Abu Dhabi is fast emerging as a competitive leisure destination with big-ticket attractions, affordable, yet luxurious accommodation, an expanding range of tours and major events.
Abu Dhabi’s hotel partners exhibiting at this year’s World Travel Market (WTM) in London (ExCel, 4-7 November) are predicting another bumper year for UK visitors to the emirate in 2014.
Following the first three days of the leading global event for the travel industry, stakeholders including Sofitel Abu Dhabi, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island and Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi rallied to predict 2014 will be the best yet for Abu Dhabi’s leisure market.
Marwan Fadel, Area Director of Sales and Marketing, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island said: “We have enjoyed a record number of appointments at World Travel Market this year, and we’re getting positive feedback from tour operators – it’s been a very successful show for us. We’re seeing excellent numbers from the UK and the hotel is getting a lot of attention from British travellers.
“Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority has done a great job in supporting key players in the UK and I’m optimistic that 2014 will prove a record for British visitors to Abu Dhabi,” he continued.
Yet WTM is not securing UK business alone for the emirate – European bookings are also on the horizon.
Olivier Tombeur of Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche added: “The leisure market is fast growing in Abu Dhabi; we’ve seen big demand from tour operators across Europe, and it’s increasing. Leisure is a big, up-and-coming opportunity for the destination.
“We’re looking forward to more airline and airport developments in Abu Dhabi next year, and we’re sure 2014 will prove good for the leisure segment in the UAE capital.”
Abu Dhabi is fast emerging as a competitive leisure destination with big-ticket attractions, affordable, yet luxurious accommodation, an expanding range of tours and major events.
Salik Mangrio, Director of Sales and Marketing at Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi agreed: “We will definitely be back next year; World Travel Market is one of the most important shows, it generates great awareness for the hotel and contributes to the image of the destination.
“In particular the UK market is one of our main focuses; we have seen massive growth this year and hope to see the same next year. The leisure segment is the perfect fit for Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, with the facilities we have and the golf course nearby.”
The UK remains the emirate’s second largest overseas market with 109,330 Britons checking into Abu Dhabi hotels in the first nine months of this year – a ten per cent increase on 2012. British guests accounted for 518,571 guest nights – an increase of 21 per cent year-on-year – with an average length of stay of 4.74 nights, again up ten per cent on the previous year.
Mubarak Al Nuaimi, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority‘s Director of Promotions and Overseas Offices, commented: “So far it is certainly proving to be a highly productive World Travel Market for our stakeholders. There is no doubt that the UK is a significant market for Abu Dhabi, and it is good to hear that our partners are receiving positive feedback about their products and the destination.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
