Abu Dhabi, 20Feb., 2005 (WAM)-- Abu Dhabi's leading hospitality group Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH) will attend this year's Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME) to be held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre in Australia from February 22-23, a press release from the company said.

"Our participation in the AIME plays an important role in establishing Abu Dhabi as an important MICE destination in the Middle East region," Khalifa Nasser Bin Huwaileel Al Mansoori, Chairman of ADNH, said.

"We have already received a great response from the Australian tourism industry with 168 meetings already scheduled during the two day event. AIME will generate awareness of the UAE's diverse and unique offerings for both business and leisure and its first-class facilities and warm Arabian hospitality," Mansoori added.

AIME 2005 is set to provide ADNH many valuable opportunities to network with key travel decision-makers and to learn of the latest industry developments. This year, the event is expected to be the largest to date, welcoming a record 800 exhibitors from 45 countries, 425 hosted buyers, and 2,800 visitors.

"Our role is to build the image of Abu Dhabi not only locally and regionally, but on the global stage, too. That's why we are giving maximum importance to attending all major international exhibitions," said Ali Al Hosani, Tourism Division Manager at Sunshine Tours.

"ADNH enjoyed a 14 per cent increase in profits to Dh172 million for the first nine months of 2004, compared to Dh151 million for the same period the previous year. Our Al Diar Hotels operation consistently achieved high occupancies of around 90 per cent in 2004. Abu Dhabi is developing rapidly, and ADNH will continue to promote the capital as a first choice destination for both business and leisure." Abu Dhabi National Hotels was established more than 20 years ago. Since then, it has grown in both size and diversity into a quality, broad-based Hotel, Tourism, Transport and Catering Group.

ADNH interests include 3, 4 and 5 star hotels in addition to 'Sunshine Tours' and its transportation business 'Al Ghazal'. In addition, ADNH has a Joint Venture with the renowned international catering and services company 'Compass', covering their respective catering operations throughout the Middle East under the banner 'ADNH Compass'.