Tourism, Culture & Sports
From The Report: Abu Dhabi 2016
View in Online Reader

Abu Dhabi has become increasingly competitive as a regional and international destination in recent years. Guest numbers for 2015 were in line with growth targets, a trend that has continued over from 2014. In 2015 arrivals surpassed 4.1m, equalling an 18% increase over 2014, when 3.5m people visited. Indeed there is a growing recognition that the emirate is home to a “visitor economy” – one where master planned development is approached considering the overall quality of experience from the visitor’s point of view. Of particular interest is the emirate’s expanding museum offering with five major museums due to open in the coming years, while Abu Dhabi’s numerous sporting mega-events, such as the Formula 1 (F1) Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, are bringing significant economic benefits to the emirate. This chapter contains an interview with Ali Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, Managing Director, ADNEC Group.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

A warm welcome: Integrated planning between the public and private sectors, and a host of attractions, is putting the emirate firmly on the map
OBG
plus

Abu Dhabi has become increasingly competitive as a regional and international destination in recent years. This has been most clearly visible in a growing events schedule, higher arrivals numbers, and new additions in terms of dining, shopping and theme park attractions. With the highest hotel occupancy rates on record in 2015, the emirate is proving itself capable of drawing in local, regional and international visitors in spite of some challenging political and economic circumstances in key source…

Interview

Business globetrotters: OBG talks to Ali Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, Managing Director, ADNEC Group
OBG
plus

Interview: Ali Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri What measures will ensure the sustainability of Abu Dhabi’s growing meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) tourism sector? ALI BIN HARMAL AL DHAHERI: In just 10 years, visitor numbers have increased from 50,000 to 1.65m per year, and the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) and the Al Ain Convention Centre have welcomed more than 10.7m visitors cumulatively over that time. This represents an economic impact of Dh19.7bn ($5.36bn) since…

Analysis

Playing to win: Abu Dhabi’s comprehensive sporting portfolio is in winning form
OBG
plus

In addition to helping the emirate build an international reputation as a global sport and major events destination, Abu Dhabi’s numerous sporting mega-events, such as the Formula 1 (F1) Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and the Abu Dhabi Tour UCI Cycling, bring significant economic benefits. Although sponsorship revenues are tougher to achieve in a challenging macroeconomic environment, a number of government and private sector bodies are actively working to…

Analysis

Business and pleasure: Hosting major events, leisure activities and business travel, the emirate is building a comprehensive travel destination
OBG
plus

With an increasing selection of cultural, sporting and entertainment attractions in its events calendar, and a steadily expanding supply of hotel rooms, Abu Dhabi has shown itself fully capable of drawing in large numbers of visitors. In 2015 this included a rising number of local UAE guests, as well as growth from wider regional and global markets. While key top-name museums, such as Louvre Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, are yet to open, an expansion of existing venues – in particular Yas…

Analysis

Port of call: Developments in the cruise tourism segment are building and sustaining growth throughout the economy
OBG
plus

The cruise tourism segment is showing itself to be increasingly capable of boosting Abu Dhabi’s status as an international destination, while further supporting moves to diversify economic growth beyond the hydrocarbons sector. The emirate is expecting increased arrivals and greater tourist footfall onshore thanks to the decision by top cruise companies to “home port” their vessels in Abu Dhabi. This means that cruise companies will base their ships there throughout the season, before and after…