ADNEC Continues Diversification with Acquisition of Etihad Holidays

(26 Nov 2021)  The Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), part of ADQ, is taking the next step in its business diversification strategy with the acquisition of Etihad Holidays from Etihad Airways.

Etihad Holidays will be integrated with Tourism 365, ADNEC’s tourism promotion business.

“ADNEC is proud to welcome this important business entity into its portfolio. We hold a long-term investor perspective in identifying and acquiring key assets in developed markets. This move will strengthen the group’s competitiveness and will increase direct and indirect economic contributions to the UAE’s tourism sectors, said Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, ADNEC’s MD and Group CEO. “ADNEC Group has wide-ranging experience in overseeing successful tourism and hospitality assets and will bring the same insights and strategic focus to ensure the continued success of this important entity.”

ADNEC Group

Tourism 365 will operate Etihad Holidays, taking it from a platform focused on the local market to a fully-fledged tour operator supplying online and traditional travel agencies with Etihad-network holiday packages from key source markets.

Capital Experience, Tourism 365’s destination management arm, will be the exclusive supplier of Etihad Holidays across the UAE when it comes to hotels, transfers and attractions.

Roula Jouny, Executive Director of Tourism 365, said, “We are thrilled with this move. This new development solidifies our strategic role in strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a destination and bolstering the incredible efforts of the UAE’s wider tourism industry. This asset transfer will significantly expand Etihad Holidays’ presence in key source markets especially from a B2B tour operator standpoint. As part of Tourism 365’s vision to become the number one choice for travel and tourism professionals, we look forward to further highlighting Abu Dhabi to tourists from far and wide, whilst also showcasing the unmissable offerings of the Emirates.”

Details of the acquisition have not been disclosed.