Abu Dhabi prepares for ITB Berlin

ABU DHABI, 26th February, 2015 (WAM)--Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry is heading to Berlin for the largest travel trade show in the world where a delegation from the emirate will highlight three key destinations. The trade mission to ITB Berlin, which runs from March 4th-8th, is led by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) with a 90-strong portfolio representing the best of the emirate’s hotels, resorts, attractions, tour operators and destination management companies. The Abu Dhabi pavilion will emphasise the diverse nature of three destinations for visitors in just one emirate - Abu Dhabi city, the United Arab Emirates’ capital; Al Ain, the emirate’s heritage heartland and Oasis City; and Al Gharbia, the emirate’s Western Region, where the desert meets the sea - under the slogan ‘three regions in one region’. "This is our largest delegation since we first started participating in ITB Berlin in 2005 which is reflective of our continually expanding product base," said Mubarak Al Nuaimi, Director Promotions & Overseas Offices, TCA Abu Dhabi. "We have a diverse range of attractions spread out across the emirate and we want to encourage visitors to immerse themselves in our depth and diversity of experience available while also experiencing our culture and history. Europe, and in particular Germany, are key markets for us with excellent air links out of Dusseldorf, Berlin, Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Munich to Abu Dhabi and we have even more now to offer our guests than ever before. Germany remains one of our leading hotel guest markets accounting for 138,604 hotel guests last year – a 16% rise on the previous year," said Al Nuaimi, noting that "In total they generated 631,179 guest nights which was up 8% year-on-year and they stay, on average 4.5 nights." Arabian Nights, a destination management company specialising in inbound and outbound travel services and desert leisure activities, in particular its Arabian Nights Village, is returning to ITB Berlin for the third successive year. Murad Mansoor, General Manager, said, "In 2012, Arabian Nights launched a one-of-a-kind desert village in Abu Dhabi as a destination as it fills the gap of a luxurious desert experience. We had a very successful following year seeing a 55% increase in sales. The European and German market is very strong in regards to tourism and we return to ITB in order to seek new business opportunities, meet with our partners and increase sales by capturing a significant market share of tourists looking for a desert experience." Yas Island, Abu Dhabi’s entertainment destination, which is home to the F1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Ferrari World and the iconic Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi hotel, recently welcomed the opening of Yas Mall, the largest in the emirate with more than 370 retail stores and scores of restaurants pushing the number of dining outlets on the island to more than 100. Karim El Guanaini, Senior Vice President, Yas Island Destination Management, said, "Germany continues to be a strong growth market for us representing the biggest European market after the UK. Year-on-year, we grow our network of travel operators and travel agents in the region with our sales missions and trade shows. We are a year-round destination with stellar indoor and outdoor experiences, and constantly appeal to holidaymakers looking to spend their vacations amidst sun, glamour and luxury, all at a very competitive price-point." Danat Hotels & Resorts, a division of National Corporation for Tourism & Hotels, manages a portfolio of four- and five-star properties in Abu Dhabi including the Tilal Liwa hotel which has recently opened the Al Dhafra Oasis, which nestled in the desert is an ideal location for group gatherings. The group says Germany is a key feeder market from Europe, delivering 16,000 room nights last year and they aim to develop business at ITB Berlin while offering tactical promotions to German tour operators. Visitors to the Abu Dhabi pavilion will be given the opportunity to cycle and fly around Abu Dhabi’s key attractions through a virtual 3D game platform using iPads and a big screen with visitors able to win daily prizes by achieving the fastest lap around Abu Dhabi. – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/economics/1395277115776.html