Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) has put the licence procedure for all exhibitions and conferences held in the emirate online and will roll the system out at an industry stakeholder meeting next week.

It is just the latest development from ADTA, which was recognised as the World’s Leading Tourist Board by the World Travel Awards in 2010.

“This will make the process seamless, efficient and fast,” said Nasser Al Reyami, ADTA director of tourism standards, the division responsible for implementing licensing, classifications, policies and procedures in line with international standards.

Licences are required for all exhibitions staged in the emirate which comprises floor space in excess of 1,000 square metres and commercial elements such as space sales and event sponsorship.

“The licence can be provisionally granted for up to five years subject to annual renewal,” explained Al Reyami.

Licensing is also mandatory for any conference, meeting or workshop staged in the emirate which is to be attended by multi-representational delegates and where an attendance fee is levied.

“A conference that includes a small exhibition is covered by a conference licence as long as the gross exhibition space is less than 1,000 square metres,” explained Al Reyami.

Organisers looking to apply for licences can simply log on to the website and click on ‘Register’ on the top, left-hand side of the welcome page to create a personal account to get through to the licensing section.

The entire procedure is to be rolled out at an industry workshop at the Park Rotana, Abu Dhabi on September 20th.

City.Mobi

Also in the United Arab Emirates today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to Abu Dhabi.

City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain. Already on offer are Brussels.Mobi, Paris.Mobi, Sanfrancisco.Mobi and Sydney.Mobi.

AbuDhabi.Mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers.

Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.

City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.