Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara has unveiled its new 552 capacity Conference Centre on Sir Bani Yas Island. Developed by Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), master developer of major tourism, cultural and residential destinations in Abu Dhabi, this new addition is the first and only venue of its kind located on a nature and wildlife island reserve.

The Desert Islands Conference Centre will play a prominent role in Abu Dhabi’s rapidly growing Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) industry. Offering a unique experience, the new facility is ideally positioned to appeal to global and regional corporate industries as an ideal venue for events and memorable occasions, such as weddings.

Set along the shoreline of the Arabian Gulf and adjacent to Desert Islands Resort & Spa, the new Conference Centre is a versatile venue offering individually tailored event solutions and state-of-the-art facilities, including a ballroom and meeting rooms. The impressive Dhabi Ballroom is set to become an “in-demand” venue for large scale corporate retreats and can accommodate:

- 320 guests in banquet-style seating
- 460 guests in auditorium-style seating
- 552 guests capacity for cocktail events

The ballroom can also be divided into three individual rooms, each of which can accommodate up to 130 guests depending on the set-up. In addition, the Conference Centre’s three meeting rooms can be divided into six break-out rooms adding to the versatility of the venue, while advanced audio-visual facilities and state-of-the-art Business Centre cater to every business requirement. Complete with extensive outdoor terraces, shaded and non-shaded external decking along with an impressive entrance/reception lobby and stylish circulation corridors, the Desert Islands Conference Centre provides guests with an ideal environment for their event.

Commenting on the opening of the new Conference Centre, Stephen Phillips General Manager for Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara, said: “The potential to cater for the growing needs of the business community is significant and we believe that Anantara’s Desert Islands Resort & Spa Conference Centre is well placed to offer a unique experience in terms of combining state-of-the-art facilities, venue versatility as well as stunning views set within an inspirational location. With Abu Dhabi developing the MICE business in the capital as part of its 2030 economic vision, the new Conference Centre is perfectly placed to play a leading role in the industry’s growth.”

Ahmed Al Fahim, Executive Director of Marketing, Communications, Sales and Leasing at TDIC, stated: “The opening of the new conference centre on Sir Bani Yas adds a significant value to Abu Dhabi’s burgeoning MICE industry, while meeting the growing demands for secluded venues in the region. Such a high quality conference facility based on a getaway exotic island signifies a new dimension to the unique experience the island offers to its tourists, wedding planners and business executives looking for sense of adventure to complement their corporate functions. This new extension will allow Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara to attract a new target audience.”

The MICE market counts for 15-20% of Anantara’s total business mix in the UAE which is growing along the distribution and sales network internationally; in addition to the active support of Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) on exhibitions stands and roadshows, where both the destination and Anantara’s hotels and resorts are showcased.

“The MICE market is the key to achieving budget for all three properties as these are generally midweek events that support need periods for us. The flexibility of the meeting space, destination and activities that we can offer groups, along with the incentives, makes us unique and allows guests to benefit from their experiences,” said David Garner, Regional Director of Sales & Marketing for Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas in the Middle East.

The Conference Centre offers a unique opportunity for corporate events, team-building workshops, new product launches and weddings, with guests able to take advantage of the stunning views and unique outdoor experiences including wildlife and nature tours, providing a behind-the-scenes look into the work that goes into caring for the wildlife on Sir Bani Yas Island. Other activities include horse riding, kayaking through the lush mangroves, archery and wadi-walks - to name but a few.

“Anantara is a growing international brand as well and we are very active in working with trade partners and promoting the hotels. We are very fortunate to be the only hotel operator in Abu Dhabi to offer MICE agents and clients a choice of city, desert or island experiences at our three properties. We can combine one, two or three of them based on the length of stay and requirements. We have trained and qualified activity guides at both Qasr Al Sarab and Desert Islands who can tailor the events to the organisers’ requirements, and we often work closely with event companies. We stand out from the existing and new competition in the UAE by offering creative proposal writing. Many blue-chip organisations combine meetings with dune driving safaris, traditional Arabian-themed events in the desert, to wildlife adventures in the Arabian Wildlife Park on Sir Bani Yas Island, to kayaking tours through the mangroves. This is the Anantara 360-degree Abu Dhabi experience,” added Garner.

With direct flights currently taking off from Al Bateen Executive Airport located in Abu Dhabi city to Sir Bani Yas Island Airport three times a week, this opens up new opportunities for large groups that can easily access the product and combine meetings with island- and water-based activities.

 

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