Abu Dhabi the new tourist hub is about the endeavors made by the authorities in Abu Dhabi to make this capital city the most sought out destination for tourists. Abu Dhabi is trying hard to make a mark in the tourism map of the world by improving the airport facilities, air line connectivity and offering more five star hotels.
Sultan Al Mutawa Al Dhaheri, Director of Tourism Ecosystem, Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority said that tourism is the main focus of Abu Dhabi’s 2030 vision and plan. He added that the main aim is to develop and maintain sustainable tourism and to take Abu Dhabi to the covetous position of world’s most favourite tourist hub. Sultan Al Mutawa Al Dhaheri was addressing the media on the occasion of the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Global Summit last week.
He discussed the steps taken by the authorities of Abu Dhabi to make it a favorite tourism destination. Steps are taken to increase the accessibility to UAE. Investments have been made on expanding the international destinations of Etihad and on airport expansion. Steps are also taken to establish various tourist attractions in Abu Dhabi that cater to the needs of all the segments of global tourists.
Al Dhaheri also said that the aim of the tourism department this year is to attract about 2.5 million tourists which is a boost up in the number of tourists when compared to the 2.3 million who visited Abu Dhabi during 2012 and 2.1 million in 2013.
He stated that the key focus of the tourism authorities are basically United States, Austria, Italy, France, Saudi Arabia, India, China and Russia. He added that Abu Dhabi is trying to expand the emirate’s presence in various countries by opening up offices and conducting road shows and exhibitions in foreign countries across the world.
The initiative taken by the government to scale up great heights in the tourism industry is supported by the expansion of existing infrastructure and developing new mid field terminal at the Abu Dhabi International airport that can hold up more than double passenger capacity by 2017.
Abu Dhabi is also trying to meet the increasing residential and commercial needs by developing more hotels in the area. New hotels that are coming up in the area include Rosewood Abu Dhabi and Four Seasons in the Al Maryah Islands.
While addressing the open session of the global summit Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority said that Abu Dhabi has started its tourism journey only nine years back. Since then it has achieved great progress in the tourism sector. He added that hospitality is in the blood of Abu Dhabi. It is a part of the past and will make great contributions to the future of the tourism industry.
The two day global summit is jointly organized by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and Etihad. The summit was attended by about 1000 international leaders in the industry. The key note speaker in the event was Bill Clinton, the former American President the Founder of William J Clinton Foundation.
