An Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA)-led exhibitor group have travelled to Germany to participate in one of the world’s largest travel trade exhibitions, ITB Berlin March 11-15.
23 exhibitors will promote the destination and their businesses across 452 square metres of exhibition space at ITB Berlin - a 25% increase on last year’s Abu Dhabi presence. Hoteliers, developers and tourism operators will demonstrate Abu Dhabi’s long-term commitment to evolving into an up-market, business-orientated destination.
Abu Dhabi’s emerging status as a global aviation hub with the expanding Etihad network coupled with continued investments in tourism projects, such as Desert Island, Qasr Al Sarab, Yas Island and golf courses on Saadiyat Island, hold the emirate in good stead and indicate that growth in the emirate is stable.
"ITB provides an international platform for Abu Dhabi to showcase its growing range of tourism product and projects and considering the current climate we’re in a privileged position to be able to say that all tourism projects announced are going ahead," said Nasser Al Reyami, Director of Tourism Standards Division, ADTA.
In 2008 Abu Dhabi had a robust year with over 1.5 million guest arrivals, 4.7 million guest nights and 4.3 billion (AED) in hotel revenue and a room bank of 13,000.
In 2009 hotel room inventory in the emirate there will be a noticeable increase towards the end of the year when several projects are completed in time to welcome visitors to the emirate for the 2009 Etihad Formula 1 Grand Prix.
These include the Qasr Al Sarab desert retreat in the Liwa Desert, being developed by Tourism Development ’&’ Investment Company (TDIC), and seven hotels, including the five-star deluxe Yas Marina Hotel, developed by Aldar. A newcomer to the UAE is the lifestyle brand from Starwood Hotels ’&’ Resorts, Aloft - stylish, contemporary accommodation to meet the needs of young business travellers.
The accommodation on offer - a mix of five-star, four-star and three-star properties - together will boost Abu Dhabi’s accommodation inventory by over 3,000 rooms and its food and beverage stock by in excess of 30 outlets. They will be managed by world-class operators including Anantara, Radisson SAS, Rotana and Crown Plaza.
"Their roll out clearly demonstrates the commitment of all involved in advancing Abu Dhabi’s tourism proposition to maintaining a long-term view through a difficult economic climate," said Nasser Al Reyami, Director of Tourism Standards Division, ADTA.
The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority’s five-year strategy looks to achieve 2.7 million hotel guest arrivals by 2012 with a targeted hotel room inventory of around 27,000.
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