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Capital in bid to woo tourists from Britain

The office will be officially inaugurated by Shaikh Sultan bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, ADTA Chairman.

"The office will strengthen marketing and promotional efforts and help get a larger share of European travel and tourism market to Abu Dhabi by promoting the assets of the emirate in Europe, starting from London," said Shaikh Sultan.

He added that the step taken by ADTA was in line with the directives of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the guidelines of General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to develop the tourism sector in Abu Dhabi.

The official opening will be attended by representatives of major British tour operators, editors and other tourism and business related VIP guests. Important guests from other European countries are also expected to attend the opening.

The ADTA office in London will coordinate with British tour operators and provide them with the programmes and activities to be held in Abu Dhabi.

"A dedicated telephone inquiry service will be set up to answer queries on tourism activities in Abu Dhabi from tour operators and members of the public," disclosed Shaikh Sultan.

He said the office would organise visits by journalists wishing to see Abu Dhabi, and provide European travel and tourism media organisations with reports and publications on Abu Dhabi activities. The office will also play its role in preparing for ADTA's participation in travel and trade shows and conferences in Europe, as well as in promoting Abu Dhabi as a conference industry destination, a priority area that ADTA is expected to focus on in the near future.

Mubarak Hamad Al Muhairi, Director-General of ADTA, said the authority's plan was to make its presence felt in various markets, with a special focus on the European market. The authority was planning to open new offices in EU countries.

"We are determined to strengthen Abu Dhabi's position on the world tourism map, and to send a strong message to the tourism sector, generally, and to the private sector, in particular, that Abu Dhabi is moving ahead with ambitious plans to develop the tourism industry in Abu Dhabi and the UAE in general, which have great assets making the country a top destination," he underlined.

Abu Dhabi hotels received more than 100,000 guests last year from the UK market, said Al Muhairi, adding that with the opening of the new office, the number is expected to rise as efforts get underway to promote the emirate further.

He said the presence of representatives of the private sector in Abu Dhabi's tourism industry at overseas exhibitions had bolstered efforts aimed at showcasing Abu Dhabi tourism products and potential to the world and getting a good chunk of the business from international players.

The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority took part in six international exhibitions last year, and its presence at world-class shows has definitely paid dividends, said Al Muhairi.

Abu Dhabi was extensively promoted overseas, and many hotels and tour operators signed contracts to attract tourists throughout the year, he pointed out.

Abu Dhabi also won the Best Pavilion award at the World Travel Market in London in December last year, as well as the best media coverage at both London and Barcelona exhibitions.

"We are confident that the office in London will help intensify efforts to promote Abu Dhabi internationally and create stronger ties with UK and other European countries," Al Muhairi said.

The UK market has been strategically targeted as the first in a series of international ADTA offices to be opened around the world.

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