UAE’s Etihad Airways and capital city Abu Dhabi have agreed to co-host 2016 Travel Convention organised by UK’s ABTA – The Travel Association.

The convention will take place from October 10 to 12, 2016 at the Yas Viceroy Hotel on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi’s hub of leisure, sports and retail activities.

The choice of Abu Dhabi was announced at the 2015 ABTA Travel Convention in Costa Navarino, Greece.

This will be the first time that the travel convention has been held in Abu Dhabi. The emirate was chosen for its immense touristic appeal and superior infrastructure.

Mohammad Al Bulooki, Etihad Airways’ vice president for UAE Commercial, said: “ABTA’s decision to choose Abu Dhabi for the 2016 Travel Convention is true recognition of the enormous efforts the Emirate has placed on developing Abu Dhabi into a progressive world class hub of tourism, culture and tolerance. Abu Dhabi’s population is diverse, forward-thinking, and above all welcoming.”

Abu Dhabi is an all-round holiday destination, built around a rich heritage and made up of over 200 islands, more than 400 km of pristine coastline, modern cityscapes, dramatic mountains and awe-inspiring deserts. Visitors to the Emirate can explore former palaces, forts, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the world’s largest mosques, and the Saadiyat Cultural District’s museums, art galleries and performing arts centres.

Abu Dhabi also features some of the world’s leading beach and desert resorts and offers a wide range of sports and leisure activities, including its PGA certified golf courses.

Sultan Al Dhaheri, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) acting executive director for Tourism, said: “Hosting the 2016 ABTA Travel Convention in Abu Dhabi is testament to the great efforts the emirate has taken to establish itself as a world-leading and progressive tourism, sporting and cultural hub. Welcoming the leaders of the British travel industry here is the perfect opportunity for us to showcase our diverse and colourful home through the UK’s sophisticated and experienced travel trade.”

In 2014 and 2015, year-to-date, Etihad Airways carried approximately 900,000 guests on its flights from the UK.

Etihad Airways, as official airline, will fly over 500 leading travel company managers, owners, and industry leaders to the convention.

Etihad Airways operates six daily flights from the UK, connecting through its hub in Abu Dhabi to the leading leisure and business destinations in Asia, Africa, the Indian Ocean and Australasia. The airline operates its new flagship Airbus A380 from London Heathrow, featuring The Residence, the only three room cabin in the sky, First Apartments, Business Studios and Economy Smart Seats. – TradeArabia News Service