The French National Travel Agents Association (SNAV – Ile de France) has identified Abu Dhabi as an emerging international leisure destination following the staging of its annual convention in the emirate.

Some 180 agents – representing key influencers within the French travel industry community – attended the convention at the five-star Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara in Abu Dhabi’s stunning Liwa Desert.

The delegation then visited some of the major attractions in the UAE capital including the iconic Yas Hotel – the only hotel in the world straddling a Formula 1 race track – and the Saadiyat Island Cultural District exhibition in Emirates Palace, one of the world’s most opulent hotels.

They also visited Ferrari World, the world’s largest indoor theme park due to open on October 28 and took in a guided tour of the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

As the convention concluded with a glittering gala dinner hosted by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) in an Emirates Palace ballroom, SNAV’s president Michelle Herbaut spoke of the destination’s potential and the business opportunities it holds out for the French travel trade.

'Abu Dhabi has been known as a business destination but this is clearly changing – the attractions which have come on line, and are coming on line alter the dynamics. This is an international leisure destination in the making which will resonate well with our clients who are looking for new experiences,' noted Michelle Herbaut.

'We now have the knowledge to go back and sell a destination which will witness an obvious upturn in French tourist arrivals, particularly as the Louvre Abu Dhabi moves towards its opening,” she added.

The dinner was attended by Alain Azouaou, the French ambassador to the UAE who said growth in two-way tourism between the Republic and Abu Dhabi are set to develop with enhanced air links provided by Etihad, the national airline of the UAE, and Air France, which began non-stop services to the UAE capital earlier this month.

Welcoming the delegation to Abu Dhabi, ADTA’s administration director, Khaled Al Hashemi said the number of French nationals staying in hotels in the emirate was on the increase.

“In the first quarter, the number of French hotel guests we received rose by one per cent to to 10,230 compared to the same period last year. While the increase is aa meagre one, it is still heading in the right direction in what has been a challenging time,' he noted.

'We believe the strengthening relationship with the French travel trade can build on this solid foundation and that together we can keep the momentum going,” Al Hashemi added.-TradeArabia News Service