Oman Air and Oman Sail have announced Oman Air's sponsorship of Oman Sail's Arabian 100 racing yacht Majan, which will take part in the prestigious Route du Rhum later this year.
Majan and her crew will also attend Cowes Week, on the Isle of Wight, the largest sailing regatta of it kind in the world. Cowes Week runs from 31st July to 7th August.
Starting on 31st October 2010, the Route du Rhum is a transatlantic single-handed 4,000-mile yacht race that takes place every four years. It is one of the most highly regarded yacht races in the world and enjoys unparalleled interest and coverage. With French sailor Sidney Gavignet skippering, Majan will be branded in Oman Air's colours. This will help to boost awareness of the Oman Air brand and of the airline's services to France, Germany, and the UK. The sponsorship aligns Oman Air, Oman Sail and the Ministry of Tourism's marketing strategies in Europe, with all three taking an active role in the Route du Rhum project.
Peter Hill, CEO of Oman Air, said:
"Oman Air's sponsorship of the Route du Rhum blends well with our efforts to position both Oman as a destination of choice and Oman Air as an exclusive brand. The timing of the event coincides perfectly with France's premier travel trade show, Top Resa, which takes place towards the end of September, giving Oman Air, Oman Sail and the Ministry of Tourism the perfect opportunity to actively promote Oman as a business, trade and tourism destination."
Assembled in Salalah and launched in the summer of 2009, Majan is a 105ft trimaran classed as one of the fastest offshore multihulls in the world; she was given the honour of being named by HM Sultan Qaboos Bin Said.
Majan will compete against six other mega-trimarans in a fleet of around 70 boats, starting in Saint Malo, France, crossing the Atlantic Ocean to the island of Guadeloupe in the eastern Caribbean.
David Graham, CEO of Oman Sail, said:
"We are delighted to have Oman Air as Majan's sponsor as she will symbolise Oman's vitality and innovation as she competes in one of the most prestigious and challenging offshore races in the world. Within the sailing fraternity, we have spent two years promoting Oman as a destination. This is now amplified with Oman Air on board."
The racing yacht took part in the Arabian Tour in 2009 with stopovers in the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar. Majan also crossed the Indian Ocean in the Five Capes Race early this year, with stopovers in the Maldives, South Africa, Australia, Malaysia and India, before returning to Oman.
