Cyber Gear UAE Today
Guest Posts
 

Abu Dhabi Targets Morocco For Tourism Operators Take Tour Of Emirate’s Hot Spots











Abu Dhabi has the potential to become a leading tourism destination from Morocco according to a delegation of travel industry leaders on a recent turbo-charged trip to the emirate.

Citing a combination of first-class infrastructure, top-class accommodation, an extensive array of attractions for the family and impressive air access, the influential Moroccan operators believe the emirate can gain a larger slice of outbound travel from the country.

The 10-strong trade delegation – guests of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA AAbu Dhabi) and Etihad Airways - visited many of the emirate's top attractions on their four-day visit, including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Yas Island - the emirate's entertainment destination - for first-hand experiences of the world's largest indoor theme park Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the award-winning Yas Waterworld, the iconic Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi, the only hotel in the world to straddle a formula one race track and Yas Mall, the emirate's latest shopping destination – the second largest retail nexus in the UAE.

We have seen year-on-year hotel guest arrivals growth from Morocco of 40%, putting the country in the top four of overseas markets showing the strongest growth, said Mubarak Al Nuaimi, Director of Promotions & Overseas Offices, TCA Abu Dhabi. Only China, Oman and Switzerland improved more than Morocco.

This performance persuaded us to stage an inbound familiarisation trip for the Moroccan travel trade who will help us convert further business from the country. We hope the sheer range of world-class attractions and top-level accommodation will leave a hugely positive impression.

The delegation also explored some of the UAE capital's other delights including Emirates Palace, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers and The Marriot Hotel as well as the World Trade Centre development. The group also visited what will be the emirates cultural centre – Saadiyat Island, where they took in Maanarat Al Saadiyat, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island as well as the Corniche Breakwater's Heritage Village. 

The group completed their jet-heeled journey around the emirate with a trip to the heritage heartland of Al Ain, where they explored Al Jahili Fort, Al Ain Palace Museum, the Zaman Lawal Heritage Village and finally the hotel on the highest peak in the emirate, The Mecure Grand Jebel Hafeet.

Samia Laraki from Transatours Maroc was left in no doubt about the business potential: Abu Dhabi presents a fascinating mixture of the UAE, Arab traditions and progression, with the emirate distinctly maintaining Arabian culture and heritage, she said. Our group was inspired by the visit to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the visit to Yas Island confirmed that Abu Dhabi is a destination for the whole family with lot of attractions there. The destination also includes many MICE facilities, infrastructure and services. This is in addition to many shopping malls offering big choices and multinational brands.

The other attractive point is very important; the cultural aspect of Abu Dhabi with many cultural mega projects on Saadiyat Island: this will give the destination excellent opportunities to welcome travellers from Morocco and also from around the world.

Morocco sits in 24th place on the leaderboard of overseas markets for Abu Dhabi, attracting 18,555 visitors in  2014. According to TCA Abu Dhabi figures, that figure was up by 40 percent on 2013. Guest nights for Moroccans reached 64,634 for 2014, with the average length of stay 3.48 days. While guest nights grew by 23 percent compared with 2013, the average length of stay dipped by 12 percent.

Morocco is an important market for Jannah Hotels & Resorts, and with this familiarisation trip we are able to demonstrate our unique brand attributes to the travel experts from that country, said Mr Nehme Imad Darwiche, the Group's CEO. Jannah Hotels & Resorts is hosting the Moroccan group at the newly opened Jannah Burj Al Sarab. We hope the guests enjoy our facilities. We looking forward to receiving more guests from North Africa as a result of their experience.

Etihad Airways now operates daily flights, with its codeshare partner Royal Air Maroc, from Casablanca to Abu Dhabi International Airport, 7 days a week, using Airbus A330-300 aircraft. There is significant stopover potential from corporate travellers who tend to transit to other destinations with Etihad via Abu Dhabi, added Al Nuaimi. 

 

View News Headlines



We accept guest posts, contact us now  
Another Cyber Gear site