‘Abu Dhabi sees growth in Indian tourists’

KOCHI: Tourism in

Abu Dhabi

has been flourishing over the past couple of years with the emirate witnessing a 11% year-over-year increase in the number of Indian hotel guests alone, said

Bejan Dinshaw

, country manager, department of culture and tourism (DCT), Abu Dhabi.

Dinshaw, who was in the city to attend the Abu Dhabi Week, said the country did a double-digit increase on Indian tourist influx despite GST, demonetisation that had negatively impacted travel.

Though the emirate is known for its luxurious Ferrari World and

Louvre Abu Dhabi

which started in 2017, Dinshaw said Abu Dhabi tourism is an ‘affordable luxury’ which Indians are willing to pay for.

“If you take a three-day experience in Abu Dhabi and three-day experience in Europe, the one in Abu Dhabi will be at least 40% cheaper than the former,” DInshaw said.

The country manager attributed the growth in number of Indian tourists to consumer and trade activities in the emirate with linkages to India. “Last year, we launched Louvre Abu Dhabi, an art and civilization museum, which is very well connected with India. It offers more experience from the cultural side than the art. Now people don’t have to go to Paris to experience Louvre,” Dinshaw said.

The second edition of Abu Dhabi Week which was held in Kochi from February 16-18, was carefully planned to suit the niche clients in Kerala.

“There is a very big connect between Kerala and Abu Dhabi. Indians comprise the major part of UAE, and of that, the major part is from Kerala. Most of them have some relative or the other in UAE, especially Abu Dhabi,” Dinshaw said.

Speaking about the iconic image Dubai had created in UAE tourism, Dinshaw said: “Dubai got a head-start of around 25 years. We were not geared up for tourism then. Our emirate got ready only five years ago. Earlier, Abu Dhabi was sold as a part of the Dubai tour. Twenty-five years is a long time and we are getting there. And I’m sure we’ll far exceed the expectations soon.”

Dinshaw said UAE is developing into a seven-night destination, offering different experiences through the seven emirates.