Abu Dhabi completes Indian mission to boost tourism

The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi completed a four-city roadshow to India along with partners and stakeholders to help promote the emirate.

The delegation includes representatives from Rotana Hotels, Yas Experience, Royal Arabian Destination Management, Royal Rose Hotels, Etihad Airways, Jet Airways, Lama Tours, Air Travel Enterprises, Anantara Hotels, Resorts and Spas, and Holiday Inn Hotels.

The roadshow began in Chandigarh in northern India before moving on to Ahmedabad, Mumbai and ending in Pune.

Last year, more than 360,000 Indians stayed in Abu Dhabi’s 162 hotels and hotel apartments, an increase of more than 11 percent compared to the previous year. India is currently the emirate’s second largest international source market behind China.

Mubarak Al Nuaimi, director promotions and overseas offices at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: "India is a vital tier one source market for us which is providing more and more hotel guests for us each year and helped us reach a record of more than 4.9 million numbers of guests last year. In 2017 we recorded spectacular double-digit growth from India and we are already recording further progress from the Indian market since the turn of the year.

"We see great potential from this sector and are now running a succession of roadshows to cities across India highlighting the emirate and its attractions as we seek to capitalise on this uplift. We have excellent air connectivity, with 282 flights a week to Abu Dhabi from 13 Indian destinations, meaning it has never been easier to come and visit the emirate."