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To help simplify the venue selection process, the Visit Abu Dhabi website offers an online venue finder tool that allows users to search over 120 listings based on meeting room size, venue type or exhibit space requirements. It also has a number of destination management companies and professional meeting organizers who can be contacted to organize the venue and facilitate the event itself in Abu Dhabi.
The increase in hotel options also covers a wide spectrum, from budget to ultra-luxury, and short-term to long-term stays, while the MICE segment is primarily focused on building hospitality offerings in the emirate.
“ADNEC Group has made strategic investments in its hotel portfolio, notably to support its venues in Abu Dhabi and London. We have two hotels on site at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi – Aloft Abu Dhabi and Andaz Capital Gate,” Stephenson said.
“The other properties in our portfolio – Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Abu Dhabi and Anantara Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort – enable us to offer international business travelers who wish to extend their work trips or return to Abu Showcasing Abu Dhabi’s status as a major destination, Future Dhabi is for leisure,” he added.
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi’s aviation industry is made up of full-service (Etihad) and budget airlines (Wizz Air Abu Dhabi and Air Arabia Abu Dhabi), and is supported by Abu Dhabi International Airport, which was recently equipped with facial Identification and biometrics technologies that help speed up the flow of passengers.
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, plays a pivotal role in building the local MICE industry. “As the national airline of the UAE, we are actively working to develop Abu Dhabi as a business and leisure destination.
To showcase Abu Dhabi’s strength as a destination for business meetings, conferences and events, we have worked closely with the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism to organize trade familiarization tours from emerging markets with a MICE focus,” said Martin Drew, Senior Vice President Said Etihad Airways’ global sales and cargo business, was awarded the title of “World’s Best MICE Airline” at the 2022 World MICE Awards.
“Etihad has also entered into a partnership with the Abu Dhabi Exhibition and Convention Bureau (ADCEB) to support the Advantage Abu Dhabi program that incentivizes MICE business,” added Drew.
The initiative is one of the emirate’s most important programs to support the MICE industry and all its stakeholders. The program was revamped last year, with ADCEB partnering with Etihad Airways to incentivize corporate customers. For example, when booking 30 tickets, give away an economy class ticket.
Likewise, the program’s hotel partners have programs specific to the MICE industry, offering free rooms, upgrades and spa discounts. Intermediaries involved in promoting the development of Abu Dhabi’s MICE industry will also be appropriately rewarded. ADCEB has launched the MICE Agent Incentive Program to incentivize international and local intermediaries to bring business to the UAE capital, offering air tickets, hotel accommodation and shopping vouchers.
Authentic cultural experience
Against a global backdrop of pressure points from international conflicts in Eastern Europe, inflation concerns and cost-cutting measures, the MICE industry has had to rethink its value proposition. It has to go beyond the business side and also appeal to the leisure market – hence the rise of “bleisure” offerings – to convince businesses to book destinations outside their country of residence.
With these evolving needs in mind, the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism in November developed a list of seven authentic Emirati cultural experiences that visitors are recommended to experience. Created in collaboration with Emirati guides, the experiences include visits to local fish and date markets, homemade Emirati breakfasts and visits to local ranches.
There are also a number of venues in Abu Dhabi that are well-suited for MICE meetings with a clear bleisure element, such as Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Yas Marina Circuit, which feature well-equipped business centers and entertainment options. Other unconventional venues for business events include the Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi, the Manarat Al Saadiyat Art Studio and the Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace. For high-end gatherings where privacy is paramount, there are venues such as Zaya Nurai Island private resort.
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