Abu Dhabi experiences 20% surge in 2017 events applications

The Abu Dhabi Events Licensing System (ELS) has experienced a growth of nearly 20% in total applications between Q1 and Q2 2017.

About 9,002 applications that covered all types of events have been submitted to the ELS during the first half of 2017. Since its introduction, the ELS has led to the growth of Abu Dhabi’s event sector by boosting the speed of registry and licensing mechanisms for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) and leisure events.

When compared with Q1, the licensing system has received a surge in applications in Q2 of 2017 with an increase from 4,015 to 4,987 events applications resulting in 19.5% growth, an increase from 603 to 880 training applications, a 33.3% in workshop applications, 2,955 meeting applications - representing growth of 625 or 26.8% - and 55 additional exhibition and conference applications, up 19.1% since implementation of the system.

The ELS was launched earlier during the year by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi). Operated by TCA Abu Dhabi on behalf of Abu Dhabi Government, the ELS, a mandatory register of all business, leisure and public events in Abu Dhabi, is a one-stop platform for all venues and bodies responsible for staging, organising and managing events.