Rituparna Chatterjee – Mumbai
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Bejan Dinshaw
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Abu Dhabi has witnessed a growing number of MICE tourists from India. From January to June, 2014 Abu Dhabi welcomed more than 2500 MICE travellers, a substantial growth from two to three small MICE groups that it received in 2013. Speaking about the growing MICE segment, Bejan Dinshaw, country manager – India, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Cultural Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) stated, “Though majority of Indian tourists for Abu Dhabi are FITs, there has also been a growing number of MICE tourists from this market. The main reason for this is ease of connectivity and Abu Dhabi growing as a destination of distinction. Leveraging on this we want to attract more MICE groups and corporates and we would be participating in a MICE exhibition to be held in Chennai this year.” TCA Abu Dhabi also has plans to launch an online specialist training programme for the Indian travel trade fraternity next year.
TCA Abu Dhabi, which recently kick-started its five city roadshow to be held across Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad will be promoting the capital as a year round destination targeting high-end travellers from India. Around 15 suppliers consisting of DMCs, hotels, event management companies are expected to participate at the roadshow. Next year, they plan to take the roadshow to Tier II and Tier III cities.
India is the leading source market for Abu Dhabi. Around 107,999 Indians visited the capital from January to June clocking a growth of 35 per cent over the same period last year. This year the tourism authority is expecting a growth between 35 to 40 per cent. “Earlier Abu Dhabi was a day return trip clubbed with Dubai. Now this trend has changed and the average night stay is four nights,” he mentioned.
