Abu Dhabi recorded a 37 per cent increase in the number of visitors from the United States during 2014 as against the previous year, a top official said, adding that that the US was the Emirate’s fourth largest international market.

“There are currently 45 flights a week to Abu Dhabi from Washington DC, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Dallas/Ft. Worth operated by our national airline Etihad Airways, so there are already excellent air links,” added Mubarak Al Nuaimi, director of Promotions and Overseas Offices, at Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).

He was speaking with reference to a delegation arriving in Abu Dhabi from the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) later this month for a 10-day fact-finding mission to learn more about the wide array of cultural and recreational attractions in the emirate and across the UAE.

Members of USTOA, a professional trade organisation headquartered in New York, represent some of the leading names in travel and tourism and account for a sizeable portion of the tour operator market in North America.

The 40-strong party will be in the country from March 19 to 29 for its Board of Directors 2015 Out-of-Country Meeting in Abu Dhabi.

Delegates will experience the culture and heritage of the emirate with visits to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - one of the most important architectural treasures of contemporary UAE society capable of housing more than 41,000 worshippers - and take an extensive look at the evolving Saadiyat Island Cultural District including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.

USTOA members will also visit the heritage heartland of Al Ain, also known as the Oasis City, taking in Al Jahili Fort, one of the country’s most historic buildings, a visit to Al Ain Palace Museum - the former home of the late UAE founder Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan -and a tour of Al Ain oasis whilst also exploring the stunning desert scenery of Liwa.

They will also head to Abu Dhabi’s entertainment district of Yas Island to visit the Yas Marina Circuit, home to the annual Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Waterworld and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.

Terry Dale, president and CEO of USTOA, which was founded in 1972, said: “We are honoured and thrilled to bring the USTOA out-of-county board meeting to Abu Dhabi. Our membership, comprised of the leading tour operators from the United States, has long felt that Abu Dhabi represents a huge market potential for both the US and our host country. This opportunity to showcase all of their assets will deliver great returns for our partner and friend."

Delegates, who will also tour Dubai, will be hosted by a number of the emirate’s leading five-star hotels including St. Regis Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara and Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi.

“Last year saw 123,196 guest arrivals from the United States, generating 609,556 guest nights making American visitors one of our longest stayers with an average length of stay of just under five nights,” added Al Nuaimi.

 “We would like them to stay longer and discover the whole of Abu Dhabi, and our hosting of this influential delegation will demonstrate a world-class destination with first-class hotels, highly competitive room rates and a rich diversity of cultures and attractions.

“I’m sure our profile in the US will be raised even higher this year with the release of the latest Star Wars installment and Furious 7, both of which feature Abu Dhabi,” he concluded. – TradeArabia News Service