Abu Dhabi establishes $3m incentive scheme for events organisers

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism has launched an incentive scheme to encourage private sector companies to host events in the emirate.

The emirate has initially set aside Dhs10m ($2.72m) for the leisure events fund with further tranches to be made available under multiple phases.

It aims to add to the emirate’s calendar of 800 events including the Formula 1 Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi Food Festival, Abu Dhabi Golf Championship and Abu Dhabi Classics concert season.

Public and private sector partnerships for recurring events, content and programme collaborations and festivals and increasing the appeal of existing events are among the longer term objectives of the project.

The new grant is open to all entities in the retail and events industry, venues and intellectual property owners.

The initial phase is now open and will run until December 31. Applicants must submit a three-year business model including the concept, marketing approach and feasibility studies.

Interested applicants are encouraged to email [email protected].

“By incentivising private sector involvement in developing a range of events we can build on the record numbers of visitors choosing to explore the emirate,” said HE Saif Saeed Ghobash, director general, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.

“Private companies should be aware that we now have a grant to support their business investments in Abu Dhabi and can anchor the planning of their 2018 business activities as we enter into the last quarter of 2017.”

The scheme follows a financial rebate programme offered to movie producers that film their blockbusters in the emirate.

Under the film programme, Abu Dhabi has hosted the filming of Star Wars: Episode VII, Fast & Furious 7 and other Hollywood and Bollywood blockbusters.

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