Abu Dhabi: Adnan Najm
Experts and managers in the tourism sector in Abu Dhabi stressed the importance of resuming business tourism, conferences and meetings, explaining that this type of services takes up an important share of hotel performance.
They expressed their expectations that business tourism and conferences will recover thanks to the state’s overcoming the effects of the pandemic, and companies and institutions are directed to hold meetings and meetings in person, instead of organizing them by default.
They expected that hotel and tourist facilities would achieve positive performance during the last quarter of this year and the first quarter of next year, thanks to Abu Dhabi’s hosting of thousands of events, activities, conferences and meetings, noting that companies took the initiative to reserve halls and meeting rooms to organize events and activities in them.
Business and exhibition tourism accounts for a large share of hotel performance, especially in the first and last quarter of each year, as it constitutes 50-60% of hotel revenues. Therefore, hotels expect an increase in the number of visitors from the last half of September, and it will continue upward until the first quarter of Next year.
Ahmed Haseeb, CEO of Jeewan Hotel Management Company, said: “The UAE is witnessing a continuous effort to develop the tourism sector and enhance its position on the global tourism map, especially in the field of business, as the state encourages investment and business opportunities in various economic and commercial fields, in addition to the global reputation that I gained it in organizing exhibitions, conferences and meetings.”
Haseeb added: “Abu Dhabi hotels are gaining a global reputation and prestige in terms of accommodating visitors and delegations and distinguished service. They also enjoy luxury, luxurious facilities and high expertise for workers in this sector.”
He stated that business tourism and exhibitions take up a large share of hotels’ performance, especially in the first and last quarters of each year, as they constitute 50-60% of hotel revenues.
Haseeb concluded: “We make periodic visits to the companies and diplomatic bodies sector to follow up the progress of work and the arrival of visitors and delegations, especially during the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition, the Formula 1 event, and the EDEX exhibition scheduled to be organized next February.”
Distinguished Atmosphere
For his part, Mohsen Al Shimi, Director of Regional Government Sales for The St. Regis Abu Dhabi Hotels, said: “Conference, business and meeting tourism is one of the most important events in the capital, Abu Dhabi, as it attracts the attention and attendance of senior officials and dignitaries from all over the world to visit and enjoy the distinguished atmosphere that it enjoys. During these months of the year.
He added: “Abu Dhabi is one of the most important cities that has hosted many events and exhibitions, such as the International Petroleum Exhibition, Formula One races, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Week, and other meetings and activities that will be held in conference halls and rooms in hotels, which makes these activities an important main driver. for hotels.”
Al-Shimy continued, “We offer many opportunities and offers to delegations participating in meetings, events and exhibitions, as such events have a positive impact on the tourism sector in Abu Dhabi.”
high demand
Radhi Baz, Director of Sales Department at the Sofitel Abu Dhabi Hotel, said: “We are expected to record a large turnout by business sectors in the last quarter of this year, as we record reservations for organizing conferences and meetings by companies and institutions, whether from inside or outside the country.”
Baz added: “The conferences, business and meetings sector is very important in hotel activity, as we are interested in providing appropriate offers to attract and organize these events in the hotel, where we have the spaces and capabilities to embrace such activities and make them successful.”
gradual improvement
For his part, tourism expert Noel Masoud says: “The conference and meetings sector has begun to gradually improve, and it is expected to regain its position with the upcoming organization of many meetings and events in Abu Dhabi, as the capital Abu Dhabi will host a number of exhibitions and events, and it is expected that meetings and conferences will be held during or on the sidelines of them. And meetings in hotels, or the Abu Dhabi Exhibition Center, which will have a positive effect and raise bookings for sectors and meeting rooms.”
Masoud added: “The hotels include many well-equipped conference and meeting rooms and halls that host delegations’ meetings and corporate events. Such activities enhance the hotels’ operational performance and generate significant revenues.”
He continued, “Abu Dhabi has been able to strengthen its position as a destination for hosting conferences and meetings, and we have previously witnessed the organization of regional and international companies and institutions, their events and events in the capital, Abu Dhabi, thanks to the availability of the infrastructure to host such activities. After the conferences are organized in attendance, bookings for meeting rooms and rooms will return to pre-pandemic levels.”
Occupancy increase
In turn, Osama Shrouf, Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Jannah Hotels and Resorts, said: “We are benefiting greatly from the conferences and meetings that are held in our hotels, and we are witnessing the arrival of a quality number of attendees to these activities, and business tourism accounts for a large share of the hotels performance, which It helps to raise the occupancy rate, whether for meeting and conference rooms or hotel rooms, which increases our revenues significantly.”
He added: “Business tourism and conferences contribute a large percentage of the revenues we achieve, and take up 30% of the works of Jannah Burj Al Sarab Hotel, due to the limited space available for organizing conferences and meetings.”
He stated that the exhibitions and conferences hosted by the Abu Dhabi Exhibition Center attract millions of participants and visitors who will be keen to book their stays in the capital’s hotels, which will have a positive impact on hotels and raise their occupancy rates to record rates.
A large number
Mustafa Al Tantawi, Director of Operations at Bab Al Qasr Abu Dhabi Hotel, said: “Preparations are underway to receive the large number of activities, conferences and meetings that will be hosted by the UAE capital in the last quarter of this year, as there is a great deal of demand for conference, meeting and event rooms, which will support the hotel’s performance and achieve occupancy.” Great in the halls and rooms.”
Al Tantawi added: “It is important to note the efforts made to encourage European tourists to come to Abu Dhabi to escape the winter season, and to enjoy the beautiful weather that the country enjoys during this important period of the year.”
readiness
Osama Mustafa, General Manager of the Horthon Abu Dhabi Hotel, says: “Business and conference tourism account for an important and large percentage of the performance of Abu Dhabi hotels, and contribute to achieving high occupancy in rooms throughout the year, as companies, government institutions or individuals flock to reserve rooms and halls to organize conferences and seminars, Whether directly by communicating with hotels or travel and tourism companies, or indirectly by booking through websites, the percentage of benefit from this sector varies according to the hotel’s readiness, the ability to provide service to guests and the appropriate atmosphere for them.”
Mustafa added: “As for the Hawthorne Suite Abu Dhabi, conferences, meetings and seminars have taken up 50% of the hotel’s business in the past few years, and we are working to benefit from these conferences and meetings in the coming years, in cooperation with the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi.”
