Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. 14 April, 2014: Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), the organisation behind the Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) Stopover in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, has signed its first major sponsorship agreement with Rotana Hotel Management Corporation (Rotana) for the fleet stopover planned for this December until next January. The partnership extends across Rotana’s entire property portfolio in the UAE and across the region, and will offer Volvo Ocean Race teams, spectators, and the race family exclusive rates and benefits during the festive period.

 

“Abu Dhabi will host thousands of executives, teams, crews, spectators and tourists travelling from around the globe, over six weeks in December and January, for the Volvo Ocean Race Abu Dhabi Stopover; and we want to make sure everyone will receive the finest hospitality throughout their stay,” said Sultan Al Dhaheri, TCA Abu Dhabi’s Acting Executive Director – Tourism. “Rotana’s wide range of accommodation options of 3 to 5 star hotels and self-catering apartments – all within a short distance of the VOR Destination Village on our stunning Corniche – match our Stopover requirements to provide both luxury and cost-efficient solutions for our international visitors, all of which makes Rotana a perfect partner.”

The deal makes available over 2,600 room nights in Abu Dhabi during the Stopover period over the Festive Season and New Year 2015, and sees Rotana, voted the Leading Hotel Brand in Middle East at the World Travel Awards for the 7th year on a row and the Fastest Expanding Hotel Brand at the world event, becoming the ‘Official Hotel Partner’ of the Volvo Ocean Race Abu Dhabi Stopover.

Highlighting the significance of this partnership, President & CEO of Rotana, Omer Kaddouri said: “We are extremely privileged to be partnering with TCA for the Abu Dhabi third 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race stopover and for Rotana to be the official Hotel Partner for this prestigious event. Such initiatives are extremely important for Abu Dhabi and will give this great destination tremendous worldwide exposure. With natural islands, over 400 kilometres of pristine coastline, and world-class marine leisure facilities, we believe Abu Dhabi is the ideal destination to host such events, and we look forward to welcoming thousands of race guests to our properties”.

Additionally, the new agreement will see Rotana offer marketing support to the Abu Dhabi Stopover and provide interactive activities at the Destination Village at Abu Dhabi’s Corniche breakwater. Rotana will seek to engage its global network of customers and ‘Rotana Rewards’ members through branding, advertising, and digital signage in over 35 Rotana properties across the UAE and GCC.

“In addition to its excellent hotel facilities and hospitality services, one of the most attractive elements which Rotana brings to the Stopover table is its extensive marketing platforms and consumer activation programmes, through which the event will be publicised over the next eight months,” said Al Dhaheri.

Following an in-port race around the iconic Abu Dhabi Corniche Breakwater, the official Volvo Ocean Race Leg 2 Prize-Giving Gala Dinner will be hosted in the Beach Rotana’s luxurious Al Thuraya ballroom for 800 international guests and local dignitaries on 1 January 2015. The evening will include a glittering arrival reception, a three-course seated dinner, local entertainment and the awarding of the prestigious Leg 2 trophy and other awards.

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