Lights, Camera, Action

Marisa Cannon investigates the attractions that are driving Abu Dhabi’s thriving events scene.

- Marisa Cannon

Last year, Abu Dhabi was ranked one of the world’s fastest-growing destinations by Mastercard. It is gearing up for an eventful few years, with the long-awaited Louvre due to open by the end of the year, and other impressive new attractions under development. In 2016, the UAE capital welcomed 4.4 million visitors, up 8 per cent on the previous year. Events such as the Abu Dhabi Summer Season, Abu Dhabi Food Festival and Qasr Al Hosn Festival, which celebrates the emirate’s history and heritage, have helped to tempt tourists.

Visitor numbers are likely to grow still further thanks to a new terminal building at Abu Dhabi airport, due to open in 2019. Expected to increase annual capacity to 30 million passengers, it will have 28,000 sqm of retail and dining space, eight airline lounges and a 163-room transit hotel.

The emirate is not only looking to pull in tourists – it also wants to attract meeting and event planners. The convention bureau has developed the Advantage Abu Dhabi programme to attract business gatherings aligned with the “Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030”, the city’s long-term growth strategy. Its central aim is to diversify the UAE’s economy beyond oil and gas, by investing in sectors such as aviation, tourism and financial services.

The programme offers financial incentives and marketing support to events that show their value within these industries. It seems to be working – a record 14 conferences were secured last year, and are expected to draw more than 35,000 delegates to the region.

FRENCH CONNECTION

The most anticipated of Abu Dhabi’s upcoming openings, and one that should be on any future event itinerary, is the Louvre Abu Dhabi. The dome-shaped building on Saadiyat Island was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel and has been built on a manmade island.