Tourism sector continues to expand

Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector is thriving in spite of the global financial crisis. Lee Tabler, CEO of the emirate’s Tourism Development and Investment Corporation (TDIC), recently commented at a tourism conference in Abu Dhabi that while certain tourism projects not yet begun may be “reevaluated”, he is confident that projects already being developed will continue to move ahead.

One of these is Saadiyat Island, which has already earned the 14th World Travel Awards’ designation as ‘The World’s Leading Tourism Development Project’. Another is the creative Gourmet Abu Dhabi culinary event hosted by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) February 5-14. “This is another great addition to Abu Dhabi’s expanding portfolio of international events and one which will enrich the lives of both our valued visitors and the emirate’s residential community, both national and expatriate,” says H.H. Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, ADTA chairman.

To house its growing number of visitors, Abu Dhabi plans to boost the number of its hotel rooms from the current 13,000 to around 30,000 by 2013 and to around 70,000 by 2030. About 4,000 additional rooms are expected to become available in 2009. Tourism-related activities are also expected to expand; the Middle East hotel-interiors-fixtures sector, for example, is expected to bring in around USD 37 billion from now until 2013.

Business tourism growing

One trend in the tourism sector is investment in state-of-the-art facilities for hosting conferences and exhibitions, one of the priorities for the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. Ali Al Hosani, ADTA’s Director of Promotions, recently announced that the ADTA would step up its international marketing this year. He said, “There is no doubt that our plans are gaining momentum and the years 2009-2012 will be among the most exciting in Abu Dhabi’s tourism history.”

In addition to new golf ventures and other tourism attractions coming on line, Abu Dhabi will stage its first Formula 1 Grand Prix this year, and the global media coverage of this high-profile event will bring the emirate before the eyes of around 600 million potential visitors all over the world. One project set to benefit from the Grand Prix is Ferrari World, a high-tech theme park on Yas Island that includes rides, hotels, and much more.

To handle tourism inflows, Abu Dhabi plans to spend an additional USD 6.8 billion to expand Abu Dhabi International Airport. The emirate’s tourism sector is clearly going strong.

The Emirates Palace

“The Emirates Palace is a jewel among hotels.”

The magnificent Emirates Palace hotel is managed by the prestigious Kempinski Group, offers 394 rooms including 92 suites, all combining traditional Arabian style, timeless elegance and state-of-the-art amenities. The Palace sits on a land plot of 11.1 million square feet. Emirates Palace’s decoration includes the finest marble, intricate mosaics and Swarovski crystal chandeliers. The Palace is set along 0.8 miles of Abu Dhabi’s most beautiful private sandy beach and has two helicopter pads.

The hotel is a world in itself, with several fine restaurants, the opulent Anantara Spa with 7 treatment rooms, tennis courts, a scuba-diving center, two swimming pools; one specially dedicated for children and families, a water park, a children’s activity club, boutiques, and much, much more. As General Manager Hans W. Olbertz puts it, “The Emirates Palace is already an icon, and my staff and I are working as a team to make it even better.”

The hotel’s award-winning, 77.7 sq. mile business and conference center has 44 adaptable meeting rooms, an elegant auditorium seating 1,100 guests, and a luxurious grand ballroom, which can seat up to 2,400 guests. In addition, six large terraces and a variety of pre-function areas provide many possibilities for events, cocktail receptions and banquets. The hotel regularly hosts international meetings, exhibitions, concerts by international performers, and other high-profile cultural, sporting and business vents.

The Emirates Palace offers the ultimate in personalized service, with a private butler for every room.“We are a member of Virtuoso, the high-end group of travel agencies based in the United States, and we are steadily attracting more American visitors, including Bill Gates who held his Microsoft meeting for the Middle East-North Africa region here,” Olbertz says.

The Emirates Palace has carved out a niche for itself on the international luxury travel circuit, and achieves occupancy rates, which are regularly above 80 percent. Recent guests include the players on the European Professional Golfers’ Association tour, US President George Bush, Condoleezza Rice and Alan Greenspan. Entertainers Elton John, Justin Timberlake, Bon Jovi, Shakira and Christina Aguilera have performed live at the Palace to some of the largest UAE audiences of up to 20,000. Major international exhibitions such as The Arts of Islam and the world’s largest exhibition of Picasso works of art, outside of a museum is a regular feature of the cultural program at the Palace. Olbertz concludes, “Emirates Palace is a jewel among hotels, a symbol of exemplary luxury and hospitality. We fully intend to continue and build upon its status as one of the most esteemed hotels in the Middle East, if not the world.”

For more information visit www.emiratespalace.com or email reservation.emiratespalace@kempinski.com