Abu Dhabi Airports Company (Adac) has acknowledged that both leisure and business tourism into the UAE capital are becoming key drivers in boosting passenger traffic at its airports.

The gateway to the UAE, Abu Dhabi International Airport is the first point of reference for visitors and travellers to the Emirate and as such Adac, the owner-operator of the airport, has stated that it recognises its responsibility as being the “face” of Abu Dhabi to millions of travellers and tourists per year.

With tourism figures to the UAE capital and the wider Emirate set to reach 2.7m by 2012, Adac’s airport developments can be seen as a series of complementary projects that will enable tourism growth and cater to an increasingly wider range of international travellers into Abu Dhabi.

In line with the growing number of tourists, by 2012 tourists arriving and leaving Abu Dhabi will be treated to a truly world-class airport experience at the new Mid-Field Terminal Complex – a 40m capacity airport which will offer some of the world’s best retail and hospitality environments.

“As Abu Dhabi looks to create a modern, cultural capital for the Middle East, tourism is expected to grow in line with such designs and central to facilitating that process is Abu Dhabi International Airport’s ability to cater a growing number of tourists and passengers,” said director of marketing and communications, Adac, Mohammed Al Bulooki ahead of the Arabian Travel Market 2008 (ATM) which opened in Dubai today (May 6).

Working closely with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) as well as the 37 airlines operating out of Abu Dhabi, ADAC is constantly looking to enhance the passenger experience through its airports - this will continue later this year with the new Terminal 3 which will boost the airport’s current passenger capacity from seven to twelve million per year. - TradeArabia News Service