Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and 31 of its key stakeholders will be out in force at this year’s World Travel Market (WTM) with 82 product lines to engage the international tourism industry.

“Many of these products are brand new to the market and hence hold out new business opportunities for our expanding industry partner base,” said Jasem Al Darmaki, deputy director general, TCA Abu Dhabi.

WTM will be held from November 4-7 at ExCel London.

“We will be promoting our destination at large, focusing on the theme that there is so much more to see and do in our emirate than ever – which is true given the slew of new resorts, hotels, attractions and tours which have been introduced since the last WTM. We are looking to engage new trade partners with our destination and to update those we already have relationships with, hoping to galvanise them into greater packaging solutions.

“One area of particular focus for us will be the packaging around the 2014/2015 Christmas and New Year hosting of the Volvo Ocean Race at Abu Dhabi’s purpose-built Destination Village on our stunning Corniche. We will have a fortnight of races, concerts, entertainment and celebration of all things nautical and it will make Abu Dhabi THE place to be at the close of 2014 and for the arrival of 2015.”

TCA will also be promoting its 2014 calendar of major events and its www.abudhabievents.ae portal.

Yas Island, Abu Dhabi’s entertainment destination, will be promoting the latest expansion of its Yas Marina area, which includes new shops and F&B outlets to make the marina a waterfront destination in its own right. It will also promote Yas Mall – which will be Abu Dhabi’s biggest shopping complex when it opens next year with 450 shops and parking for up to 10,000 cars.

Last year Yas Island received over three million visitors and its management believes some four million will visit the island by the end of this year.

“During the four-day event, visitors can expect a great selection of activities at the Yas Island stand,” said Karim El Guanaini, vice president, Yas Island Destination Management. “These will showcase the excitement and entertainment one can expect when visiting any of the attractions on Yas Island. Visitors should look out for the interactive photo booth which will transform their expressions as if they were going 240 kilometres an hour in under five seconds on the Formula Rossa roller coaster at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi or as they explore the legend of the lost pearl at Yas Waterworld. We’ll have great social media competitions so visitors get a chance to win a grand prize to be announced on the last day of WTM.” – TradeArabia News Service