The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), the apex body which manages the tourism industry in the Arabian Gulf emirate, has launched the third edition of its comprehensive Business Tourism Planners Guide - an expansive 192 publication which charts the growth of the destination’s meetings industry and its geographic expansion outside of the UAE capital city to Al Ain in its eastern province and its Al Gharbia western region.

The new edition features 62 pages more than last year and 28 new exciting venue additions from city centre hotels, to beachfront resorts and the extensive Yas Island destination - which, with its spectacular racing circuit will this November be home to the 2009 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

“This flagship publication of the authority’s Business Tourism Division provides a comprehensive overview of conference and accommodation venues, meetings venues with a difference, professional business tourism providers, 50 unusual ideas of what to do in Abu Dhabi and a thorough overview of upcoming hotels and developments,” said Gillian Taylor, Business Tourism Manager, ADTA.

“This guide aims to assist meeting planners in enhancing their business potential, provide solutions to fresh challenges, expand business networks and encourage engagement with a destination where business tourism is truly coming of age.”

Business Tourism is a priority segment for Abu Dhabi, which is expanding its ‘Happening Place For Business Tourism’ campaign with incentive initiatives and which has been selected as the 2012 host of the World Ophthalmology Congress – the world’s longest-running medical congress.