Qasr al-Sarab Hotel in Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi is rolling out a whole new look at Arabian Travel Market, or ATM, theregion's biggest travel and tourism fair that runs in Dubai from May 5 to 8, in a bidto capture the increasing attention of GCC travel influencers and maintain growingvisitor numbers from its neighbouring states. Figures just released by the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, or TCA Abu Dhabi, show that in the first quarter of 2014, hotel guest arrivals from the GCC, with the exception of the UAE, rose 30 per cent on the first three months of 2013 to 58,698. GCC guests delivered 131,416 guest nights during the period — a 29 per cent uplift on last year and stayed, on average, 2.24 nights. "All five of our GCC neighbours delivered double-digit growth for our hospitality industry in Q1 with Saudi Arabia accounting for the lion's share and which now ranks as our seventh-largest international source market, with Oman and Qatar also among our top 20 at 14th and 18th place, respectively,” said Sultan Al Dhaheri, acting executive director of tourism at TCA Abu Dhabi. "Our challenge is to continue this upward trajectory and to convince GCC travellers to stay longer and explore an emirate which now offers much more to see and do.” This year's Abu Dhabi ATM pavilion has been designed to reflect the vibrancy of the emirate with a new-look summer season programme being one highlight. "Slightly larger than last year and with more partners, at 48, and 85 products, we are going all out to engage the GCC travel trade with events to be packaged around, including our new-look Abu Dhabi Summer Season, new partners to forge business links with and fresh products to sell,” said Al Dhaheri. "We are intent on intensifying our effortstobuilddestination awareness of our product within the GCC and to get across the message that there are valid reasons for staying longer in the emirate where our partners are providing exceptional facilities and services at highly affordable prices. Our current average room rate is US$133 which represents great value for money when judged alongside the standard of offering.” The new stand will highlight the revamped Abu Dhabi Summer Season, which will run from June 5 to August 31, and will be the destination's most dynamic, fun and show-packed summer to date with events including headline concerts and international show performances. Abu Dhabi's ATM pavilion features an array of exhibitors representing hotels, attractions, major events, travel agents and tour operators. "We know of three major hospitality groups that will be launching brand new resorts at ATM — one of which is a destination newcomer, another a new brand,” said Al Dhaheri. "In addition, our stakeholders are responding to demand by tailor-making products specifically for the GCC traveller and families in particular.” Jannah Hotels & Resorts, which entered the UAE capital early last year with its Eastern Mangroves Suites by Jannah, believes hotel apartments strike a particular cord with the GCC visitor. "Our new brand Andalus Hotels & Resorts will open its first property in the third quarter of this year offering four-star hotel suites in a beautiful resort setting in the heart of Abu Dhabi city,” said Kathrin Reinthaler, Jannah's worldwide marketing director. "We opened our first property at the end of the third quarter of last year; however, within this short time Eastern Mangroves Suites by Jannah has received growing demand especially from the GCC market. Our goal for this year is to become an important player in the GCC markets.” Leisure, corporate and Mice business is the key focus for Abu Dhabi at this year's ATM. The iconic Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi — the only hotel in the world to straddle a Formula 1 race track — says it is looking to the region to help achieve a 25 per cent uplift in business on last year. The five-star, beachfront Jumeirah at Etihad Towers is weighing into the seasonal campaign with its own "Summer Sensations” package for GCC nationals to be announced at ATM and featuring room rate discounts and added-value benefits.
Source: Khaleej Times