Breaking Travel News spotlight on: Abu Dhabi

Capital of the United Arab Emirates grows global presence as tourism recovers

Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB) has unveiled plans to educate corporates, associations, event organisers, MICE agencies and other industry stakeholders in South Korea about the strong MICE proposition, highlighting it as a dynamic global destination for business events.

Mubarak Al Shamisi, director of Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “We are excited to open our first representative office in South Korea to further establish Abu Dhabi as a premier destination for meetings, incentive travel, conferences, and exhibitions. As we remain focused on progressing the emirate, growing our network of international offices will help us expand our reach in newer markets. With the recent easing of travel restrictions in South Korea, we anticipate great demand for outbound MICE travel, making it the best time for us to establish our presence in this market.”

In recent years, ADCEB has accelerated its financial and non-financial support towards strategic business events, which includes the launch of Advantage Abu Dhabi 2.0, an enhanced subvention programme that offers event organisers an array of support throughout the event planning cycle, comprising financial assistance and destination-driven valueadds.

ADCEB continues to build strategic partnerships that ensures event objectives are met with world-class experiences for both planners and attendees. Earlier this year, ADCEB formed a strategic partnership with Etihad Airways, to further bolster support for MICE travel groups travelling to Abu Dhabi.

Guided Tours

On the consumer side, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has launched two new self-guided audio tours on the VoiceMap app to highlight some of the amazing natural landscapes and unique urban treasures in the emirate.

Available on Google Play and the App Store, the VoiceMap now features tours of the Al Wathba Fossil Dunes Reserve and the longstanding dining spots of the Al Zahiyah neighbourhood. The VoiceMap app already features five audio tours dedicated to Abu Dhabi that were launched last year, including the Abu Dhabi Skyline Tour, Modern Heritage Tour of Downtown Abu Dhabi, Al Hosn Site Architecture Tour, Al Ain Nature and History Tour and Liwa Forts Tour.

The latest additions to the Abu Dhabi library reflect the increased interest among residents and visitors to explore the diverse natural assets and cultural experiences of the emirate by themselves at their own pace.

Developed with the support of Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), the Al Wathba Fossil Dunes Reserve Tour takes inquisitive travellers on a fascinating journey into the past, enlightening them about fossil formations that are more than 120,000 years old, spread over seven square kilometres.

The conservation area offers visitors a unique opportunity to stroll along an illuminated three-kilometre trail and enjoy the scenic views of the incredible eco-tourism site. Visitors can also enjoy music and light shows which take place throughout opening hours and can be viewed from the amphitheatre, which holds up to 200 visitors. The site also features various food and beverage trucks in dedicated areas.

During the last period, EAD implemented an integrated plan to develop the reserve, which included developing the site's infrastructure to add more activities that visitors can enjoy during their visit to the reserve.

The Al Wathba Fossils Dunes Reserve welcomes visitors from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm from Monday to Thursday and from 9:00 am12:00 midnight from Friday to Sunday.

Several longstanding establishments, including streetside cafes and bakeries, were recently awarded the ‘Urban Treasures’ status by DCT Abu Dhabi in recognition of their contribution to the social fabric of the emirate.

Using the VoiceMap app, foodies can also hop around the city on the Abu Dhabi Urban Treasures Food Tour to savour culinary delights such as Mexican-style chicken shawarmas, spicy Indian kebabs and traditional Arabic desserts.

More Information

Abu Dhabi was voted ‘World’s Leading Sports Tourism Destination’ by the World Travel Awards in 2022.

To find out more about the emirate, head over to the official website at visitabudhabi.ae, or visit Hall 2.2/200 here at ITB Berlin 2023.