ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (UAE) - Etihad Airways has renewed its partnership with Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Yas Links Golf Club for another three years, reinforcing the airline’s continued commitment to golf in the nation’s capital and to establishing it as a major global sporting destination.
Hareb Al Muhairy, Senior Vice-President, Destination and Leisure Management; James Ibbetson, Director of Golf of Yas Links; and Ed Edwards, Group General Manager of Abu Dhabi Golf Club and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, signed the agreement during the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA, for which Etihad Airways was the Official Airline Partner.
Hareb Al Muhairy, Senior Vice President of Destination and Leisure Management of Etihad Airways, said: “Etihad Airways is always proud to promote Abu Dhabi to the world, and this strategic partnership underscores our wider commitment both to the promotion of the capital as a leading global leisure destination, and to the fantastic sporting opportunities that the city has to offer our international visitors.
“The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA is the jewel in the crown of the city’s golfing calendar, and lucky for us all, the excellent golfing facilities are available year-round and we want to showcase the quality of the courses and the clubhouses which are on offer. We look forward to welcoming lovers of golf, both young and old, to Abu Dhabi to experience all it has to offer.”
With golf continuing to be a major draw for tourists visiting Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways is keen to build on its strategic partnerships with golfing partners in the city. International golfers stay longer than other tourists in the city, remaining approximately five days in Abu Dhabi, and typically spending two and a half times more than the average tourist.
Ed Edwards, Group General Manager of Abu Dhabi Golf Club and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, under the management and brand of the world’s leading golf management company Troon Golf, commented: “We are delighted to renew our close partnership with Etihad Airways. Golf in Abu Dhabi is one of the best offerings in terms of golf destinations in the world with three of the very best golf courses complimenting everything from culture, attractions and hospitality that Abu Dhabi offers.
“With the airline playing a key role in opening our Emirate to the world, we look forward to continuing to drive golf tourism to Abu Dhabi in partnership with Etihad Airways.”
Howie Roberts, General Manager of Yas Links Golf Club, said: “This agreement signed with Etihad Airways marks our continued commitment to working with the airline to bring Abu Dhabi to the golfing world and the golfing world to Abu Dhabi. Each year, the opportunities for international golfers in the city continue to grow and grow, and the continued commitment which we now share with the airline to continuing the rise of the sporting sector of Abu Dhabi underlines our dedication to the growth of the city’s cultural offering.
“We are pleased to sign this strategic partnership with Etihad Airways, and look forward to continuing to develop this key partnership over the years to come.”
The renewed partnerships highlight the wider efforts being made by Etihad Airways and its partners to build an open, efficient and globally integrated sporting business environment across Abu Dhabi, as they work with key strategic sporting partners including Etihad Airways Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, and the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA.
