Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority conducts MICE/business tourism seminar

The seminar titled, 'MICE/Business Tourism - What is in it for you and Abu Dhabi?' aims at strengthening the strong business tourism potential offered by the UAE capital city. World-renowned business tourism professionals will be speaking on emerging trends in business tourism, and how to maximize and improve the existing opportunities of Abu Dhabi.

More than 150 of major players in the tourism and travel sector from Abu Dhabi and the region confirmed attending the event which witnesses discussions on the business tourism and its potentiality in the Emirate, and ways to contribute and make use of the emerging opportunities.

Ahmed Hussein, Deputy Director - General Tourism Operations, ADTA, said: "Business tourism is one of the emerging specializations in the tourism sector and Abu Dhabi has amazing potential in this sector. The seminar is aimed at enhancing the professionalism, effectiveness and creativity of our stakeholders in promoting business tourism through world-class industry education. The seminar will set in motion several strategies that will enable Abu Dhabi to emerge as the business tourism leader in the region."

He added:

"Business tourism is valued at US $672.5 billion annually and is a key component of all strong tourist destinations. Abu Dhabi, through its strong economic fundamentals, is a vibrant business destination and has all the parameters that position it as a business tourism destination."

Business Tourism is regarded as one of the highest yielding and most profitable inbound tourism segments because of the significantly greater visitor spend than that of the leisure or holiday visitor.

"Business Tourism is one of the key areas for development and opportunity in Abu Dhabi and it is essential that we assist our industry partners and tourism stakeholders to gain knowledge and skills so they can take advantage of the growth potentials in this dynamic sector,"

comments Director of ADTA's Licensing and Classification Department, Mr. Nasser Al Reyami.

"ADTA has adopted many high regulation standards which tremendously contribute and enhance the quality standards of tourism services in the MICE sector."

Mr Didier Scalliett, Vice President - Global Development, Meeting Professionals International (MPI), a global community of 20,500 meeting and events professionals, will address the seminar on 'The Meetings Industry and Abu Dhabi.' Mr David Hackett, CEO, BI Worldwide, a global improvement company and one of the leading global incentive houses will talk about The Incentive Travel Industry in relation to the UAE capital city.

Mr. Roger Tondeur, President, MCI Group, one of the foremost global association, communications and event management groups in the world, will discuss the concept of 'Global Associations,' and Mr. Graeme Barnett, Exhibitions Director, Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition of Reed Travel Exhibitions, will give an insight into Exhibitions and the Expectations of Buyers. The talks by the industry leaders will be followed by an information-packed discussion on the tourism sector of Abu Dhabi.