The International Travel Week-Abu Dhabi (ITW-Abu Dhabi) has officially announced that the dynamic UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, will play host to the world's largest hosted buyer program — providing a unique and powerful backdrop against which the tourism industry's key players will seek to shape future business and maximize new revenue streams within the fastest growing travel sector that is halal, medical and shopping tourism. Taking place from Nov. 21-25, at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center, ITW-Abu Dhabi will aim to deliver a comprehensive program, which will combine targeted meetings with first-class networking opportunities, inspiring knowledge-bound seminars and innovative experiences, culminating in a glittering gala awards evening to celebrate outstanding achievements across the international halal tourism landscape. Commenting on the strategic partnership with the host destination, Andy Buchanan, Executive Organizing Committee Director commented: "We are thrilled to bring ITW Abu Dhabi to the culturally-rich and trailblazing city of Abu Dhabi. Against this remarkable backdrop, participants will have the opportunity to discover, connect and be enriched, which in turn will assist them in defining and driving the future of their own business." Indonesia Ministry of Tourism are delighted to be the official Headline Sponsor for the ITW Abu Dhabi 2016, and commented that, "Indonesia participates again in 2016 but this time bigger than 2015 as we want to bring more sales." As a major sponsor of the summit, Indonesia Ministry of Tourism expects to welcome key international delegations, investors, tourism associations and market-leading specialists to the summit. Evolutionary progression ITW-Abu Dhabi is a progressive and evolutionary event, which has developed from last year's World Halal Travel Summit. The 2015 edition enjoyed unprecedented success, where the summit yielded impressive results, generating more than $18.4 million worth of business on the show floor, and a further $73.5 million stemming from opportunities directly created at the event. With more than 6,000 travel professionals expected to participate in this year's ITW-Abu Dhabi, this transformative five-day event is hotly-anticipated to be the premium platform for the global halal travel, medical and shopping tourism industry. With a dedicated commitment to the fiercely and hugely influential fast-growing travel sectors, ITW-Abu Dhabi will continue to shine the spotlight on the exceptional halal, medical and shopping-relevant opportunities available worldwide at this year's event, with major influencers bringing their insight and knowledge to the seminar stage. Expansion of ‘ITW-Abu Dhabi' Hot on the heels of 2015's World Halal Travel Summit success, and in response to growing demand for a platform for discussion and recognition on halal, medical and shopping tourism segments, ITW-Abu Dhabi will this year open up a Ministerial Forum, a high level debate of ministers and key stakeholders on Intra OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation), medical and shopping tourism and the real world challenges of implementation. ITW-Abu Dhabi will also host the second World Halal Travel Awards, a glittering event to recognize outstanding products and service within the halal tourism sector. The winners of the 2016 World Halal Travel Awards will be announced at a gala event in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 22. The awards ceremony forms a crucial element of the summit, which is the largest gathering of global executives operating in the family friendly travel sector. For the first time, ITW-Abu Dhabi will also introduce ‘The Family Vacation Show' wherein exhibitors will have a chance to interact with consumers face-to-face. The event will be information packed and created to directly sell and introduce offers, packages and promotions to qualified consumer travel audience. Results-driven According to Buchanan, the expanded 2016 edition is expected to be a boon for all involved: "ITW-Abu Dhabi was established with a clear objective of providing opportunities to explore and maximize on the latest trends and offerings within the fastest growing travel segments namely halal, medical and shopping tourism. In a concerted effort to distinguish itself on the halal, medical and shopping travel industry event landscape, ITW Abu Dhabi aims to deliver an elevated business-to-business platform that is innovative, inspiring, and result-driven, with the structured five-day program including elements such as knowledge-sharing seminars, show floor meetings, exceptional networking experiences and a dazzling awards evening. I expect the 2016 edition to be a windfall for those organizations and individuals that exhibit and participate." Confirmed participation for the ITW-Abu Dhabi2016, stretching across multiple spectrums, hails from a diverse spread of key players including Accor Hotels, Bangladesh Tourism Board, Dinar Standard, Etihad Airways, HCA Healthcare, Holiday Bosnia, Jannah Hotels, Marjan Island Resort & Spa, Medical Tourism Association, Sofyan Hospitality, Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation, Swiss Medical Network, Thomson Reuters, VPS Healthcare and Wonderful Indonesia, the 2016 headline sponsors. — SG
