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Abu Dhabi inks travel brand deals, aims to attract 24 million visitors

Abu Dhabi has entered into agreements with multiple companies, including One on the Beach, Trailfinders, and Destination 2

Abu Dhabi inks travel brand deals, aims to attract 24 million visitors
[Source photo: Anvita Gupta/Fast Company Middle East]

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With ambitious aspirations for a record-breaking year, the UAE capital is sparing no effort to attract tourists.

Adopting a collaborative strategy, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism has inked agreements with prominent travel brands to draw an impressive 24 million visitors before midnight on December 31st.

This surge of “joint marketing programs” highlights a commitment to diversify the visitor pool. With partnerships ranging from luxury connoisseurs at Kenwood Travel to budget-conscious explorers with Destination 2, the ten new collaborations cater to various travel preferences.

Renewed partnerships with online travel retailers such as Expedia, Lastminute.com, Amadeus, and Dnata further demonstrate their support for Abu Dhabi’s “ambitious goal,” as described by the department’s statement.

Expanding its hotel offerings further, Voyage Prive enters the scene. Simultaneously, the Spanish giant El Corte Ingles, owner of Viajes El Corte Ingles, opened doors to the European market.

“The agreements will build on Abu Dhabi’s appeal to European travelers, harnessing the region’s potential to generate increased growth in visitor numbers to the emirate and supporting Abu Dhabi’s ambitious goal of attracting more than 24 million visitors this year,” the statement said.

December signifies the peak of the country’s tourism season, attracting global travelers to the UAE for its pleasant winter climate.

Abu Dhabi aims to exceed last year’s 18 million visitors, targeting over 24 million by the year’s end. The campaign strategy of the UAE capital is centered on enticing tourists from Europe, particularly the United Kingdom (UK).

“The UK is a priority market for Abu Dhabi, and we are committed to exploring new opportunities for collaboration with our valued UK and European travel partners,” said Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.

During the first six months of the year, Abu Dhabi International Airport registered over 10.2 million arrivals in the UAE capital, a substantial increase from the 6.1 million recorded the previous year.

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