Abu Dhabi, Apr 22 (Emirates 247): Abu Dhabi has been named as the world’s "Most Outstanding MICE Destination" at a prestigious awards ceremony in New Delhi, India.

The emirate beat competition from Singapore, the United Kingdom and Jordan to secure the coveted prize, which is handed out annually at the Travel and Hospitality annual awards ceremony in the Indian capital.

The award follows the recent recognition from the International Congress and Convention Association, ICCA, which has seen Abu Dhabi now rise to 73rd position for cities which attract international associations annually, making the UAE capital the fastest-growing destination in the Middle East.

The Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau, a division of Abu Dhabi Culture and Tourism Authority, TCA Abu Dhabi, made significant strides in attracting business into the emirate last year. In total the bureau successfully submitted applications, along with partners and stakeholders, to host 14 conferences which are expected to attract more than 35,000 delegates.

Among the key events earmarked for the emirate this year are World Skills – the world’s largest vocational skills competition – which is set to take place in October with 7,000 participants and the International Diabetes Federation 2017 Congress in December, which is expected to attract 15,000 delegates.

Bejan Dinshaw, India Country Manager for TCA Abu Dhabi, who received the award from Jayant Sinha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, said, "Abu Dhabi continues to make excellent progress in attracting the worldwide MICE industry to the emirate and our Convention Bureau saw a record 2016 for attracting business. We are delighted to be recognised with this award in India – which is Abu Dhabi’s largest international source market for hotel guest arrivals, rising a highly impressive 15 percent during 2016."