The Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB), part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, to further bolster ample aid for MICE groups travelling to Abu Dhabi.
This strategic partnership with Etihad Airways will empower ADCEB to offer complimentary flights and discounts to worthy MICE groups as part of its Advantage Abu Dhabi program, a successful initiative that offers in financial assistance, event planning benefits, subvention, and destination-driven value-adds to event organizers and corporate clients.
Mubarak Al Shamisi, Director of ADCEB at DCT Abu Dhabi, stated: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Etihad Airways, which will help us to further establish Abu Dhabi as one of the world’s leading business events destinations. With this partnership, we will provide an attractive proposition to our MICE groups, attracting new interest and ensuring clients will continue to return to the emirate. From hosting conferences and exhibitions to being the go-to destination for meetings and incentive travel, we look forward to welcoming business leaders from around the world to discover everything Abu Dhabi has to offer.”
Martin Drew, Senior Vice President of Sales and Cargo at Etihad Airways, stated: “Abu Dhabi is an ideal environment for business and leisure travellers alike, and as the UAE’s national airline, Etihad is proud to partner with ADCEB to make the destination even more appealing for MICE clients. With Etihad’s fleet of state-of-the-art aircraft and famed Emirati hospitality from the award-winning cabin crew, business travellers will enjoy the journey as much as the destination.”
Industry sources added that the MoU, announced at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) event, will empower the eligible Advantage Abu Dhabi applicants with additional flight benefits and perks like that of the group booking discounts, complimentary flights for large MICE group bookings on direct flights, and special flight rates for site/destination inspection trips to Abu Dhabi for clients that hold their business events and incentive groups in the emirate.
As a tool for promoting the UAE capital to international destination management companies, meeting planners, and conference/exhibition organizers, the Advantage Abu Dhabi program provides the emirate with a competitive edge against global destinations which are increasingly bidding and attracting clients with enhanced support offers.