ADAC at GIBTM 2008: Business tourism key to passenger growth

The second edition of the Meetings, Incentives, Exhibitions and Conferences (MICE) industry event - or the exhibition for the Exhibitions Industry - will be held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre (ADNEC) from 8-10 April.

Seeking to support and highlight the business tourism potential of Abu Dhabi and opportunities in the region, ADAC will take its place among the 240 exhibitors from 35 countries that will make up GIBTM 2008.

With over 2,000 buyers and trade visitors already pre-registered from the region, Asia and Europe, ADAC sources have suggested they expect the event to provide a high volume of quality business meetings and potential partnerships.

In conjunction with its support, ADAC has fittingly teamed up with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and will share a stand at the three-day event where the plans for the new airport developments will be on display.

According to ADAC, who recently announced 33% growth in passenger traffic in February, the UAE capital's passenger growth is underlined by various factors, one of which is the continued success and rapid growth of the Emirate's conference and exhibitions industry.

"Alongside the rapid and sustained growth of the UAE's national airline, Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi's conference and exhibitions industry is already one of the fastest growing MICE destinations in the Middle East - this is clear when we simply observe the changing profile of passengers through our airports," said Al Mazrouei.

"Abu Dhabi's economic stability and strategic geographical location makes it a clearly attractive destination for regional and international businesses looking to realise the potential of the Middle East markets."

"GIBTM 2008 is, therefore, a great platform from which ADAC can lend support in order that MICE professionals come to understand the clear advantages of hosting and staging business events in the UAE capital," added Al Mazrouei.

ADAC's continuing commitment to catering to increasing passenger numbers will be realised again over the next few months as Abu Dhabi International Airport looks to open the additional five-million passenger capacity Terminal 3. This will effectively allow for a near doubling in traffic by taking capacity up to 12 million passengers.