Building tourism in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi tourism is on an upswing, with the number of tourists increasing every year. With a target close to three million tourists by 2015, challenges remain - especially in ensuring adequate room capacity.

Gulf News spoke to Mubarak Hamad Al Muhairi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, on various issues including regulations governing hotels and the kind of tourists being targeted.

Gulf News: There's talk that Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority's target of three million tourist arrivals a year by 2015 in the emirate could be revised upward. So, what's the revised figure?
Al Muhairi: We think we will reach that figure earlier than 2015, if the targeted room capacity to accommodate tourists is delivered by the private sector.

We have to ensure that we build adequate facilities for accommodating such large numbers of tourists. We are working on it. By our estimates, by 2013, hotels in Abu Dhabi together could well be handling 2.6 million to 2.7 million guests a year.

What are the changes that ADTA has brought about in the regulations governing the hotels in Abu Dhabi?
We have regulated licensing of hotels. Now, tourism entities can get a licence the same day. There is a new classification system for the hotels, based on the services they provide. This system has been developed over a period of two years, in consultation with representatives of hotels.

All new hotel developments - luxury, hotel apartments, standard, deluxe and business - will go through the new classification system. The existing hotels will be provided sufficient time to upgrade themselves.

What category of tourists is Abu Dhabi targeting?
Abu Dhabi is not looking at mass tourists as its market. We are looking for tourists who are seeking genuine experiences. We want to promote culture tourism as well.

We want tourists who appreciate the good things of life and can learn from our rich cultural heritage. We want to promote Abu Dhabi's rich culture, its beaches, golf courses and sports facilities. We have great weather for most of the year. We want the tourists coming here to stay longer and come back again and again.

What difference do you think the selection of Abu Dhabi as one of the world's top 10 destinations to visit in 2008 by UK's largest online travel agent, expedia.co.uk, will make?
We are very pleased at this development. It's a great recognition by a leading UK travel website.

It will help create greater awareness about the travel and tourism industry in Abu Dhabi. The recognition should help boost tourist arrivals in Abu Dhabi from the UK and all across Europe.