IN FOCUS THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES THAT ARE OFFICIALLY ASSIGNED TO THE AUTHORITY INCLUDE: ❖❖ Management of Abu Dhabi’s growing tourism sector and its promotion ❖❖ Preservation and protection of Abu Dhabi’s cultural heritage ❖❖ Fostering a future class of leaders and professionals in the field of culture and education ❖❖ Management of both existing and new museums, including the overseeing of operations in developing the Saadiyat Island Cultural District ❖❖ Promoting the development of human and cultural capital in light of the challenges posed by the knowledge economy
The Authority’s foremost ambition is to create a cultural infrastructure that will allow it to establish itself as a cultural reference point locally, regionally, and globally. It works closely with emirates tourism stakeholders such as airlines, the transport sector, hotels and restaurants, and infrastructure development authorities in both the public and private sector. The primary aim of the collaboration is to promote Abu Dhabi as an up-market destination with a focus on sustaining and preserving its natural environment and heritage.
Changing Landscape of Tourism Industry in Abu Dhabi The tourism industry in Abu Dhabi has experienced a dramatic change in the past few years. Due to extensive planning and efforts by local authorities, the transformation envisioned by the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 Master Plan is already taking shape. The efforts of the Abu Dhabi government and private sector partners have been able to successfully place the UAE’s capital on the international tourism radar,
landing it on CNN’s Top Ten Travel Destination List of 2015. Business Monitor International projects the UAE tourism sector will grow at an average rate of 6.5 percent per annum between 2011 and 2021. Last year, a record 3.49 million tourists visited the emirate, according to the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority. TCA’s semi-annual figures released in June indicate a continuation of this positive trend. Initially, this year’s target was set for approximately 3.5 million tourist visitors despite many challenges, including a weak euro against dollar, the potential impact of low oil prices on the sector, and the growth in oil supply expected this year, placing continued downward pressure on oil prices. However, in response to a 20% year-on-year increase in arrivals in the first four months of the year, the TCA is now predicting 3.9 million visitors through to the end of 2015, up 11.4% over previous forecasts. According to official sources, India was again the largest foreign source of tourists last year with 231,702 guests arriving from that country. Abu Dhabi’s next biggest sources of tourism are the UK, Germany, China, Saudi Arabia, and the US.
While China currently ranks fourth by number of hotel guests with a 5% share, behind the UAE (33%) and India (6%) and the UK (6%), the country posted the strongest growth in the first six months of 2015, after a 166% increase in Chinese hotel guests last year, according to local media, due to an influx of incentive corporate travel. This growth of tourism is attributed to development of infrastructure, opening of new hotels and attractions in Saadiyat Resort and Yas Islands, and other initiatives of the TCA in coordination with various stakeholders in Abu Dhabi. Finally, international events like the Formula 1 Grand Prix event at Yas Island and of course, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship attract a large number of tourists to Abu Dhabi every year.
How Does Abu Dhabi want to Attract More Tourists?
Key local players, including the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), have undertaken a number of key initiatives to attract more tourists to the area. One great example of the mega developments that are attracting tourists includes Saadiyat Island in
Issue 10 - OCTOBER 2015
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