Etihad Airways has rolled out its refreshed Abu Dhabi Stopover Programme to Irish travel trade partners, giving agents new tools to upsell long-haul itineraries via the UAE capital. Announced on 12 June, the offer provides one- or two-night complimentary stays in three- or four-star hotels, or discounted premium packages, for round-trip tickets issued in Ireland. The initiative is significant for corporate mobility because Etihad’s Dublin–Abu Dhabi service is a key connector to Asia-Pacific project sites. Companies can now schedule fatigue-reducing layovers without incurring extra hotel costs, supporting duty-of-care obligations. Premium stopovers from USD 249 for up to four nights may also help relocatees house-hunt or finalise paperwork in Abu Dhabi before onward regional moves. Trade-only distribution means HR travel teams must liaise with approved Irish TMCs; direct bookings do not qualify. A USD 25 stopover reservation fee applies, and stays must last 24-96 hours, with blackout dates around Eid and F1 weekend. Etihad says Ireland booked over 30,000 passenger segments via Abu Dhabi last year and expects the stopover to lift numbers by 15 % in 2026. The carrier is offering webinar training for Irish agents next week, emphasising cultural-experience add-ons that align with bleisure trends. Travel buyers should update policy guidance to reflect the new option, ensuring travellers understand visa-free entry rules for short stays in the UAE and medical-insurance requirements.
Source: Irish Travel Trade News
