Let’s examine the numbers. The 2022 edition of the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) attracted 15,000 attendees and generated an estimated US$8.2 billion in business for the roughly 2,200 exhibiting companies.
Last year’s edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair witnessed the participation of 1,130 publishers from 80 countries, with 650 cultural, educational and artistic events held during the week-long event.
And the 2023 edition of the International Defence Exhibition, held alongside the Naval Defence and Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX 2023), attracted 132,507 visitors and 1,353 companies from around the world, with the UAE Armed Forces signing deals worth US$1.5 billion.
Based on these stats, it’s fair to say the MICE industry in Abu Dhabi is in rude health.
The decision to focus on the MICE industry is central to Abu Dhabi’s Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy beyond oil into a knowledge-based economy. The emirate is actively engaged in attracting businesses and events to the capital of the UAE.
After all, as Genevieve Leclerc, co-founder and CEO of global non-profit organisation Meet4Impact says: “Business events generate positive financial outcomes not just through the spending of visitors but also through the trade and foreign investment opportunities that follow the event. They also contribute to the skill and opportunity development, attracting talent to host cities, strengthening existing networks and collaborations, and forging new partnerships”.
LAYING THE GROUNDWORK
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 2023 من Business Traveller UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 2023 من Business Traveller UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
The rail thing - Why airlines and train companies are partnering to increase options for travellers on short journeys
An intercity flight connection operated by train would have been almost unthinkable in the early 1990s, but in 2024 it will increasingly be the default experience at many European hub airports. European nations have been among the world's leaders in adopting high-speed rail for short-distance trips, along with Asian countries such as Japan and China.
Adventures in Albania - From paranoid dictatorship to dream travel destination, why the Balkan nation is ready for its moment in the sun
Over the past few years, tourism has shot up stratospherically; recent figures from the European Travel Commission show it's grown 86 per cent since 2019. Its GDP per capita has also been increasing, and last year stood at US$8,800, while the average monthly salary is now around 84,000 lek (£704). Foreign direct investment is also on the rise, with countries including Switzerland, Italy, and the Netherlands targeting sectors such as energy, mining, information and real estate to a value of around US$1.5 billion in 2022, according to UNCTAD's World Investment Report. Not bad for a country which used to depend on foreign food aid.
Sushi Kanesaka at 45 Park Lane, London
Watching Kanesaka work his magic is performance in itself
Scandic Spectrum, Copenhagen
An impressive corporate hotel just minutes from Copenhagen's centre
Kimpton Clocktower, Manchester
The perfect mix of gorgeous heritage design with cool, cosmopolitan attitude
Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London
A stunning success another calming experience in the capital
Eurostar Business Premier LONDON-PARIS
It remains the superior service for those travelling from London to Paris
Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300ER first class DOHA-HONG KONG
There is a lot to like, but my experience was far from perfect
4 HOURS IN...Vienna
You'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to the Austrian capital's museums, galleries and historic cafes
SWITCHING OFF IN...THE LOIRE VALLEY
Escape to the secluded forests of the Loire Valley for a digital detox