By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter
The current tourism development in Qatar only complements the projects and plans of Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA), its GCC country manager Sultan A al-Mansoori has said.
“We work together as GCC countries and improve our tourism programmes because everyone from outside the GCC looks at us as one unit,” he told reporters. “We are friends and we are one family now.”
Speaking at a road show yesterday, al-Mansoori said they do not see any competition in attracting tourists from various parts of the world since every country benefits from the activities and tourism products they offer.
Citing the ongoing preparations for the 2022 World Cup, he expects Abu Dhabi to benefit from this much-anticipated event which will bring in more tourists from different pars of the world.
The tourism official said tourists will also find it easy to travel from one GCC country to another with dozens of daily flights to the UAE.
“We do not depend on one airline, though our main is Etihad Airways. We have Qatar Airways flight from Doha too, in addition to services by Emirates, Air Arabia, and Fly Dubai,” he added.
TCA Abu Dhabi officials and representatives met with travel and tourism key players in Doha to showcase the emirate’s various destinations. They also highlighted the opportunities and facilities available for the business tourism segment though the incentives and services offered by Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau.
“TCA Abu Dhabi is back to touring the major cities of the Arabian Gulf, following the highly successful campaign during the holy month of Ramadan,” al-Mansoori said.
Abu Dhabi will also hold various events during Eid al-Adha in the last week of the month which is expected to attract a large number of visitors from neighbouring GCC countries.
Shows and activities will include a group of top-tier Arab singing stars to grace the stage in Abu Dhabi City, Al Ain and the Western Region.
In a press statement, al-Mansoori said an array of cultural and heritage events will also be held next month including the seventh edition of Al Ain Reads Book Show, National Traditional Handicrafts Festival, and the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
