TCA Abu Dhabi sends largest ever delegation to ATM
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) is leading the largest delegation it has ever taken to the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in a bid to capitalise and increase on record numbers of guest arrivals into the emirate.
The Authority will be joined by 67 stakeholders representing 115 products at the region’s biggest travel and tourism fair, which is being held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, between 24th and 27th April.
H.E Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director General, TCA Abu Dhabi, said: “Abu Dhabi’s popularity as a place to visit and experience is increasing each year and our impressive guest arrivals numbers demonstrate the emirate’s growing international appeal as a value-for-money destination. We are targeting a 10 per cent increase in the number of guest arrivals this year with our strategic focus on six specific markets which we believe offer the best growth potential – the UK, Germany, India, China, United States and the GCC region.
“Already we have registered strong figures this year which is encouraging and we expect to further reap the benefits of our global destination campaign aimed at encouraging travellers to experience Abu Dhabi’s extraordinary stories throughout the rest of the year. ATM along with other prestigious international travel shows such as ITB Berlin and WTM in London enable us to position Abu Dhabi as a distinctive global destination built on unique experiences and rich cultural heritage.”
Also present at ATM will be Louvre Abu Dhabi, due to open later this year, Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau, Qasr Al Muwaiji, Al Ain Oasis, Cruise Abu Dhabi and Wahat Al Karama – the permanent monument to honour the country’s martyrs. TCA Abu Dhabi’s overseas offices from the UK, India and CIS will also be participating for the first time at ATM. Particular emphasis will be placed on highlighting new products among the emirate’s expanding portfolio of attractions, experiences and events including Al Ain Oasis, the UAE’s first curated UNESCO World Heritage site visitor experience, and the newly opened 175-room Aloft Al Ain hotel attached to the iconic 25,000-seat Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.
More than 4.4 million guest arrivals were recorded in Abu Dhabi during 2016, which set a new annual record, with an increase of 8% over the previous year. This year the Authority has set a target to welcome 4.9 million guests into the emirate, which is a year-on-year rise of 10%, and has already welcomed impressive guest arrival figures during the first two months of this year.
During January and February, there was an increase of 5.5% in guest arrivals over the corresponding period in 2016, with 749,650 guest arrivals registered – an increase of 40,000 over the same two months in 2016.