Delegation from emirate's tourism industry welcomes almost 100 visitors to event

Executives from across Abu Dhabi's tourism industry have welcomed almost 100 international trade and media partners to the emirate's keynote breakfast at World Travel Market (WTM), the leading global event for the travel industry.

Representativesfrom top brands including Seatrade, Expedia, EWTC, Virgin Holidays, Kuoni and Flight Centre attended the reception, which was held on Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi)'s stand at WTM (ExCel, 4-7 November). A total of almost 200 delegates and Abu Dhabi exhibitors were present at the event.

Attendees included Luca Romozzi, Head of Media Solutions at Expedia, who commented: "Abu Dhabi is now our second market in the Middle East and Indian Ocean region. Our sales are increasing greatly. We mainly sell hotel nights and attraction tickets but we are now seeing a large increase in package sales.

"People generally view the UAE as a high-end destination. However, thanks to Abu Dhabi's increasing variety of hotels this is beginning to change. We will get the message out and educate people that Abu Dhabi is an affordable luxury destination - accessible to all."

Abu Dhabi's bid for tourism business has seen a record delegation from its tourism industry converging for this year's WTM, with almost 100 professionals representing over 30 stakeholders from the emirate's tourism industry present for the four-day event. WTM's organisers are forecasting that this year's show will attract 50,000 executives and will trigger business deals worth over £2 billion.

Alan Le Coyte, Consultant with Seatrade Middle East added: "Abu Dhabi is a key destination for us.  It is seen as an affordable destination within the UAE and if the emirate continues to expand its product offering, particularly its choice of four-star hotels, it will be seen as more and more of an affordable luxury destination."

Siobhan McGarvey, Head of Marketing with Flight Centre said: "We contracted Abu Dhabi three years ago and now it is a core destination for us. Each year we see a noticeable growth in interest. We are over 50% up in room nights to the emirate year-on-year. If the emirate continues to offer fantastic room rates, our customers will see that Abu Dhabi offers great value for money."

Mubarak Al Nuaimi, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority's Director of Promotions and Overseas Offices commented: "Our breakfast attracted a cross-section of top names from the travel industry, who enjoyed sharing some traditional Abu Dhabi hospitality. Our conversations demonstrated that the international marketplace believes Abu Dhabi has arrived as a mainstream tourism destination, and that everyone from the leading industry players to the niche specialists are keen to feature our stakeholders' products in their programmes. This is proving to be a rewarding WTM for our industry."

-ENDS-

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Results PR

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TCA Abu Dhabi: World Travel Market 2013, Stand ME300

About Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction which enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike.

The authority manages the emirate's tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.

The authority supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate's heritage. A key authority role is to create synergy in the destination's development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.