progresses. The previous season recorded 1,525 permits in total.

Permit Issuance and Participation Growth#

Omar Al Hameli, a specialist in animal conservation at the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, stated that this season's permit total is expected to exceed the previous year's figure. He attributed the growing interest partly to younger generations taking up the practice. The permits allow eligible Emirati falconers to conduct traditional hunting under environmental regulations during the cooler months. The season operates within designated hunting grounds in local nature reserves, where participants pursue stone-curlews, houbara bustards, pigeons and desert hares using trained falcons fitted with GPS trackers.

Cultural Tourism Context in Al Ain Region#

The falconry season takes place primarily in the Al Ain Region, where visitor numbers increased 9 percent in 2025, according to Travel and Tour World citing Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi figures. The region welcomed 473,100 guests that year. The activity combines regulated falcon hunting with traditional desert gatherings, creating opportunities for heritage interpretation and cultural encounters. The season is a regulated cultural hunting activity for eligible Emirati nationals rather than an unrestricted public tourism programme.

Equipment and Traditional Practice#

Falconers prepare vehicles for off-road desert terrain and equip falcons with GPS transmitters and tail-mounted trackers. Different falcon breeds are matched to specific prey based on size and hunting capability. Multi-day expeditions, known as miqnas, allow falcons to demonstrate their skills in traditional hunting formats. Participants gather in desert majlis settings for Arabic coffee and preparation before releasing birds as the afternoon heat subsides.

Abu Dhabi Tourism Performance 2025#

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi reported 26.6 million visitors across the emirate in 2025, with 5.9 million hotel guests representing 2.2 percent annual growth. Hotel occupancy reached 81 percent, while international hotel guests increased 10 percent. Hotel revenues reached AED 9.1 billion, representing 19.5 percent annual growth, with average daily rates rising 19 percent to AED 591. Another 338,000 guests stayed in holiday homes and glamping accommodation, with the average length of stay across accommodation categories reaching 2.9 nights.