TCA Abu Dhabi prepares for the summer rush

The Abu Dhabi tourism authority is preparing for the forthcoming summer season.

The authority will be participating at the forthcoming Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2016 with its hotels, destination management companies, tour operators and attractions.

The Abu Dhabi delegation, led by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) will focus on the extensive emirate-wide Abu Dhabi Summer Season. The event this year is scheduled to take place from 7 July to 11 September 2016 and presented by Yas Island being held across venues in Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain and Al Gharbia.

“Last year’s Summer Season witnessed a significant increase in number of guest arrivals into the emirate – up 21% over the same period the previous year,” said Mubarak Al Nuaimi, director of promotions and overseas offices at TCA Abu Dhabi.

“We will build on this success by offering a selection of entertainment and promotions during our 2016 Summer Season targeting key markets across the GCC, India and Europe,” he further added.

This year the event is packed with 18 international theatre and stage shows, comedy acts, music concerts, an illusionist and children’s shows. This will be combined with a wide range of activities and extended activations, each lasting for a month at a time. There will also be celebrations for the Indian Independence Day and Eid Al Fitr.

The three-month 2015 Summer Season, helped attract 951,979 guest arrivals into the emirate. The number of visitors from India showed largest increase during the period, rising 29.8% from 2014. Visitors from within UAE showed double digit growth, while visitors from the GCC, not including the UAE, increased by 9.8% to 79,086.

Along with the significant rise in visitor guest arrivals, participating malls across the emirate also saw large increases in footfall and trade. The 12 malls which hosted TCA Abu Dhabi’s weekly prize draw to win a Mercedes-Benz car reported 15-20% growth in business.