Kuwait’s outbound travel industry is witnessing increasing demand for packages to the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, with leisure and business trips expected to maintain steady growth throughout the year, tour operators said.

“Abu Dhabi is a growing tourism destination and attractions such as Ferrari World Abu Dhabi have definitely boosted the emirate’s appeal to Kuwaitis,” explained Tanweer Anwar of Kuwait’s Lama Tours.

“The flow of requests for packages to the emirate combining Ferrari World Abu Dhabi with shopping and family attractions has increased since the opening of the theme park last year and we expect further demand now that the park is introducing ‘Kids Go Free’ promotion during the ‘Summer in Abu Dhabi’ festival,” he added.

The fourth ‘Summer in Abu Dhabi’ festival, which includes a month-long, fun-filled extravaganza of family-centric activities, award-winning international acts and shows as well as air ticket, hotel and attraction deals begins on June 15.
 
Etihad Airways, which operates three daily flights from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait and is offering one and two free nights stay for its Pearl Business and Diamond First class travellers, has seen ticket sales rise around 30 per cent from January to April this year compared to the same period in 2010, according to Hareb Al Muhairi, vice president Sales UAE.

“Yas Island’s attractions and concerts are gaining in popularity with travellers from Kuwait, our forecasts are looking good and we expect to keep up the strong performance this year,” added Al Muhairi.

With the GCC remaining a primary source market for Abu Dhabi, second only to the UK, the first quarter of this year saw some 29,253 GCC nationals staying in hotels throughout the emirate – a 10 per cent rise on the same period last year. The region’s continued growth is underpinned by a 19 per cent rise in Kuwaiti guests during Q1, up from 3,392 to 4,039.

“The GCC is an important source market for our corporate groups’ bookings at Qasr Al Sarab,” added Ahmed Bahaa, area senior sales manager, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara.

“Along with the leisure travellers from Europe, we receive business groups from Kuwait and the region coming to meet in a luxurious and breathtaking natural environment.

“We are now targeting more guests from the GCC including Kuwait with our special summer offer of US $150 for a room including breakfast for two, the promotion runs until the end of August,” added Bahaa.-TradeArabia News Service