Abu Dhabi wants more Indian tourists

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Written by Linda Hohnholz

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector is heading to India’s most prominent B2B travel industry expo this week as it looks to leverage growing outbound traffic to Abu Dhabi f

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector is heading to India’s most prominent B2B travel industry expo this week as it looks to leverage growing outbound traffic to Abu Dhabi following news that India has regained its position as the emirate’s largest overseas source market for hotel guests.

Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, or TCA Abu Dhabi together with 14 industry partners, will carry the message that Abu Dhabi offers further travel trade growth potential to the Abu Dhabi Pavilion at the fifth showing at SATTE in New Delhi, India’s largest travel trade fair.

The message will be pushed further during a series of one-to-one meetings during a three-city ‘Destination Abu Dhabi’ travel trade workshop across key Indian cities in a move aimed at targeting India’s upwardly-mobile, aspirational traveller.

“Abu Dhabi’s hotels have experienced double-digit growth from the Indian market over two consecutive years establishing its position as the emirate’s largest overseas source market,” said Mubarak Al Nuaimi, director, Promotions & Overseas Offices, TCA Abu Dhabi.

He added: “As the market matures, we are now placing greater emphasis on its growth potential, tailoring products to meet the needs and demands of the Indian traveller. Our activities in New Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow and Kolkata will present a diverse mix of Abu Dhabi destination products and allow our partners to expand their profiles in Indian trade operator portfolios, to stimulate further increase in Indian visitors to the emirate in 2015.”

Abu Dhabi welcomed 231,702 Indian hotel guests in 2014 at a growth rate of 32 per cent over the previous year. These guests delivered 850,443 guest nights, which is up 23 per cent year-on-year, with an average length of stay of 3.67 nights.

Joining the authority at SATTE are the UAE’s award-winning national carrier Etihad Airways which flies from 11 Indian destinations, Abu Dhabi-headquartered Rotana Hotels & Resorts, the five-star, beachfront Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, Centro Capital Centre and City Seasons Hotel which will fly the flag for the four-star leisure and business hotels sector and Al Ain’s Hili Fun City, will boost awareness of the family-friendly attractions on offer in emirate’s second city.

“At SATTE, our target is to continue to increase our network of travel agents and tour operators within India and introduce Yas Island to the travel trade in the smaller cities,” said Clive Dwyer, the Island’s Director of Destination Management.

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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