Abu Dhabi's tourism sector is hoping for a major boost from the European market, following a seven-city road show led by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA).
The roadshow - which visited Russia, Germany, France, Italy, the UK and Ireland - and featured representatives from Etihad; DMC Hala Abu Dhabi; and Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management in total pulled in an audience of over 400 tour operators and media, who were updated on the emirate’s Q4 events programme and 10 new hotels opening this year.
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The European travel trade reported positive feedback to the destination.
“This event gave us the necessary information on how to promote team building possibilities on Yas Island,” said Kira Dmitrieva, Head of Department of South Cross, one of Russia’s leading outbound travel agents. “I feel sure our corporate clients will be passionate about the idea of team building using the Formula 1™ circuit.”
“For me the most important part of the presentation was the introduction to the new hotel projects as it showed how important Abu Dhabi is becoming for the luxury travel segment,” said Arlett Walleck, senior product manager, Thomas Cook Selection, Germany.
For others, Abu Dhabi’s increasingly major sporting links is providing the marketing impetus.
“The presentation was great for selling the destination to sports enthusiasts,” said Harriet Turner, Supply & Sales Executive of the UK’s Lastminute.com. “I wasn’t actually aware of the amount of sporting opportunities available for visitors, especially with the hosting of the Volvo Ocean Race this year. We have loads of clients looking on our site for information about sporting events, so in that respect, the presentation was very useful to me.”
While in Manchester, the destination appears to be scoring through ADTA’s relationship with Manchester City Football Club.
“Interest in Abu Dhabi is booming since it became the Official Destination Partner of Manchester City,” said Karen Allen, Travel Agent, Aspen Travel, which specializes in business travel. I personally went there on the first flight with Etihad from Manchester and love it. It’s accessible, affordable and authentic – definitely one to impress the neighbours with.”
And England’s North West is increasing in potential for the destination with Etihad planning to upscale its services from Manchester from 10 flights a week to a double-daily service from August.
“This is good news,” said Faye McFadden, Travel Agent, of independent travel agency CBT International. “Abu Dhabi is well priced with great hotels and is definitely an up-and-coming destination for our customers.”
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