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Weekly UpdatesSummary: Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), the tourism body with wide ranging responsibilities for building, developing and managing the tourism industry in the Arabian Gulf emirate has reported at ITB Berlin, one of the world's major travel shows, that the destination's accommodation stock will increase by more than 3,000 rooms this year in time for November's Etihad 2009 Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Despite the global economic uncertainty, the authority confirmed that all previously announced tourism projects will be delivered according to plan this year.
Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), the tourism body with wide ranging responsibilities for building, developing and managing the tourism industry in the Arabian Gulf emirate has reported at ITB Berlin, one of the world's major travel shows, that the destination's accommodation stock will increase by more than 3,000 rooms this year in time for November's Etihad 2009 Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Despite the global economic uncertainty, the authority confirmed that all previously announced tourism projects will be delivered according to plan this year.
These include Qasr Al Sarab, the project developed by Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) and managed by award-winning Thai hospitality operator Anantara Resorts & Spas, which is due to open October. Qasr Al Sarab is set amidst the towering and awe-inspiring dunes of the Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter) - the world's largest uninterrupted desert.
Seven hotels on Yas Island are being progressed by Aldar, one of the emirate's leading developers and will be ready in time to welcome Grand Prix visitors.
And later this year the emirate will also witness the opening of the Middle East's first aloft property -- and with 480 rooms the world's largest -- which is being built at the Capital Centre complex of Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
"Besides hotels, Abu Dhabi has launched many new exciting new events this year. The inaugural Abu Dhabi Yacht Show, which runs this weekend has already been well received by the global yachting industry. The successful Gourmet Abu Dhabi has just taken place and brought with a Michelin star-studded cast and has quickly joined the ranks of the world's leading gourmet festivals. The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is our newest event and will appeal to motorsport fans," said Nasser Al Reyami, ADTA's Director -- Tourism Standards Division.
The airline industry is also demonstrating its confidence in the destination's future. Etihad, the national airline of the UAE, has recently increased its flights from Milan from three to five a week and is about to launch its newest route, Melbourne, Australia at the end of this month. The award-winning carrier has also announced plans for additional routes to Cyprus, Istanbul and Chicago this year, making Abu Dhabi easily accessible to these markets. Singapore Airlines is now also flying daily into Abu Dhabi International Airport.
"The additional accommodation coupled with the new events provides Abu Dhabi with a competitive edge in an environment when many other destinations are feeling the impact of the current economic downturn," added Al Reyami.,. Hotels across the emirate, the largest of the seven which make up the United Arab Emirates, continue to achieve 80+% average occupancy rates.About ADTA: Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) was established in September 2004.It has wide ranging responsibilities for building and developing the emirate's tourism industry. These include; destination marketing; infrastructure and product development and regulation and classification. A key role is to create synergy in the international promotion of Abu Dhabi through close co-ordination with the emirate's hotels, destination management companies, airlines and other public and private sector travel-related organisations.
2009 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
2009 Al Bawaba (Albawaba.com)
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