Abu Dhabi is bullish about the growth prospects from the Indian market.
The Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) will roll out its biggest road show delegation next week with 25 stakeholders joining the initiative. Events will be held in New Delhi starting on 09 December, followed by Mumbai (10 Dec), Ahmedabad (11 Dec) and closing out in Bengaluru on 12 December.
“This will be our first outing in Ahmedabad from where Etihad Airways now operates a daily service bringing the Gujarat market well within our reach. With enhanced air accessibility via Etihad’s network and that of its strategic partner Jet Airways, the Indian market has enormous growth potential,” said Mubarak Al Nuaimi, director promotions and overseas offices at TCA Abu Dhabi.
Indian travellers make up Abu Dhabi’s largest overseas source market for hotel guests with 14,450 Indians staying in the emirate’s hotels in the first nine months of the year – a 31% uplift on the same period in 2012. The delegation will comprise of airlines, hotels and resorts, attractions, tour operators and destination management companies.
Below are comments from the suppliers visiting the Abu Dhabi roadshow next week.
Kulwant Singh, managing director of Lama Tours and Holidays
“We hope to maintain growth between 50 to 60% in our second and third year and thereafter year-on-year growth of around 25-30%. There are an increasing number of well-travelled, cosmopolitan Indian elite, movie personalities, business moguls and entrepreneurs. I also believe Indian travellers have very much matured over the years. There is a significant increase in demand for five-star hotels and beach properties compared to the two-three-star requirements of five years ago.”
Bruno Wiley, sales director of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
“We are introducing a new attraction – Karting Academy featuring the region’s first electric powered karts – to visitors later this year and we’re positive our Indian visitors will enjoy this new offering just as much they’ve been enjoying the rest of the experience.”
Rima Rawass, group marketing manager for Danat Al Ain Resort
“We started to receive some Indian leisure guests through destination management companies in 2012 when they accounted for 1,000 room nights – this grew to 2,000 room nights this year. We now expect this performance through building relationships with DMCs that book Indian groups and FIT business.”
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