Moroccan tour operators are looking to Abu Dhabi as a potential tourism destination, following a recent trip to the emirate by a delegation of travel industry leaders.

Citing a combination of first-class infrastructure, top-class accommodation, an extensive array of attractions for the family and impressive air access, the influential Moroccan operators believe the emirate can gain a larger slice of outbound travel from the country.

The 10-strong trade delegation – guests of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and Etihad Airways - visited many of the emirate’s top attractions on their four-day visit, including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Yas Island - the emirate’s entertainment destination - for first-hand experiences of the world’s largest indoor theme park Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, the iconic Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi - the only hotel in the world to straddle a formula one race track - and Yas Mall, the emirate’s latest shopping destination.
 
“We have seen year-on-year hotel guest arrivals growth from Morocco of 40 per cent, putting the country in the top four of overseas markets showing the strongest growth,” said Mubarak Al Nuaimi, director of Promotions & Overseas Offices, TCA Abu Dhabi. “Only China, Oman and Switzerland improved more than Morocco.

“This performance persuaded us to stage an inbound familiarisation trip for the Moroccan travel trade who will help us convert further business from the country. We hope the sheer range of world-class attractions and top-level accommodation will leave a hugely positive impression.”

The delegation also explored some of the UAE capital’s other delights including Emirates Palace, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers and The Marriot Hotel as well as the World Trade Centre development. The group also visited what will be the emirates’ cultural centre – Saadiyat Island, where they took in Manarat Al Saadiyat, The St Regis Saadiyat Island as well as the Corniche Breakwater’s Heritage Village.  

The group completed their journey around the emirate with a trip to the heritage heartland of Al Ain, where they explored Al Jahili Fort, Al Ain Palace Museum, the Zaman Lawal Heritage Village and finally the hotel on the highest peak in the emirate, The Mecure Grand Jebel Hafeet.

Morocco sits in 24th place on the leaderboard of overseas markets for Abu Dhabi, attracting 18,555 visitors in 2014. According to TCA Abu Dhabi figures, that figure was up by 40 percent on 2013. Guest nights for Moroccans reached 64,634 for 2014, with the average length of stay 3.48 days. While guest nights grew by 23 per cent compared with 2013, the average length of stay dipped by 12 per cent.

“Morocco is an important market for Jannah Hotels & Resorts, and with this familiarisation trip we are able to demonstrate our unique brand attributes to the travel experts from that country,” said Nehme Imad Darwiche, CEO of Jannah Hotels & Resorts, which is hosting the Moroccan group at the newly opened Jannah Burj Al Sarab.

Further supporting the outbound travel market is Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways which operates daily flights, with its codeshare partner Royal Air Maroc, from Casablanca to Abu Dhabi International Airport, seven days a week, using Airbus A330-300 aircraft. – TradeArabia News Service