(9 July 2010)
Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) is taking part at the World Sports Hotspots exhibition, being held at the sidelines of the FIFA World Cup in Johannesburg.
The event, which is being held for the first time, is the only specialised sports tourism industry event worth about $600 billion. The exhibition is expected to draw 20, 000 visitors and 6, 500 media-persons.
Faisal Al Sheikh, director of the events, ADTA, said "the participation of ADTA at this international exhibition is to promote the emirate of Abu Dhabi and position of the UAE capital in the international sports calendar, especially the sports events and activities, which are set be held in the emirate next season".
He added that the ADTA delegation met over the last two days with the representatives of major companies, sports and tourism agencies during the first phase of the exhibition, adding that they expressed interest to know about the sports events in Abu Dhabi.
Al Sheikh noted that the ADTA officials will also meet the FIFA sponsors to promote the FIFA Club World Cup Championship, which will be held in Abu Dhabi in December.
Abu Dhabi has developed a strategy to utilise high-visibility sporting events to globally promote the emirate. The emirate’s staging of the FIFA Club World Cup Abu Dhabi 2009 last year served that end.