Advantage Abu Dhabi spurs agent towards MICE

AN ADVANTAGE Abu Dhabi initiative launched February last year is incentivising its agents, such as DBA & Sons Travel & Tours, to focus more on Chinese outbound business travel than leisure.

DBA & Sons Travel & Tours general manager, T Prahlad, said: “The Chinese were already coming to Abu Dhabi for leisure travel, especially during Chinese New Year. Now, we are trying to persuade Chinese tour operators and travel agents to send their corporate groups to us.”

Prahlad explained that the switch in priorities was due to MICE business being more lucrative than leisure travel. “Focusing on MICE will bring more numbers and revenue. Leisure groups will only number about 40 pax at maximum, but for MICE, I can get 500 pax or more,” he said.

The three-year Advantage Abu Dhabi initiative, started by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority to attract meetings business to the emirate, offers business event organisers financial grants, government endorsement, leadership patronage, cost rebates and marketing support, among others.

Prahlad said: “There have been three to four meetings and incentive groups per month since launch, each with about 25 to 100 guests.”

Meanwhile, Prahlad said the political turmoil in other Middle East countries had not affected the UAE in any way. “We are 97 per cent dependent on oil, and we are only getting stronger.”

But one German buyer, Mario Kraeft, owner of MICE Consult Corporation, had to cease selling the Middle East to his incentive clients who were worried about security in those destinations.

“Asia is relatively new to my clients. China is particularly interesting because of its diverse culture and easy airlinks to Shanghai and Beijing,” he said.

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