ABU DHABI IS BECOMING KNOWN FOR HOSTING HIGH-PROFILE INTERNATIONAL SPORTING EVENTS. DESMOND HATTON, GENERAL MANAGER, DUSIT THANI ABU DHABI, EXPLAINS WHY THE EMIRATE IS A DESTINATION OF CHOICE.

Q& A with Desmond Hatton

GENERAL MANAGER, DUSIT THANI ABU DHABI

TRAVEL TRADE MENA: How successful was the last quarter of 2017 for your company? Please share the latest statistics if possible.

DESMOND HATTON: The last quarter of 2017 was a mixed bag of opportunities and challenges for the hotel. Overall, the business sentiments in the fourth quarter were positive and the hotels in the city competed fiercely to get their fair share of the market.

TRAVEL TRADE MENA: What are your main feeder markets and what, in your opinion are the main reasons they choose Abu Dhabi as a sports destination?

DESMOND HATTON: The main feeder market for the hotel is definitely the Middle East, followed by Europe and emerging Asia. Abu Dhabi is a rising city when it comes to hosting international sports events. This is mainly attributed to the commitment of the local authorities towards sports and the allied infrastructure that is in place.
The city has successfully staged world-class sporting spectacles such as Formula One, Red Bull Air Race, HSBC Golf Championship, Abu Dhabi Cycling World Tour, Jiu-Jitsu Championship, ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi and FINA High Diving World Cup to name a few.

TRAVEL TRADE MENA: How do you believe these qualities can, and should be further developed? Are any significant projects related to this industry currently underway or in the pipeline?

DESMOND HATTON: There can be more opportunities of collaboration between the stakeholders, including hotels, airlines, travel agents and local authorities to promote the destination internationally during these sports events in Abu Dhabi. It will provide a concrete base or buffer to the city that is currently reeling under the pressure of oversupply and limited demand.
The most anticipated sporting event of the decade will be 2019’s Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi. Needless to say, the city is gearing up for the games and preparing full steam to ensure seamless logistics.

TRAVEL TRADE MENA: Are there any other upcoming high profile sports-related events you would like to tell us more about?

DESMOND HATTON: Undoubtedly, the Formula One has been the most successful sporting event in the recent times for the emirates capital city. Trailing closely, Mubadala World Tennis Championship has also been able to draw crowds over the last couple of years. The likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams among other tennis stars have awed the audience in the past with their striking knocks on Abu Dhabi soil. The HSBC Golf Championship has also been a success.
Besides the sports events mentioned above, the city has or will be hosting Abu Dhabi Cycling World Tour, Jiu-Jitsu Championship, ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi and FINA High Diving World Cup.

TRAVEL TRADE MENA: What are some of the other activities a visitor to Abu Dhabi, or their families, can indulge in when not actively engaged in sports or watching a match?

DESMOND HATTON: Abu Dhabi is primarily a cultural and arts hub of the Middle East. Louvre Abu Dhabi, Grand Mosque and Manarat Al Saadiyat are truly the region’s most popular cultural sites worth visiting. Furthermore, the city boasts of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and an interesting mix of mall concepts, especially Yas Mall. There’s never a dull moment in Abu Dhabi. The tourists can bask some sunshine by the beachside on Corniche, Saadiyaat or even tee off at the city’s popular golf courses. The options to indulge in Abu Dhabi are limitless.

TRAVEL TRADE MENA: Is there anything else you would like to add?

DESMOND HATTON: The Abu Dhabi is poised to grow further in the coming years. In the wake of the Dubai Expo 2020 and the upcoming Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi the city is definitely on a trajectory. However, on the flip side, the industry has become excruciatingly competitive with the opening of new hotels, resulting in the softening of the rates and eventually, hitting the bottom line of the hotels.
Bracing all odds with a sense of optimism, the hotel industry leaders and veterans feel quite bullish about the Abu Dhabi market in times ahead. In the midst of the upcoming projects, the business outlook looks bright for the emirates’ capital city.

Bawadi Mall in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi is hosting a 24-hour Mega Sale featuring discounts of up to 90 percent across major brands from June 15 – 16.

Additionally, Chelsea Copenhaver, marketing manager, Marina Mall Abu Dhabi, added that the last quarter of 2017 was very positive, with footfall and spend increases reported compared to previous months and years.

ABU DHABI IS A DESTINATION THAT IS INCREASINGLY POSITIONING ITSELF AS A LEADING GLOBAL SPORTS VENUE, HOSTING MORE AND MORE HIGH-PROFILE INTERNATIONAL SPORTING EVENTS EACH YEAR.

As Durai revealed, one of the main reasons of the sector’s rapid growth was the introduction of more relaxed visa options, including a new multiple entry visa for cruise guests which facilitated the administrative processes and has helped reach a wider pool of international vacationers.

WITH ITS CRUISE SECTOR HAVING BEEN IDENTIFIED AS AN EMERGING NICHE, ABU DHABI IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE ARABIAN GULF’S AMBITIONS TO BECOME A LEADING WINTER SUN CRUISE HUB.

Aiming to cultivate positive attitudes to the status of art and its place within the cultural and social fabric of the UAE, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) collaboratively organised the fourth edition of the ADEC Students Showcase.

The progress made by TCA Abu Dhabi is unequivocal, with a broad range of incentives to boost all sectors of tourism, including MICE.

In particular, Advantage Abu Dhabi, an Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau programme, is seen as a catalyst in bolstering the emirate’s MICE segment by adding bespoke destination support to business event organisers as well as stimulating business for local suppliers and enhancing the overall experience for delegates.

“TCA Abu Dhabi has done a wonderful job exposing our destination opportunities to the MICE buyers and influencers, especially within key target markets such as China, India and Eastern Europe,” enthused van Alphen.

Testament to this, Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi has worked alongside TCA Abu Dhabi, with the aim of utilising every possible opportunity to showcase both the property and the city, especially in regards to familiarisation trips.

Taking advantage of TCA Abu Dhabi’s activity across the world and success in showcasing its product, Maifi noted that Mecure Abu Dhabi Centre Hotel has worked closely with the organisation, following its guidelines and participating in numerous exhibitions under its umbrella.

Acknowledging the importance of maintaining ties with ADNEC, exhibitors and event organisers, Tannous said, “We see them as our long drawn partners for success.

” He added that through such collaborations, the hotels have been able to truly grasp what different visitors look for.

Tannous further outlined that both Centro Capital Centre and Capital Centre Arjaan by Rotana offer various tailor made packages as part of the group’s Business Escapes initiative, which provides guests ample opportunity to unwind after a busy day on the MICE circuit.

Moreover, each property features a dedicated team to plan and execute the event from start to finish.

Similarly, in an effort to entice MICE organisers to the property, Mahy Noor, events manager, Bab Al Qasr, explained that the address offers complimentary rooms for every 25 paid room nights per night along with room upgrades and commission on room rates as well as food and beverage spend.

ADAPTING TO CHANGE

Confident that the market will return to healthy levels once the global economy stabilises, van Alphen concluded that this moment in time is nothing other than an opportunity to push and expose the capital for future MICE as well as the chance to think differently and seek business in new areas.

Mentioning the need for unique concept events that provide global solutions, Tannous agreed, “Stakeholders in the hospitality industry need to align their strategy with Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 to focus on attracting a wide pool of business travellers to the emirate.”

While the addition of rooms is putting pressure on hoteliers, it is also stimulating the industry.

Lance summarised, “The number of full service and international branded hotels coming into the marketplace has also made Abu Dhabi more attractive as a MICE destination.”

He continued to say that this, and competitive rates are the two decisive factors for MICE buyers.

Vaubell expounded that the boost in hotel rooms will enable the capital to host much larger city-wide events, indicating what the future will hold for Abu Dhabi.

Even with the spectacular transformation seen in the hospitality industry in the past decade, Lance elucidated, “Abu Dhabi is still in an awareness phase, similar to where Dubai was 10 – 12 years ago.”

However, this leaves plenty of room for growth.

Explaining that TCA Abu Dhabi is on a mission to enhance its tourism product with Etihad Airways as an invaluable and strategic partner, Lance predicted, “Abu Dhabi will soon be not only the fastest growing MICE destination in the region, but on a global scale.”

Considering its strategic geographical location, it is no wonder that Abu Dhabi is set to play host to such a varied, global calendar of events, from Special Olympics in 2019 to the 18th Ottawa Conference on Medical Education in 2018, among many others.

DESPITE ITS STRONG EMPHASIS ON MICE IN RECENT YEARS, THE TOURISM INDUSTRY IN ABU DHABI WAS NOT IMMUNE TO THE CHALLENGES OF 2016.