GIBTM hosted buyers tip Abu Dhabi as major mice destination

Some 120 major international buyers were hosted at the show - the largest in the annual series - and were given a fact-finding 'Abu Dhabi Day' introduction to the destination by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.

And from West to East, buyers interviewed after the familiarisation - all making their first trip to Abu Dhabi - were unanimous in their opinion that the destination, the largest of seven emirates which make up the United Arab Emirates, and home to the country's capital city, is 'The Happening Place For Business Tourism.'

For French buyer François-Xavier Morel, news of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum and Louvre Abu Dhabi planned for the UAE capital's emerging Saadiyat Island destination, was the visit's highlight.

"These will make an enormous amount of difference to our ability to attract European clients here - I was really excited to see the plans in detail. I also found the people here very helpful and was impressed by the safety of the destination - which is a big factor in attracting tourism business these days.

"Abu Dhabi was completely different to what I had originally imagined - and much better than I could have imagined. I felt very comfortable here, I could take a walk at night and feel secure and the hotels were very good. I will be taking a very positive message back with me. It is definitely a business tourism destination in the making," he said.

Zachary Low, Business Development Director of Singapore's Silver Bullet event management company, admitted his "preconceptions" of the destination had been all but been shattered by his visit.

"I was very pleasantly surprised," he said. "I was thrilled by the weather - it wasn't too hot, and the people were extremely hospitable.

"Realistically Abu Dhabi could become an international meetings centre though there needs to be more education about it. I was impressed by the diversity it offers. It has the culture and heritage appeal that Asian clients look for and is a great mix of the modern and history. Its commitment to religious tolerance will also be a great plus point for it."

Heather Douglas of Canada's Maritz also owned up to having misconceptions of the destination overturned by the visit.

"I had some notions on what it would be like - and it turned out to be totally different. The tour of the Grand mosque, for instance, was truly amazing - it is without doubt one of the loveliest buildings I have seen anywhere. The destination offered much more than I had ever anticipated and it has definite potential for incentives and conferences with absolutely first-class facilities. It is a destination for meetings clients who are looking for more exotic experiences - it is going to turn a lot of heads," she forecast.

For Karen Soo, CEO of Kuala Lumpur's CommunicationOne events organising company the visit - her first to the Middle East - proved something of an eye-opening.

"It's a destination for high achievers and has a great deal for people to see - the desert, the greenery - it is almost a new meetings frontier. I can see it appeal to a wide variety of industry sectors. And, with it being only seven hours away from Asia, I can see it competing well with Europe. It also has the advantage of being a Muslim country which will add a touch of comfort zone for visitors from Malaysia," she said.

And for USA buyers Dianne Devitt and Pamela Lothringer the trip was one they'll never forget.

"I didn't know what to expect when I came but I now feel exhilarated by it," said Dianne, who lectures at New York University in the creative structuring of meetings and events. "It has truly deepened my appreciation of the Arab culture and the city and the planned museums on Saadiyat Island are going to add to this experience.

"This destination has a major future as a world meetings centre. It has first-class restaurants and hotels and a service level many other places have lost, if they ever had it in the first place. The message I'll be taking home is don't let cultural differences get in the way of coming and embracing the Abu Dhabi experience."

Texan Pamela, the Director Corporate Travel & Meetings Department of The Clinical Advantage confessed she's now among Abu Dhabi's biggest fans.

"I was a little worried at first about the trip but from the minute I flew with Etihad, where the service was beautiful and polished and the food outstanding, I felt highly reassured.

"It has been a very positive experience - learning about the food, about the faith, visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, going dune bashing and sand skiing - I think it has it all.

"We have learnt about the culture and experienced it and is it is totally reassuring. This destination can get business from America because many Americans want to explore new frontiers and Abu Dhabi has a mysteriousness about it which will intrigue them. It also has the best customer service I've seen anywhere and I travel 38 weeks each year!"