The Sharjah National Travel and Tourist Agency, or SNTTA, yesterday unveiled its three-year growth strategy for the Abu Dhabi market.

The UAE's 33-year-old travel management company with operations in Dubai, Sharjah and Northern Emirates, said yesterday it is ready to capitalise on the projected increase in demand for outbound travel and tourism in Abu Dhabi, in niche tourism areas such as golf tourism, medical tourism, cruises and other leisure packages.

SNTTA, which recently opened its first full-service travel outlet in the capital, anticipates a strong year-on-year growth over the next few years, based on an in-house feasibility study, it said in a statement.

And with 18 travel and tour outlets in Dubai, Sharjah and Northern Emirates, the travel agency has been recording a year-on-year growth of more than 25 per cent during the past five years.

It added that the Abu Dhabi Government's drive to create world-class infrastructure and develop iconic projects, such as Yas Marina F1 circuit, The Louvre Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Museum and master-planned island developments, is likely to boost inbound tourism further. "By launching our operations in economically challenging times, SNTTA seeks to deliver the message that Abu Dhabi is least affected by the global financial crisis. It also reflects our vote of confidence in the emirate's plans for the future," David Milican, Senior General Manager, SNTTA Emir Tours and Travel, said in a statement.

He added: "Abu Dhabi is seeing significant growth on all fronts, driven by the government's masterplan to make it one of the leading cities of the world."

SNTTA said its new Abu Dhabi outlet, which incorporates both inbound and outbound travel divisions, has already started working on plans to open new outlets in other areas of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, as part of the three-year strategy.

 

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