UAE in drive to lure more Latin American tourists

The United Arab Emirates said Sunday it is sending a delegation to the World Travel Market Latin America in Brazil in to lure more Latin Amerian tourists, the state news agency WAM reported.

The official tourism body TCA Abu Dhabi said the delegation will consist of the emirate's leading hotels, destination management companies, tour operators, and the UAE's national carrier Etihad Airways.

Mubarak Al-Nuaimi, TCA director of promotions and overseas offices said, "Last year more than 10,000 Brazilians visited Abu Dhabi, an increase of 85 percent from the previous year, spending 36,401 nights in the emirate's hotels and apartments, a 70 percent rise on the previous 12 months."

It has seen impressive arrival growth from the region, especially since Etihad Airways launched non-stop daily flights from Sao Paolo to Abu Dhabi in June 2013.

"We offer excellent stop-over options for passengers looking to connect flights on their way to Asia and Australia or who may wish spend a few days exploring Abu Dhabi. Brazil and its neighbouring countries represent substantial growth potential for us," added Al-Nuaimi.

According to TCA figures, Brazilian guests stayed on average 3.36 nights in Abu Dhabi's 160 hotels and hotel apartments in 2014.

Also according to the TCA, Abu Dhabi welcomed over 3.494 million tourists in 2014, exceeding its target of 3.1 million, representing a 25 percent year-on-year increase.

Abu Dhabi's major attractions are the six-star Emirates Palace hotel, the world's first and only Ferrari World theme park, desert safari excursions and the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, one of the biggest mosques in the world.

The annual Etihad Airways Formula One Grand Prix held in November has also become a major tourism magnet since its launch in 2009. Endit