Abu Dhabi, an excellent watersports destination

Leading members of the UK travel trade are tipping Abu Dhabi as an upcoming international watersports destination with the emirate’s Volvo Ocean Race campaign bringing the emirate’s offering into the global sector spotlight. 

The Marketing Head of Flight Centre UK Ltd, Siobhan McGarvey, said Abu Dhabi is now well placed to leverage its sporting infrastructure. “We could see the destination being promoted as the new home of sport because of its three championship golf courses, its tennis championship, the Grand Prix and, of course, the Volvo Ocean Race stopover and we could help support this message,” she said.

The Product Manager of Southall Travel Limited, Amanda Blair, said the emirate’s watersports offering is a winner.

“Abu Dhabi is excellently placed as a watersports destination. With its year-round sunny climate and vast range of watersports on offer, there is something for everyone from Wadi Adventure to sea cruises, diving and international sports resorts. All ages, capabilities and interests are catered for.

Abu Dhabi, which is again contesting the Volvo Ocean Race with Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, will host the race from mid December 2014 to 3 January 2015. TCA Abu Dhabi, which is behind the emirate’s race campaign as well as the stopover, is pushing forward a package-strong and tourism-driven event, including a fan-friendly Destination Village on the stunning Abu Dhabi Corniche breakwater, as well as a compelling entertainment programme to leverage the seasonal holiday dates.

Abu Dhabi’s planned hosting of the Volvo Ocean Race 2014/15 is set to become the key sailing and community waterfront event of Arabia on the lines of the UK’s highly successful Cowes Week regatta, according to Emirati Adil Khalid who will contest the global sailing race as a member of Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing.

“The sight of thousands of boats gathered on the River Solent for Cowes Week is spectacular, it’s amazing to see them. Abu Dhabi – where we sometimes have upwards of 100 dhows out racing – can do the same for the stopover – and we can make it, without doubt, the most important sailing and waterfront celebration in Arabia,” said Khalid, who is in the UK for Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing’s defence of its Rolex Fastnet Race title.