Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), the apex body that manages the tourism sector of the emirate, hosted representatives from more than 45 German tourism and travel companies at a 3-day workshop to familiarize the participants with Abu Dhabi’s tourist attractions.

The workshop included programmed field tours to various destinations in and around Abu Dhabi, several islands and Al Ain.

The workshop aimed at placing Abu Dhabi as a destination of choice for German tourists by providing the participants with a first-hand experience on the emirate’s attractions and showcasing tourism projects that are currently underway in the UAE capital city.

Germany is a key market for Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector with tourist arrivals to the UAE capital city increasing 7.2 per cent in the first half of 2007 over the same period, last year. German tourists using Abu Dhabi hotels had gained by by 37 per cent in 2006 over 2005.

In addition to ADTA and its representative office in Frankfort, participants at the workshop include Arabian Adventure, Starwoods, and Miere’s Weltreisen, a leading tourism company in Germany and part of REWE Group.

Ahmed Hussein, Deputy Director General, Tourism Operations, ADTA, said: The workshop has been devised to further strengthen the existing strong ties ADTA and its operation centers have with companies outside the country, especially in Germany. This will in turn provide the information necessary to enhance the numbers of tourist reservations and arrivals to Abu Dhabi from Germany, a major European market for Abu Dhabi.

Martina Bossert, Sales Manager, ADTA Representative Office in Frankfort, said: Abu Dhabi has recently become a focal point for German tourists as a leading destination offering luxury and tranquility. Uniquelycombining modern lifestyles with heritage and culture, Abu Dhabi is best positioned to offer tourists high quality services and unrivalled experience of the Magical Orient and enchanting desert. The ADTA workshop provides a platform to showcase Abu Dhabi tourism product to key stakeholders and decision makers in Germany’s tourism sector.