Indian tour operators are reaching for further engagement with Abu Dhabi-based destination management companies (DMC) to help package the emirate as a holiday destination for Indian travellers.

Over 60 enquiries were received by Abu Dhabi tourism representatives and industry stakeholders who took part this week in New Delhi’s SATTE tourism exhibition where Abu Dhabi had its biggest Indian pavilion to date.

"We are increasingly receiving enquiries for holidays and honeymoons in Abu Dhabi and we are looking to meet with more Abu Dhabi-based DMCs to help us promote and package the destination,” said Parvesh Chugh, managing partner, We Make Holidays.

“We have previously dealt with Dubai-based agencies but now that the demand for longer stays in Abu Dhabi is getting higher, we would like to explore more package options.”

DBA&Sons and Al Masaood Holidays, two of Abu Dhabi’s leading inbound tour operators, received a number of enquiries from Indian outbound tour operators looking for guidance to help package the destination and from agencies looking for representation in the emirate.

"We have met many companies looking for representation in Abu Dhabi during SATTE, we will carefully study them and hopefully sign a few contracts in the near future", said DBA & Sons’ Lubna Ali.

Al Masaood Holidays’ Ramesh Brahmanandan described the exhibition as a good sales lead generator: “We had productive meetings and have gathered pretty good leads which we will follow-up on upon our return to Abu Dhabi.”

Abu Dhabi's proximity to India, its diverse product offering along with the increased connectivity with Indian cities through Etihad Airways, which currently operates 52 weekly flights to Abu Dhabi from eight Indian cities, attracted interest for repeat visits from Indian tourists.

"There is a lot of excitement surrounding Abu Dhabi, many Indians have already visited the UAE and would like to go again and again and discover a new aspect of the country and we believe Abu Dhabi can offer that," said Jatin Chandok, assistant manager Operations, TSI Travel Services.

Golf tourism is also major area of growth for Abu Dhabi’s inbound tourism from India The emirate, which boasts three championship-ready courses within a 25 kilometre radius, was recently named ‘Golf Destination Of The Year Africa & Gulf States 2012’ at the prestigious International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) awards.

“Indian golfers are always looking for new courses to play, and Abu Dhabi has one of world’s best and most diverse golf offerings,” said Gaurav Dogra, chairman, Plan Your Holiday.

Abu Dhabi’s picturesque landscape also received its share of interest from Indian film producers who visited the stand to enquire about filming locations and honeymoon resorts in the emirate.

“Abu Dhabi is a highly photogenic destination and diverse with its modern structures as well as its rich heritage, desert landscapes and beach stretches, it makes the ideal setting for movie filming or even lavish weddings and exotic honeymoons,” said Aditya Bhat, founder of the Mumbai-based Business Of Ideas. – TradeArabia News Service