Abu Dhabi participates at IMEX 2007 in Frankfurt

Curtain will come down at the show on April 19th. IMEX is the essential worldwide exhibition for meetings and incentive travel.
The emirate is represented by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, ADTA, which is leading a 16-member strong delegation comprising major players in the tourism industry in Abu Dhabi.

"ADTA's participation at IMEX is part of our efforts to showcase our potentials at global forums. This participation is in line with the massive tourism projects that are now in the pipeline. It is also part of the efforts to transform tourism as a major non-oil source of income", said Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, ADTA Chairman.

Sheikh Sultan added that the emirate was rapidly galvanizing tourists and investors, a fact underscored by high occupancy rate in Abu Dhabi hotels.

He noted that Abu Dhabi recently played host to the first Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition GIBTM, staking a strong claim as a good tourism event organizer and also a first-choice tourist destination.

For his part, ADTA General Director General Mubarak Al Mahairi said the tourism promotion body was committed to strengthening its presence abroad. The European markets, he said, remain a prime target, although the emirate made strong inroads recently. The European market, in addition to Japan , constitutes the top 10 markets for Abu Dhabi.

"The vast majority of visitors come from the UK, accounting for 8.8%, followed by the Germans with 8% and then the Americans.

Last year, visitors from the UK totaled 118,000 while Germans numbered 107,000 and Americans 25,600", said Al Mahairi.

On the occupancy rate in Abu Dhabi hotels, Al Mahairi said it hit 84.4% last year as compared to 78.4% in the previous year. It is currently achieving a growth rate of 7.6%. The total number of visitors to Abu Dhabi stood at 1.345 million, a growth of 12% as compared to the year 2005.

The ADTA pavilion at IMEX comprises several resorts and hotels, notably Al Raha Beach, Abu Dhabi Intercontinental, ADNEC, Al Masood Travels, Emirates Palace Hotel, Le Royal Meridian, Sheraton Hotels and Resort, Jebl Hafit in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Rotana, Abu Dhabi Hilton and many others.