MICE boost for Abu Dhabi tourism
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Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry has reported a significant uplift in its MICE and business events bookings. As per statistics, the trend is supposed to continue this year.
This segment will further receive a boost with the forthcoming Gulf Incentives, Business Travel & Meetings Expo (GIBTM). The event is scheduled to run from 24-26 March 2014 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre (ADNEC).
“Despite increase in competition with new MICE venues opening in Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers’ market share actually continued to increase,” explained Doris Greif, general manager. “The total number of events held last year at the hotel was 708 – a 63% increase on 2012.”
Greif says this year hotel will be looking to acquire and increase number of overseas clients and organisations choosing the hotel for MICE events. Also sharpening its MICE edge is the Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi which is busy designing new business tourism offerings.
“We are planning to add customized industry event packages to list of available offerings, including revised food and beverage menus incorporating both Arabic and Thai cuisines, flexible meetings and events arrangements to suit growing market of MICE business,” said Aaishah Bohari, director of sales & marketing.
Abu Dhabi is making a major push for business events and MICE bookings and enquiries at this year’s GIBTM with 39 stakeholders joining a destination pavilion being mounted by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi). The line-up includes hotels, DMCs, desert camps, professional conference organisers, Yas Marina Circuit, Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre (ADNEC), attractions and sports resorts.
“The simple fact is that there is now much more to business events in Abu Dhabi,” said Mubarak Al Nuaimi, promotions and overseas offices director, TCA Abu Dhabi. “There is growing impetus amongst our private sector to develop MICE specific product and our intention is to roll out this expanding portfolio at GIBTM.”
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