Abu Dhabi mounts its largest ITB Berlin delegation

Abu Dhabi's product line up at the pavilion is 10% bigger than last year and comprises hotels, transport providers and tour operators.

The powerful promotion comes as Germany ranks fourth in Abu Dhabi's international hotel guest league with Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) looking to strengthen the destination's hold on Europe's biggest outbound market. Some 59,670 German nationals were among Abu Dhabi's 1.54 million hotel guests last year - a combined total which grew by two percent on 2008. They stayed in the emirate's hotel inventory of 17,500 rooms - 3,000 more than 2008 and which is set to grow by a further 5,000 this year.

"We have a much larger attractions, accommodation and events offering in Abu Dhabi than this time last year," said Mubarak Al Nuaimi, International Promotions Manager, ADTA. "From stunning desert retreats, to city centre business hotels, waterfront resorts and ocean golf courses, the line-up holds out significant new business opportunities for the German trade and travelling public.

Al Nuaimi added, "Newcomers to our ITB Berlin line-up include Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort and more than five new deluxe properties that have opened in Abu Dhabi. Our expanded product line up will also enable us to build our leisure proposition, which currently accounts for 20% of all guests stays, while continuing to capture the lucrative business tourism sector."

"Germany will play a significant role in our aim of increasing hotel guest numbers by 10% this year," he added.

ITB visitors will also be updated on the emirate's expanding portfolio of world-class events including Rally Abu Dhabi, which will take place later this year as a World Rally Championship candidature event and the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which takes place on the Yas Marina Circuit on November 14.

ADTA is planning a major media and trade briefing at ITB Berlin to outline details of a campaign aimed at delivering 1.65 million hotel guests to the emirate by the end of this year.