More than 70 decision makers from the UAE and international travel and tourism industry including hoteliers and players from the emirate’s watersports sector recently gathered to leverage the UAE capital’s hosting of the third 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race stopover from mid-December 2014 until 3rd January 2015.
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), which is behind the Everest of Sailing’s return to the UAE capital, outlined its race hosting plans at a mega stakeholder briefing and invited the industry to share ideas on how to maximise the New Year 2015 holiday to attract a record number of race visitors to the destination.
TCA Abu Dhabi said it is targeting across-the-board growth for its second hosting of the global sailing event with a forecasted 30% economic impact uplift to US $61 million and 15% increase to 36,000 room nights as well as a 15% increase in media values throughout the race to US $115 million.
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With 18 months to go before the Abu Dhabi stopover, the industry is lending support to the event, and expects to leverage the race hosting to the full.
Jumeriah At Etihad Towers’ director of sales & marketing, Cornelia Koebele, said that the broad appeal of the race would be a major draw for visitors over the holiday period. “Personally and professionally, I am very excited to welcome back the Volvo Ocean Race to Abu Dhabi. With an extended lead in time, we have the scope to plan and maximise having this event in Abu Dhabi.
“The New Year dates are important for us, and coupled with the event’s significant lifestyle appeal, it means we can work hard to start putting the right packages together. I have already alerted our global sales team to start working towards this,” Koebele added.
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