The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) hosted its ‘Experience Abu Dhabi’ roadshow in India across the three major cities of Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, engaging more than 45 travel trade stakeholders from major airlines, cruise lines, hotels, attractions, and DMCs.

The roadshow aimed to increase Indian travellers’ interest in the array of exciting, inspiring and restorative attractions and experiences Abu Dhabi offers, while also expanding possibilities for long-term relationships in the industry. Commencing in Delhi on 9 September, and then heading to Mumbai and Bangalore on 11^th and 13^th September respectively, the roadshow served as an opportunity for key travel, trade, and tourism stakeholders to learn more about Abu Dhabi as a top premium global destination and witness DCT Abu Dhabi’s commitment to the growth and expansion of Indian travel trade in the emirate.

The successful events featured a series of briefings, presentations, and demonstrations of Emirati cultural heritage elements, showcasing the emirate as a top travel destination for leisure, business, and incentive travel. These were followed by special networking dinners attended by key industry experts and investors.

Abdulla Mohammad, International Operations Director for DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “It is always a pleasure to meet with our valued trade partners in India to discuss the business developments and growth opportunities that Abu Dhabi has in store.  India is among the top focus markets for tourism in the emirate and holds immense potential in the years to come. The roadshow is aimed to empower Indian travelers and operators, increasing awareness of the destination and enabling engagement with targeted corporates and leading travel agencies. By fostering strong partnerships, we are committed to delivering exceptional experiences for Indian visitors, whether they are seeking luxury, culture or adventure.”

In the past year, Abu Dhabi has seen significant growth in tourism numbers from India. Along with innovative marketing and luxury offerings, the ongoing emphasis on Tier II and III cities will continue to encourage additional expansion and strengthen Abu Dhabi’s desirability for the Indian market.

Presenting Abu Dhabi as a year-round destination, and a ‘go-to’ option for Indian outbound travellers, the ‘Experience Abu Dhabi’ India roadshow also offered tailored toolkits, comprehensive services, and an innovative e-learning platform to continue empowering the travel providers with the resources necessary to promote Abu Dhabi. With multiple individual meetings conducted, the three-city India roadshow strengthened existing partner relations and built new connections with key Indian travel trade partners, presenting the emirate as a leading tourism destination for leisure and business, supporting the wider 2030 Tourism Strategy, aiming at increasing visitor numbers to 39.3 million by 2030.