Emirates Palace sees 75 percent occupancy rate in 2007

The growth in occupancy from these key markets is driven by the hotel's strategy of sponsoring high profile events, including the forthcoming Abu Dhabi Golf Championships for which Emirates Palace will serve as the Official Hotel and Platinum Partner.

With 394 luxury rooms and suites, Emirates Palace plays the perfect host to all 120 European Tour players during the elite golf championship, which runs from January 18-21 at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, and features some of the world's top golf celebrities.

'The first Abu Dhabi Golf Championship was a tremendous success and made its mark in terms of positioning this annual event as a preferred tournament in the European PGA Tour calendar. Emirates Palace is proud to be associated with this world class golf event and we look forward to hosting the event participants and for them to enjoy the superior off the course facilities of the hotel,'

said Noel Massoud, General Manager, Emirates Palace.

Massoud added that the awareness the event creates internationally will significantly boost tourism in the Emirate and is particularly positive for the hospitality industry. The inaugural tournament attracted over 17,500 spectators and live TV coverage reached more than 120 million homes in 28 countries. 'The players will be our international ambassadors,' he continued.

The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), the Championship owner, is targeting a spectator turnout of over 20,000 for January's tournament. The 120 players will fight it out for a share of the US $2 million prize money and will include defending champion Chris DiMarco, one of the USA's top 10 golfers, Spain's Sergio Garcia, now ranked 11th on the Official World Golf Rankings, Ryder Cup star Colin Montgomerie and playing for the first time in Abu Dhabi, the two-time US Open Champion from South Africa, Retief Goosen, ranked 6th in the world, Henrik Stenson of Sweden, currently world number 12 and Australia's Order of Merit winner Nick O'Hern.

'We will be working very closely with the ADTA to develop a programme for the players. We want to ensure the pros spread the right message that Abu Dhabi is an ideal destination for hospitality, culture, heritage, sun, sea and sand; and that we have the best facilities here for leisure, relaxation, wellness and sports that are at par with the best in the world,' added Massoud.

The Abu Dhabi Golf Championship 2007 will begin with the Al-Masaood Pro-Am and Awards Gala when sponsors and their guests have the chance to play and socialise with some of the world's best professionals.

In addition to Emirates Palace, the championship has attracted other high profile sponsors including: Etihad Airways and Aldar as Diamond Sponsors; Standard Chartered Bank as a Platinum Sponsor; Nissan, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Omega and Xerox as Gold Sponsors. Gulf News and Middle East Golfer are Official Newspaper and Official Magazine respectively.