Northstar

TRAVEL WEEKLY ASIA I T B A S I A S H O W D A I L I E S www.travelweekly-asia.com 8 17 OC TOBER 2018 Tourist numbers have grown, with a record of almost 4.9 million visitors last year and already more than three million this year. According to statistics by the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi (DCT), 477,606 visitors stayed at one of the city's 162 hotels and hotel apartments. We speak to Anthony Earl Rippingale, Asia Pacific Manager, Destination Promotion Department, DCT to find out about new developments. The top reasons for Abu Dhabi's positive tourist growth are... We offer a destination of distinction with three diverse destinations for visitors in just one emirate — Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain, the emirate's heritage heartland and Al Dhafra, the emirate's western region. The 'Oasis City' of Al Ain is one of the world's oldest permanently inhabited settlements and is home to UNESCO World Heritage sites, forts and palaces, while Al Dhafra offers desert adventures on the sand dunes of the Empty Quarter and the wildlife attractions of Sir Bani Yas Island. A schedule of high-profile sporting, cultural and family-friendly events also reinforces our position as a year-round destination. The key tourism targets in the next few years are... 8.5 million tourists by 2021. With the launch of new hotel openings combined with Abu Dhabi's unique cultural archetypes, diverse natural offerings, dynamic family-leisure entertainment options and an upcoming line-up of events, we are confident of reaching this figure. To grow the city as a leading tourist destination... We collaborate closely with industry players to build Abu Dhabi's product and experience offerings in business tourism and accessibility. For leisure tourism, improving visitors' experiences is essential too. For instance, we are investing in augmented reality technology to use at Qasr Al Hosn, the most historical building in UAE, when it reopens this year to provide users with unique experiences. Our Events Bureau is also developing a pipeline of recurring private sector-led events, aiming to secure between seven and nine new multiyear, content-relevant events during peak travel periods of key source markets — the UAE, GCC, China and India. We are also fully committed to developing the Saadiyat Cultural District as a world-class cultural destination, which now includes the spectacular Louvre Abu Dhabi and soon to reopen Qasr Al Hosn. Other cultural developments include Bait Al Oud and selected developments on Sir Bani Yas Island. Increasing family entertainment offerings is also part of our plans. What niche markets are being targetted to boost arrivals? We have partnered with Adventure Travel Trade Association to launch Adventure Tourism as a new segment within the tourism sector. Medical Tourism as another area ripe for growth. In partnership with The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi this year, the capital will launch a medical tourism portal to grow the number of medical tourists visiting the UAE to benefit from world-class healthcare services as well as enjoy a relaxing recovery period. VISIT BOOTH: K05 "A schedule of high-profile sporting, cultural and family- friendly events also reinforces our position as a year-round destination." – ANTHONY EARL RIPPINGALE, ASIA PACIFIC MANAGER, DESTINATION PROMOTION DEPARTMENT, DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE AND TOURISM — ABU DHABI ABU DHABI By Audrey Ng Sports, culture and family-friendly activities add to the increasing popularity of this capital of the United Arab Emirates. HOT Numbers TOURIST ARRIVALS 2017: 4.9 million 2018: more than 3 million so far 2021: 8.5 million target WHAT'S HAPPENING NEXT • Formula One Abu Dhabi • Grand Prix • Abu Dhabi Food Festival • NYE Countdown Village NEW ATTRACTIONS • Louvre Abu Dhabi • Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi • Qasr Al Hosn PHOT0 CREDIT: ALI SULIMAN/GETTY IMAGES Abu Dhabi is an attractive MICE destination because... The Emirate is a hub for foreign direct investment and enjoys exposure to many sectors including manufacturing, construction, finance, retail and technology industries, all of which make Abu Dhabi a destination of distinction for business events and business travellers. We have secured 16 bids for events to be held in the next five years attracting over 50,000 delegates to the capital. The action heats up in Abu Dhabi is developing its cultural attractions and events to attract more tourists.

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