Abu Dhabi and Etihad woo Japanese travel trade

Abu Dhabi, May 20, 2010 (WAM)- Abu Dhabi's tourism industry has received a huge vote of confidence from an 11-strong Japanese travel agents delegation which visited the UAE capital as part of Etihad Airways' campaign to promote the destination and its recently-launched flights to Abu Dhabi from Nagoya, Japan's third largest city and the capital Tokyo. The award-winning UAE national carrier to Abu Dhabi five times a week from both Japanese cities.
After touring the city and taking in some of its most popular sights, delegation members described Abu Dhabi as an "ideal" destination for their market.
The delegation visited Sheikh Zayed Grand mosque, one of the world's largest and most impressive landmarks, before visiting the Culture and Heritage Village and stopping by the vegetable and fruit market. The delegation concluded the day with a visit of the various tourist and entertainment facilities on Yas Island, including the iconic Yas Hotel - the only one in the world straddling a Formula 1 race track.
Japan is an emerging market for Abu Dhabi with some 2,228 Japanese nationals staying in the emirates hotels in the first quarter of this year - a one per cent increase on the same period in 2009. – Emirates News Agency, WAM