ABU DHABI
By contrast, Yas Island is all about adrenaline-pumping entertainment. The site of Yas Marina Circuit, the
track which stages the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and the signature Yas Viceroy hotel, the island also has Ferrari World, the largest indoor theme park in the world. This features 20 rides, among them Formula Rossa, the fastest rollercoaster on earth. Not enough thrills? Advise clients to
try Yas Waterworld, the UAE’s biggest water park, the size of 15 football pitches, with 43 rides and slides. Such attractions add up to a prime
tourism destination for everyone from couples to families, and are increasingly appearing in enthusiastic tour operators’ brochures. Says Deborah Wadhams, Assistant
Product Manager Middle East for Gold Medal: “Of all the Middle East destinations we feature Abu Dhabi experienced the largest growth in 2012. Since the expansion of our product range in the region, and a greater focus on the destination in the 2012/2013 brochure, demand for holidays to Abu Dhabi has increased signifi cantly year on year.” Adds Funways’ Malcolm Davies: “Over the past few years Abu Dhabi has developed into a bona fi de tourist destination. We have noticed a growth in more customers looking to stay longer and explore this prosperous emirate, rather than just including it as a stopover.”
All of which underlines Abu Dhabi’s rising star status.
What’s new Hotels: Rotana’s latest hotel in
MOTOR RACING SPECTACULAR BY COLIN ELLSON “Agents selling Abu Dhabi who number motor racing fans among their clientele should make a note of the date: November 1-3. That’s when the emirate will stage the fifth Ethad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Among the final events in the 2013 Formula 1 calendar, it is run over a 5.5 km circuit on Yas Island, snaking among Abu Dhabi’s iconic buildings, with cars reaching speeds of 300kmph down the longest straight in Grand Prix racing. Last year’s winner was Kimi
Raikkonen in a Lotus-Renault, and judging from his form at the start of this season, when he won the Australian Grand Prix, he could be on the podium this time around. Even for occasional enthusiasts like me, the race in the emirate was a memorable experience. Three-day tickets, covering practice and the event itself, are priced from £306, and can be bought on websites such as
bookf1.com.”
www.sellinglonghaul.com May 2013 19
Abu Dhabi, the Centro Capital Centre, opened last autumn. The 414-room, property, 20 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport, features the latest in-room technology, a sizeable gym, a pool, a C.Taste restaurant, C. Mondo bar and the
C.Deli,.
Also recently opened, the Ritz-Carl- ton Grand Canal Abu Dhabi comprises 447 rooms and 85 villas, with sunken gardens, water features, a 1,600 sq m pool, and three signature restaurants. Another newcomer, due to open
last month (April), is the St Regis Abu Dhabi, with 228 rooms and 55 suites. All guests can enjoy the bespoke, 24/7 St. Regis Butler Service. An alternative to Abu Dhabi’s impressive portfolio of fi ve-star properties, the new Arabian Nights Village, in the emirate’s heritage quarter of Al Ain, allows guests to experience the desert’s beauty. They will also come face to face with the local lifestyle, choosing from three types of luxury
“Whether sailing the Arabian Gulf in a luxury yacht or enjoying the hustle and bustle of a camel market, Abu Dhabi provides countless authentic Emirati experiences”
MALCOLM DAVIES, PRODUCT ADMINISTRATION MANAGER FUNWAY HOLIDAYS
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