Abu Dhabi pavilion exhibitors at ITB Berlin – one of the world’s largest travel shows, have reported strong interest in the emirate, its expansion plans and new product offering.
Interest was spurred by a number of major announcements from members of the Abu Dhabi pavilion, which was organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. Shangri-La Asia Limited revealed it has signed an agreement with the UAE capital’s Al Jaber Group to manage the 300-roomTraders Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, opening in the third quarter of this year. The hotel will be the group’s second in Abu Dhabi following the opening of Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi in August 2007.
Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, the world’s most modern facility of its type, has been promoting its latest MICE offering - the Shaheen Conference Centre, named after the Arabic for a champion falcon, which is due to open mid year. The centre will host events for up to 160 people and complements the hospital’s plans for a new Arabian Falconry museum.
“We have significantly expanded our contact base at ITB. We already have a strong profile in the German market which has proved highly receptive to our expansion plans,†said Margit Muller, Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital’s Director.
Over 1,000 trade representatives visited the Abu Dhabi stand, which featured 23 co-sharers and is the destination’s largest-ever ITB promotion, and ADTA representatives attended over 100 appointments with key industry decision-makers from Thomas Cook, TUI, Tischler, Dertour and FTI Touristic.
“The show enabled us to send a strong message to the travel and tourism industry that Abu Dhabi’s commitment to existing tourism projects and ongoing development is real and sustainable,†said Nasser Al Reyami, ADTA’s Director – Tourism Standards Division.
Interest was particularly strong for the newest hospitality entrant on the UAE capital scene - aloft Abu Dhabi, the first aloft property in the Middle East and with 408 rooms the largest in the world which will open at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center's Capital Complex later this year. Stephan Vanden Auweele, aloft Abu Dhabi General Manager said “There’s been a lot of interest in our product as its fresh and new to the city, it targets a younger crowd who are keen to experience style and functionality but aren’t willing to forgo comfort. Our ADNEC location puts us in a perfect position to service the growing number of business visitors to Abu Dhabiâ€.
About ADTA: Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) was established in September 2004.It has wide ranging responsibilities for building and developing the emirate's tourism industry. These include; destination marketing; infrastructure and product development and regulation and classification. A key role is to create synergy in the international promotion of Abu Dhabi through close co-ordination with the emirate's hotels, destination management companies, airlines and other public and private sector travel-related organisations.
