Total to touch 1.9 million in 2011
Abu Dhabi is poised to open more lucrative business opportunities for the hospitality sector after the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) disclosed that some 1.9 million hotel guests are expected to visit the emirate in 2011, representing a 15 per cent increase from 2010.
The robust growth forecast has driven major hotel developments in Abu Dhabi, while encouraging collaboration between key industry players such as hotel chains, travel agencies, tour operators and airlines in a bid to capture a bigger share of the steadily expanding tourism market, said an official release from Cristal Hotels and Resorts that is set to open its property early next year.
The company has revealed that it will be opening the Cristal Salam Hotel in Abu Dhabi during the first quarter of 2011, as part of a long-term strategy to capitalise on the strong growth potential of Abu Dhabi.
In line with its growth plans in the UAE capital, Cristal Hotels had also revealed recently that it has signed a contract to be the new partner of Etihad Guest, the award-winning loyalty programme from Etihad Airways, providing a wide range of exclusive privileges to Etihad Guest's 850,000-plus members.
"Abu Dhabi has enormous growth potential because of the emirate's expanding economic activity and increasing influx of tourists and investors, as manifested by the positive growth forecast of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. We believe that our success in Abu Dhabi will provide the momentum to strengthen our expansion programs in other high-growth markets across the region," said Peter Blackburn, CEO, Cristal Hotels and Resorts.
© Emirates 24|7 2010
