ADTA invites ICCA President Leigh Harry to speak on value of business tourism

Notes and media contacts

About ICCA
ICCA's network of suppliers to the international meetings industry spans the globe, with members in 80 countries. All companies and organisations which have a strategic commitment to provide top quality products and services for international meetings should consider ICCA membership as part of their long term plans.

International meeting planners can rely on the ICCA network to find solutions for all their event objectives: venue selection; technical advice; assistance with delegate transportation; full convention planning or ad hoc services. ICCA members represent the top destinations worldwide, and the most experienced specialist suppliers.

International meeting planners can rely on the ICCA network to find solutions for all their event objectives: venue selection; technical advice; assistance with delegate transportation; full convention planning or ad hoc services. ICCA members represent the top destinations worldwide, and the most experienced specialist suppliers.

ICCA was founded in 1963 by a group of travel agents. Their first and foremost aim was to evaluate practical ways to get the travel industry involved in the rapidly expanding market of international meetings and to exchange actual information related to their operations in this market. This initiative soon proved to have been taken at the right moment: the meeting industry expanded even more rapidly than foreseen. As a result of which candidates from all over the world applied for ICCA membership. Not only congress travel agents but representatives from all the various sectors of the meetings industry.

ICCA now is one of the most prominent organisations in the world of international meetings. It is the only association that comprises a membership representing the main specialists in handling, transporting and accommodating international events. With over 800 members in 80 countries worldwide, it is certainly the most global organisation within the meetings industry. ICCA has offices in the Netherlands, Malaysia, U.S.A. and Uruguay.

About MICE - Business Tourism
•It stimulates economics, leads to investment, exports scientific and medical collaboration and many other multiples.
•The most profitable and viable sector of tourism
•Globally the value is estimated at US$ 672.5 billion annually.
•Is a major part of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority's (ADTA) strategy is to attract this type of business
•Significantly greater spend and higher yield than leisure visitors
•Substantial economic and other benefits and opportunities to Abu Dhabi and its stakeholders
•Fiercely competitive marketplace and becoming more so all the time
•To operate in Abu Dhabi and to benefit from this business you need to be licensed

About Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority
Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), established by Ruler's Decree in September 2004, is a statutory body with wide ranging responsibilities for building the emirate's tourism industry. Its Chairman is HH Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan and Director General is HE Mubarak Al Muhairi.

The ADTA's mandate covers three main areas:

•Destination marketing - the ADTA, both independently and in association with other public and private sector organisations in Abu Dhabi's tourism community, actively markets the destination and its attractions to the local, regional and international travel trade, media and general public

•Infrastructure and product development - the ADTA acts as the catalyst in driving and coordinating the growth and development of the emirate's tourism infrastructure, including hotels and other facilities and services. To this end, a tourism investment and development company with paid up capital of Dh100 million ($27 million) has been established

•Regulation, licensing and classification - the ADTA has primary responsibility for quality in the tourism industry and for ensuring consistently high standards in the sector.

Tourism's Role in Abu Dhabi's Development
The Government of Abu Dhabi has identified tourism a key sector in the emirate's future development. The industry is seen as a means of:
•Enhancing Abu Dhabi's international profile and reputation
•Promoting international goodwill and understanding
•Boosting economic diversification and growth
•Spreading development throughout the emirate
•Stimulating private sector business
•Facilitating structural change in the public sector
•Maintaining a clean and safe environment

For further information:

Saeed Al Tanaiji
Head of Section, Communications, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +9712 4 4440444
Fax: +9712 4496666
Mobile 050 6448998