Tourism, Culture & Sports

Abu Dhabi has become increasingly competitive as a regional and international destination in recent years. Guest numbers for 2015 were in line with growth targets, a trend that has continued over from 2014. In 2015 arrivals surpassed 4.1m, equalling an 18% increase over 2014, when 3.5m people visited. Indeed there is a growing recognition that the emirate is home to a “visitor economy” – one where master planned development is approached considering the overall quality of experience from the visitor’s point of view. Of particular interest is the emirate’s expanding museum offering with five major museums due to open in the coming years, while Abu Dhabi’s numerous sporting mega-events, such as the Formula 1 (F1) Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, are bringing significant economic benefits to the emirate. This chapter contains an interview with Ali Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, Managing Director, ADNEC Group.