Newly appointed General Manager of Emirates Palace Hotel, Hans Olbertz has revealed he is extremely optimistic about the participation of the hotel at this year’s ITB.With a long and distinguished career in hospitality spanning over 34 years, Olbertz brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Abu Dhabi’s iconic property.

Commenting on his recent appointment, Olbertz said, “Emirates Palace is a jewel among hotels, a symbol of exemplary luxury and hospitality excellence unmatched in distinction and elegance. It is a great honour and challenge to take on the role of General Manager of such a fine property, and I fully intend to continue and build upon its status as one of the most esteemed hotels in the Middle East, if not the world”.
So with global ambitions in place, the plush Emirates Palace will join other local travel and industry players at ITB under the pavilion of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.
The three-day ITB Berlin attracts exhibitors from 180 countries across the world and Olbertz commended the vital role both the ADTA and Etihad Airways play in promoting and marketing Abu Dhabi at international events as a favourite tourism destination.
“As globalisation of the leisure and business travel is increasing, Emirates Palace will also seize the opportunity provided by the ITB Berlin as the perfect place to learn about new trends, concepts and cooperation possibilities and to deepen existing business relations”, said Olbertz.
Meanwhile, Director of Sales and Marketing for Emirates Palace, Janet Abrahams, said the broader engagement of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and Emirates Palace in the premier global travel gathering will provide an excellent opportunity for exposure at the world’s most important annual travel and tourism event.
‘‘We expect to strike more deals and contracts with major tourism and travel agencies in Germany, Britain and other European countries’‘, she added.
European leisure markets are of particular interest to the hotel’s delegation as these they provide the most regular holiday visitors for the Emirates Palace.
‘‘Some 8.8 per cent of visitors to Abu Dhabi came from the United Kingdom with visitor arrivals reaching 118,000 in 2006. Second in line was Germany whose visitors stood at 107,000, or 8 per cent of total visitor arrivals’’ said the chief of Emirates Palace marketing.
The Emirates Palace posted the highest occupancy rate in 2007 with a growth of 19 per cent over 2006. Leisure guests were double compared with 2006, reflecting the ever-growing importance of the Emirates Palace and its prominent standing worldwide.
Hans Olberz explains, “‘‘We expect this growth to gain greater momentum as our ambitious action plan for 2008 features wide-ranging promotional and marketing campaigns to reach out to as many tourism and travel companies, markets and the media organs as possible. This will contribute to attracting more holidaymakers from Europe and the Far East.”

He concludes, “This splendid hotel has been a resounding success thanks to the dedication shown by its professional staff who have put on great efforts to promote the top class services and strengths of the hotel during participation at exhibitions in Europe and the Arabian Gulf”.

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