Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates and home to Etihad Airways, is planning to promote the destination to the Irish trade, in association with the national carrier of the UAE.
According to Nabeel Al Zarouni, Abu Dhabi Tourism, the Emirate had more than 13,000 Irish visitors in 2013, an increase of 13% over the previous year. From January to April this year Irish visitor numbers were 6,429 with an average stay 4.6 nights. The average room rate is now €87 per night.
Set to open during the highly-anticipated Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Mall will be Abu Dhabi’s largest shopping mall. The mall will host 450 retail units, including four international department stores and contain a direct link to the world’s largest indoor amusement park, Ferrari World. The mall also has the largest naturally-lit gathering space in the Middle East and is expected to attract around 25 million visitors in its first year, with a parking space that can accommodate up to 10,000 vehicles at a time.
In addition, the organisers of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year, have announced that the award-winning event will run from 15th – 18th January 2015 at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Beatrice Cosgrove, Etihad Airways, said that with enhanced double daily flights to Abu Dhabi, there be a 40% increase in the number of seats available.
