Emerging Markets
Promoting the destination abroad is an important part of the strategy of both ADTA and the hotels operating in the city — both of whom say that emerging markets such as India and China will play a vital role in the future success of Abu Dhabi as a tourism destination.
“We are focusing on the GCC countries and we try to have a couple of offices there, we also have an office in China and a few in Asia — so we are really trying to be connected to other emerging markets,” explains ADTA’s Al Reyami.
“We will focus on Asia, China and India —the big emerging markets for tourism to the Middle East — and we will continue working on getting visitors from Europe as well,” he says.
| Advertisement |
“Germany and the UK are big feeder markets for us,” says Jumeirah’s Greif, “Russia is also coming more and more into Abu Dhabi, and China is on the way as well so it is a bit of everything.”
Working with ADTA to attract visitors, or working with hotels on promotions is an important part of doing business in Abu Dhabi, says Ferrari World sales director Fabien Laurent.
“We have initially concentrated on the Middle East,” says Laurent, “But of course eventually we will be marketing Ferrari World Abu Dhabi beyond that and looking to attract visitors from European cities such as London. We are another good reason to visit Abu Dhabi.”
Being able to provide so many leisure activities will certainly encourage visitors to stay longer in Abu Dhabi, and, with so many different projects planned to attract people, the emirate has a long term strategy which is likely to yield positive results for properties.
What is yet to be determined is how long it will take for the market in Abu Dhabi to absorb the massive supply of new hotels, and how business will fare in the short term — either way, hoteliers are not being dissuaded from developing in what is becoming a very exciting destination indeed.
Search our database of more than 2,700 industry companies
