Members of the committee in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority has established a dedicated industry development committee for the retail sector.

The committee, comprising representatives of 14 leading retail operations, met for the first time today to begin talks on identifying issues impacting the industry in the UAE capital and tactics for meshing the sector more into Abu Dhabi’s overall tourism proposition.

“Retail plays a key role in enhancing the visitor experience, particularly for some of our key emerging markets such as India, China and Russia,” explained Mohammed Al Dhaheri, quality & performance manager, TCA Abu Dhabi, who is chairing the authority’s retail IDC.

“We hope by working more closely with the sector we will ultimately deliver an enhanced year-round experience for visitors and a more co-ordinated approach to festival offerings.”

Abu Dhabi’s retail sector is maturing with the recent opening of The Avenue at Etihad Towers, the UAE capital’s first, stand-alone, high-end shopping destination and the planned, early 2014 opening of Yas Mall, which is set to be the emirate’s largest shopping destination.

“Other major and niche projects are in the pipeline which the destination will be able to successfully leverage on,” added Al Dhaheri.

The new IDC’s membership includes representatives of: Marina Mall, Al Ain Mall, Bawadi Mall, Al Wahda Mall, Bawabat Al Sharq, Abu Dhabi Mall, Khalidiya Mall, Delma Mall, Mushrif Mall, Al Raha Mall, Paragon, Wahat Hili, Souk Garyat Al Bari and ALDAR, the developers of Central Market and the upcoming Yas Mall.

Retail is the fifth IDC to be established by TCA Abu Dhabi under its expanding ‘Partners In Progress’ stakeholder programme.

Other IDCs represent the hospitality, attractions, tour operator and aviation segments.