ABU DHABI, 16th September, 2015 (WAM) -- A delegation of Abu Dhabi?s tourism stakeholders will be highlighting the emirate?s attractions to a European audience when they participate in France?s leading B2B industry show dedicated to the travel industry later this month.
The nine-strong delegation is being led by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, TCA Abu Dhabi, and will be in Paris from 29th September to 2nd October to attend the International French Travel Market Top Resa event.
Joining TCA Abu Dhabi will be representatives from Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Etihad Airways, Air Serbia, Air Berlin, Air Seychelles, Yas Marina Circuit, Kurban Tours and destination management company, 1001 events.
The number of French nationals checking into the emirate?s 163 hotels and hotel apartments reached a new record level in the first seven months of this year, at 34,511, a 5% rise on the same period the previous year.
These guests stayed 118,992 nights, up 3% on the same period the previous year, and they stayed on average for 3.45 nights.
"Our French numbers are continuing to increase year on year and set new records for the numbers visiting Abu Dhabi and staying in our hotels. We need to build on this impressive achievement and sustain this forward momentum," said Mubarak Al Nuaimi, Director Promotions and Overseas Offices, TCA Abu Dhabi.
"Attending Top Resa in France with so many of our stakeholders allows us to showcase some of the highlights of the emirate and develop our relationships with the French market. Interest in the development of the Louvre Abu Dhabi has been exceptional and its opening will, I?m sure, bring significant numbers of visitors from European tour operators." The Top Resa show was established in 1978 and is now attended by more than 30,000 trade professionals dedicated to events, business and leisure travel.
Etihad Airways will be joining the delegation and has several roadshows planned for this and next year to several French cities to help boost passenger traffic into Abu Dhabi from France. Currently, the airline operates double daily flights from Paris to Abu Dhabi.
Equity partners Alitalia, Air Berlin, Air Serbia and Air Seychelles will also be presenting their credentials at the show, highlighting their services to Abu Dhabi and their connecting flights through the emirate to Asia and Australia, unlocking the potential for growth in the stopover market .
1001 Events, a destinations management services company established in 2004, will also be joining the delegation after setting up an office in Abu Dhabi earlier this year.
Agnelo Fernandes, Managing Director, said the company will be aiming to develop new partnerships with key players in the French travel market, meet new and existing business partners and promote the Abu Dhabi destination to the market while tailoring products specifically with local partners.
Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2015.
