Abu Dhabi to take its 'Big Picture' to Arabian Travel Market 2009

The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) is celebrating its fifth ATM appearance - coinciding with the authority's fifth anniversary year - at ATM and at 1,300 square metres the Abu Dhabi pavilion will be the show's largest - and the biggest ADTA has ever mounted with more than 40 sharing organisations.

"The sheer size of our participation reflects the fact that we believe Arabian Travel Market produces genuine business results for our destination and its partners and gives us the opportunity to demonstrate expansion within the emirate's tourism product and service base and the ongoing commitment to attaining our long-term goals,"

said Mubarak Al Nuaimi, International Promotions Manager, ADTA.

At ATM, which runs at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 5-8, is looking to secure new business partners, particularly from within the Middle East.

"Currently the Middle East produces the lion's share of our annual hotel guest stays which grew by 4% last year to 1.5m," explained Al Nuaimi.

"Our messaging is two-fold. Firstly we want to demonstrate Abu Dhabi's commitment to continue its measured growth strategy which is in line with our adoption of a long-term view of our goals, and secondly to demonstrate the expansion of the destination's product offering - this includes new and planned hotels, major new events - including November's Formula 1 Grand Prix, new attractions, such as the renovated Al Jahili Fort in Al Ain, and new golf courses including the Gary Player designed Saadiyat Beach Golf Course which will open by the end of this year."

Abu Dhabi's ATM stand will reflect the destination's diverse range of products and services - which mirrors the variety of the emirate with over 400 kilometres of magnificent coastline, 200 natural islands, breathtaking deserts, oases, cultural attractions, luxury accommodation and a commitment to building a destination which speaks to the preservation of Arabian culture and heritage.

"The Middle East, and particularly the GCC market, is extremely important to Abu Dhabi - it is a prime market on our doorstep," said Al Nuaimi. " We are fortunate in having access to the 30m plus consumers in the GCC who have a tendency to travel locally in times of uncertainty. Middle Eastern visitors will have a significant role to play in the ADTA attaining its 2012 goal of receiving 2.7m hotel guests.

"There have been many developments within Abu Dhabi's tourism profile since last year's ATM. This year alone, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority has added two major new international events to its growing major events portfolio -the Gourmet Abu Dhabi festival, which will now be held annually and the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge - again to be held annually. More are in the pipeline.

"We are also in June to implement our ground-breaking hotel and hotel apartment classification system - which has been designed in collaboration with the industry - and which will 'rate' the major accommodation suppliers. This will bring significant destination integrity to Abu Dhabi and tourism professionals will be able to have total confidence in the accommodation they recommend, knowing precisely what their referred guests can expect."