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Abu Dhabi Precision Targets Saudi Gateways To Encourage Greater Length Of Guest Stay











A delegation of tour operators from Saudi Arabia have been treated to a turbo-charged trip around Abu Dhabi’s best attractions and hotels as the emirate looks to precision target provinces in the Kingdom in an awareness campaign highlighting the destination’s attractions.

Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), in partnership with the iconic Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi hotel hosted a three-day exploration trip by 12 Dammam-based outbound tour operators who took in a variety of offerings from luxury accommodation to the unique high-octane thrills of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.
And the world’s first Ferrari theme park ­ and its 20 state-of-the-art attractions - proved the biggest hit with the delegation.

“Ferrari World is a fantastic destination for families. The kids will be happy and the adults will also have lots to do,” said Muhammad Shoib, from the Zahid Travel Group, on his first trip to the emirate. “In fact the whole of Abu Dhabi is attractive to the Saudi Arabian market. Families will feel more comfortable here ­ and there is so much to see and do. The destination ­ especially the attractions on Yas Island ­ will also be very popular with Dammam’s ex-pat population.

“Ferrari World is unique ­ it’s part of the identity of Abu Dhabi. This is still a relatively new destination for us, but we see a lot of potential here for our customers.”

The group also took in the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, as well as Yas Waterworld and five-star hotels the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Park Rotana and the stunning Emirates Palace ­ one of the world’s most opulent hotels - which impressed on facilitiesand pricing.

“Emirates Palace is already known to many in Saudi Arabia, but after seeing it I was extremely impressed,” said Naser Al Nasr, General Manager at Nesma Travel and Tourism, who last visited Abu Dhabi in 1996. “It is an amazing place, and also near to very good shopping opportunities, as it is so close to a mall. I was definitely very impressed, and I see a lot of potential here. I have seen many good changes in the city since I last visited.

“Around 4% of my business is currently to Abu Dhabi, but by the end of the year we believe we can grow that to around 10%.

“We are now creating packages that include different options of hotels on Yas Island and in Abu Dhabi city with Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld and other activities specifically for families.”

Across the GCC, Saudi Arabia currently accounts for the most guests, guest nights and average length of stay in Abu Dhabi with the Kingdom being the emirate’s eighth most productive international source market.

In the first six months of this year guests from Saudi Arabia increased by 21% compared to 2013, rising to 48,708, with guest nights increasing by 17% over the same time period to 106,533.

“While guest numbers are up, the average length of stay is only 2.19 nights and we feel the destination has so much to offer now that we can convince travellers from the Kingdom to stay longer. This fam trip is part of the campaign of getting the word out about just how much there is to do and see here,” said Mubarak Al Nuaimi, Director Promotions & Overseas Offices, TCA Abu Dhabi.

There are currently 78 flights from Saudi Arabia to Abu Dhabi per week, via three carriers; Etihad Airways, Saudi Arabian Airways and Jet Airways. Etihad flies 21 times a week from Dammam, with Jet Airways flying 7 times a week.

“The airlift is excellent and given the ease of accessibility, we are now pushing hard to build tourism traffic from Damman,” added Al Nuaimi.
 

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