Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry will be in Frankfurt, Germany, this week  to promote the emirate’s evolving credentials as a leading business destination at Europe’s largest exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events.

IMEX Frankfurt 2015, which runs from May 19 to 21, is expected to draw nearly 3,500 exhibitors from 150 countries and 9,000 decision-makers from all over the world. Led by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), the delegation will comprise a 19-strong portfolio of products, including the UAE’s national airline Etihad Airways, leading hotels, destination management companies, resorts, attractions and tour operators.

“Abu Dhabi’s innovative and world-class business tourism and meetings facilities position the emirate as a destination for large-scale international conventions and association events. There are now more than 160 hotels and hotel apartments across the emirate offering 28,000 rooms at highly competitive prices,” said Mubarak Al Shamsi, director of Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau, a division of TCA Abu Dhabi.

Al Shamsi added: “There are currently 63 flights a week to Abu Dhabi from Dusseldorf, Berlin, Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Munich, and Germany is now our fourth largest provider of overseas visitors, rising 23 per cent last year on the previous 12 months. We obviously hope to build on these impressive visitor figures during our visit to IMEX Frankfurt 2015.”

Aside from traditional venues including the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the largest convention centre in the Arabian Gulf offering 12 halls, two conference halls and 20 meeting rooms, other venues abound throughout the emirate, such as a convention centre in the heart of the falcon hospital, ballrooms in beachside resorts or city centre business hotels, retreats in the tranquillity of oasis settings, stunning hideaways set in breath-taking desert surroundings and island idylls in the midst of a nature reserve.

Joining the delegation will be Farah Leisure Parks Management, the operator of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s unique Emirati-themed waterpark.

Bruno Wiley, vice president of sales, Farah Leisure, said: “Our theme parks are great venues for incentive trips and events, and we’re hoping to see more growth in this segment from the European market. We provide a range of options as well as tailor-made solutions to meet the requirements of any type of incentive trip or event; from teambuilding and beach BBQs to receptions, gala dinners and award ceremonies.”

At the Arabian Travel Market, held recently in Dubai, UAE, the company announced plans for the new Flying Aces roller-coaster, which is set to break two world records: the world’s tallest loop and steepest looping steel roller-coaster.

The luxury five-star St. Regis Abu Dhabi, which opened in 2013 offering 283 rooms and suites, 10 restaurants and bars, five meeting rooms, one ballroom with a capacity of up to 1,000 people and the Nation Riviera Beach Club, will also be part of the Abu Dhabi pavilion in Germany. – TradeArabia News Service