Mohammad Al Bulooki, Etihad Airways Executive Vice President Commercial; HE Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA); Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer, celebrate the launch of the airline’s Abu Dhabi 48 Hour Challenge at Arabian Travel Market (ATM).
- UAE residents and international travellers challenged to explore major attractions in Abu Dhabi in only two days
- Airline to launch Instagram competition with 500 exciting Abu Dhabi prizes to be won
Etihad
Airways has thrown down the gauntlet to the millions of guests who transit
through its Abu Dhabi home, as well as the residents of the UAE, by challenging
them to experience a host of ‘once in a lifetime’ activities throughout the
emirate in just two days.
The ‘48 Hour Challenge’ is part of Etihad Airways’ wider stopover
campaign promoting Abu Dhabi as a ‘holiday within a holiday’ for transit
travellers and a ‘staycation’ option for UAE residents wanting a relaxing
short-break. The city’s many highlights can now be enjoyed through a series of
exciting stopover programmes.
To
launch the campaign, Etihad Airways recently challenged Ricky Wilson,
singer-songwriter, TV personality and frontman of British indie rock band
Kaiser Chiefs, to spend 48 hours exploring the best Abu Dhabi has to offer. The
video of his attempt is part of a global online promotional campaign and
captures the excitement of the challenge visually to share with consumers on
social media and across the airline’s communications channels.
“For
me a stopover meant sitting in the airport, or visiting duty free, but this is
not what a stopover should be,” commented the singer. “It should be flying
falcons across the desert, kayaking, visiting water parks….imbibing the culture
of the place. Abu Dhabi has taught me that stopovers can be as relaxing as
they are exhilarating. There is something incredibly refreshing about pushing
yourself, getting out of your comfort zone and fully immersing yourself in a new
city. I will never stay in the airport again during a stopover.
“It
is an incredible place, with warm, generous and extremely hospitable
people. The city perfectly combines a relaxing and chilled out vibe with
excitement and adventure. It is a beautiful city with endless things to do in a
short space of time.”
Peter
Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, said: “The launch of
Etihad Airways’ comprehensive stopover programme reinforces what we who live in
this wonderful city have known for so long – that Abu Dhabi is a cosmopolitan,
dynamic and thrilling destination packed with opportunities for all visitors,
whether they are looking for adventure, culture, or a relaxing beach break.
“It
is our honour as the national airline of the UAE, based here in Abu Dhabi, to
promote and celebrate the emirate’s sophisticated infrastructure, the
hospitality of the Emirati people, and its beautiful landscape. It is the
perfect stopover destination for those flying through Abu Dhabi and an ideal
domestic getaway for those living in the wider UAE.”
The airline will also launch a special competition to promote its
stopover programme. From Friday 28 April until the end of 2017, Etihad Airways
will be giving away 500 great prizes to members of the public who take up the
48 Hour Challenge and who post their experiences on Instagram using the hashtag
#EtihadChallenge. The amazing prizes on offer range from 24-carat gold
spa treatments to desert safari trips.
Etihad Airways’ Abu Dhabi stopover options include 2-for-1 deals
on hotels and various activities. Guests who book a two-night stay from a
choice of over 60 participating hotels in Abu Dhabi will receive the second
night free. Business Class guests receive a complimentary night’s stay, while
First Class guests receive two free nights. Etihad Airways’ guests flying in
The Residence cabin onboard the airline’s flagship Airbus A380s will be treated
to two nights at the luxurious Emirates Palace hotel.
Abu
Dhabi’s world-famous leisure and business attractions include miles of
beautiful white sand beaches, theme parks such as Yas Waterworld and Ferrari
World, unforgettable desert safari expeditions, arts and cultural institutions
such as Manarat Al Saadiyat and the soon to be opened Louvre museum, exquisite
local and international dining, world-class golf, and the Formula 1 Etihad
Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and its race track, Yas Marina Circuit.
Abu
Dhabi also offers a wide range of shopping opportunities to suit all tastes
with a large choice of popular outlets and brands. The city boasts a selection
of spacious high-end shopping malls such as the stylish Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi
Mall, Marina Mall, and The Galleria - one of the world’s most luxurious shopping
centres.
Ricky Wilson
successfully completed the following activities on his Abu Dhabi 48 Hour
Challenge:
·
A
tour in a slingshot
·
Racing
in a supercar
·
Cycling
around the Formula 1 track
·
Speeding
down a waterslide at Yas Waterworld
·
Boarding
a superyacht
·
Buying
a suit
·
Enjoying
tea on the observation deck at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers
·
Skiing
the desert sands on a snowboard
·
Tasting
Black Truffle Pizza
·
Camel
trekking
·
Taking
a drive on the desert sand dunes
·
Learning
to belly dance
·
Dining
in the desert
·
Sleeping
under the stars
·
Teeing
off at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
·
Riding
the Formula Rossa at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
·
Eating
a local delicacy
·
Kayaking
through the mangroves
·
Flying
a falcon
·
Haggling
at the souk
·
Visiting
the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
·
Enjoying
a gold leaf facial
·
Partying
at Iris Yas Island
·
A
stay at the Yas Viceroy
Ricky Wilson’s 48 Hour
Challenge video can be viewed on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhZgRWOQQrw
A selection of images can be
downloaded on the following link:
Images of Abu Dhabi provided by Abu Dhabi Tourism &
Culture Authority
More information on Etihad
Airways’ stopover packages can be found on: www.etihad.com/abudhabi
About Etihad Aviation Group
Etihad
Aviation Group (EAG) is a diversified global aviation and travel group
comprising five business divisions – Etihad Airways, the national airline of
the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways Engineering, Etihad Airport Services,
Hala Group and Airline Equity Partners. The group has minority investments in
seven airlines: airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Jet Airways,
Virgin Australia, and Swiss-based Darwin Airline, trading as Etihad Regional.
From
its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to, or has announced plans to serve,
more than 110 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa,
Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of over 120
Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with 204 aircraft on firm order, including 71
Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777Xs, 62 Airbus A350s and 10 Airbus A380s. For
more information, please visit: etihad.com
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