Tag Archives: travellers

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) hosted an exclusive Europe (Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, Romania) Marketplace in Al Ain Region, connecting over 200 travel trade partners from each country with more than 50 Abu Dhabi-based stakeholders, including hotels, attractions, and destination management companies. It forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen relationships with industry partners from key markets and boost visitor numbers to the emirate. Abu Dhabi has experienced a robust increase in visitors from Europe, with overnight guests increasing by 8% year-to-date compared to last year. This positive trend is further bolstered by enhanced accessibility, as flight connectivity from Europe has seen an 18.4% year-on-year increase in total seat capacity to over 3.24 million seats in 2025. These figures, coupled with high visitor satisfaction rates, paint a clear picture of European travellers eager for more of what Abu Dhabi has to offer. The event featured a range of discussions, networking opportunities, and familiarisation activities designed to ignite collaboration and educate Europe travel partners on Abu Dhabi’s extensive offering. From the vibrant capital city to the historic sites of Al Ain Region, the array of diverse experiences makes Abu Dhabi a destination with endless travel possibilities. Attendees also experienced traditional Emirati performances and engaged in cultural workshops. Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Europe represents a dynamic and rapidly growing market for Abu Dhabi, and our commitment to fostering robust partnerships within this region is paramount. This marketplace is designed to be an invaluable platform for direct engagement, allowing us to not only showcase the breadth of Abu Dhabi’s unique offerings but to also listen, collaborate …

flydubai has expanded its presence in Romania with the launch of direct flights to Iasi, becoming the first UAE carrier to offer nonstop service from Dubai. This marks the airline’s second destination in Romania, alongside Bucharest, further strengthening its European footprint. The new twice-weekly service landed at Iasi International Airport to a warm welcome, including a traditional water cannon salute and reception by airport officials and media. With this launch, flydubai now operates 21 weekly flights to Romania, including a planned ramp-up to three daily flights to Bucharest from late October, a move driven by a consistent 16% annual growth in passenger demand since 2012. Iasi, known as Romania’s cultural capital, offers rich heritage and historical landmarks, making it an attractive destination for both leisure and business travellers. The new route opens access to an underserved region, connecting the Moldova area of Romania to the UAE and beyond. This expansion follows flydubai’s recent entry into Chisinau (Moldova) and comes ahead of upcoming launches to Vilnius (Lithuania) and Riga (Latvia), reinforcing the airline’s strategy to connect Dubai with emerging European markets.