PHOTO
26 August 2015
Muscat: More Omanis are visiting Abu Dhabi than ever before, with numbers up over 15 percent compared to last year, according to an official from the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority.
The Emirate hopes to attract more Omanis and expatriates who live in Oman with its the diverse destinations that combine sea and water attractions, modern entertainment, desert spas and retreats, heritage and cultural sites and oases, said Sultan Al Mansoori, GCC Country Manager for the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority. He was in Muscat on Wednesday on a promotional tour aimed at attracting more visitors to Abu Dhabi.
"There have been over 30,000 Omanis so far this year. It's an increase of between 15 and 16 percent compared to this period last year," Al Mansoori said.
According to the recent statistics, Abu Dhabi's hotels received 30,909 hotel guests from the Sultanate during the first half of 2015, representing an increase of 15 percent compared to the same period of last year. Abu Dhabi also received more than 62,499 hotel guests from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (a 28 percent increase), 13,306 guests from Kuwait and 13,156 guests from Qatar.
Approximately 45,000 Omanis visited Abu Dhabi in 2014, and given the current rates Al Mansoori expects this number to be significantly higher.
The number of expatriates in Oman who visit Abu Dhabi is also expected to rise thanks to the new electronic visa system for the UAE. People can apply for their visas online and know if they are approved or not, he said.
"Now you are sure. You apply on line and if you get the visa you are going to come. I think this will increase the number of visitors, too," comment Al Mansoori.
Currently most visitors from Oman who visit the UAE head to Dubai, but Al Mansoori said there are many reasons to visit Abu Dhabi, and once people have been there, they will want to return again and again. He said Dubai started its tourism industry 10 years before Abu Dhabi and is also the business capital so it attracts many people, but he hoped in the future more people would consider visiting Abu Dhabi, too.
"This is our role, to tell them about Abu Dhabi and encourage them to visit us. Abu Dhabi is quieter than Dubai and good for people who want to relax. If they visit Abu Dhabi they will discover that it has specific elements and destinations which they will never see in Dubai or anywhere in the world. They need to see it to believe it to be honest," he said.
Al Mansoori said there are a number of highly anticipated events in Abu Dhabi that are expected to draw an even larger number of visitors from neighbouring GCC countries, especially for the celebratory activities scheduled for Eid Al Adha in September which will bring together a group of top-tier Arab singing stars who will grace the stages in Abu Dhabi City, Al Ain and the Western Region.
An array of cultural and heritage events will follow in October including the seventh edition of Al Ain Reads Book Show which will focus on local publishers and host preeminent Emirati writers in open discussion sessions, as well as the National Traditional Handicrafts Festival which is considered a major attraction for everyone interested in reviving traditional crafts.
In November, the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will draw regional attendees, while Abu Dhabi Art will captivate modern art enthusiasts. The return of the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival is also expected to attract people.
"Our current roadshow combines meeting with the leaders of the travel and tourism sector in the GCC and representatives of prominent media organisations in their respective countries. The meetings will focus on promoting the various upcoming cultural and art activities on Abu Dhabi's agenda in addition to calling attention to the promotional offers extended to visitors by the emirate's hotels and shopping centres," added Al Mansoori.
Muscat: More Omanis are visiting Abu Dhabi than ever before, with numbers up over 15 percent compared to last year, according to an official from the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority.
The Emirate hopes to attract more Omanis and expatriates who live in Oman with its the diverse destinations that combine sea and water attractions, modern entertainment, desert spas and retreats, heritage and cultural sites and oases, said Sultan Al Mansoori, GCC Country Manager for the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority. He was in Muscat on Wednesday on a promotional tour aimed at attracting more visitors to Abu Dhabi.
"There have been over 30,000 Omanis so far this year. It's an increase of between 15 and 16 percent compared to this period last year," Al Mansoori said.
According to the recent statistics, Abu Dhabi's hotels received 30,909 hotel guests from the Sultanate during the first half of 2015, representing an increase of 15 percent compared to the same period of last year. Abu Dhabi also received more than 62,499 hotel guests from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (a 28 percent increase), 13,306 guests from Kuwait and 13,156 guests from Qatar.
Approximately 45,000 Omanis visited Abu Dhabi in 2014, and given the current rates Al Mansoori expects this number to be significantly higher.
The number of expatriates in Oman who visit Abu Dhabi is also expected to rise thanks to the new electronic visa system for the UAE. People can apply for their visas online and know if they are approved or not, he said.
"Now you are sure. You apply on line and if you get the visa you are going to come. I think this will increase the number of visitors, too," comment Al Mansoori.
Currently most visitors from Oman who visit the UAE head to Dubai, but Al Mansoori said there are many reasons to visit Abu Dhabi, and once people have been there, they will want to return again and again. He said Dubai started its tourism industry 10 years before Abu Dhabi and is also the business capital so it attracts many people, but he hoped in the future more people would consider visiting Abu Dhabi, too.
"This is our role, to tell them about Abu Dhabi and encourage them to visit us. Abu Dhabi is quieter than Dubai and good for people who want to relax. If they visit Abu Dhabi they will discover that it has specific elements and destinations which they will never see in Dubai or anywhere in the world. They need to see it to believe it to be honest," he said.
Al Mansoori said there are a number of highly anticipated events in Abu Dhabi that are expected to draw an even larger number of visitors from neighbouring GCC countries, especially for the celebratory activities scheduled for Eid Al Adha in September which will bring together a group of top-tier Arab singing stars who will grace the stages in Abu Dhabi City, Al Ain and the Western Region.
An array of cultural and heritage events will follow in October including the seventh edition of Al Ain Reads Book Show which will focus on local publishers and host preeminent Emirati writers in open discussion sessions, as well as the National Traditional Handicrafts Festival which is considered a major attraction for everyone interested in reviving traditional crafts.
In November, the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will draw regional attendees, while Abu Dhabi Art will captivate modern art enthusiasts. The return of the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival is also expected to attract people.
"Our current roadshow combines meeting with the leaders of the travel and tourism sector in the GCC and representatives of prominent media organisations in their respective countries. The meetings will focus on promoting the various upcoming cultural and art activities on Abu Dhabi's agenda in addition to calling attention to the promotional offers extended to visitors by the emirate's hotels and shopping centres," added Al Mansoori.
© Times of Oman 2015
