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Abu Dhabi targets golf tourism
The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) has identified golf as a key area for tourism growth in the emirate.
Seeking to attract up to three million visitors a year to Abu Dhabi by 2015 — a three-fold increase from the current annual average — the organisation plans to tap into the existing, and planned, golf developments in the emirate to increase visitor numbers.
An influx of golf tourists could significantly boost tourism in Abu Dhabi in the short to medium term.
“The global market for golf tourism is worth more than US$17.5 billion. As an international destination with a major European Tour event and world-class facilities and infrastructure, Abu Dhabi is perfectly placed to capitalise on this global trend and enlarge its share of the billions of dollars spent on golf tourism worldwide,” said His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, chairman of ADTA.
The US $2 million Abu Dhabi Golf Championship (ADGC) draws a large number of visitors from overseas and generates international awareness among the global golfing community, said director general of ADTA, Mubarak Al Muhari.
“Last year, 17,500 spectators followed the stars around the National Course, but live TV coverage reached more than 120 million homes in 28 countries,” he said.
A number of hotel courses in the city have noticed a boost in numbers since the first championship last year.
“We’re seeing visitors from Germany, Britain, Scandinavia, Japan, America, Korea, Malaysia, France, Canada, Belgium and Austria,” said Ghassan Mayo, general manager of the Abu Dhabi Golf Club by Sheraton.
“This has definitely contributed to the growth of the UAE economy.”
Indeed, ADTA expects the popularity of ADGC, and the development of two new courses on the landmark Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, to bring increased revenue for airlines, hotels, restaurants, car rental firms and taxi companies.
“Our guests want to know they’re playing the very best courses. The fact that the world’s best have played in Abu Dhabi is part of the appeal,” said Ian Ferguson-Brown, head of brand management and communications at Etihad Airlines.
“The more variety and quality, the better served our golfing guests will be.”
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