Hotel Yas in Abu Dhabi – Source: Abu Dhabi Tourism

Abu Dhabi business tourism is on the rise after investment in infrastructure has increased the number of events in the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) segment.
The significantly expanded business travel market over recent years is forecast to double in value by 2020 to reach almost $1.4bn by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (ADTCA).

Despite tough regional competition, the emirate position as an events destination was strengthened by funding channeled into infrastructure for business tourism.

Director of the annual Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meeting Exhibition (GIBTM) Lois Hall, believes that the new infrastructure provided the foundations for the growth of the emirate’s MICE segment.

“Abu Dhabi’s business tourism, meetings and incentive infrastructure has expanded significantly over the past year,” Ms Hall said.

Of the 70 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s hotel guest profile, 10 per cent comes from the MICE segment.  Looking to capitalise on the growth in market, a number of hotels have added conference and exhibition halls to their facilities.

Chief operating officer at Rotana Hotels Omer Kaddouri said the group’s business plan took MICE as a core component.

“Everyone’s after MICE as it brings volume of business, it brings food and beverage, [and] MICE fills the rooms,” Mr Kaddouri said.