A new era of luxury tourism is foreshadowed after Abu Dhabi recently hosted the first Middle East edition of the renowned luxury travel trade show “LOOP BEYOND BORDERS”an event dedicated to professionals in the exclusive tourism industry in Central and Eastern Europe.
Abu Dhabi – the capital of the United Arab Emirates Collage
Organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) – and Miral – the leading destination creator in the UAE capital – the event held at prestigious resorts (Saadiyat Rotana and Qasr Al Sarab) brought together professionals including from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
Fair “LOOP BEYOND BORDERS” represents a pivotal moment for luxury tourism in Abu Dhabi, highlighting the emirate’s ambitions to become a leading destination in the international market. With a significant increase in the interest of Romanians and other tourists from Central and Eastern Europe in luxury travel, this event not only promotes the cultural richness and unique hospitality of the region, but also contributes to the achievement of the strategic tourism development goals of the United Arab Emirates .
Thus, Abu Dhabi is increasingly positioning itself as an exotic and sophisticated destination, attracting the attention of travelers from all over the world.
Growing interest in exotic and exclusive destinations
And Romanians show an increasing interest in exclusive and exotic destinations, but also in unique experiences, looking for memorable adventures in special places that offer comfort, culture and refined gastronomy. This trend coincides with the increase in the number of Romanian tourists visiting the emirate of Abu Dhabi, underlining a growing preference for sophisticated and personalized holidays.
The number of Romanian tourists who visited Abu Dhabi increased by 47% in the first five months of 2024 compared to the previous year. Other countries in the region, such as Bulgaria and Poland, saw even higher increases: 86% in Bulgaria, 42% in Poland and 31% in the Czech Republic, according to these countries’ statistics.
The figures therefore highlight the continuously expanding attractiveness of the capital of the Emirates as an exotic and exclusive destination.
Abu Dhabi and luxury tourism
The event “LOOP BEYOND BORDERS” underlines Abu Dhabi’s commitment to becoming a global luxury destination, while supporting the goals of the UAE Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to attract 39.3 million visitors annually by 2030.
Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, highlighted the importance of this fair in promoting UAE hospitality and culture, strengthening partnerships with foreign markets: “This first edition of the fair reaffirms our status as a luxury destination, highlighting the hospitality, cultural richness and unique experiences we offer. It also strengthens our partnerships in Central and Eastern Europe and beyond.”
This event not only promotes the tourism offer of the United Arab Emirates, but also facilitates strategic collaborations with operators in these emerging markets, which show an increasing interest in luxury travel. Thus, Abu Dhabi positions itself not only as an exotic destination, but also as a starting point for unique experiences that meet the expectations of tourists from Central and Eastern Europe.
Against the backdrop of increased interest in luxury travel, Abu Dhabi is thus consolidating its position on the map of destinations preferred by international tourists.
