Abu Dhabi offers business insight into emirate

A delegation representing Abu Dhabi's tourism industry is participating in IMEX Frankfurt 2015, which runs from 19th to 21st May, in Frankfurt, Germany. The event is expected to draw nearly 3,500 exhibitors from 150 countries and 9,000 decision-makers from all over the world. The award-winning trade show promotes innovation in the Meetings Incentives Conferences and Exhibitions, MICE, sector.

Led by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, TCA Abu Dhabi, the delegation will comprise a 19-strong portfolio of products, including the emirate's national airline, Etihad Airways, leading hotels, destination management companies, resorts, attractions and tour operators.

TCA Abu Dhabi forecasts that the emirate's Meetings Incentives Conferences and Exhibitions segment will double in value by 2020 to reach almost US$1.4bn, with the sector earmarked for a significant role in the emirate's overall economic expansion aligned to Abu Dhabi Government's 2030 Economic Vision.

Mubarak Al Shamsi, Director of Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau, a division of TCA Abu Dhabi, said, "Abu Dhabi's innovative and world-class business tourism and meetings facilities position the emirate as a destination for large-scale international conventions and association events. There are now more than 160 hotels and hotel apartments across the emirate offering 28,000 rooms at highly competitive prices."

He added, "Already we have in operation the Advantage Abu Dhabi incentive which offers a range of support mechanisms and incentives to corporate meetings, international conferences and exhibitions and we have further initiatives to come."

Al Shamsi stated, "There are currently 63 flights a week to Abu Dhabi from Dusseldorf, Berlin, Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Munich, and Germany is now our fourth largest provider of overseas visitors, rising 23% last year on the previous 12 months. We obviously hope to build on these impressive visitor figures during our visit to IMEX Frankfurt 2015."

Joining the delegation will be Farah Leisure Parks Management, the operator of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the world's first Ferrari-branded attraction and largest indoor theme park, and Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi, the UAE's unique Emirati-themed waterpark.

Bruno Wiley, Vice President of Sales, Farah Leisure, said, "Our theme parks are great venues for incentive trips and events, and we're hoping to see more growth in this segment from the European market. We provide a range of options as well as tailor-made solutions to meet the requirements of any type of incentive trip or event, from teambuilding and beach BBQs to receptions, gala dinners and award ceremonies."

The five-star St. Regis Abu Dhabi, which opened in 2013 offering 283 rooms and suites, 10 restaurants and bars, five meeting rooms, one ballroom with a capacity of up to 1,000 people and the Nation Riviera Beach Club, will also be part of the Abu Dhabi pavilion in Germany.

Arlette Richter-Picardo, Director of Catering and Group Sales at the hotel, said, "In December 2104, we opened two new restaurants – Asia de Cuba and Catch, which are part of the Nation Riviera Beach Club, as well as our Events Lawn which can accommodate up to 250 people in banquet style. We budgeted this year a 34% increase in overall revenue in comparison to 2014, especially from our leisure business from the German, Italian and UK market, as it is constantly increasing."
Source: WAM