Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority promotes emirate at roadshows in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles….reports Asian Lite News
Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority recently embarked on a three-city roadshow to the United States to help create more awareness about the emirate and encourage more US visitors to experience the destination.
The delegation, led by the authority, was in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, and hosted meetings with major travel agents and key influencers from some of the US’s leading travel organisations.
The United States is a key tier one market for Abu Dhabi with the emirate welcoming 67,000 American hotel guests in the first five months of this year, making it currently the fifth largest overseas source market. In 2016, the US provided 136,657 hotel guest arrivals spending 592,235 guest nights across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain Region and Al Dhafra Region.
Mubarak Al Nuaimi, the authority’s Director of Promotions and Overseas Offices, said, “The United States is one of our priority markets which is showing consistent growth year-on-year. Our extensive marketing campaigns in the US, combined with the promotion of Abu Dhabi through our office based in New York, help us showcase our world-class destination and rich diversity of cultures and attractions.
“Our strategy is to target growth through partnerships with major players in the US travel industry and through relationships with US-based associations to encourage the hosting of business events in Abu Dhabi. We are reaping the rewards of our endeavours with inbound visitor numbers rising from the US and we need to capitalise on this growth trend.”
Joining the roadshow were representatives of Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Yas Island, Yas Marina Circuit, Bab Al Qasr Hotel and Dusit Thani Hotel.
Martin Drew, Etihad Airways Senior Vice President of the Americas, said, “Etihad Airways is proud to provide its guests in the United States with remarkable service on the ground and in the air. From fully flat beds to inflight Wi-Fi and gourmet dining options, Etihad Airways draws inspiration from the world’s finest hospitality establishments to redefine the travel experience.”
On June 1st, the airline upgraded its second daily flight between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Abu Dhabi to an A380, offering guests a more consistent journey with an all-A380 operation. The airline operates 45 weekly flights to Abu Dhabi from key US gateway cities of Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC.
Recently, the US Department of Homeland Security lifted the electronic devices ban on all flights between Abu Dhabi and the United States. The move follows the successful validation of security measures at the US Pre-clearance facility at Abu Dhabi airport.