Abu Dhabi Eyes More Indian Tourists In 2013

Abu Dhabi is holding a five-city road show across India in January 2013 in a bid to increase tourists from the Asian country, the emirate’s Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA) has announced. India is currently the Abu Dhabi’s second largest international hotel-guest source market.

The tourism will lead a 12-member industry delegation across the cities of New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai from January 7-11.

“This is the first time we have included Ahmedabad and this is to leverage the recent launch, by Etihad Airways, of a daily flight from this largest Gujarat city to Abu Dhabi,” said Mubarak Al Nuaimi, International Promotions manager, TCA Abu Dhabi.

The road-show will promote Abu Dhabi as a wedding destination and will also seek to attract business guests, TCA said.

In the first 11 months of the year, around 125,180 Indian guests stayed in Abu Dhabi’s hotels and hotel apartments – a 30 per cent year-on-year increase. They also accounted for 496,581 guest nights, 34 per cent higher compared to the same period last year, said TCA Abu Dhabi.

“Improving air access is key to the Indian market and now with Abu Dhabi receiving 124 flights a week from the country, we have capacity to leverage,” said Al Nuaimi.

“We also have major events which will appeal to the Indian market most notably January’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and February’s Gourmet Abu Dhabi culinary festival.

“So far we have taken the pulse of the Indian market by taking part in exhibitions and road shows – now we are upping the stakes with a plan for full-time, on-the-ground representation and increasing in-country promotions,” added Al Nuaimi.