Ahmed Haseeb, general manager of Sands Hotel Abu Dhabi, has stressed to Breaking Travel News the importance of participating in the Gulf Incentive Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition.

Speaking at the show he said Sands’ participation in the event is of “extreme importance” to the hotel, adding that Abu Dhabi in general and Yas Island in particular can cater for all the needs of visitors and tourists.

Breaking Travel News: What is the importance of your participation at GIBTM in Abu Dhabi?

Ahmed Haseeb: GIBTM is one of the major events organised by TCA Abu Dhabi where all the MICE specialist, major events organisers, hotels, airlines and travel services agents from six continents come to develop new business.

An opportunity for us to meet with the major international and intra-regional MICE agents, tour operators and incentives DMCs.

It is also a great way to strengthen our relationship with existing contacts and to establish relations with the new tour operators and DMCs.

GIBTM is a chance to be aware of the latest MICE opportunities and maintain the modern trends and aspects in the conference and exhibition industry.

BTN: How will you manage the rising number of tourists coming to Abu Dhabi especially with the rising expectation ratio of 3.1 tourist within the year 2014?

AH: As UAE became the hub of the major events and the international conferences with all the facilities offered by the government of Abu Dhabi to ease and encourage the incoming exhibitions to Abu Dhabi and that was reflected on the increase of events for Abu Dhabi in 2014-2015 agenda in comparison to 2011-2012.

As we are looking to secure our share from the MICE business, we had to be proactive and think forward to be one of the leading four-star hotels in terms of banqueting facilities.
Sands Hotel is currently under renovation and the renovation plan includes the ballroom and banqueting facilities.

With the latest conference audio visual and communication technology, Sands Hotel is going to offer all the contemporary MICE requirements.

BTN: What are your special offers for the spring and summer 2014?

AH: Sands Hotel has always been well-known as one of the best four-star business hotels in the city in terms of location, facilities, quality of service and value for money.

On the other hand, Sands has also been well-known as one of the best hotels that offers Arabic and international cuisines with an array of appetising specialties.

We have a variety of promotions covering all type of rooms joined by seasonal food promotions which cover spring and summer season with very competitive prices to be promoted not only within UAE but also in GCC, Middle East, East Europe and Far East.

BTN: Do you have any intention of bringing new services to your guests and visitors during the coming period?

AH: After the completion of the renovation, Sands Hotel will apply a new service that will ease the business traveler’s trip and make their stay fruitful and successful.

As we all know that for the business travelers, every minute matters. In this regard, Sands Hotel is offering the business express service which includes check-in from airport or instant desk check-in, in-room jet-lag recovery kit, 24/7 business center and health club facilities, in-house secretarial and simultaneous translation services.