Abu Dhabi’s stand has won the Best Stand Design Award at the World Travel Market 2017 – London, WTM. 5,000 exhibitors from 182 countries are taking part in the annual event.

The emirate’s stand impressed the judges for the way it stood out from the crowd, being clearly visible and identifiable from a distance, and for the way in which it portrayed the genuine culture of the emirate.

The WTM Best Stand Design Award is judged by an international expert panel with the help of a questionnaire involving all participating countries and cities, to assess the way in which the identity of each country or city is presented and the way in which questions from visitors are handled.

Four judges inspected the stands at London’s Excel Centre, where the WTM is taking place. Following ‘mystery shopper’ style visits and careful deliberation, the Abu Dhabi stand, managed by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, DCT, was voted the winner. It was found to be outstanding in terms of design and presentation.

The award was accepted by Sultan Al Mutawa Al Dhaheri, DCT’s Acting Executive Director of Tourism, and Mubarak R. Al Nuaimi, the Director of the DCT Destination Promotion Department, in front of the winning stand, watched by WTM London representatives.

"We are delighted to accept this award and so pleased to see that our stand has captured people’s attention. A lot of work and thought goes into creating an inviting space which works well for our stakeholders and visiting members of the travel trade alike," Sultan Al Dhaheri said.

The WTM Best Stand Design Award is judged by an international expert panel who conducted a questionnaire involving all participating countries and cities, and found that the Emirate’s pavilion stands out in terms of design and turnout.

"The new award is an international recognition of the tireless efforts made by the Department in presenting the emirate's identity in the best possible way to the outer world and supporting the tourist influx to the UAE capital," Al Nuaimi added.

Around 7,000 - 8,000 visitors explored the Abu Dhabi Stand on the first day and were provided with sufficient answers to all their queries about the emirate’s attractions and cultural identity," Al Nuaimi said. This impressive turnout had been a major factor in the winning of the prestigious award, he added.