The Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority’s (TCA Abu Dhabi) pavilion at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) opening in Dubai tomorrow (May 4) will feature 51 co-exhibitors and 90 Abu Dhabi product lines.

ATM runs from until May 7 at Dubai World Trade Centre.

The Abu Dhabi pavilion will include eight entities joining ATM for the first time including the ultra-luxurious Zaya Nurai Island resort, the UAE capital’s Armed Forces Officers Club and Hotel, Hili Fun City in Al Ain, The Galleria shopping mall on Al Maryah Island, Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi, Al Bada Resort in Al Ain, Emirates Park Zoo & Resort and the soon-to-launch coastal water transport ferry service, Jalboot.

Mubarak Al Nuaimi, director Promotions & Overseas Offices, TCA Abu Dhabi, said: “We are increasing our presence at this year’s ATM to reflect our growing portfolio of world-class products and year-round events across the emirate of Abu Dhabi. We are aiming to galvanise the regional travel trade to support our summer season and stimulate growth and demand in the traditionally quiet period over the summer months.

“Last year we witnessed 20 per cent growth in guest arrivals into Abu Dhabi during June, July and August over the previous year with significant increases from our target markets of the GCC, India and Europe. With our 87-day summer season stretching across the whole emirate, we anticipate both guest arrivals and hotel occupancy to further increase this year.”

The new stand will highlight the recently launched Abu Dhabi Summer Season, which will run from June 11 to September 5 and will be the destination’s most exciting and show-packed summer to date with events including headline concerts, international shows, comedy acts, children’s theatre shows and fun for all the family.


Working with major UAE event organisers, TCA Abu Dhabi is bringing 12 major events to the emirate with 63 performances across Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain and the Western Region to entertain visitors and stay-at-home residents. The events are being complemented by emirate-wide hotel offers and promotions, regular mall activations and major raffle draws.

This year’s ATM pavilion will emphasise the depth and diversity of new products across the emirate, on Yas Island and in Al Ain.

For Yas Island, demand for November’s season-ending 2015 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is expected to be at an all-time high and will be on the ATM discussion agenda, according to Al Tareq Al Ameri, CEO of Yas Marina Circuit.

“During ATM, we will not only be announcing the exciting Arabic music artist line-up for Thursday night’s after-race concert, but will also be welcoming F1 racing legend Mark Webber to the exhibition as our guest,” said Al Ameri.

“As we prepare for the seventh Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, we are aiming to ‘Go Beyond’ visitors’ expectations with a range of product developments and ticket types. This year sees the introduction of our new one-day roaming Friday ticket as well as our enhanced hospitality packages, including our 'Marsa Boxes' for corporate guests offering exclusive celebrity meet-and-greets, and some of the best views of the action.”

Al Ain will be highlighting a much-expanded product portfolio in the pavilion’s first dedicated destination area and will be represented by Hili Fun City and Al Bada Resort for the first time. Joining them for a return visit to ATM are Ayla Hotel and Al Ain National Park Zoo and Resort.

A highlight of the Abu Dhabi pavilion for 2015 is expected to be the presence of home-grown hospitality brand, Zaya Hospitality’s first island sanctuary resort, Nurai Island. Inspired by the Arabic word ‘nur’ meaning ‘light’, the resort off the coast of Saadiyat Island is billed as a private island resort and boasts 32 ultra-luxury boutique beach villas and three food and beverage outlets, together with 23 private residences and water villas and adds a unique, luxury leisure and corporate option for visiting delegates.

“Zaya Nurai Island reflects a world of barefoot luxury, where regional and international guests can relax and recharge in paradise and it is now open for business,” said Stephen Gee, the luxury resort’s Director of Operations. “Our message at ATM is that Zaya Nurai Island is no ordinary retreat; it is a stunning getaway with real personality and quirky touches whether guests choose to stay, dine, spa or play on the island.”

Also joining TCA Abu Dhabi for the first time at ATM will be Jalboot Marine Network LLC which is aiming to provide a scheduled water transport service and private and commercial boat charters in the capital later this year.

Chakib Bouayad, CEO, said: “Jalboot aims to be classified among the ‘top things to do in Abu Dhabi’. We aim to attract more tourists to the capital by offering new ways of exploring the city. At ATM, the Jalboot team plans to raise brand awareness within the travel and tourism sector in the Middle East. The team will promote the brand name Jalboot and hopefully create interest in establishing partnerships within the industry. We are a local company and the Middle East market is therefore very important for us in promoting our brand and the city of Abu Dhabi.”

Also appearing for the first time at the pavilion will be the Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel (AFOCH). Formerly a recreation complex for the UAE armed forces in Abu Dhabi, the complex is now fully open to the public and has evolved into an oasis for conferences, training, exhibitions, banquets and an all-round family destination.

Peter Freeman, deputy director general, said: “Depending on the season, we are a preferred destination for visitors from GCC countries during holidays and weekends as our guests can rely on our outstanding services, combined with our unique F&B and wide range of activities and facilities suitable for parents and children.”

“With over 25 meeting and banqueting spaces and almost 20 years of expertise, AFOCH is respected by major companies across the Middle East for meetings, training, exhibitions and team building occasions due to the possibility of combining excellent sports and recreation facilities with our 5-star accommodation,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service