Hey big spender
The launch of Abu Dhabi Conventions Bureau follows a detailed economic impact study commissioned by TCA Abu Dhabi which showed that 19% of international business events visitors coming to the emirate were international and not resident in the UAE.
These visitors spent AED 10,000 ($2723) per event while domestic visitors spent AED 640 ($174). In 2010 the total economic impact of business events on Abu Dhabi was AED 2.4 billion ($653 million).
“There are also compelling socio-economic benefits resulting from this sector including improved education quality across various sectors, knowledge and technology transfer, research collaborations, destination and opportunity awareness, the positioning of Abu Dhabi as a thought leader, the ongoing development of human capital and the catalysing of inward investment,” Al Darmaki explained during the launch event.
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In addition, studies commissioned by TCA Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) suggest the economic impact from business events in Abu Dhabi is expected to increase by around 7% per annum on average up until 2020, based on historic performance.
Al Nuaimi tells Hotelier that studies had not focused on the impact of the growing MICE market on hotel performance but the authority said hotel rates, which were at an all-time low (averaging AED 454 ($124) in January 2013, a 10% drop from the same month in 2012), would increase the competitiveness of the emirate.
“Our timing could not be better. We have our most competitive room rates ever – which can be a deciding factor for major associations and business event organisers looking to secure a host destination and our available hotel stock is now well-suited to large events,” said Al Darmaki. “Our distinctive advantages are competitive rates, intelligent pricing, added value and innovative product”.
Select and stage
The emirate has numerous events already confirmed for the next three years, but Al Nuaimi explains that the bid targets of six events in 2012, increasing to eight in 2014 and 10 in 2015 are more selective. “We have bid for more, but in particular we’re bidding for those we really want to win”.
Abu Dhabi-hosted events already confirmed for 2013 include April’s World Travel & Tourism Global Summit at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers with more than 1000 of the world’s travel and tourism industry leaders expected, and June’s staging of The Institute of Travel & Tourism’s annual conference – the blue ribbon event of the UK’s travel and tourism industry at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr. Around 450 of Britain’s travel and tourism decision-makers are expected to attend.
“Both these major events were secured through joint TCA Abu Dhabi-Etihad Airways bids,” says Al Nuaimi. “We continue to work with Etihad and other stakeholders to bring additional major business events to our shores.”
Furthermore, November’s International Conference on Neurology & Epidemiology will be attended by 600-800 medical practitioners, he adds.
The launch of Abu Dhabi Conventions Bureau and the focus on the MICE sector is in line with the goals set out in the Abu Dhabi’s 2030 economic vision.
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