Major year-end events including Volvo Ocean Race to push tourists numbers in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi gears up to double the number of tourists for events surrounding the Volvo Ocean Race stopover at year-end.

The stopover in 2011-12 attracted 120,000 visitors as the six-member Volvo Ocean Race fleet, including the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team, above, participated in the in-port race. Mike Young / The NationalShow less

Abu Dhabi tourism chiefs expect visitor numbers over the year-end period to surge to 200,000 helped by big ticket events such as the Volvo Ocean Race.

The capital expects to almost double the number of tourists compared to 2011-12, when the city last hosted the world sailing event stopover.

About 200,000 local and international visitors are expected over the year-end and New Year period, according to Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).

The stopover in 2011-12 attracted 120,000 visitors as the six-member Volvo Ocean Race fleet, including the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team, participated in the in-port race.

Coinciding with the New Year holiday season, the stopover from December 12 to January 3 will feature a Destination Village for sailing enthusiasts on the Corniche breakwater, concerts and other entertainment offers.

The waterfront hotels are expecting an uptick in guest numbers during the three-week period.

The Abu Dhabi hotel operator Rotana, which has a partnership with TCA Abu Dhabi extending across Rotana’s portfolio in the UAE and the region, will provide preferential rates for Volvo Ocean Race teams.

“The deal makes available over 2,600 room nights in Abu Dhabi during the stopover period over the festive season and New Year,” said Omer Kaddouri, the president and chief executive of Rotana. “We are expecting a strong increase in guest arrivals and guest nights influenced by this event.”

Rotana’s Corniche property Khalidiya Rayhaan is expected to be full during the period.

Jumeirah at Etihad Towers also expects to benefit from a spillover effect from the race.

“Such events provide an international stage for Abu Dhabi to highlight its luxury tourism and hospitality offerings,” said Doris Greif, the general manager at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers. She is also waiting to hear on a planned New Year’s Eve concert that can add to the numbers.

After sailing 6,000 nautical miles over three weeks from Cape Town, an anticipated seven teams will stop over at Abu Dhabi. These will include the team from Abu Dhabi skippered by Ian Walker.

To attract tourists, the Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau has launched packages that give front-row access to yachts, boatyard tours, meetings with the crew, analysis on the race day and team appearances after the race. The prices start from Dh600 per day, which covers the in-port race and race restart, and rise to Dh2,350 that includes VIP access to a dedicated spectator luxury yacht from 1pm.

“Our race week hospitality packages have been designed specifically with corporate travellers and [meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions] organisers in mind,” said Mubarak Alshamsi, the director at Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau.

The in-port race is scheduled for January 2 and the fleet will leave for Sanya, China, the next day.

The Volvo Ocean Race starts from the Spanish port Alicante on October 4 and will finish at its Swedish home port of Gothenburg on June 27 next year.

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