Riyadh Travel Fair An 11-strong Abu Dhabi tourism delegation is heading to the Saudi Arabian capital next week to take part in the Riyadh Travel Fair ? the Kingdom?s largest consumer travel show, which runs from April 15th-18th, as the destination looks to build on increasing arrivals from the country and an uplift in air access.
The delegation ? led by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) - includes hotels, resorts, the emirate?s entertainment destination of Yas Island, a destination management company and Etihad Airways , the U.A.E.?s award-winning national airline.
In the first two months of this year, some 15,502 Saudi Arabians checked into Abu Dhabi?s hotels and hotel apartments, which was a 26% rise on January and February 2013. In all, Saudi Arabian arrivals delivered 35,051 guest nights which climbed 29% year-on-year with the guests staying on average just over two nights.
"Saudi Arabia is the most productive of the GCC markets for us and is now our seventh largest international source market," explained Mubarak Al Shamisi, Country Manager, Saudi Arabia, TCA Abu Dhabi. "We believe we can build both the number of Saudi visitors and convince them to extend their length of stay. With Etihad Airways having recently launched daily flights between Al Medina and Abu Dhabi, an additional 1,904 seats a week has been added to the air lift capacity to the U.A.E. capital." Etihad?s new Medina-Abu Dhabi route takes the number of flights a week from Saudi Arabia to Abu Dhabi International to 68 from four destinations: Dammam, Riyadh, Jeddah and Medina.
"We are well provided for in terms of air capacity through services from both Etihad and Saudi Arabian Airlines," explained Al Shamisi.
Source: WAM