ABU DHABI Tourism Authority (ADTA) has unveiled tailored holiday packages for the emirate’s New Year hosting of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011/12 fleet – the six-strong armada of state-of-the-art Volvo 70 ocean yachts which will contest the gruelling 39,000 nautical mile round-the-world event.
The packages, being run by ‘Volvo Ocean Race Abu Dhabi Travel Services’ and developed in conjunction with the stopover’s travel partner, Hala Abu Dhabi, are centred on event highlights from the Destination Village opening this New Year’s Eve. These include;
• New Year’s Eve Party @ Volvo Ocean Race Abu Dhabi Stopover: December 31, 2011
• Arrival ceremony of Volvo Ocean Race yachts: January 1-2, 2012 (approx)
• Pro-Am Race: January 12, 2012
• In-Port Race: January 13, 2012
• Departure ceremony of Volvo Ocean Race yachts: January 14, 2012
A ‘New Year’s Eve Spectacular’ package includes four-nights accommodation with breakfast, airport meet & greet and premium limousine transport as well as transfers to the Volvo Ocean Race Destination Village for the New Year’s Eve headline concert, with pre and post concert VIP hospitality, as well as a stunning sunset dhow cruise. The ‘Volvo Ocean Race Experience’ package focuses on the race re-start for the 4,600 nautical mile third leg to Sanya, China, providing a remarkable up-close spectacle for sailing aficionados.
In addition to four-nights accommodation with breakfast, airport meet & greet and premium limousine transport, as well as daily transport to and from the Destination Village, visitors can also get into the thick of the action in style - on and off the water - with hospitality access for the pro-am, in-port race and race restart, on January 12th, 13th and 14th, 2012 respectively. The first 100 to book will also receive priority VIP access to the ‘Azzam Lounge’ – the dedicated Abu Dhabi hospitality pavilion.
Both packages also offer guests the ‘Volvo Ocean Race – Active Abu Dhabi’ card, which gives holders exclusive city attraction offers across the city, as well as a commemorative gift from the Abu Dhabi stopover.
“We are pleased to be able to work with our preferred travel agency - Hala Abu Dhabi - to create customised travel packages in conjunction with this special event, whilst also allowing visitors to sample all the emirate has to offer during one of the world’s most exciting sporting events,” said Mubarak Al Nuaimi, international promotions manager, ADTA.
The package prices, excluding flights and based on twin room sharing, start from $1,715 for the New Year’s Eve Spectacular, and $2,140 for the Volvo Ocean Race Experience. Additional room nights can be arranged. All can be booked via the official website, www.volvooceanraceabudhabi.com
Abu Dhabi’s ‘Destination Village,’ which will be adjacent to the Heritage Village and overlooking Abu Dhabi’s impressive city skyline, will open free-of-charge to the public daily from December 31 to January 14, next year. ADTA anticipates welcoming more than 100,000 visitors through its gates.