Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has partnered with Visit California to promote the Golden State to travelers from around the world. The agreement was announced this week at the Arabian Travel Market in a signing ceremony with Robin Kamark, Chief Commercial Officer Etihad Aviation Group and Caroline Beteta, President & CEO for Visit California.
The partnership between Etihad Airways and Visit California will involve the organisations collaborating to promote travel to California as a destination from both Abu Dhabi and other key markets. The two sides will be developing a strategy and promotion plan to drive tourism and highlight the many attractions that California offers to international travellers.
Etihad Airways operates regularly scheduled flights to Los Angeles. Travellers to the United States from Abu Dhabi benefit from the purpose-built US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility at Abu Dhabi International Airport, allowing passengers to process all immigration and customs inspections in Abu Dhabi before they depart. Abu Dhabi International Airport is one of only a handful of airports outside North America that offer the CBP facility.
Robin Kamark, Chief Commercial Officer Etihad Aviation Group commented: “The West Coast of America including Los Angeles is an important market for the Etihad Airways network and we are proud to partner with Visit California to showcase the many delights of the Golden State to our guests. The convenience of the pre-clearance customs facility means that travelling to California today is an incredibly attractive option for guests travelling from Abu Dhabi. We look forward to working with our partners to promote the opportunities available to our customers in the Middle East and further afield.”
“Visit California is thrilled to partner with Etihad Airways to increase travel between the UAE and California,” said Caroline Beteta, President & CEO of Visit California. “This agreement is an exciting step that will help promote California’s unique and world-renowned brand to tourists and holidaymakers from across the region.”
