The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority has been mandated to promote the tourism industry of the emirate in a manner consistent with the indigenous cultural and social values of UAE.

A strategy has been put in place to ensure the realisation of this objective, including the setting of international promotions and marketing offices in priority markets. Specifically ADTA has been tasked to develop and implement targeted marketing and promotional plans, develop joint promotions with international and regional partners, and to promote a strong and distinct brand and presence at major international trade and consumer fairs. Furthermore the Authority will be conducting workshops and road shows, and oversee the setup and administration of an extensive network of tourism information centres in strategic areas.

ADTA’s activities and tasks include the regulation and monitoring of the tourism industry, upgrading of its service standards and performance through the efficient issuance of tourism licenses, setting up of classification standards and providing of training opportunities to the industry. The Authority likewise ensures that the regulations and standards set for licensing and classification are adhered to and complied with by carrying out a comprehensive system of industry inspections.

ADTA’s activities further include the development of the tourism infrastructure and products, and the generation of investment into the tourism industry through a comprehensive implementation of tourism strategies and plans, detailed research and analysis, and continual update and development of trends and strategies. This also requires close cooperation with the private sector in order to mobilise a broader national participation.

ADTA is responsible for supervising the existing and future government tourism projects and services, including proposing and reviewing all projects, tourism facilities and governmental tourism services.

Finally, ADTA has also been tasked to include the development of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) products and services, developing related leisure services and products, and the implementation of comprehensive events strategy within the emirate. ADTA is responsible for drawing up a plan for exhibitions within the emirate and for overseeing their implementation in close coordination with the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC).

Indeed the government of Abu Dhabi has identified tourism as a key sector in the emirate’s future development. The industry is seen as a means to:

• Boost Abu Dhabis’ image abroad
• Leverage Heritage, Natural and Business Assets
• Preserve a clean and safe Environment
• Contribute to Economic Growth and Diversification
• Involve the private sector in the development process
• Enable structural changes in Abu Dhabi
• Enhance tourism infrastructure and services throughout the Emirate of Abu Dhabi