Leading Abu Dhabi hotels and resorts are joining Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) at the annual International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) in Cannes, France later this month to highlight the emirate’s credentials in attracting five-star focused visitors.

Joining the seven-strong delegation in a bid to increase Abu Dhabi’s share of the outbound luxury European market will also be the UAE’s national airline, Etihad Airways, and leading tour operators and destination management companies.

“In the first nine months of this year we have seen the numbers of French visitors increase by 4 per cent to 41,769 over the corresponding period in 2014. They have spent a total of 150,249 guest nights in our 163 hotels and hotel apartments, showing a small increase of 2% year-on-year,” said Mubarak Al Nuaimi, Director Promotions & Overseas Offices, TCA Abu Dhabi.

“We are not just targeting the French market however, as Europe is a hugely important source market to us for those visitors looking for five-star luxury breaks. We have a stunning array of properties to meet these demands and look forward to showcasing these and Abu Dhabi’s wide array of attractions in Cannes to encourage people to stay longer and spend more.”

Highlighting their luxurious properties from November 30 to December 3 at the Abu Dhabi pavilion will be St Regis Abu Dhabi, Park Hyatt, Jannah Hotels & Resorts and Anantara.

Anantara, which operates five luxurious properties across the emirate, from urban to desert and island resorts, including the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort & Spa in the Liwa Desert, Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa and three properties on Sir Bani Yas Island; Desert Islands Resort & Spa, Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort and Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort, will be aiming to increase their market share of the outbound market at the event.

David Garner, Minor Group - regional director sales and marketing, Middle East, said: “Our main focus for this and next year is to target luxury tour operators worldwide. ILTM is giving us this possibility. Together with the TCA Abu Dhabi office in France, we are looking forward to more collaboration in order to boost the French market in our hotels and as a destination. We also want to increase awareness of Anantara as a luxury brand and Abu Dhabi as a destination.”

The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, the stunning five-star hotel situated on the Corniche and providing a city property and beach resort along with its Nation Riviera Beach Club, will be at the Palais des Festivals et des Congres de Cannes to present its suitability to guests seeking luxurious accommodation.

Katie Malone, the luxury hotel’s director of marketing, said: “As a relatively new hotel, we have enjoyed strong growth in our second year of operation. The French market has been key to this success with the luxury French segment up 2 per cent year-on-year. We hope to see the forthcoming opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi encourage greater awareness of Abu Dhabi within the French luxury market and, as a result, increase business potential from France. France’s passion for luxury is iconic so we are excited to present The St. Regis Abu Dhabi to this market at ILTM.”

Jannah Hotels & Resorts, also joining the tourism delegation, will be highlighting its newest property to open in Abu Dhabi – the Jannah Burj Al Sarab.

New products also being showcased in Cannes include an overnight trip into the desert organised by SNTTA Emir Tours - which began operating in 1975 - and food and equine tours with Arabian Adventures, one of the region’s leading destination management companies. – TradeArabia News Service