The exhibition centre provides the facilities that are expected to continue to attract business travellers to conferences in the capital.
The exhibition centre provides the facilities that are expected to continue to attract business travellers to conferences in the capital.

ADNEC brings strong returns to capital



Business travellers using the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) help to bring more than Dh3 billion (US$817 million) into the capital every year even though the development is still far from complete, says the head of the company that runs the facility.

The figures highlight the growing importance of business travel and conferences in Abu Dhabi's tourism plans. Simon Horgan, the chief executive of ADNEC Group, said Abu Dhabi's old exhibition facilities held 14 events in 2005 compared with 119 events last year at the replacement centre, which opened three years ago. The number of hotel guests visiting the capital is expected to rise by more than 50 per cent by 2012 to 2.3 million.

Business travellers at international events are likely to spend three times more than leisure tourists, according to analysts. The exhibition centre is part of the Dh8bn Capital Centre development that will eventually house seven hotels, including the Hyatt in a leaning tower of glass and steel. ADNEC hosts exhibitions such as Cityscape Abu Dhabi and Gastech. Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) last year launched the Advantage Abu Dhabi initiative that offers cash to business event organisers to lure them to the capital.

The authority yesterday announced a number of discounts for Gulf businesses and meeting planners to stage their corporate meetings in Abu Dhabi. These included a free one-day meetings package, free flight upgrades and an Abu Dhabi city sightseeing tour or free dinner. "The meetings industry is potentially a significant growth driver for our tourism sector," said Dayne Lim, the product development director at ADTA.

He said this would help generate exposure and return visits to the capital, as well as immediate economic benefits for hotels, restaurants and airlines. "The timing of this new seeding initiative is in line with our aim of achieving a 10 per cent rise in hotel-guest occupancy throughout Abu Dhabi this year, a target of 1.65 million guests, for which the performance of the business tourism sector will be critical as it accounts for about 80 per cent of the emirate's hotel occupancy," Mr Lim said.

Last year, the proportion of hotel guests from the meetings, incentive, conventions and exhibitions sector increased to 10 per cent, from 8 per cent the previous year. The development of the conference sector played an important role in any major city's economy, said Frederic Bardin, the senior vice president at Congress Solutions International, the conference organiser which is part of Emirates Group.

"Cities do compete for business," said Mr Bardin, noting that Dubai had offered its own incentives for planners to stage their conferences there. "There are a number of cities that offer the same kind of incentives for people to come." Opening more budget hotel rooms in the UAE was critical to attracting a wider range of events and conferences, he said. Some mid-market hotels have opened recently in the capital, including the Aloft hotel, which is owned by ADNEC, and the nearby Holiday Inn.

rbundhun@thenational.ae

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New schools in Dubai
How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

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Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The bio

Who inspires you?

I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist

How do you relax?

Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.

What is favourite book?

The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times

What is your favourite Arabic film?

Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki

What is favourite English film?

Mamma Mia

Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?

If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.  

 

Emergency

Director: Kangana Ranaut

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry 

Rating: 2/5

Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Company%C2%A0profile
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The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
England Test squad

Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Sam Curran, Keaton Jennings, Dawid Malan, Jamie Porter, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes.

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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Game Changer

Director: Shankar 

Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram

Rating: 2/5

Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

A German university was a good fit for the family budget

Annual fees for the Technical University of Munich - £600

Shared rental accommodation per month depending on the location ranges between  £200-600

The family had budgeted for food, books, travel, living expenses - £20,000 annually

Overall costs in Germany are lower than the family estimated 

As proof that the student has the ability to take care of expenses, international students must open a blocked account with about £8,640

Students are permitted to withdraw £720 per month

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The biog

Name: Dhabia Khalifa AlQubaisi

Age: 23

How she spends spare time: Playing with cats at the clinic and feeding them

Inspiration: My father. He’s a hard working man who has been through a lot to provide us with everything we need

Favourite book: Attitude, emotions and the psychology of cats by Dr Nicholes Dodman

Favourit film: 101 Dalmatians - it remind me of my childhood and began my love of dogs 

Word of advice: By being patient, good things will come and by staying positive you’ll have the will to continue to love what you're doing

Crops that could be introduced to the UAE

1: Quinoa 

2. Bathua 

3. Amaranth 

4. Pearl and finger millet 

5. Sorghum