Abu Dhabi has won the ‘Best Family Destination Award’ from India’s prestigious International Tourism Conclave & Travel Awards (ITCTA). The accolades are awarded on the basis of industry feedback and market visibility of the destination. “This is progress indeed within this high potential market,” said HE Jasem Al Darmaki, Deputy Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), which has been driving destination awareness building within India.
“Since opening our representative office in India at the beginning of this year, Abu Dhabi has steadily built on its popularity as an emerging family destination among Indian consumers and its travel trade. With increased airlift from India coming from Etihad Airways and Jet Airways and stronger engagement with the Indian travel trade, the country has become our largest international source market for hotel guests,” added Al Darmaki.
TCA Abu Dhabi is extensively promoting family attractions within India including the big ticket attractions on Yas Island – Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld – as well as family activities such as desert safaris and dune bashing; the Arabian Wildlife Park of Sir Bani Yas Island as well as the virtue of being in one of the world’s safest holiday destinations.
In the first eight months of this year, 107,223 Indians checked into Abu Dhabi hotels in the first eight months of this year – a 23 per cent hike over the same period of 2012. Indian arrivals delivered 434,554 guest nights which are up 34 per cent year-on-year with the Indian visitor staying, on an average, just over four nights.
