The staging of the inaugural Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM) in Abu Dhabi is set to deliver a major boost to the UAE capital’s meetings and conventions sector.
Around 250 of the world’s top meetings industry buyers were hosted to the show – many visiting Abu Dhabi for the first time – and who are now seriously considering the capital for future business opportunities.
“This was my first time here and it is a most beautiful city,” said Claudio Fernandez, President of Argentina’s Leisure Express SA wholesaler-tour operator. “It has been a pleasure to get to know this great destination and realize now how important it is for us to be here. Abu Dhabi has great potential for us – we have a lot of people of Arab descent living in Argentina who are looking to visit this part of the world and it is now a destination I would most wholeheartedly recommend. It really has surpassed all my expectations.”
Another hosted buyer, Leslie Paul Tempest of the UK’s Energy Group said he could now envisage doing business with Abu Dhabi following his visit. “It has the potential, it is the capital city and the seat of Federal Government and is now getting the infrastructure to such a stage where we could well do business here,” he said.
For Jean-Michel Rondeau, President, L’International Business Club, France, his stay in Abu Dhabi was something of an eye-opener.
“I took time to discover the city and visited the Corniche. I came to realize that Abu Dhabi has a pronounced cultural influence that sets it apart. I am passionate about distinctive architecture and was delighted to hear of the Louvre coming to Abu Dhabi and that it has been designed by Frenchman Jean Nouvel. It has been an important new destination discovery.”
Singaporean-based buyer Victor Seah of Pacific World said the UAE capital’s range of meetings venues is impressive.
“There are so many great venues here that we were not aware of, for example Emirates Palace. I brought 10 buyers from Asia here and all have spoken very positively about Abu Dhabi. There are lots of hidden gems here waiting to be discovered.”
For Gundula Klaumunzner of Germany’s Art ‘N Sport, a first-time trip to the UAE capital opened up new horizons.
“Abu Dhabi is a fascinating city with great potential,” she said. “My business is art and sport which this is the right destination for. Within three years I see this as an excellent market for event planners.”
Abu Dhabi went all out to impress the industry with a gala celebration of the emirate’s ‘Past, Present & Future’ which took up the beachside of the seven-star Emirates Palace Hotel and gave guests a taste of Arabian hospitality on a lavish scale.
“Feedback from the event has been excellent and we have shown that Abu Dhabi is ready, and able, to host major events on an international scale,” said Ali Hossani, Marketing Director, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.
