ADTA is a statutory body established in 2004 under the Government of Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification strategy. The authority has wide-ranging responsibilities for the development and promotion of the emirate’s tourism industry and international positioning as a world-class destination of distinction.
ADTA works closely with all the emirate’s tourism industry stakeholders – both private and public sector - including aviation infrastructure and transport suppliers, airlines, destination management companies, accommodation providers and attraction operators as well as exhibition and conference organisers. Together they adopt a collaborative approach to promoting the emirate as an upmarket destination with an uncompromising determination towards sustaining and preserving its natural environment and treasured heritage and traditions.
While business tourism remains a vitally important market segment for Abu Dhabi, the authority is also engaged in a campaign to increase the relevance of leisure tourism to the overall industry mix.
ADTA’s activities include destination marketing; infrastructure and product development and regulation, training and classification. The authority has built up an expansive portfolio of world-class major events including the annual European Tour-based PGA Abu Dhabi Golf Championship; the Al Ain Aerobatics Show; Gourmet Abu Dhabi; Abu Dhabi International Triathlon; the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge; Abu Dhabi Red Bull Air Race; Summer in Abu Dhabi, Rally Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge. It is also a headline sponsor of the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show, the Gulf Incentive, Business Tourism and Meetings Exhibition and World Green Tourism Abu Dhabi conference and exhibition. ADTA actively supports the World Rally Championship through its BP-Ford Team Abu Dhabi alliance. The Team Abu Dhabi initiative is now present in international air racing, powerboat racing and triathlon sport.
ADTA also serves as a catalyst in driving inward tourism investment, growth and development. A key tool in its inward investment strategy was the creation, in 2006 of the Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), the authority’s tourism asset management and development arm.
TDIC is now the name behind some of the emirate’s flagship projects including the transformation of
Saadiyat Island – a natural island lying 500 metres offshore
Abu Dhabi city - which will be home to the world’s largest single concentration of premier cultural institutions. These include the
Sheikh Zayed National Museum, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi, a performing arts centre and maritime museum. TDIC is also developing the multi-experiential
Desert Islands destination in
Abu Dhabi’s Al Gharbia (Western Region), the first phase of which –
Sir Bani Yas Island – has been opened to international tourism. Sir Bani Yas Island, a former royal nature reserve, is home to the Arabian Wildlife Park, with its herd of over 400 Arabian Oryx (gazelles) and the boutique Desert Islands Resort & Spa managed by the award-winning Anantara Group.