Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has teamed up with Brand USA, a destination marketing organisation for the United States, highlighting its commitment to boosting tourism to the USA from points across its extensive global network.

The airline sponsored a Brand USA reception at the exclusive Armani Hotel in Dubai, as part of the annual Arabian Travel Market held recently in Dubai, a major global travel and tourism exhibition, drawing in key travel companies, organisations, airlines and tourist boards from around the world.

At the event, attended by over 200 senior travel industry professionals and media, both Etihad Airways and Brand USA reaffirmed their commitment to forging closer ties and to work closely to find common synergies in their shared goal of promoting travel and tourism between the UAE and the USA. With support from Etihad Airways, Brand USA will seek opportunities for joint promotional activity into the United States.

Shane O'Hare, Etihad Airways Senior Vice President Marketing, said, "There are very few nations on earth more diverse than the United States. The sheer beauty of this country, the spirit of optimism and a vibrant culture forged through centuries of hard work, and influences from every corner of the planet, makes it one of the most popular and exciting destinations on Etihad Airways' global network.

"In 2014, we carried 801,465 guests to and from the United States. The country is very much in demand from Emiratis travelling for leisure or on business, and is a vitally important part of our growth plans. Together with our partner airlines, such as Jet Airways, we have also made it easier than ever for travellers from across the Indian subcontinent and other parts of Asia to connect seamlessly through Abu Dhabi onto our services to the USA.

"As the national airline of the UAE, Etihad Airways is delighted to team up with Brand USA, and to foster ever-stronger ties with them to promote increased tourism, trade and friendship with the United States," O'Hare concluded.
Source: WAM