Abu Dhabi drums up support for Grand Prix in UK
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Abu Dhabi Tourist Authority (ADTA) took its Grand Prix Roadshow to the UK last week, in a bid to promote bookings to the UAE capital during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix racing carnival, which commences on 29 October.The emirate is focusing on the leisure market in its new strategy, with an emphasis on global events and entertainment options. ADTA spokesperson Angela Bates revealed that construction will begin on a waterpark on Yas Island at the end of this year and a Warner Bros. theme park may open in 2012. Wildlife, cultural highlights and golf tourism are also being highlighted to promote the island. ADTA representative Nicola Grylls said the destination was learning from Dubai’s offering and adapting it to its own strengths. “Abu Dhabi has watched Dubai grow and has taken parts of it into its own tourism [strategy],” she told Travel Daily. “Abu Dhabi is proud of its cultural history and it is a big selling point which is why the focus is on Saddiyat and Yas Island. There is a keen focus on green tourism and feeding that into everything that is built.” Elsewhere at the Grand Prix roadshow, Etihad Airways revealed it had launched a new destination management company named Hala Abu Dhabi to expand its travel product and services offering. “We have been delivering services for Formula 1 and the film festival since 2008 but have now extended this,” revealed an Etihad spokesperson, adding that the organisation planned to develop an e-brochure that could be updated as new attractions opened across the emirate.”We can also help agents build their own brochure”, the spokesperson added.Yas Marina Circuit Senior Sales Executive Rawan Haddad also showcased the island’s bevy of attractions, which includes a golf course, marina, hotel, yacht club and Ferrari World, which is set to open in October. She added that the UK remained the key source market for Yas Island and Abu Dhabi in general.”At last year’s Grand Prix, we had visitors from more than 100 countries, with UK attendance five times higher than other territories,” explained Haddad. “70% of this year’s tickets have already been sold.”
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