On the back of strong growth in visitors from France staying at Abu Dhabi hotels, a six-strong delegation of Abu Dhabi tourism stakeholders is heading to the Top Resa, the main B2B travel industry show in France, which runs in Paris from September 23-26, to profile the emirate’s attractions.

The delegation will be led by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and includes Etihad Airways, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Yas Island, Kurban Tours, Abu Dhabi Motorsport Management and Emirates Falcon ­ a new DMC which recently opened in the emirate.

Etihad Airways’ network partner, Swiss-based Etihad Regional, operates to four French provincial destinations including Biarritz, Bordeaux, Paris and Toulouse, which strengthens the opportunity for further tourism travel to Abu Dhabi.

“We look forward to explaining this exciting partnership to travel agents at Top Resa, as we extend our influence into regional France,” said Mubarak Al Nuaimi, Director Promotions & Overseas Office, TCA Abu Dhabi.

The promotion comes as the number of French nationals checking into Abu Dhabi’s 157 hotels and resorts reached record levels in the first seven months of this year. From January to July end, some 32,976 French guests stayed in Abu Dhabi accommodation ­ a 14% uplift on the same period last year. The French guests delivered 115,214 guest nights, which was up 3% on the comparative period and they stayed, on average, 3.49 nights.

Yas Island ­ Abu Dhabi’s entertainment and lifestyle destination ­ is hoping new end-of-year developments will bring its offering into increased focus. Opening on the island this November is Yas Mall ­ the second largest mall in the United Arab Emirates and the largest in Abu Dhabi emirate ­ while a new Paradise Social Club is due to open this December on Yas Beach, which is free of charge for Yas Island hotel guests and operates a day rate for outside guests.

“At Top Resa we are looking to position Yas Island as a prime global leisure and entertainment destination for the European market, focused on delivering premium products and services to individuals and businesses alike. We expect to become the leading destination for family and business retreats as well as a resort getaway for couples without kids as well as singles,” said Karim El Guanaini, Vice President, Yas Island Destination Management.

Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management which operates the Yas Marina Circuit ­ home to November’s Formula 1 season finale, the F1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - is looking to promote its leisure proposition in circuit academy drives, behind-the-scenes tours and its MICE offering via its expansive Media Centre.

“Europe’s a key market for us,” said CEO Tareq Al Ameri. “Close to 35% of our international visitors last year came from Europe while in the corporate world we hosted a major product launch for L’Oreal among other MICE successes.

“The French market is of particular interest for us as it is one of the leading markets in some of the industries we would like to expand into when it comes to the corporate world, such as aeronautical, energy, pharmaceuticals, fashion, the motor industry, luxury goods and cosmetics.”

Meanwhile, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which is one of Abu Dhabi’s key landmarks and most visited attractions, will be promoting its public tours of the place of worship which was recent ranked second in this year’s TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards as the world’s most popular landmark attraction. The mosque authorities, who operate daily complimentary tours with an Emirati guide, have now also introduced complimentary audio guides in 11 languages, including French.

Emirates Falcon, a new French/Emirati owned DMC which has opened in the UAE capital and already boasts a network of 1,200 French agents, has a multicultural team of French speakers and offers tours covering the culture of Abu Dhabi.  “We are focusing on the European Market both leisure and MICE which is very sensitive to new destinations with huge potential like Abu Dhabi,” said Cristian Rocca, Managing Director, Emirates Falcon.
French interest in Abu Dhabi is expected to gather pace in 2015 in the run-up to the year-end opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

“Interest in the Louvre Abu Dhabi with France has grown significantly since the showing, earlier this year, of the Birth of a Museum exhibition at the Louvre Paris,” explained Al Nuaimi. “The exhibition unveiled the best of the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s collection for the first time in France with 150 of the finest masterpieces already acquired by the museum being presented. We anticipate next year’s scheduled opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi will bring significant interest from French and other European tour operators.”
 

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