Manchester scores winner with new city packages 

(MENAFN Press) Etihad Holidays, a division of Etihad Airways, has unveiled a series of special weekend packages to watch Manchester City Football Club play in the Barclays Premier League.

Two night packages with breakfast at the five star Lowry Hotel in Manchester start from
Dhs 5,060 per person and include match-day tickets, a replica Manchester City shirt, return economy flights from Abu Dhabi, and all applicable taxes and surcharges.

In addition to watching the football, visitors to Manchester can also take in some of the city’s other high-end attractions, such as its historical and arts museums and varied ethnic districts. The city is a hugely popular shopping and dining destination composed of department stores, local markets, and boutique shops, as well as some many of Britain’s finest restaurants.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ chief commercial, said: “We are thrilled to offer these exciting breaks to Manchester which will allow customers to sample the ‘Manchester experience’ of sport, history, shopping and fine dining.

“For a fantastic price customers can take a short-break to one of Europe’s top cities with their Etihad flights, hotel accommodation and tickets to watch the superstars of high flying Manchester City FC all taken care of.”

According to VisitBritain’s Middle East Marketing Manager, Carol Maddison, increasing numbers of UAE-based holidaymakers are choosing Britain over other destinations because it presents visitors with new, exciting, luxurious ways to experience timeless activities, such as professional sport. “Football is the attraction, but the city’s vibrancy is what creates the thrill. People love coming to Manchester, again and again.”

Manchester’s hospitality sector has advanced dramatically over the last decade, and the city now boasts some of Britain’s most luxurious hotels, which includes the centrally located Lowry Hotel.

Jason Harding, general manager, The Lowry Hotel, said: “The Lowry Hotel, part of The Rocco Forte Collection, has become Manchester’s benchmark for luxury hospitality, and now Etihad Holidays’ customers will be able to experience the very best the city has to offer, from accommodation and dining to our proximity to one of the Premier League’s most talked-about clubs.

“We’ve seen a steady increase in football-related guests in the last year, and The Lowry Hotel’s tie-up with Etihad Holidays is a winning combination for UAE-based and regional visitors to Manchester.”

Etihad Holidays customers can now book packages for home matches against West Ham United on Saturday 26 September, Burnley on Saturday 7 November, Hull City on Saturday 28 November and Chelsea on Saturday 5 December.

Etihad Airways is the main club sponsor of Manchester City FC and the club features the Abu Dhabi airline’s logo on all shirts and team kits as well as around the stadium and on merchandise.

Notes: To book one of the winter offers customers can visit Etihad Holiday shops in Al Wahda Mall, Khalidiyah Mall and Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi or call the UAE toll-free telephone number 800 2324.

Prices are based on two people sharing a twin room and include return economy class flights to Manchester and two nights' accommodation and one match ticket per person in the grandstand of the City of Manchester Stadium and one Manchester City football shirt. Fixtures are subject change.

Etihad Airways flies daily between Abu Dhabi and Manchester.

About The Lowry Hotel
Located in the heart of Manchester, The Lowry Hotel is the leading hotel in Manchester and offers 165 bedrooms, six suites and the luxurious Charles Forte Presidential Suite. The hotel is strikingly contemporary whilst also being wonderfully luxurious and comfortable. The River Restaurant offers a Modern British menu whilst the River Bar and Library offer a modern, light menu throughout the day. The luxurious Lowry Spa, offers a range of treatments from Carita and Elemis, a gym, sauna and relaxation lounges.

About Visit Britain
VisitBritain is responsible for promoting Britain as a world class tourist destination and for developing England’s visitor economy. It has representatives in 36 countries around the world and, in the last three years, has expanded into China, throughout Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia, and increased its presence in India with representatives in Bangalore and Mumbai.

VisitBritain’s international website www.visitbritain.com was awarded World’s Leading Tourism Authority Internet Site for the fourth year in a row at the 2007 World Travel Awards by more than 200,000 travel and tourism professionals. With information provided in 26 different languages, every year over 12 million visits are made by international consumers to the 46 websites that make up visitbritain.com
* The seven countries where the campaign was activated – Australia, India, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, China and UAE

About Marketing Manchester
Marketing Manchester is the agency charged with promoting Manchester on a national and international stage. For more information about Marketing Manchester, please visit www.visitmanchester.com; www.marketingmanchester.com