The 2014/2015 stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race in Abu Dhabi is set to bring in additional revenues of $61m, the UAE capital’s tourism authority has estimated.
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) said in a statement that it predicts a 30 percent economic uplift when the global sailing race arrives in the UAE from mid-December 2014 until January 3 2015.
It also said Abu Dhabi would see a 15 percent increase to 36,000 room nights as well as a 15 percent increase in media values throughout the race to $115m.
The figures were revealed as more than 70 decision makers from the UAE and international travel and tourism industry came together to share ideas on how to maximise the impact of the prestigious event.
“Now that we’re welcoming back this iconic race to our shores in December 2014, we want to take our marine proposition to new heights and truly activate this great city to create a mega stopover,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, director of Events Bureau, TCA Abu Dhabi, which was behind the capital becoming first Arab destination to welcome the 40-year old race in 2012.
“We have very clear objectives about what we want to achieve: to highlight the destination’s watersports offering, engage the local community, leverage our maritime legacy, upgraded infrastructure and growing sailing fan base, create a world-class experience, unify our buoyant watersports industry and create a compelling visitor proposition that benefits the whole industry and local community.”
Abu Dhabi will welcome the Volvo Ocean Race fleet from Recife, Brazil in December 2014 after one of the longest and potentially most-gruelling legs in race history (9,707 nautical miles).
The Abu Dhabi In-Port Race, which was won by home favourites Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing in the last edition, will take place on January 2 2015, with the fleet departing for Sanya, China the following day.
TCA Abu Dhabi is pushing forward a package-strong and tourism-driven Abu Dhabi stopover, including a fan-friendly Destination Village activation on the Corniche breakwater and multiple concert and entertainment offerings, which will leverage the New Year dates.
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