Tourism & Hospitality | Tuesday 7 November, 2017 12:48 pm |

Stand will present attractions including Louvre Abu Dhabi to position the Emirate as a destination of distinction

The Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi will be participating at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London, UK from 6-8 November and place cultural tourism high on the exhibition’s agenda. This year’s participation focuses on promoting the Emirate as a destination of distinction for tourists from across the UK and neighbouring European countries.

WTM London is among the largest international exhibitions in the fields of travel, tourism, investment, air transport and travel technologies. Every year, approximately 5,000 bodies from almost 188 countries participate in this event, which attracts more than 3,000 media representatives, 4,200 experts and 50,000 visitors. Last year, the three-day global event generated more than GBP2.8 billion or AED13.6 billion in revenues for participants, as almost 5,000 exhibiting destinations, technology and private-sector companies joined under one roof to network and explore business opportunities.

The Department of Culture and Tourism- Abu Dhabi will be spearheading a delegation comprised of a total of 40 exhibitors including the Emirate’s finest hotels, resorts, attractions, tour operators and destination management companies. The Department’s exhibition stand will cover an area of 609 square metres and will present the Louvre Abu Dhabi to mark the much-anticipated opening of the museum on 11 November.

His Excellency Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director General, the Department of Culture and Tourism- Abu Dhabi, said: “This premier travel and tourism event offers a unique opportunity to reinforce the strong cultural attributes that characterise Abu Dhabi’s tourism scene. The platform also enables us to connect with other exhibitors and visitors to enhance the awareness of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain Region, and Al Dhafra Region on an international level.”

“The UK is a top tier source market and the highest contributor of hotel guests to the Emirate from the European market and the third highest globally. Based on figures from September 2017, we have seen an increase of almost 5% in the number of UK visitors arriving and checking into our hotels compared to the same period in 2016.  For the past three years the UK has recorded a double-digit growth percentage, so we are keen to keep them abreast of all the new attractions introduced by the Emirate. Moving forward, we will continue to position Abu Dhabi as year-round tourism destination.”

The Abu Dhabi Pavilion can be found in Hall S2-S3, stands number ME200, ME201 and ME204, at the ExCel London and will host leading entities from the government and private sectors. In addition to returning exhibitors like Yas Island, Etihad Airways and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, this year’s pavilion will receive 15 new exhibitors including the General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners Affairs – Abu Dhabi, the Tourism Police, the Tourism Development Investment Company, as well as a host of luxury hotels and resorts.

Sultan Al Mutawa Al Dhaheri, Acting Executive Director, Tourism Sector, Department of Culture and Tourism -  Abu Dhabi, said: “Our participation in these international events reflects the special attention that the country is giving to its tourism sector, as this highly profitable industry is capable of spurring growth and creating job opportunities. WTM London provides an ideal opportunity for new and existing partners to explore business opportunities, and for Abu Dhabi to be showcased as destination of choice for tourists from the UK and other European countries. The forum also offers key market intelligence on consumer and partner expectations and helps us stay in touch with changing market trends. We are determined to make this year’s edition our most successful yet; a robust suite of 95 products will be showcased at the event making Abu Dhabi the ultimate destination for cultural tourism.”

The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi has recently launched new initiatives focused on championing cultural tourism that are set to attract an increasing number of UK and European visitors to the Emirate. Emirati Experiences is a unique tourism proposition that will introduce a selection of tours designed and led by Emirati nationals in designated areas of the capital to give visitors first-hand insight into Emirati culture, heritage and history. The tailor-made experiences are designed to appeal to the visitors’ varied interests and preferences. These range from visits focused on handicrafts, traditional hospitality, and lifestyle across the Emirate to those covering Abu Dhabi’s most famous landmarks.

Other attractions to further boost tourism figures include the much-awaited opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island on 11 November. The museum will house 600 pieces of art in 23 state-of-the-art galleries under an impressive 180-metre wide dome. The permanent collection will include 300 exhibits, which will be complemented by around 350 masterpieces on loan from 13 French institutions including works by Da Vinci, Monet, Van Gough and Matisse.

In line with Abu Dhabi’s efforts to raise awareness of cultural sites of historical significance, the pavilion will showcase the enhanced visitor experience at the Al Ain Oasis, the UAE’s first UNESCO World Heritage site. Visitors can now use interpretive tools to better understand the oasis’ ecosystem, its historic evolution, and its significance for Abu Dhabi’s heritage and civilisation while touring this 4,000-year old settlement.  

The pavilion will also see a series of entertainment and performances to help event visitors and consumers get a first-hand experience of Abu Dhabi’s many cultural attractions, including live cooking shows to promote Emirati cuisine, as well as a special corner dedicated to artisans showcasing their handicrafts skills transferred and preserved across generations. Visitors will also be entertained with traditional Al Ayala dances accompanied with Emirati music, providing visitors with an immersive experience into the innovation and creativity of the old Emirati generations.

About The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi:

The Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction that enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike.  The Department manages the emirate’s tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment.  Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Zayed National Museum and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.  The Department of Culture and Tourism supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate’s heritage.  A key role played by the Department is to create synergy in the destination’s development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.  

http://tcaabudhabi.ae/en