ABU DHABI // The Volvo Ocean Race generated almost Dh160 million and attracted 120,000 visitors when it sailed into Abu Dhabi for two weeks in January.
Hosting the gruelling round-the-world yacht race's first Middle East stopover also helped to boost the capital's international profile, with officials believing more tourists will now be inclined to visit.
"Through our Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team we have taken Abu Dhabi's name to the high seas," said Faisal Al Sheikh, events manager with Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).
"Through tactical and highly engaging on-ground activation across the five continents the race visits, we have touched many travellers and media with our Arabian charm, which we believe will translate into visits over the coming years."
The mid-race report, carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers on behalf of the Volvo Ocean Race, found that 89 per cent of all visitors to Abu Dhabi's purpose-built race village would recommend the emirate as a tourist destination.
"Abu Dhabi was a successful stopover. We were really pleased with it. It was our first time in the region and we were really pleased with the look of the village and the footfall. It was chalked down as a success," said Jon Bramley, communications director for the Volvo Ocean Race.
Azzam, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team's yacht, finished in fifth place overall out of the six competing boats when the 39,000 nautical mile race, which started in Alicante in November 2011 and visited nine host ports, ended in Ireland earlier this month.
The two-week festival at the purpose-built race village on the Corniche began with the UK band Coldplay performing on New Year's Eve. Daily activities included sailing lessons for children, live music and competitions.
Of the 120,000 visitors, 43.5 per cent came from Abu Dhabi while 31.4 per cent lived in other emirates. People travelling from Europe contributed the largest number of international visitors, with 17.3 per cent. North Americans came second with 4.3 per cent.
"For us, the positive aspect was that the majority of visitors were from outside the emirate," Mr Al Sheikh said.
TCA Abu Dhabi said it is still studying the outcome of the stopover, which brought in Dh158.6m, and it is also looking at what lessons were learnt and what could be improved.
"For us, having more time to plan and go to market with holiday packages, travel options and event updates will be critical in swelling visitor numbers.
"We also learned that the marine stakeholders were outstanding and that many different Abu Dhabi entities and players could work together seamlessly as one. It was also the first global sailing event in Abu Dhabi so many challenges were new, and yet these were overcome," said Mr Al Sheikh.
If Abu Dhabi is chosen as a host port for the 2014-15 race, Mr Al Sheikh said it would aim to increase the number of foreign visitors.
This would be accomplished by announcing its activation plan earlier and agreeing packages with key stakeholders he said. "It would give us a longer runway to promote and attract international guests," Mr Al Sheikh said.
TCA Abu Dhabi said it was reviewing the entire project. Cities vying for a host port must submit their intention by September and the winning ports will be announced in December.
eharnan@thenational.ae
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Company profile
Company name: Suraasa
Started: 2018
Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker
Based: India, UAE and the UK
Industry: EdTech
Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Company%20Profile
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Origin
Dan Brown
Doubleday
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Challenge Cup result:
1. UAE 3 faults
2. Ireland 9 faults
3. Brazil 11 faults
4. Spain 15 faults
5. Great Britain 17 faults
6. New Zealand 20 faults
7. Italy 26 faults
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
