First multi-city ‘Abu Dhabi Week in India’ event launches

A new initiative to increase inbound tourism numbers from India to Abu Dhabi has been launched in India, with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi spearheading a delegation of partners and stakeholders to a new multi-city promotional event in Mumbai and New Delhi.

The ‘Abu Dhabi Week in India’ event is taking place in Mumbai from 26-29 October and New Delhi from 2-5 November, and has been designed to capitalise on the upsurge of visitors from India travelling to the emirate.

Since the start of the year until the end of September, 256,418 Indians have stayed in Abu Dhabi’s 166 hotels and hotel apartments, making India the second largest international source market for tourists, closely behind China.

Mubarak Al Nuiami, Director Promotions and Overseas Offices, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: “We have seen a seven per cent increase in the numbers of Indian visitors to Abu Dhabi in the first nine months of this year compared to the same period in 2016 which is excellent progress. Through leading this new event with a number of our main partners and stakeholders, we want to encourage even further growth from this tier one market by highlighting our amazing portfolio of attractions and hotels across all three regions of the emirate and show what an enticing choice of holiday destination Abu Dhabi is.

“In September, Abu Dhabi welcomed more than 32,000 Indian hotel guests. Indian guests stay an above average 2.8 nights per trip and through this promotional tour we want to increase that figure and encourage them to explore more and stay even longer.”

The increase in Indian travellers to the emirate has been helped by the excellent air connectivity between the two countries with the national airline, Etihad Airways, and Jet Airways currently operating 282 flights a week to Abu Dhabi from 14 Indian cities, providing the capacity for 46,000 seats.

The event in the two cities provides an ideal opportunity for consumers, trade agents and stakeholders to be present under one roof, and for Abu Dhabi to be showcased as a highly significant destination for the Indian market.

The first leg of the promotional tour is taking place at the MMRDA Grounds – Bandra Kurla complex in the heart of Mumbai’s financial district, with stakeholders and partners including Louvre Abu Dhabi, which is set to open on November 11, Yas Island, Cruise Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, displaying their attractions to large crowds at the showground.

A press conference, attended by UAE dignitaries attached to the Consulate in Mumbai including Sultan Mohamed Hamdan Bin Khadim, Vice Counsel, UAE, Indian trade officials, and international and domestic media officially launched proceedings.

Chef Khulood Atiq, from the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, prepared special Emirati dishes for the crowds to promote the Emirates’ cuisine, while show visitors also stood the chance to win a trip to the emirate through a digital quiz testing their knowledge on Abu Dhabi. Trade officials and consumers were also entertained with traditional Al Ayala dances and demonstrations of henna artwork.