Yas Island, a leading leisure and entertainment destination in the UAE, highlighted its popularity as a destination for German tourists by hosting tour operators, booking systems and carriers at the recently held travel show ITB Berlin.

Yas Island showcased attractions that are enticing record numbers of Germans and top international tour operators and travel agents, including hotels and restaurants, concerts, and sports, including motor racing, sailing and golf.

Karim El Guanaini, vice president of Yas Island Destination Management, said: “Yas Island continues to enhance what it offers to the European market and German travelers– an international experience offering world-class accommodation paired with attractions and endless sporting and entertainment activities.
“Awareness of Yas Island has grown in Germany through the ever-evolving offerings presented, supported by strong digital campaigns with an international reach. Attending ITB Berlin raised our profile even more and allowed us to update our loyal trade partners about our newest offerings.”

The number of Germans staying in Abu Dhabi’s hotels grew by 25 per cent in January compared to the previous year, according to statistics from the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA). Throughout the month, 10,733 Germans spent an average of around five nights each. Germany is the capital’s fourth largest market for hotel guests behind India, the UK and the US.

Germans can benefit from more than 56 direct flights each week between Abu Dhabi International Airport and cities including Berlin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt and Munich.  Visas upon arrival in the UAE for European Union passport holders has also made Yas Island an ideal and convenient place for European-based companies to host global meetings and events, a statement said.

Yas Island features prominently on German television every year when Yas Marina Circuit hosts the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Grand Prix. Tourists can visit, run or cycle on the track and motoring enthusiasts can race sports cars with guidance from expert instructors. Yas Island’s other sports activities include watersports, luxury yachting and golf on Yas Links, which features pristine courses for golfers of all levels.

Seven hotels and 57 restaurants offer varied accommodation, cuisine from all over the world and a huge variety of popular bars and clubs, including O1NE, a fashionable art-themed nightclub.

As the home of the du Forum and du Arena, Yas Island is Abu Dhabi’s live entertainment centre. Major acts to recently play at the venues include The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Rihanna, Metallica and Eminem. In the coming months, Black Sabbath, Justin Timberlake and Macklemore will entertain residents and visitors.

Family activities include Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, a theme park with the world’s fastest roller coaster, Yas Waterworld, the largest Emirati-branded waterpark in the UAE with 43 rides, and Seawings, a breathtaking tour of the city by seaplane.

Those who prefer a more tranquil holiday can visit a selection of spas, cruise or take a stroll around the recently expanded Yas Marina, a vibrant dining and entertainment precinct in a relaxed setting.

Located only seven minutes away from Abu Dhabi International Airport, 25 minutes from Abu Dhabi downtown, and 45 minutes from Dubai, Yas Island is conveniently located between the two major cities of the UAE – Abu Dhabi and Dubai – and is becoming the ultimate leisure and entertainment destination in the region – TradeArabia News Service