ABU DHABI Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) has launched a series of ‘Play, Stay and Watch’ packages to increase international attendance at next year’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, which runs from January 16 to 19 at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Based around three-, five- and seven-night products dubbed ‘Tee For Three’, ‘Five Beats Fore’ and ‘Week at the Tees’, the packages – which include varying options for flights, on-the-ground transfers, accommodation, tee-times at the emirate’s six diverse playing facilities and access to most of Abu Dhabi’s leading leisure and culture-based attractions – are available via TCA Abu Dhabi’s specialist one-stop ‘Golf in Abu Dhabi’ initiative.
TCA Abu Dhabi also plans to ramp up the championship package product line by rallying the emirate’s hospitality partners – including DMCs, hotels, airlines, tour operators, travel agents, golf clubs and attractions – at an inaugural ‘Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship Stakeholder Briefing’ on September 11.
Having attracted 61,240 fans over four days to this year’s championship, TCA Abu Dhabi is targetting international attendance of 15 per cent at next year’s event and has introduced a series of ‘money-can’t-buy’ add-ons for long-stay package products, such as complimentary VIP group clinics at the championship with a world top 30 player for all five- or seven-night package buyers.
“The championship is now globally renowned for bucking expectations and next year’s event has been launched earlier than ever so local and international trade reps can push Abu Dhabi and the tournament, which offers the ultimate in up-close viewing, as the ideal leisure-meets-sports experience to see in the New Year,” says Faisal Al Sheikh, director, Events Bureau, TCA Abu Dhabi.
International fans attending the championship can expect to see defending champion, Jamie Donaldson; Rory McIlroy, the world number three; Justin Rose, the reigning US Open champion and world number five; Luke Donald, the world number 11, and Abu Dhabi’s record-breaking global golf ambassador, Matteo Manassero, the world number 29.
With more big names due to be unveiled in coming the months, the battle for the championship’s coveted Falcon Trophy and $2.7 million prize fund – the richest purse offered on the Desert Swing, the European Tour’s trio of early-season, regional events – will kick-start a huge Ryder Cup year for global golf.
Championship tickets are Dh50 ($13.3) for a daily pass and Dh150 ($40) for a four-day pass, while a 20 per cent ‘early bird’ discount is available on all tickets booked before October 31.