The Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau – a dedicated division of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) - has launched an exclusive range of hospitality packages for the UAE capital's highly anticipated Volvo Ocean Race Abu Dhabi Stopover running 12 December 2014 to 3 January 2015.

With prices starting from £98, VIP corporate guests will experience world-class hospitality, Arabian style, through the luxury race week packages, which include front-row access to yachts, behind-the-scenes boatyard tours, exclusive crew meet-and-greets, raceday expert analysis and post-race team appearances.

Persuading international visitors to choose Abu Dhabi as their year-end winter holiday and encouraging MICE and business travellers to attend are key priorities for the Abu Dhabi Stopover organisers.

Abu Dhabi is gearing up to host the race with a festival of watersports, marine heritage promotions and world-class entertainment. Over 200,000 local and international visitors are expected to visit over the Christmas and New Year period.

“Our emirate's ambient winter climate, when temperatures average around 21 to 26 degrees celsius, over 400 kilometres of coastline, blue-flag beaches, state-of-the-art marinas, beautiful natural islands and warm, clean waters make Abu Dhabi a compelling watersports destination,” said Mubarak Al Shamisi, Director, Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau. “Our race week hospitality packages have been designed specifically with corporate travellers and MICE organisers in mind and give them a great alternative to year-end and New Year programmes.”

At approximately a seven-hour direct flight from the UK, Abu Dhabi has developed a range of assets and business tourism offerings for MICE organisers, including the value-packed Advantage Abu Dhabi initiative.

Available year-round, the initiative aims to help deliver groups a stand-out business event, exhibition and incentive experience in the Abu Dhabi emirate by wrapping-in benefits such as VIP tours of Yas Marina Circuit, cultural education sessions, desert safaris and dune dinners, together with pre-event marketing support and free, impartial bureau advice.

For more information about Abu Dhabi's MICE incentives, including Advantage Abu Dhabi and the new VOR Hospitality packages, please contact Angela Bates Trade/MICE Promotion Senior Executive on 020 7201 6401 or abates@tcaabudhabi.ae 

Abu Dhabi's VOR hospitality packages are:

Package one

Al Mina - $233/£139 per day with alcohol

US $164/£98 per day without alcohol

Pro-Am: Friday 2 January 2015

Race restart – Saturday 3 January 2015

12:00 – 17:00pm

• VIP access & parking pass
• Skyline Lounge champagne / soft drinks and canapés reception
• Full lunch service with open bar
• Live on-screen coverage of all race activities and insider race analysis by sailing expert
• Official event programme
• Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team member meet & greet
• Great raffle prizes with exclusive signed merchandising to be won
• Souvenir photograph

Package two

Al Bahr - $342/£204 per day with alcohol

US $274/£164 per day without alcohol

Pro-Am – Friday 2 January 2015

Race restart – Saturday 3 January 2015

12:00 – 17:00pm

• VIP access & parking pass
• Skyline Lounge champagne / soft drinks and canapés reception
• Full lunch service with open bar
• Live on-screen coverage of all race activities and insider race analysis by sailing expert
• 45-minute on-water race viewing in shared speedboat
• Official event programme
• Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team member meet & greet
• Great raffle prizes with exclusive signed merchandising to be won
• Souvenir photograph

Package three

Al Boom- $644/£383 per day with alcohol

US $575/£344 per day without alcohol

Pro-Am – Friday 2 January 2015

Race restart – Saturday 3 January 2015

12:00 – 17:00pm

• VIP access & parking pass
• Skyline Lounge champagne / soft drinks and canapés reception
• VIP access to dedicated Skyline VIP spectator luxury yacht from 1pm
• Full lunch service with open bar
• Behind-the-scenes Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing shorebase tour
• Live coverage of all race activities including insider race analysis
• Post-race Q&A session with photo and autograph opportunity with Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing crew members
• Official merchandise pack including event programme
• Great raffle prizes with exclusive signed merchandising to be won
• Souvenir photograph

For further information on the hospitality packages please email: hospitality@volvooceanraceabudhabi.ae

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ABOUT ABU DHABI CONVENTION BUREAU

Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau (Abu Dhabi CB) drives and supports the development and promotion of business events tourism throughout the emirate efficiently, effectively, and transparently, and in partnership with all its stakeholders. Its main mission is to champion the emirate as a dynamic global business events leader.  Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau can assist with any planners' needs and acts as a one-stop shop, offering free advice, help with planning and local knowledge.​ For more information, please see here.

For more information please contact:

Results PR

Tel: +44 (0)203 440 8939

Email: TeamAbuDhabi@resultspr.co.uk