Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company delivers US$250m of impact to national economy

Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) has announced the value of its direct and indirect impact on the Abu Dhabi economy in 2021 registering at AED2.4bn (US$250m). During 2021, ADNEC made investments and expanded its leisure tourism sector, diversifying the portfolio. Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, managing director and Group CEO of ADNEC, said: “We have overcome unprecedented challenges of recent years and look forward to a bright future ahead as we continue to evolve our business throughout the recovery phase of the global pandemic and navigate a pathway to sustained success.” Throughout 2021, ADNEC launched Tourism 365, to support creating experiential travel opportunities for tourists coming to Abu Dhabi, and to enhance the emirate’s regional and global positioning in the wider tourism sector. ADNEC also continued its growth with the acquisition of the Etihad Airport Services Catering and Etihad Holidays. Throughout the year, ADNEC acquired assets including hotels and new business units. The company launched a strategic plan for expansion at both the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and ExCeL London in 2021. Development operations, which are scheduled to begin this year, include building a specialised exhibition hall at ADNEC Marina on the waterfront of Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The hall will cover an area of 10,000sqm. The year saw a 12% increase in overall area for indoor exhibitions at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre to 92,000sqm and a 25% increase in area at ExCeL London to 25,000sqm. The ExCeL London centre has acquired approval for the schematics for the third stage expansion of its facilities. The expansion involves adding 25,000sqm of space for exhibitions, establishing new halls for meetings and conferences, rest areas, and several services facilities for restaurants, which will increase the centre’s overall space by 25%. Upon completion, the third stage of expanding ExCeL London will provide around 115 new jobs, 50% of which will be allocated to locals. In 2021, ADNEC also organised and hosted a wide range of events across its centres in the UAE and the UK, including 174 exhibitions, conferences and special events.