Business Bureau, Gulf Today

The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabºi) continued its strategic support for the hospitality industry by conducting a second series of workshops as part of the rollout for the ‘Ghadan. The workshops hosted leaders from all of Abu Dhabi’s hotels to help bring the hospitality industry up to speed on the application of new rules regarding the collection of reduced Municipality fees and Tourism fees. The reduction in fees is part of a tactical plan to increase the appeal of the emirate for overseas visit.

The workshops followed the inaugural sessions earlier in the year which covered the responsibilities of hotels to bear the cost of Municipality fees during a transition period.

Under the new rules, Tourism fees for hotels and restaurants have been reduced from 6 per cent to 3.5 per cent, Municipality fees for hotels and restaurants from 4 per cent to 2 per cent, and daily Municipality fees for each hotel room from Dhs15 to Dhs10.

The workshops also form part of a wider programme of support organised by DCT Abu Dhabi for the hospitality sector, which includes regular Industry Development Committee meetings, which provide a forum for stakeholders to coordinate strategically across the emirate.

The recent workshops also covered the scope of the new system’s application, and DCT Abu Dhabi employees answered questions on its implementation and the mechanism and rules for compensating all hotel and tourism establishments. “The reduction of tourism and municipality fees is intended to enhance the Emirate’s international tourism competitiveness by strengthening Abu Dhabi’s value proposition, and encourage further investment in the hospitality and tourism sectors,” said Saood Al Hosani, Executive Director Support Services Sector at DCT Abu Dhabi.

“These workshops are crucial in keeping our valued stakeholders fully informed of the new procedures and requirements for the new fees as we work towards achieving our ultimate vision to strengthen the emirate’s position. The reduction in fees initiative represents part the Abu Dhabi Government’s accelerator programme “Ghadan 21”, which aims to make Abu Dhabi one of the best places in the world to do business, invest, live, work and visit. The tourism and municipality fee reductions are estimated to increase available capital for hotelsThe “Ghadan 21” programme was declared last year by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi to accelerate the existing economic agenda. From 2019 to 2021, Dhs50 billion will be invested across four strategic pillars: Economic, Knowledge, Liveability and Social. Each of the Ghadan 21 initiatives have been designed to reflect the priorities. The Department of Culture and Tourism conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction, which enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike.

The organisation manages the emirate’s tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including Zayed National Museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi. DCT - Abu Dhabi supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate’s heritage. A key role is to create synergy in the destination’s development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging ‘takeholder base.

It may be noted that the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi regulates, develops and promotes the emirate of Abu Dhabi as an extraordinary global destination, rich in cultural authenticity, diverse natural offerings, world-class hospitality and unparalleled leisure and entertainment attractions for every type of traveller.

Fully aligned with the core tenets of Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 and the Abu Dhabi Plan, DCT Abu Dhabi contributes to the nation’s economic diversification, working closely with stakeholders and partners to market Abu Dhabi both locally and internationally.

In collaboration with multiple stakeholders, we are able to nurture and cultivate a community that recognises, respects and preserves local heritage and values, attract national and international investment in our key tourism segments, increase visitation metrics to the emirate and also stimulate growth by building an appealing yet distinctive tourism and cultural destination.

As the organisation tasked with tourism regulation as well as cultural and heritage preservation, our goals are to implement a holistic tourism strategy that benefits visitors and residents alike.