ADTA Targets 120 Top International Hosted Buyers During 'Abu Dhabi Day'
Abu Dhabi, UAE. 28th March, 2009: Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), the apex body which governs the emirate's long-term tourism strategy, will this week stage an 'Abu Dhabi Day' tailored programme of the emirate's diverse tourism offerings to 120 major international Hosted Buyers attending the Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meeting (GIBTM) event.
'Abu Dhabi Day 2009', which takes place on 30th March, will see 22 Emiratis from Abu Dhabi's Zayed University accompany the carefully-selected Hosted Buyer contingent on a dedicated familiarisation day tour of the emirate.
The programme is designed to enhance senior industry figures' understanding of the Abu Dhabi's expanding tourism portfolio so they're better positioned to sell the emirate to domestic corporate clients.
"The global travel and tourism business is forging fresh industry frontiers and charting new growth. In the current economic climate, Abu Dhabi is intrinsic in this growth," said Ahmed Hussein, Deputy Director General - Tourism Operations, ADTA - which is a strategic partner, supporter and host of GIBTM.
"Abu Dhabi Day is about ensuring visiting Hosted Buyers get to experience the emirate's renowned hospitality and sample Abu Dhabi's stunning variety of tourism offerings," he added.
A multi-faceted sight-seeing tour will see the Hosted Buyer parties take in Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the Emirates Palace Hotel and its Saadiyat Island Cultural District exhibition, the Yas Island development - where the country's debut Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will race in November - and either a desert safari or hotel site inspections.
The Middle East's only trade exhibition dedicated to the vital business tourism (MICE) industry, GIBTM - running from March 31st to April 2nd at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) - is being leveraged by ADTA to maximise core business opportunities.
And with some 245 key industry decision makers from 25 countries - one third coming from within the Middle East, another third from Asia and the final third from Europe - descending on the UAE capital this week, ADTA officials reiterated the vital role Emiratis play in fostering new business generation.
"We're aiming to place Emiratis in five percent of the 47,700 jobs Abu Dhabi's current tourism industry directly supports by 2012; we are currently pursuing a campaign to actively educate UAE nationals on the wide variety of career opportunities open to them because they know best how to sell the emirate," said Hussein.
GIBTM 2009 is the largest edition to date with more than 230 exhibitors, including 13 new-to-market showings from 10 countries signed-up. According to organisers, Reed Travel Exhibitions, 2,500 visitors are expected for the three-day event, making GIBTM the Gulf's biggest annual industry gathering.
Full details and registration can be found at www.gibtm.com
-Ends-
The Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM) is the leading exhibition dedicated to the Meetings, Incentive Events and Business Travel Industry in the Gulf and wider Middle East region, staged annually in the exciting and developing destination of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE.
GIBTM is ABC Audited every year to guarantee that the number of visitors promoted is completely accurate and are unique attendees only.
GIBTM brings together regional and international buyers and suppliers for three days of business, networking and professional education and aims to be the driver behind the development of the meetings industry across the region.
GIBTM forms part of the RTE portfolio of Global Meeting and Incentive Events along with EIBTM (www.eibtm.com), CIBTM (www.cibtm.com), AIBTM (www.aibtm.com) AIME (www.aime.com.au), and the ICCA Exhibition in association with the ICCA Congress (www.iccaworld.com).
Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, ADNEC, NCC and Etihad are all exclusive partners for GIBTM 2009. Meetme, published by NPI, is a global media partner and official publication for the show.
For further press information, please visit the Reed Travel Exhibitions' website on www.reedtravelexhibitions.com
Reed Exhibitions is the world's leading events organiser. In 2007 Reed brought together over six million industry professionals from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today Reed events are held in 38 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, and organised by 39 fully staffed offices.
Reed organises a wide range of events, including exhibitions, conferences, congresses and meetings. Its portfolio of over 500 events serves 47 industry sectors, including: Aerospace & aviation, automobiles, building & construction, electronics, energy, engineering, entertainment, environment, food & hospitality, gifts, healthcare, IT, jewellery, life sciences & pharmaceuticals, property, manufacturing, medical education, packaging & converting, printing & visual communication, security, sports & recreation, travel.
Working closely with professional bodies, trade associations and government departments Reed ensures that each and every event is targeted and relevant to industry needs. As a result, many Reed events are market leaders in their field.
Reed Exhibitions is part of Reed Elsevier Group plc, a FTSE-100 company and world-leading publisher and information provider. In 2006, Reed Elsevier made adjusted profit before taxation of £1,052 million on turnover of £5,398 million.
GIBTM will again be working in partnership with MPI's Gulf Meetings and Events Conference taking place in Abu Dhabi, 28-29 March 2009. The two events form the Gulf Meetings Week providing a week long platform for education, networking and marketplace development.
Etihad Airways is the exclusive official airline for GIBTM 2009. The Abu Dhabi-based airline is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates based in the UAE's capital, Abu Dhabi. Currently Etihad offers flights to 50 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia. Etihad has been appointed official carrier for GIBTM until 2011. For further details: Etihad Airways Corporate Communications: Tel: + 971 (0) 2 505 8317 / 8573 visit www.etihadmediacentre.com
For further information:
Sam Dulka,
MCS/Action, UAE.
Tel: + 971 4 390 2960;
fax: +9714 390 8161.
Email: sam.d@actionprgroup.com
GIBTM Website: www.gibtm.com
Reed Travel Exhibitions website: www.reedtravelexhibitions.com
© Press Release 2009