Abu Dhabi sets out its stall at ATM
ABU DHABI – A slew of major hospitality development projects being planned or undertaken in Abu Dhabi – the largest of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates – will be in the spotlight at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai from May 5-8.
In the line up is Le Bristol Abu Dhabi – the first non-European property from the legendary French hospitality brand Hotel Le Bristol.
The 250-room and suite property is being brought to the UAE capital by Abu Dhabi’s National Corporation For Tourism & Hotels (NCTH).
It will be on the western side of the UAE capital with construction due to begin next year. NCTH is also expanding its Al Raha Beach Hotel, doubling its room numbers, adding three more restaurants and upgrading its spa.
Also in the ATM limelight will be the seven hotels being built by Aldar on Yas Island and which are due to open in time for this November’s Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the ADNEC Capital Centre’s aloft Abu Dhabi – the first aloft in the Middle East which again is due to open by November and with 408 rooms, the brand’s largest.
The focus at ATM will also embrace the wider emirate, with the opening up of tourism in Abu Dhabi’s Al Gharbia (Western) region and the expansion of the Eastern region’s offering, including Al Ain.
DBA & Sons Travel & Tours recently opened an office in Al Gharbia and is working on plans to promote the Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter) desert.
“Our group has already taken over two good hotels in the region – Liwa Hotel and Mirfa Hotel, which is currently being renovated and refurbished and we anticipate opening a new office soon in Al Ain to service clients from the growth areas of Central and Eastern Europe, the Far East and Australia,†said Rashed Saif Alketbi, DBA and Sons director.
Also at ATM, Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) will be promoting its Qasr Al Sarab (Mirage Palace) desert resort which is due to open by the end of the year in the Empty Quarter section of the Liwa Desert.
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Ian Jarrett
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