A specially designed “Destination Village” is being built on the Abu Dhabi Corniche breakwater to host the Volvo Ocean Race fleet and its fans this New Year.
Infrastructure work is due for completion this September. Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), the company appointed to develop the 55,000m2 site, will dredge a section of the Corniche lagoon to allow for the 4.5m draft of the Volvo Open 70. The final phase of installing more than 130 containers for team gear, hospitality and equipment will take place in December.
Abu Dhabi building “Destination Village” for Volvo Ocean Race
The site will then serve as a sailing centre once the Volvo Ocean Race fleet sails out of the UAE capital.
“This will ensure that our hosting leaves a lasting legacy for the Emirate and will also boost our long-term ambitions to be recognised as a compelling winter sailing and watersports destination,” said His Excellency Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and Managing Director, TDIC.
The size of eight football pitches, the village will open free-of-charge to the public daily from December 30 this year to January 14, next year. ADTA is expecting more than 100,000 visitors.
It will be packed with activities and entertainment including exhibitions, shows, simulators, hospitality, game zones, food & beverage outlets and merchandise shops. International tour operators, hotels, airlines and other stakeholders are working on developing compelling New Year Volvo Ocean Race packages to the Emirate.
“It will be the place to be at the beginning of 2012 and will be marked by a sensational New Year’s Eve celebration,” said Al Muhairi. “It will also allow visitors to connect with our rich maritime heritage as well as the history of the Volvo Ocean Race and to discover more about sailing.”
Dedicated team wet and dry areas will be enhanced by a specialised pontoon design, which will allow fans to get up-close to the boats and their crews following their 5,430 nautical mile journey from Cape Town.
A special area dedicated to Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing will also be developed. The team’s shore base will be located in the heart of the village. It will have see-through walls and scaffolding cradle. The sail loft will be open to visitors – an interactive experience for the public to fully engage with the Volvo Ocean Race.
“This, we hope, will be the start of a renaissance in the uptake of sailing locally,” said Al Muhairi. “The sea is in our blood and we want to encourage residents, nationals and expatriates alike, to get out onto the water.”
