Abu Dhabi is readying to host the annual convention of the Paris section of the Syndicat National des Agences de Voyages (SNAV-Paris Ile de France) – National Union of French Travel Agents – which will see 180 of top French travel influencers arrive in the UAE capital next month.
The convention will be led by SNAV Paris Ile de France’s President Mrs Michele Herbaut and a delegate profile which includes 100 agency directors, the presidents of the six main travel retail agency networks and French travel trade media representatives.
“This is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate, first-hand, Abu Dhabi’s expanding and highly diverse tourism proposition,” said Ahmed Hussein, Deputy Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) which is hosting the convention’s gala dinner.
The convention will be held in the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, which nestles amid the towering dunes of Abu Dhabi’s awe-inspiring LiwaDesert. Delegates will also sample other destination products including the signatureYas Hotel – the only hotel in the world to straddle an F1™ race track – the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Saadiyat Island Cultural District exhibition at Emirates Palace and a 4×4 desert safari.
News of Abu Dhabi’s selection as the convention host comes as ADTA statistics rank France 7th in the destination’s top 10 markets for hotel guests. In the first two months of this year some 6,644 French nationals stayed in hotels throughout Abu Dhabi emirate – an 11% increase on the same period last year.
“We will be looking to show these important influencers just why two of the world’s top travel guides – Frommer’s and Lonely Planet – have recommended Abu Dhabi as a top 10 destination to visit this year,” added Ahmed Hussein. “We then hope the experience translates in further recommendations from which we can build on the improving hotel guest stays being recorded by French nationals.
