EMIRATE EYES UKRAINE
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and TUI Group brought a group of travel and tourism journalists from the Ukraine to the UAE capital to highlight Abu Dhabi’s leisure attractions to the Ukrainian market.
TUI Group, one of the leading tour advisors in the region, liaised with TCA Abu Dhabi in promoting Abu Dhabi as a top travel destination, with the Ukrainian market having grown approximately 25 per cent in the last year, with visitor numbers continuing to rise.
Leading Ukrainian journalists were given a tour of the capital to showcase a variety of tourist attractions, from historical and cultural spots to the leading leisure and adventure attractions. As part of the tour, the group experienced the fastest roller-coaster in the world at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, learned about the cultural importance of falcons at the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, were given a tour of the beautiful Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque which was named the world’s second favourite landmark by Trip Advisor in 2016, and visited Warehouse421, a gallery in Mina Zayed port.
JULY NUMBERS EXCITE
Abu Dhabi achieved a 4 per cent uplift in hotel guests in July 2017, compared to July 2016, with almost 400,000 guests pushing the cumulative total for the first seven months of the year to over 2.6 million, maintaining a growth of 7 per cent on the year, according to figures released by TCA Abu Dhabi.
The latest TCA Abu Dhabi report shows that 396,548 guests checked into the emirate’s 164 hotels and hotel apartments in July delivering 928,502 guest nights. Hotel revenues for the month were $89 million from a total of almost 33,000 available rooms.
All three regions of the Emirate – Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain and Al Dhafra – posted guest arrival increases on the back of strong domestic tourism visitors from within the UAE, with these 138,273 arrivals accounting for 35 per cent of all monthly visits. Double-digit growth from key tier one markets of the UK and USA, up 28.5 per cent and 20 per cent respectively, reflect an upsurge in summer demand, with China’s phenomenal expansion continuing unabated, posting a monthly comparable increase of 87 per cent.
China continues its charge as the leading international source market. For the year-to-date, 213,000 Chinese have stayed in Abu Dhabi’s hotels, representing a 59 per cent increase.
India is the emirate’s second largest overseas market with 192,000 Indians checking into Abu Dhabi from January to July, which is an increase of 7 per cent year-on-year. Guests from the UK remain in third, with 136,000 Britons arriving, reflecting a 5.5 per cent growth rate, with British guests continuing to be one of the longest stayers, staying on average, 3.7 nights.
VIP TERMINAL PARTNERSHIP
Abu Dhabi Airports’ VIP Terminal, operated by National Aviation Services (NAS), the fastest growing aviation services provider in the emerging markets, signed a partnership agreement with Al Hilal Bank in Abu Dhabi, a progressive Islamic bank, to provide exclusive VIP Terminal access at Abu Dhabi International Airport to top-ranking customers.
The VIP Terminal offers a luxurious ambience for passengers arriving, departing or transiting through Abu Dhabi International Airport. With its elegant décor, multiple lounge areas, large selection of hot and cold foods, restrooms with showers, Wi-Fi zones, kids’ playroom, prayer room, smoking area and a variety of other entertainment facilities, it provides the perfect place to relax and unwind from the stress of traveling. The VIP Terminal offer is subject to terms and conditions.
Accompanied by the Diamond Pass meet and assist service, private road access to the terminal gate and luxury cars to ride in, the VIP Terminal is truly exclusive.