JEDDAH, 25 June 2007 — Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ABTA) expects the UAE capital’s visitor numbers to more than triple by 2012 from over one million in 2006.
“We hope for a significant increase in the number of visitors from the Kingdom. In fact, we have already been witnessing a sharp increase in the number of business, leisure and exhibition visitors,” Ali M. Al-Nasseri of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority’s marketing division told Arab News on the sidelines of a ABTA roadshow held at the Jeddah Hilton on Saturday night.
Abu Dhabi’s infrastructure for the hospitality industry, especially for business and leisure visitors, is strong, he said, adding that 10 new hotels are under construction and they will add to existing 10,000 rooms in hotels and apartments. “Moreover, Abu Dhabi today boasts a new ‘National Exhibition Center,’ which will swiftly expand and develop the UAE exhibitions industry,” he said.
Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the UAE, has been bringing a lot of visitors to Abu Dhabi, which is 120 km from Dubai.
A presentation on the airline showed that the Abu Dhabi-based carrier is capitalized at AED500 million, represented by 500 million shares of AED1 each — all currently owned by the Abu Dhabi government. Etihad made history in 2004 when the new carrier placed a start-up order worth $8 billion for new aircraft at the Farnborough Air Show.
In June 2007 Etihad made an order with Airbus for 12 new A340-600 and A330 aircraft worth $2.2 billion.
Dr. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saif Al Nahyan, a qualified commercial pilot, is chairman of Etihad Airways and James Hogan its CEO.
Etihad’s network includes 43 destinations including Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, and other Gulf and Middle East cities. Others include American, European, African and Far Eastern cities.