Launched during IMEX Frankfurt 2022, the new upgraded programme aims to incentivise corporate clients to choose Abu Dhabi for their MICE events. Photo Credit: Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has
unveiled The Advantage Abu Dhabi Meetings & Incentives 2.0
programme to entice event organisers and meeting planners to Abu Dhabi
through a new array of incentives and support.
DCT Abu Dhabi called for all organisers to ‘Get the Advantage’ and
tap on the newly launched initiative that will allow them to benefit
from support throughout the whole planning cycle of their event; access a
network of experienced partners; and benefit from hotel discounts,
flight tickets, hosted buyers, speakers programme and more.
Under the upgraded Advantage Abu Dhabi Meeting and Incentive
programme, a meetings or incentives group numbering 501 pax and above
(smaller groups will have these incentives scaled down) will be able to
qualify:
• Support of AED350 (US$95) per person
• Complimentary Covid testing in Abu Dhabi
• Welcome drink on group arrival
• Discounted shopping vouchers
• Complimentary standard hotel room
• One upgrade to a suite
• 25% spa discount on selected packages at selected hotels
• Receive 1 complimentary economy class ticket with every 30 airline tickets booked
• Cultural showcase at gala dinner
• Hosted site inspection
Additionally, the programme offers an agency reward scheme to
incentivise both international and local-based intermediaries,
comprising MICE agencies, meeting planners, travel management companies
and incentive planners, to promote and refer business events and MICE
groups to Abu Dhabi.
For example, an international intermediary that has successfully
referred a group size of 2,000 participants will be rewarded with six
international air tickets to Abu Dhabi, accommodation at a five-star
hotel for three nights, dinner for six pax in a five-star hotel,
round-trip airport transfers and two new experiences.
“We believe that the enhanced programme will benefit organisers and
corporations convening events in Abu Dhabi and help them leverage the
diverse offerings of the UAE capital,” said Mubarak Al Shamisi, director
of Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB) at DCT Abu Dhabi.
“Abu Dhabi is uniquely positioned to offer the world in one place, as
it provides MICE visitors with a memorable experience.”
This revamped programme follows the launch of several new
initiatives, including a recent collaboration with Etihad Airways that
offers corporate groups discounted air-tickets, group booking discounts,
complimentary flights and special flight rates for inspection trips to
Abu Dhabi.
Besides the launch of The Advantage Abu Dhabi Meetings &
Incentives 2.0 programme, ADCEB had also utilised IMEX Frankfurt as a
platform to announce a partnership with ASSOCIATIONWORLD, making Abu
Dhabi the exclusive Middle East partner for the Geneva International
Association Forum (GIAF) and the Brussels International Association
Forum (BIAF).
This partnership aims to forge a better understanding of
international associations’ needs as ADCEB works alongside
ASSOCIATIONWORLD to develop innovative solutions for the challenges
associations face.
Other partnerships ADCEB explored was with Miral earlier this year in
a bid to attract larger corporate groups to Abu Dhabi with a Business
Event Fund targeting business events and corporate groups with more than
500 attendees.
Additionally, ADCEB is continuing to work alongside the International
Congress Convention Association (ICCA) to strengthen its position as a
leading MICE destination on the global scale while enhancing ties within
other industry players.