Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island Attracts Chinese, European Markets

Yas Island, home to the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix, has hit turbo for corporate meetings and incentives as its profile and facilities are attracting both the Chinese and European outbound markets. At last month’s Gulf Incentive Business Travel & Meetings show (GIBTM), held in Abu Dhabi, Director of Yas Island Destination Management Clive Dwyer was on hand to share his insights on the emirate and what it has to offer.

“Where you meet is where you stay is where you play,” Dwyer said of the emirate’s venues, which can range from golf clubs to nightclubs to theme parks to Ferrari World and the F1 racetrack, as well as more than 600 meeting spaces. A 230,000-square-meter shopping mall is scheduled to open immediately prior to the next Grand Prix in November.

The lure generated by the Formula One connection is driving the Chinese incentive market, and the European market is showing strong demand as incentives and wider group meetings return. In addition, the location of the UAE within the Middle East works well for converging the European, the Asia Pacific and even the American markets.

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