With Indians emerging as the largest number of foreign hotel guests in Abu Dhabi over last one year, the emirate's tourism industry has started roadshows in five Indian cities aimed at keeping the destination foremost.
The roadshows organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority will be held in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai and New Delhi till August 29.
Fourteen Abu Dhabi tourism stakeholders, including Etihad Airways, Yas Island, hotels, tour operators and attractions, have joined the roadshows which has started on August 25.
A statement released by the UAE's official news agency WAM said that during the first six months of this year, 107,995 Indian guests checked into Abu Dhabi's hotels and resorts - a growth of 35 per cent over the same period last year.
The arrivals delivered 408,862 guest nights, which was up 22 per cent year-on-year with the average-length-of-stay being 3.79 nights, it added.
"The destination is benefiting from excellent air uplift from India at the moment with Etihad Airways and its partner Jet Airways, providing convenient and quick travel options to Abu Dhabi from tier 1 and tier 2 cities all over the country," said Mubarak Al Nuaimi, Director, Promotions and Overseas Offices, TCA Abu Dhabi.
"This will be boosted further this February when Etihad launches daily flights from the West Bengal capital of Kolkata to Abu Dhabi," he said.
Currently Etihad Airways operates 112 flights per week from 10 Indian destinations to Abu Dhabi International.
"We anticipate further consumer interest coming for the destination with the planned release this October of the much-anticipated Bollywood movie Bang Bang, starring Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif, parts of which were shot in Abu Dhabi," Al Nuaimi said.
"We also expect our profile in India to rise with the opening shortly of Sanjeev Kapoor's Signature restaurant in the Nation Towers on Abu Dhabi Corniche," he said.
"The Indian market is huge in the UAE now in terms of tourists and residents," said Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Al Ain's Zoo's Director General.
