Many leading hotel and resort operators from Kerala have descended in Abu Dhabi for the Explore Kerala Fest, which is running from February 22 to 25 at UAE capital's Mushriff Mall.

The four-day event was jointly inaugurated by Sultan Hamad Al Mutawa Al Dhaheri, executive director of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, and Navdeep Singh Suri, Indian Ambassador to UAE, along with other dignitaries.

In his speech, Al Dhaheri expressed his keen interst in promoting such tourism event which will promote people to people contact and further boost the historic relation between the two countries. He also told the gathering that Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority intends to conduct similar tourism events in the state of Kerala to attract more Indian travellers to the emirate.

In his speech, Indian Ambassador hailed the idea of conducting such tourism events in the capital of Abu Dhabi which expects to attract more Arab travelers to Kerala and other parts of India.

Colourful fusion dance performance depicting traditional Kerala art and heritage were also held on the occasion which enthralled the audiences. Traditional Kerala arts like  Kathakali, Mohiniyattom, Theyyam and Thayambaka will also take place during the event. Large number of people were seen taking photographs and selifies along with traditional dancers.
 
Kerala Tourism Department in association with Lulu Group is organizing the Travel & Tourism event named “Explore Kerala @ Abu Dhabi" to promote Kerala – God’s Own Country in the Middle East market to attract Arab Travellers and expatriates in GCC countries  to visit during the summer holidays and our off season Monsoon period.
 
Leading resorts operators like Uday Samudra Kovalam, Vythiri Village Wayanad, Somatheeram Ayurveda Resort  and two leading tour operators – Gateway Malabar Holidays and The Blue Yonder - from Kerala are showcasing their products along with Kerala destination presentation.

Similar events to promote Kerala as a destination will also be carried out in Lulu Hypermarkets and Shopping malls across GCC countries in association with Kerala Tourism department, according to a statement released by Lulu Group.

“In 2015, there were 71,500 tourists from Saudi Arabia (65,048 in 2014 and  48,346 in 2013), 20,000 plus (18,264 in 2014 and  17,475 in 2013) from the UAE and 17,924 from Oman, who visited the state. From the Middle East alone, we have more than one lakh visitors,” According to a statement of Kerala Tourism.

Kerala Government has already extended their support for this event and the synergy between public and private sector for the development of Tourism infrastructure and marketing is highly commendable. We are committed to continue this relationship in future too, said the statement. - TradeArabia News Service