Revealing Abu Dhabi’s ‘big picture’
ABU Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) demonstrated its commitment to building its tourism proposition by, along with its 40 sharing partners, promoting a growing product base which spanned new hotels, accommodation upgrades and expanding tour operator networks at the ATM. Sharing the biggest pavilion at the show, the emirate highlighted the opening up of its Al Gharbia (Western Region) to international tourism. Its new and planned hotels and events – including November’s Formula 1 Grand Prix, the renovated Al Jahili Fort in Al Ain, and new golf courses, including the Gary Player designed Saadiyat Beach Golf Course which will open by the end of this year. Abu Dhabi’s tourism profile has grown significantly since ATM 2008.
Amadeus reaches leadership position
AMADEUS highlighted its success as one of the fastest growing distribution systems provider, reaching a combined market share of 40 per cent in the Middle East and Africa region in March 2009. Amadeus delivers a wider range of technology to support travel agents in their day-to-day business challenges. In the Middle East, more than 15,425 travel agency point of sale terminals can make bookings on all of the Middle East full service carriers through the Amadeus system. Recent openings occurred in Syria and Yemen. The company has seen continuous growth in the last eight years, with a substantial rise in market share from 8 per cent in 2000.
Sri Lanka strongly represented at ATM
SRI LANKA Tourism Promotion Bureau’s stand at the recently concluded travel exhibition in Dubai received more than 8,000 visitors including travel trade professionals, media and members of the public from all over the Middle East. The country was represented by a 100 strong travel trade delegation from the island nation who used the event to underline Sri Lanka’s potential as a tourist destination as well as address a press conference to announce Sri Lanka’s new brand identity. Middle East travellers visiting Sri Lanka surged by 24 per cent in 2008 - a year of promising growth, driven by heightened consumer awareness in the Middle East. Tourism in Sri Lanka is expected to boom after the government military defeat of the Tamil Tigers. A new marketing campaign has been launched by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, which has replaced the old slogan “a land like no other” for a new “small miracle” slogan, in order to refresh the agency’s marketing strategy and to attract 1.5 million tourists over the next year.
Rotana to manage hotel in Iraq
SSLIM Al-Zeer, executive director of Rotana Hotels, has unveiled that the company has received several offers to operate and manage hotels in many Iraq cities. In an interview with CNBC Arabiya, Al-Zeer said that a 250 room development in Arbil will start receiving guests in a year’s time, and will be the most prominent hotel in the Kurdistan region. He added that their Iraqi operations will soon extend an invitation for tenders to bid on constructing a hotel in the Khadra’ area of Baghdad after finalising the design. Al-Zeer valued the investments in the Al Khadra’ area between $70 million and $80 million, funded by Iraqi and foreign investors. He also said that promising opportunities were present in Iraq in light of increased local demand on hotel rooms and increased local tourism.
Dollar Rent a Car opens new counter
DOLLAR Rent A Car, subsidiary of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, opened a new counter in the Crown Plaza Hotel at Hamdan Street in Abu Dhabi. It is a good location for business and leisure travellers according to Marwan Al Mulla, general manager, Dollar Rent A Car UAE, as it is near he beach, the Marina Mall and the Abu Dhabi Exhibition centre. Established in the UAE five years ago, Dollar Rent a Car continues to grow and is looking to expand in sales and counter employees to support its new locations. Al Mulla was expecting a busy summer with businesses looking for opportunities in the capital as well as an increase in the number of GCC nationals visiting for leisure.