July 7, 2018 TnH Global 1

Yas Experiences appoints VFS Global as representative in India

VFS Global has been selected to help promote Yas Island in India, with three strategically located offices.

Yas Experiences, Yas Island’s recently launched trade arm, has signed an agreement with VFS Global, appointing them as the company’s representative in the Indian market. The appointment will see the new partner work closely with the Yas Experiences’ business development team in Abu Dhabi to promote the leisure and entertainment destination and provide package solutions for trade partners across India.

As part of the agreement, VFS Global will set up three sales offices in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru to cater to travel partners in Central, North and South India, respectively. The sales rep office headquartered in Mumbai will support Yas Experience’ sales & marketing efforts to further promote Yas Island to Indian travellers.

Marina Cipriano, General Manager, Yas Experiences, said, “Yas Island is no stranger to the Indian traveller. Guests over the past few years have been enjoying some of the Island’s top attractions, namely Yas Marina Circuit – home to the FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX – and our award-winning theme parks Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld. Our partnership with VFS Global will allow us to further secure Yas Island’s positioning as a one-of-a-kind holiday destination in Abu Dhabi, and tailor packages with partners that allow travellers to experience more of what we have to offer, especially as we get ready to introduce new attractions in 2018 – such as the soon-to-open Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi.”

Around nine million Indians are expected to travel to the GCC by 2021, according to the latest figures from Colliers International. Reports also suggest that growth of the global travel industry is being led by Asian travelers; Indian tourist arrivals in the region expected to grow by CAGR of 7-8%.

Cipriano added, “We’ve seen 14% growth in Indian visitation to our theme parks in the first quarter of 2018, and we are confident the popularity of Yas Island will continue to grow as we add more leisure and entertainment experiences in the mix.”

The two parties will work together to explore approaches to target Indian holidaymakers, and with a strong network presence across India, both are confident of the results this strategic partnership will reap.

“We are absolutely delighted to have been chosen as the India representative for Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Yas Island is a vibrant and unique destination that is renowned for its assortment of experiences. We are confident that we will be able to further establish the island as a premier destination for discerning Indian travellers,” said Vinay Malhotra, Regional Group Chief Operating Officer – China, Middle East and South Asia, VFS Global.

Yas Island is home to Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi (opening on 25 July 2018), the award-winning theme parks Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Marina, Yas Links golf course, Abu Dhabi’s largest mall, more than 160 dining experiences, seven hotels, and indoor and outdoor concert venues – all of which are complemented by a range of visitor services that connect all attractions to one another.

Yas Experiences was established in January 2018 and has been active in building relationships with travel partners as it expands its operations. Headquartered on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Yas Experiences operates a network of offices that covers the GCC, China, Europe, the CIS and India, all of which collaborate with destination partners to tailor Yas Island packages for travel companies based on the latest holiday trends and travellers’ preferences.