ABU DHABI, which is looking to boost inbound intra-regional tourism, held one of its biggest-ever familiarisation trips last month.
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), along with other stakeholders, hosted more than 50 GCC tour operators, destinationa management companies (DMCs) and travel professionals to show them how much more there is to see and do in the emirate of the UAE.
“We have seen some good hotel guest numbers from the GCC in the first eight months of this year, with across-the-board increases, yet we are far from where we want to be, and we know we have all the right ingredients to be front of mind for GCC travellers when choosing their holiday destination,” said Mubarak Al Nuaimi, director of promotions and overseas offices, TCA Abu Dhabi.
According to TCA Abu Dhabi, the emirate welcomed 120,037 GCC hotel guests in the first eight months of the year, up 17 per cent on the same period in 2012. Guest nights rose 19 per cent over the same eight month period year-on-year to 262,290, with length of stay stable at 4.4 nights over 2012.
Saudi Arabia is Abu Dhabi’s largest GCC inbound market, clocking up 133,634 hotel nights in the first eight months of 2013, followed by Oman (48,789), Qatar (41,767) and Kuwait (38,100).
And TCA Abu Dhabi believes that with a reinvigorated focus on regional travellers, coupled with a broadening shopping, leisure, attraction and events programme coming on-stream, the emirate will see increased interest from the GCC.
“We know the potential is there and we are working very hard to capture our share. Yas Island’s continuing evolution as a leading entertainment and lifestyle destination, plus our huge diversity of hotels, apartments and resorts – from desert to sea to city – that are both affordable and cater to every demand as well as more cultural and entertainment attractions put us in a strong position,” added Al Nuaimi.
“Furthermore with the the Fifa Under 17 World Cup, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Al Ain Aerobatic Show, which have strong regional appeal and are being supported by robust travel packaging options, we should see solid uptake for these events from neighbouring countries.”