The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Miral, are to host Loop CEE, luxury travel fair, in the Middle East for the first time.
Titled Loop Beyond Borders, the event will be held from 15-17 September 2024 at Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villas in Abu Dhabi and from 18-19 September 2024 at Anantara Qasr Al Sarab in Al Dhafra. The high-end platform aims to gather distinguished local hospitality brands, offering them an exclusive opportunity to showcase their products and engage with ultra-luxury buyers, travel partners, and agents from Central and Eastern Europe.
Over the course of five days, each exhibitor will have the opportunity to conduct 62 appointments, each lasting for 15 minutes, alongside numerous other opportunities to connect with over 100 top tour operators and agents from 16 central and Eastern European countries - Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, and North Macedonia.
In the first five months of 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, the emirate experienced a significant increase in hotel guests from Bulgaria (86 per cent), Romania (47 per cent), Poland (42 per cent) and the Czech Republic (31 per cent).
Abdullah Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: "We look forward to hosting the Middle East’s first ever LOOP CEE event in Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra, reinforcing the emirate’s position as a premier destination for luxury travellers seeking the most refined of experiences. Loop Beyond Borders not only supports Abu Dhabi’s journey to becoming one of the most prominent, must-visit locations in the world, but provides unparalleled networking opportunities and knowledge exchange, strengthening our ties across central and eastern European markets, and fostering long-term collaboration."
Taghrid AlSaeed, Executive Director of Group Communications and Destination Marketing at Miral, said: “We are happy to host the Middle East's first-ever Loop CEE event in Abu Dhabi, particularly on Saadiyat Island, renowned as a beacon of luxury and sophistication in the region. With its pristine beaches, luxurious resorts and growing cultural district, Saadiyat epitomises opulence at its finest. The destination’s allure serves as the perfect backdrop, elevating the LOOP CEE event and ensuring an unforgettable experience where luxury intertwines seamlessly with cultural richness. This milestone occasion will undoubtedly have a profound impact, solidifying Saadiyat Island’s position as a premier luxury destination for discerning travellers from around the world."
Astrid Oberhummer, Founder and CEO of Loop, said: “I am truly honoured and proud to collaborate closely with DCT Abu Dhabi to bring our very first luxury travel trade show Loop Beyond Borders to the Middle East for the first time. We have had many great suppliers from Abu Dhabi at our Loop editions over the past years and enjoy a deep trust in the DCT, and in the beauty of Abu Dhabi. With the unfailing support of DCT and Miral, the destination is predestined to provide the perfect setting for such an elevated luxury event. We are thrilled to introduce this outstanding experience to our valuable network from across the CEE and CIS market.”
