Trade a key part of Abu Dhabi tourism future

Trade a key part of Abu Dhabi tourism future

Trade famils are a-go for the Abu Dhabi crew, with plans for 50 Aussie agents to visit the destination this September.

Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), in partnership with Etihad Airways and Virgin Australia, is set to run the first of its annual trade familiarisation events this year, on top of a further 50 early next year.

The first group of agents will be chosen based on the highest achievements of an Australia-wide incentive programme run by both of the participating airlines.

And clear your calendars, because as a reward, these agents will be invited to experience Abu Dhabi from September 15-20 2015. The agents will journey through the emirate on one of three famil itineraries before converging on Yas Island for a spectacular Arabian farewell.

TCA Abu Dhabi’s country manager Michael Woods said travel agents remain vital to the Abu Dhabi tourism industry as it’s one of the most effective channels to engage with those considering a visit or extended stopover in the Arabian Peninsula.

“Providing these agents with the opportunity to experience captivating culture, breath-taking luxury and the warmth of Arabian hospitality will allow them to more confidently sell Abu Dhabi to their clients,” he said.

“By partnering with Etihad and Virgin Australia, we’re certain these agents will be provided the trip of a lifetime and be even more inspired to promote our Emirate.”

The famil comes as TCA Abu Dhabi figures reveal a 20% growth in visitor arrivals for the first four months of this year, resulting in more than one million visitors staying in the emirate’s 161 hotels and hotel apartments.

The increase in visitor arrivals has prompted the Authority to increase the 2015 guest arrivals target from 3.5 million to 3.9 million, with trade at the forefront of their strategy.

“With arrivals on the rise and an increase in air capacity by Etihad Airways and Virgin Australia who now fly between Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth direct to Abu Dhabi daily there is no better time for TCA Abu Dhabi to increase its presence in Australia,” Woods added.

TCA Abu Dhabi has also announced the appointment of Kris Taute to lead Trade & MICE promotions within its Australia office.

Taute joins the organisation from Tourism New Zealand based in Sydney where he led a number of trade initiatives including the rollout of the 100% Pure New Zealand Specialist Programme, extensive partnership marketing activities and some of the largest Mega Famil programmes seen in Australia.

The arrival of the Aussie agents will be one of many major Australian travel trade initiatives to be staged by TCA Abu Dhabi this year, that includes its four city pan-Australia roadshow set to visit Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney in early August, continuing with ‘Discover Abu Dhabi’, the emirate’s new online training programme which is due to launch in Australia next month.

For more information on the agent incentive and your chance to win a spot on the Abu Dhabi Agent Mega Famil visit the Etihad Agent Website.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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