Abu Dhabi ‘Ahlan Wa Sahlan’ to a destination of distinction

One of the most fascinating emerging business & leisure destinations

Voted one of the top ten places to visit in 2010 by leading international travel guides Lonely Planet and Frommer’s

Experiencing tourism and infrastructure growth at time when most of world static

Abu Dhabi – heritage & culture

Spice & mystique of an Arabian adventure

Welcoming – warm hospitality is in the genes

Virtually crime-free

Voted by Mercer Consultants as ‘the safest city in the Middle East’

Almost year-round sunshine

Abu Dhabi – nature & adventure

200 natural islands

Unspoilt desert

Incredible marine life

Lush oases

Abundant wildlife

Improved Access to the emirate

 

Abu Dhabi International Airport

30 km from city centre, approx 30-40 mins

Increasing number of new carriers – nine alone in 2009 - and improved visa process

New Terminal 3 with Etihad first & business class lounges and upmarket retail experience

Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) investing in new multi-billion international airport –

ultimate capacity of 40 million passengers by 2015

Abu Dhabi Emirate

Abu Dhabi is the largest of the seven United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Abu Dhabi is both a city, and an Emirate

Abu Dhabi emirate is made up of three distinct regions:

1. Abu Dhabi City

1. Al Ain [Eastern region]

1. Al Gharbia [Western region]

Abu Dhabi city

Vibrant, cosmopolitan capital city

Currently 2.1 million residents

90 minutes drive from Dubai

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Abu Dhabi landmark at entrance to Abu Dhabi city

World’s largest handmade carpet

World’s largest crystal chandelier

Can accommodate 40,000 worshippers

Open to non-muslims

Guided tours every Sunday – Thursday at 10am

For bookings email zayedmosquetour@adta.ae

Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre

Largest exhibition centre in Gulf region @ 55,000 sqm

Largest indoor auditorium

Two interconnecting hotels – Aloft Abu Dhabi (opened Nov 09) and Hyatt at Capital Centre (completion due 2011)

7 more on-site hotels in planning as part of Capital Gate project

Abu Dhabi – the happening place for business

In 2009 Abu Dhabi hosted over 100 events attracting over 1.8 million guests, including:

ADIPEC (International Petroleum)

World Future Energy Summit

Gastech

IDEX (International Defense) – the largest exhibition in the Middle East

GIBTM – largest gathering of meetings professionals in the region

Al Ain [Eastern Region]

Traditional home of Abu Dhabi’s Ruling Al Nahyan family

Often called ‘The Oasis City’ or ‘The Garden City’

Al Ain means ‘the spring’ in Arabic

One of world’s oldest continually inhabited settlements – rich in archeological sites

90 minutes drive from both Abu Dhabi and Dubai

Al Gharbia [Western Region]

An adventure playground – some of world’s most dramatic desert & stunning natural offshore islands

Described as ‘where the desert meets the sea’

Majestic gateway to ‘Rub Al Khali’ [The Empty Quarter]

Showcase for authentic heritage – desert tribes, date & camel festivals

90 minutes drive ++ from Abu Dhabi

Hotel guest growth 2009 & 2010

Abu Dhabi achieved 2% rise in hotel guests for 2009 – bucking declining international trends

ADTA targeting 1.65 million hotel guests for 2010 – a 10% increase on 2009

Seven luxury hotels opened on Yas Island in Nov 09 alone

Leading European hospitality brands making their debut in 2010

Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi

Icon on Abu Dhabi’s magnificent Corniche, opened 2007

Ultra-luxurious hotel, managed by Kempinski

1.3km of beautiful, private beach

Private marina under construction to open Q3 2010

2 helicopter pads

Permanent Cultural District, Saadiyat Island exhibition on display open daily from 10am to 10pm

Shangri-la Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi

Bein Al Jesrein area [‘Between the Two Bridges’], only 20 mins from airport

30 minutes from centre of Abu Dhabi

215 luxurious guest rooms & suites

Private beach and marina

Upmarket Qaryat Al Beri souk full of souvenirs, treasures and fine dining

Opened 2008 – and four-star Traders Hotel opened 2009

Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi

Bein Al Jesrein area [‘Between the Two Bridges’], next to Traders Hotel & Shangri-la Qaryat Al Beri

Business traveller focus

369 luxurious guest rooms & suites

Private beach

Two Marco Pierre White restaurants – Frankies and MPW Steakhouse & Grill

Opened October 2009

The Yas Hotel, Yas Island

The Yas Hotel forms centrepiece of Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit & straddles F1™ track

Developed by ALDAR

252 deluxe and 247 executive rooms and suites all with exceptional views

Hosts two Georges V (of ‘Buddha Bar’ fame) concept bars – Skylite on main rooftop and Rush in adrenaline-evoking bridge above the circuit

Opened November 2009

Anantara Desert Resort & Spa, Sir Bani Yas Island

Voted one of the world’s greatest hotels by Conde Nast Traveller in the magazine’s Gold List 2010

Developed by Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC)

Sir Bani Yas Island in Western Region – 2 hrs drive from Abu Dhabi and 20 mins ferry. Or 1 hr by seaplane

87 sq km island, former private Royal nature reserve

Home to Arabian Wildlife Park & one of world’s largest free-roaming herds of Arabian Oryx

Opened 2008

Qasr al Sarab, Liwa

Five-star luxury desert resort in Liwa desert on edge of Rub Al Khali [The Empty Quarter’]

Developed by TDIC, managed by Anantara

Desert activities including falconry, camel riding, star-gazing and excursions into Rub Al Khali

2 hours drive from Abu Dhabi

Private 500-metre air strip & runway being developed

Opened December 2009

Park Rotana Abu Dhabi

Luxurious 318 room five-star hotel and 172 room fully-serviced hotel apartments

Near Khalifa Park on eastern side of Abu Dhabi city

20 minutes from airport & 30 mins from city

Signature Teatro restaurant and traditional gastro-pub, Coopers

Opened Q1 2010

Coming up in 2010….

Bridgeway Abu Dhabi

Managed by Europe’s luxury brand, The Rocco Forte Hotel Collection

Brand’s first foray into Middle East

Developed by TDIC

Features 2 spectacular 11-story towers

On Airport Road, close to Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre (ADNEC)

Coming up in 2010….

Grand Canal Abu Dhabi

Themed on gracious waterways of Venice

Operated by JW Marriott

Developed by Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH)

Opposite Shangri-la Qaryat Al Beri, Traders & Fairmont

Coming up in 2010….

Hili Rayhaan, Al Ain

Part of Wahat Hili [‘Oases of Hili’] mall development in north district of Al Ain

Five-star hotel operated by Rotana

Alcohol-free property with 257 rooms and suites

Only 30 minute drive from Abu Dhabi airport and close to heritage sites of Al Ain city

Yas Island

One of the most exciting new developments in Abu Dhabi, envisioned as a mega-entertainment destination

Linked to Saadiyat Island and mainland by 5-lane dual Sheikh Khalifa Highway. 20 - 30 minutes from Abu Dhabi city

Open to date – Yas Marina Circuit & seven hotel and hotel apartments

Opening this year – Yas Links Abu Dhabi Golf Course, Ferrari World

Yas Mall to open 2012 - Warner Bros theme park and Yas Island Waterpark in planning

Yas Island Hotels

The Yas Hotel

Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi & Staybridge Suites

Rezidor Park Inn

Radisson Blu

Yas Island Rotana & Centro Yas Island

Yas Island – Yas Marina Circuit

Home of Etihad Airways F1™ Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Action 365-days a year with major motorsports events – eg. GP2 Asia Series, plus Australian V8s, International Drag Racing and FIA GT Championships Series

Track Days

Coming soon – Driving Academy & go-karting

Yas Links Abu Dhabi Golf Course

Region’s first true links golf course, designed by Kyle Phillips

Opens March 2010

Features 7,450 yard par 72 course

All 18 holes benefit from ocean views with rolling hills

Andalucía clubhouse features sports bar & fine dining restaurant

All 7 Yas Island hotels in close proximity and offer ‘stay & play’ packages

Yas Island – Yas Marina

143 berth Marina

Yas Yacht Club opens Q2 2010

Features lounges & cigar bars, including internationally recognised ‘Monte Carlo Stars N Bars’

Family-friendly F1™ themed restaurant also planned

Yas Island – Ferrari World

World’s first – and only – Ferrari theme park

Opens Q4 2010

2,500 hectare leisure development features over 20 rides & attractions

Includes two Ferrari rollercoaster rides, a G-Force ride, F1™ simulators and much much more

Options for private group entrance and exclusive park use

Saadiyat Island

Will have world’s largest concentration of premier cultural institutions in its Cultural District

Sheikh Zayed National Museum; the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi; the Louvre Abu Dhabi; a performing arts centre and a maritime museum

Cultural District due for completion 2014

Open now – Manarat al Saadiyat exhibition centre and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club

Manarat al Saadiyat

Visitor and exhibition centre on Abu Dhabi’s flagship Saadiyat Island

Translates as ‘place that provides enlightenment’

Will host dedicated space for touring international cultural & art exhibitions

Will comprise 4 major galleries, central events space, 250-seat theatre and restaurant

Phase One open now – permanent Saadiyat Island exhibition and ‘Arts Abu Dhabi Gallery’

Saadiyat Beach Golf Club

Is Arabian Gulf’s first and only ‘ocean’ course with several beachfront holes

18-hole ‘ocean’ masterpiece designed by Gary Player

Over a third of course has views of Saadiyat coastline and dolphins spotted regularly

Opened Q1 2010

Frank Gehry has designed the official Club House, due to open 2013

Will have nine hotels opening in phases – commencing with St Regis Hotel & Residences and Park Hyatt in 2011

World-Class Leisure Events

ADTA Leisure Events:

Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, January

Al Ain Aerobatic Show, January

Gourmet Abu Dhabi, February

Abu Dhabi International Triathlon, March

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, March

Summer in Abu Dhabi, July

Rally Abu Dhabi, December

Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge, December

ADTA has built a solid events and promotions product base, aimed at enriching the lives of

visitors and residents alike and delivering heightened destination awareness.

World-Class Business Events

GIBTM, March

World Green Tourism Abu Dhabi, December

World Health Care Congress, December

Coming in 2012:

World Ophthalmology Congress

World Route Development Forum

ADTA-backed business events: