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Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority conducts educational workshop on 'Business Tourism' (MICE) for the Emirates' tourism stakeholders 2006

Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority conducted a half day workshop under the title 'MICE - What's it all about?' on September 19th at the Le Royal Meriden Hotel, Abu Dhabi.
The workshop, organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, was open to key personnel of Abu Dhabi's tourism stakeholders including, other governmental organisations, tour operators, travel agents, hotels, venues and tourist attractions, conference and exhibition suppliers - over 100 people attended.

On the objectives of the workshop, Director of ADTA's Licensing and Classification Division, Mr. Nasser Al Reyami said 'Business Tourism is one of the key areas for development and opportunity in Abu Dhabi and one of our key goals at ADTA is to increase the professionalism, service standards and creativity of our destination through industry education such as this, establishment of standard ethical practices and promotion of the value of the industry.'

Key note speaker Mr. Jon Hutchinson, Chairman of the International Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus, provided a useful insight into the world of Meeting, Incentive, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE tourism) and how it will potentially impact Abu Dhabi. John has over 30 years experience in the tourism industry and is currently Managing Director of the Sydney Convention and Visitors Bureau.

'We are honoured to host Mr. Jon Hutchison in our country for this worthwhile event', said Mr Ahmed Hussein, Director of Product Development at Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority 'By facilitating industry forms such as this we are putting the building blocks and infrastructure in place so that Abu Dhabi is ready to handle Business Tourism (MICE) in the future and benefit from an industry that is globally valued at US$ 672.5 billion annually. Conference and incentive travel business is predicted to grow faster than any other tourism sector up to 2010. It stimulates economics, leads to investment, exports scientific and medical collaboration and many other multiples. MICE Business brings economic benefits to more than just the tourism stakeholders but many other organizations including transport and retail and restaurants'.

Other speakers at the workshop included Sue Howarth, of Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company, Amal Khoury, Congress Management, Gillian Taylor, ADTA's Business Tourism MICE Manager, Humaid Abdulla, ADTA's Licensing Department and the MC was Michelle Sabti, of ADTA's Tourism Training Division.

Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority has taken this opportunity to evaluate its remarkable achievements in establishing itself as a tourism destination and important player in international travel. At the same time it will commence a new era of public-private partnership in business tourism development, especially in light of ambitious plans for the forthcoming period, including infrastructure growth initiatives such as Saadiyat Island, the airport expansion and the development of the new Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

-Ends-

About MICE - Business Tourism
• It stimulates economics, leads to investment, exports scientific and medical collaboration and many other multiples.
• The most profitable and viable sector of tourism
• Globally the value is estimated at US$ 672.5 billion annually.
• Is a major part of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority's (ADTA) strategy is to attract this type of business
• Significantly greater spend and higher yield than leisure visitors
• Substantial economic and other benefits and opportunities to Abu Dhabi and its stakeholders
• Fiercely competitive marketplace and becoming more so all the time
• To operate in Abu Dhabi and to benefit from this business you need to be licensed

About Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority
Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), established by Ruler's Decree in September 2004, is a statutory body with wide ranging responsibilities for building the emirate's tourism industry. Its Chairman is HH Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan and Director General is HE Mubarak Al Muhairi.

The ADTA's mandate covers three main areas:

• Destination marketing - the ADTA, both independently and in association with other public and private sector organisations in Abu Dhabi's tourism community, actively markets the destination and its attractions to the local, regional and international travel trade, media and general public

• Infrastructure and product development the ADTA acts as the catalyst in driving and coordinating the growth and development of the emirate's tourism infrastructure, including hotels and other facilities and services. To this end, a tourism investment and development company with paid up capital of Dh100 million ($27 million) has been established

• Regulation, licensing and classification - the ADTA has primary responsibility for quality in the tourism industry and for ensuring consistently high standards in the sector.

Tourism's Role in Abu Dhabi's Development

The Government of Abu Dhabi has identified tourism a key sector in the emirate's future development. The industry is seen as a means of:

• Enhancing Abu Dhabi's international profile and reputation
• Promoting international goodwill and understanding
• Boosting economic diversification and growth
• Spreading development throughout the emirate
• Stimulating private sector business
• Facilitating structural change in the public sector
• Maintaining a clean and safe environment

For further information:
Saeed Al Tanaiji
Head of Section, Communications, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +9712 4 4440444
Fax: +9712 4496666

© Press Release 2006