Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi

Vibrant, modern and diverse, Abu Dhabi is rich in both commercial and cultural wealth. Hotels are the focal point for business meetings, with venues like ours at Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi boasting meeting rooms to accommodate groups of all sizes.

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates, with one of the highest GDP (gross domestic product) per capita in the world. It owns 95% of the oil, and 92% of the gas resources of the UAE. This equates to 9% of the world's oil, and 5% of the world's gas reserves - and production is continuing to expand.

However, while oil and gas are still the major source of wealth, the city has diversified into new areas. 64% GDP of the United Arab Emirates now comes from non-hydrocarbon fuel sources, something Abu Dhabi has been keen to capitalise on. There has been considerable investment in the real estate, tourism, retail and manufacturing industries, with massive investment from abroad.

Many European and UK companies and workers have made their home in Abu Dhabi, lured by the economic advantages and a per capita income that ranks third in the world. Meeting rooms are constantly booked out to both Arab and foreign delegates, with subjects ranging from the latest oil drilling technology, to the annual MEED Conference - which is aimed specifically at companies active in, or seeking business in, the Middle East.

Abu Dhabi is a multicultural and diverse society. Although Islam is the main religion, Emaritis are generally moderate in their approach, with a strong tolerance for other people's beliefs and cultures. We at Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi are fortunate to be sited near the magnificent Grand Mosque, but in the city you will also find Hindu temples, Sikh gurdwaras and Christian churches.

This cosmopolitanism extends everywhere, from the restaurants to the schools, from the shop names to the hotel chains. Those booking meeting rooms with us at Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi can rest assured that their Western delegates will find everything reassuringly familiar, from the cuisine to the drinks on offer at the bar.

In Abu Dhabi, air-conditioned meeting rooms are a necessity, especially in the summer months, when it can reach 35oC. However, as the city is actually on an island, connected to the mainland by two bridges, humidity is generally low, and the temperatures are tempered by pleasant sea breezes.

When the affairs of the conference room are finished for the day, a walk along the front can be a very pleasant way to unwind - the city is extremely safe, with a low crime rate. The high-rise skyline, dominated by architect-designed hotels such as ours at Holiday Inn, has led to Abu Dhabi being dubbed the "Manhattan of the Middle East." An evening cruise is the best way to appreciate it, and can be arranged as a corporate event.

We at Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi are sited close to ABNEC (Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre) and the Zayed Sports City Stadium. With a rooftop swimming pool, choice of restaurants and luxury spa just some of the luxuries we offer, you can rest assured that our meeting rooms, too, will be second to none.

Emma writes articles on Meeting Rooms including guides to Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi