Tourism
From The Report: Abu Dhabi 2013
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As one of the 12 strategic sectors identified in Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, tourism plays a central role in the government’s plan to reduce the economy’s reliance on the hydrocarbons industry. To this end, Abu Dhabi has invested heavily in the sector in recent years, creating more attractions to draw tourists, as well as building hotels and expanding the national airline. Indeed, the tourism sector has grown steadily, as reflected in the consistent increase in the number of hotel guests; the emirate hosted more than 2.1m visitors in 2011 alone. This figure is set to continue to rise, with the authorities targeting 3.2m by 2015. To cater for – and bring about – this uptick, the sector is witnessing major developments in entertainment, retail, global sports events and large corporate functions. The government is also keen to develop the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) segment, aiming to more than double its economic impact by 2020. This chapter includes an interview with Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Representative of the President of UAE and Chairman, Culture and Media Centre.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Giving the grand tour: New construction and greater investment prep the emirate to be a premier destination
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As one of the 12 strategic sectors identified in Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, tourism plays a central role in the government’s plan to reduce the economy’s reliance on the hydrocarbons industry. To this end, Abu Dhabi has invested heavily in creating attractions to draw tourists, as well as building hotels and expanding the national airline to make it easier for international visitors to travel to the emirate. The government is also taking a multi-pronged approach when it comes to attracting…

Analysis

Highlighted host: Well-placed emphasis on the MICE segment could yield great returns
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The Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA) is aiming to more than double the economic impact of the meetings, incentives, conferencing and exhibitions (MICE) segment of the tourism market by 2020. While the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) is key to this, a growing number of hotels and other enterprises are also focused on catering to the segment, offering conference and exhibition space. NEW TARGETS: According to a 2011 study commissioned by the TCA, the emirate hosted…

Interview

The past is the future: OBG talks to Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Representative of the President of UAE, and Chairman, Culture and Media Centre
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Interviews: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan With rapid modernisation taking place, what is being done to safeguard the UAE’s culture? SHEIKH SULTAN BI ZAYED AL NAHYAN: In the face of the challenges posed by globalisation and rapid development, the UAE’s government is aiming to establish national identity and culture by preserving and propagating the Arabic language, promoting the culture, traditions and heritage of the UAE, embedding values of religious moderation, and promoting…

Analysis

More than meets the eye: Sector development efforts focus on promoting local cultural heritage
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While beaches and golf courses may attract some of Abu Dhabi’s leisure tourists, the emirate’s cultural offerings are also draw domestic and international visitors. Major cultural attractions include the historical city of Al Ain, which was granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2011 and is home to the oldest museum in the UAE. In Abu Dhabi City, Saadiyat Island is being positioned as a centre for cultural activity and already features Manarat Al Saadiyat, a purpose-built visitor centre…