TCA Abu Dhabi leads emirate's top resorts to Luxury Travel Mart in Cannes

Ten of Abu Dhabi's top resorts are going out to win luxury business when they join a destination pavilion being mounted by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) at the annual International Luxury Travel Mart in Cannes, France, which runs from December 2-5.
City, island, desert and beach resorts are in the Abu Dhabi line-up and all are looking for an increasing share of the outbound luxury European market, particularly from the MICE segment. Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, which operates six properties in the emirate, from urban to desert and island resorts, is looking to build its European MICE business in double-digit terms and believes its ultra-luxurious Royal Pavilion Villas product at the Qasr Al Sarab (Mirage Palace) resort in the Liwa Desert launched earlier this year, will give it a compelling edge.
The resort's 10 Royal Pavilion Pool Villas feature sublime Arabian decor and have a single bedroom with a king size bed, a separate living room and dining area, an oversize bath tub, rain shower and complimentary WiFi. They each have a private plunge pool, a terrace with shaded day beds and al fresco dining area and a private butler service.
So far Anantara says 2014 has been promising with even stronger returns on the horizon.
"2014 has gone well with strong, transient demand," said David Garner, Regional Director Sales & Marketing, Anantara Hotels & Resorts, Middle East. "From the MICE market for all properties we are looking at about a 15 to 20% growth in 2015 to help build occupancy.
"We expect this market to grow exponentially in 2015 and thereafter as the demand has been present in the last few years but very few venues were adequate to welcome these events. We are looking for meeting and corporate groups for weekdays." The St. Regis brand will be well represented by its two headline properties in Abu Dhabi - one along the U.A.E. capital's stunning Corniche, the other on its pristine Saadiyat Beach.
Marwan Fadel, Regional Director of Sales & Marketing, Abu Dhabi says the French market in particular is proving productive, particularly for The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.
"We've observed a year-to-date increase of 58% in room nights coming from France," he explained.
Meanwhile, The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, the latest arrival on the U.A.E. capital's popular and stunning Corniche beachfront, will be touting the luxuriousness of its latest offering ­ the Nation Riviera Beach Club, which will soon be complemented by two high class restaurants ­ Catch, which will be devoted to seafood and Asia de Cuba. The club, open to all hotel guests, is accessed via a private, air-conditioned and marble-clad underground tunnel which runs from the hotel, under the Corniche highway and out onto its sweeping beach. The club has a private beach, a 35m pool with pool bar, three restaurants, the Treasure Island Kids Club and a gym.
"This now gives us the perfect combination of being a city property and a beach resort," explained Titus Rosier, Director of Sales. The hotel, which provides each guest with a complimentary butler service, is winning a substantial following within France.
"We have experienced great success with the French market since opening," said Rosier. "Inbound travel from Europe has grown 26% year-on-year with France contributing 40% of that growth.
"At ITLM we will study developments in the market and look at tailoring our products to further address the French market. We see the French market as having huge potential for our hotel, some of the reasons for this being the fact that French travellers are more discerning of luxury offers and the fact that France is in the top five of the top 30 countries in terms of length-of-stay." Abu Dhabi's latest luxury entrant, the home-grown Jannah Hotels & Resorts, will be looking to drum up business for its Andalus, Al Seef Resort & Spa, the flagship of its new brand, which is due to open in September next year adjoining the city's Al Seef Mall.
"This will comprise, five-star, apartment-style hotel suites in a beautiful resort in the heart of the city," explained Guillaume Delbecque, Chief Commercial Officer, Jannah Hotels & Resorts.
The resort will feature 216, stylishly furnished and spacious one, two and three bedroom suites all with indoor and outdoor living areas. It will have a huge pool area including a Jacuzzi and kids pool and on the Al Seef Promenade there'll be a host of small boutiques, cafes and restaurants.
"The spacious pool area will offer pure relaxation and fun for everyone," said Delbecque. "And for those who want to relax a little more, the resort will have a 2,500 square metre spa.
"We believe our product matches the expectations of the French traveller. The French travel market has always been a very important one and still continues to be, even though Asian markets are claiming their share of world travel. We see French guests as authentic travellers who are interested in exploring new countries and are willing to pay for high quality as well as an authentic experience. These are the kind of guests hoteliers like us are looking for." Jannah Hotels & Resorts is also gearing up for the launch, by Q2 next year, The Business District Suites by Jannah in the U.A.E. capital's Tourist Club area with excellent access to the new central business district of Al Maryah Island. The 21-storey building will have 318 rooms and 118 parking space across four basement floors. There'll be two food & beverage outlets on the ground floor, a day spa, conferencing facilities and offices on the mezzanine. The property will also have a rooftop outdoor pool, gym and juice bar/cafe.
"Inventory will consist of a variety of deluxe rooms, deluxe suites and executive, one-bedroomed suites," explained Delbecque. "There'll be six penthouse apartments, two and three bedroomed suites on floors 16 to 18. The aim is to create an upscale international standard of hospitality which is refreshing and genuine in the heart of Abu Dhabi's commercial district." Meanwhile, the exquisite The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, which is set against a backdrop of the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, will be touting its latest service to guests of this ultra-luxurious property on Abu Dhabi's Khor Al Maqta (Maqta Channel).
The expansive resort, in conjunction with neighbouring properties on both sides of the channel, have launched a complimentary abra (water taxi) service which allows guests to explore the picturesque area around Al Maqta Creek or visit the nearby souk (market).
The abra shuttle operates daily from 6pm until midnight and leaves from the jetty at the hotel's unique Venetian Village. It is a hop-on, hop-off service on a traditional dhow (boat) which can take up to 20 guests at a time and with a round-trip schedule of 20 minutes.