Etihad Airways And Abu Dhabi Stopover Program Power Dramatic Tourism Boost

Friday, October 11, 2024

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Etihad Airways and Abu Dhabi’s Stopover Program have sparked a remarkable surge in tourism, driving growth and attracting thousands of international visitors to the emirate.

Etihad Airways, the United Arab Emirates’ national carrier, has joined forces with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) to commemorate the exceptional achievements of their partnership. of their Abu Dhabi Stopover initiative. Relaunched recently, this program has greatly surpassed expectations, delivering a substantial boost to the emirate’s tourism sector.

Etihad Airways’ exclusive Abu Dhabi Stopover program has experienced remarkable growth following its relaunch.. In the first half of 2024, the program attracted 24,000 international travelers, a remarkable leap from the 7,000 visitors during the latter half of 2023, marking a 242% growth rate. With continued strong demand and increasing bookings expected throughout the year, the program is set to reach its ambitious target of welcoming 75,000 international stopover visitors by the end of 2024.

Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, expressed: “The remarkable growth of the Abu Dhabi Stopover program has far surpassed our projections. The number of international visitors has more than tripled within just six months. This achievement highlights Abu Dhabi’s growing appeal as a global destination and demonstrates the effectiveness of this initiative in encouraging travelers to explore the emirate.”

Visitors are taking full advantage of the opportunity to discover Abu Dhabi, with most choosing to stay for an average of two nights. The program has gained significant traction in key markets such as the UK, USA, Australia, EU countries, and India.

His Excellency Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, emphasized: “The Abu Dhabi Stopover program is a testament to how strategic partnerships can drive tourism growth. This unique initiative is clearly striking a chord with international travelers, offering them a compelling reason to experience our emirate. The program’s success further cements Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a top destination, encouraging longer stays and deeper exploration in the future.”

The program’s success has been further fueled by enhancements in the booking process. A newly developed, user-friendly landing page on etihad.com has resulted in a 43% surge in website traffic from travelers looking to visit Abu Dhabi.

Etihad passengers can easily add a stopover to their travel plans, with the option of a complimentary one or two-night stay at a selection of the city’s premium hotels. This simplified process turns a transit stop into a chance to indulge in Abu Dhabi’s luxurious accommodations, stunning beaches, vibrant culinary scene, and thrilling entertainment options.

Building on this success, Etihad Airways and DCT Abu Dhabi are now working on further improving the program, aiming to provide even more value and unique experiences for future visitors.

With Etihad Airways serving 80 global destinations through the modern Zayed International Airport, located on the outskirts of the city, stopover guests can effortlessly explore Abu Dhabi before continuing on to their final destination.