Abu Dhabi has won the prestigious ‘Newcomer Destination of the Year’ accolade at the Golf Journal Travel Awards – held in Berlin on the fringes of the ongoing ITB, the world’s leading travel trade show.

The award, which saw Abu Dhabi score a record-breaking 77,721 points from a judging panel made up of leading German tour operators and respected figures in the country’s golf industry, saw the emirate fend off  strong challenges from Mauritius, Costa Navarino in Greece, Bulgaria and Belek in Turkey.

“To have Germany’s golf industry experts overwhelmingly recognise Abu Dhabi’s diverse and dynamic product significantly strengthens our golf tourism credentials,” said Dayne Lim, product development director, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority.

“As an industry-wide promotional and distributional platform, Golf in Abu Dhabi reaches out to the global golf tourism segment and positions the emirate’s proposition of unique playing experiences complemented by world-class hospitality options and enhanced leisure and cultural attractions.”

Abu Dhabi’s Golf Journal award follows recognition from the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), which named the emirate Golf Destination of the Year, Africa & Gulf States 2012.

“Abu Dhabi stood out from all the other competitors because of its all-round excellence and commitment in golf course conditioning and service. Something very special is developing in the emirate, especially with the introduction of new hotels at Abu Dhabi Golf Club and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, which have made it easier than ever to plan stay and play vacations in Abu Dhabi,” said Stefan Engert, Editor, Golf Journal.

“We look forward to watching Abu Dhabi grow from one of the world’s most intriguing golf destinations, to simply one of the best,” he added. - TradeArabia News Service