A SEVEN-city European road show led by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) looks certain to bring end-of-year dividends to the emirate as travel trade representatives throughout Russia, Germany, France, Italy, the UK and Ireland begin to buy-in to the destination’s dynamic fourth quarter plans.
The road show, which also featured representatives from Etihad and its Hala Abu Dhabi destination management arm, as well as Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management, which manages the Yas Marina Circuit, in total pulled in an audience of more than 400 tour operators and media to learn about the emirate’s packed fourth quarter major events programme and of the 10 new luxury hotels and resorts which will open in the destination by the end of the year.
In Russia, where ADTA launched a major marketing push this year with on-the-ground full time representation, the presentations ignited immediate interest.
“This event gave us the necessary information on how to promote team building possibilities on Yas Island,” said Kira Dmitrieva, head of department of South Cross, one of Russia’s leading outbound travel agents. “I feel sure our corporate clients will be passionate about the idea of team building using the Formula One circuit.”
Having learnt about Abu Dhabi’s plans for the third Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this November, the UAE national day celebrations in December and the year-end hosting of the Volvo Ocean Race fleet in a dedicated destination village, attendees were given a snapshot of the new resorts planned. These include: the Westin Hotel & Spa, Abu Dhabi Golf Club; the Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara; the Hyatt Capital Gate, which borders Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre; the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island; the Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi - the luxury brand’s first foray into the Middle East; the ultra-luxurious St Regis Saadiyat Resort & Residences, Saadiyat Island; the iconic Jumeirah at Etihad Towers on Abu Dhabi’s sweeping Corniche and the Ritz Carlton, Grand Canal Abu Dhabi, which overlooks a private marina.
“For me the most important part of the presentation was the introduction to the new hotel projects as it showed how important Abu Dhabi is becoming for the luxury travel segment,” said Arlett Walleck, senior product manager, Thomas Cook Selection, Germany.
For others, Abu Dhabi’s increasingly major sporting links are providing the marketing impetus.
“The presentation was great for selling the destination to sports enthusiasts,” said Harriet Turner, supply and sales executive of the UK’s Lastminute.com. “I wasn’t actually aware of the amount of sporting opportunities available for visitors, especially with the hosting of the Volvo Ocean Race this year. We have loads of clients looking on our site for information about sporting events, so in that respect, the presentation was very useful to me.”
While in Manchester, the destination appears to be scoring through ADTA’s relationship with Manchester City Football Club.
“Interest in Abu Dhabi is booming since it became the Official Destination Partner of Manchester City,” said Karen Allen, of Aspen Travel, which specialises in business travel. “I personally went there on the first flight with Etihad from Manchester and love it. It’s accessible, affordable and authentic – definitely one to impress the neighbours with.”
And England’s North West is increasing in potential for the destination with Etihad planning to upscale its services to Manchester from 10 flights a week to a double-daily service from August.
“This is good news,” said Faye McFadden of independent travel agency CBT International. “Abu Dhabi is well priced with great hotels and is definitely an up-and-coming destination for our customers.”
ADTA is now planning to spearhead similar road shows throughout the GCC and India, post Ramadan, to specifically target the high performing regional markets.