DRAbu Dhabi: Captivating culture, breath-taking luxury, thrilling adventure and the warmth of Arabian hospitality, Abu Dhabi, the capital and the second most populous city of UAE, is not just a destination to tick off your bucket list anymore, it’s an emotion and an exhilarating experience. A City of Dreams!
The Louvre Abu Dhabi, an art and civilization museum, will unveil Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, Salvator Mundi, on September 18, 2018
To showcase Abu Dhabi’s deep-seated ethos, the Department of Culture and Tourism launched ‘Emirati Experiences’ – signature tours led by nationals last October. “We’re promoting this programme through our platforms and linking it with Airbnb, Expedia and Tripadvisor,” says Sultan Al Dhaheri, Executive Director, Tourism Sector, Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi.
There are 13 Emirati Experiences available. Abu Dhabi is also opening up its factories as part of the programme. For example, the Al Dana Leather Product Factory (aLmandoos) is an Emirati firm in Al Ain that makes leather goods and sandals, and now visitors are able to tour the factory in the company of an Emirati guide. “We have also opened up the dates factories.”
Abu Dhabi is no Dubai, but much more. Beyond the lure of its dazzling city life, it offers a platter of tourism destinations and activities so markedly distinct that there is something for everyone. Its metamorphosis into a complete family destination – from Warner Bros. World, Yas Waterworld, Ferrari World to the Sufi-infused heritage sites and locales – is the stuff of legend. Think Abu Dhabi. Think carpe diem!
With 5.5 million hotel guests recorded in 2017, the Emirate has now set an ambitious target of 8.5 million visitors by 2021, which will include hotel guests, cruise tourists and day visitors
In April, the UAE Cabinet approved day visas at airports to boost tourism numbers. About 70 per cent of passengers who passed through the country’s airports last year were in transit. At present, citizens of India, Pakistan, most of the Arab world, Africa and South America require a visa processed well in advance. Visitors from India and Iran are most likely to use transit visas.
At ATM this year, Abu Dhabi was present with 77 trade partners. Among major projects and attractions on display were the Louvre, which opened in November last year, undoubtedly the crown jewel of the Emirate’s tourism offerings. The Warner Bros. theme park is all set to open on July 25 on Yas Island. CLYMB, the world’s widest flight chamber and tallest indoor climbing wall also on Yas Island, is getting ready for a launch too. Abu Dhabi’s oldest building, Qasr Al Hosn, will re-open later this year after a $136-million redevelopment programme.
The historic fort of Qasr Al Hosn will become a cultural hub and tourist draw for the capital city. Cafes and restaurants will also feature in the finished attraction, while it will host exhibitions and concerts, along with the return of the annual Qasr Al Hosn Festival.
“India is one of our leading overseas markets. Leisure and family segments have grown tremendously, followed by weddings and MICE” – Bejan Dinshaw, Country Manager India Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi
Sa’adiyat Island is another major infrastructure development with five resorts planned to accommodate the surge in beach tourists from Europe. In addition to the recently launched Sa’adiyat Rotana Resort, new hotels and resorts are opening on Sa’adiyat Island: Jumeirah Sa’adiyat Island (November 2018); Rixos Sa’adiyat Island (2018 end). Also in the offing are the Corniche: Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residences Emirates Pearl; Fairmont Marina Resort & Residences and The Edition Abu Dhabi in the emerging district of Al Bateen. Abu Dhabi has 161 hotels and 31,000 rooms currently while an additional 4000 rooms are getting ready in 2018. The average length of stay is hovering around 2.9 and the target is to touch 3.3 by 2021. The UK market and Saudi Arabia in GCC are performing well for Abu Dhabi. Plus, the domestic market is booming thanks to orchestrated marketing efforts focused on the ‘Year of Zayed’ and in the run up to Expo 2020. In addition, with the introduction of visa on arrival, tourists from Russia and China are also on the rise.
“Indian travellers will learn a lot about the Arabian way of life and Emirati Experiences will also build bridges amongst people” – Karan Anand, Head – Relationships, Cox & Kings Ltd.
“India and China are new markets for us. China is number one and India is number two in terms of FTAs and growth. We have direct offices in both markets and are aggressively marketing our destination.” While in China the target segments are leisure (city tour, attractions and activities) and MICE, in India there is an extra focus on weddings. “We are soon announcing a special programme for Indian weddings,” confides Al Dhaheri.
Abu Dhabi is doing well on the cruise tourism and medical tourism fronts, too. Last year saw 3,45,000 cruise guests and in 2018 it is expected to grow to 3,65,000.
To promote medical tourism in a big way, the Department of Culture and Tourism recently signed a MoU with the Department of Health. A total of 20 hospitals from Abu Dhabi participated at ATM this year. With Indian tourist arrivals showing a jump of 11 per cent in 2017, the Emirate is set to go the whole hog to tap this potential market.
Bejan Dinshaw, Country Manager India, Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, says, “With India, we have seen growth in all segments. Leisure and family have grown tremendously, followed by weddings and MICE. In fact, we have hosted grand weddings from India in Abu Dhabi last year.”
Seaworld Abu Dhabi, set to open in 2022, is another major attraction on the cards. It is expected to include a research, recovery and rehabilitation centre aimed at safeguarding the marine environment.
“Travel is all about experiences and understanding various cultures, traditions and food habits of the destination. Abu Dhabi has made rapid strides in tourism promotion and development and this new feature of introducing the tourists to the Emirati Experiences will find many eager travellers. This makes for a wholesome travel experience,’’ says Karan Anand, Head – Relationships, Cox & Kings Ltd. “Indian travellers will learn a lot about the Arabian way of life, something which most Indians are not aware of and this will also build bridges amongst people.”
Around 4.9 million FTAs were registered in 2017 across the Emirate, with a rise of 9.8 per cent compared to the previous year. A total of 3,60,000 Indian tourist arrivals were recorded in 2017, an 11 per cent increase from the 3,23,000 recorded in 2016. Abu Dhabi’s key source markets include China, India, UK, United States, Saudi Arabia and Germany. India is the second leading overseas market.
Emirati Experiences is a programme of tours specially designed by Emirati tour guides that offer exceptional experiences for visitors, giving them a glimpse into a side of UAE culture, heritage and history up-close and through deeper layers:
- Bait Al Oud Visitor Experience
- Emirati Ladies Experience
- Emirati House Experience
- Desert Safari
- Zayed Tour
- Traditional Shopping in Abu Dhabi
- Top Traditional Food in Abu Dhabi
- Discover Al Ain: Date Factory & Traditional Souq
- Fossil Dunes & Flamingos
- Amazing & Affordable Abayas
- Emirati Women’s Handicrafts
- The Pearl Journey
- Palaces of Abu Dhabi
TOP 13
- WARNER BROS. WORLD – Miral, Abu Dhabi’s creator of destinations, will throw open the doors of Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, an indoor theme park, to the public on July 25, 2018. You can Discover six immersive lands inspired by legendary Warner Bros. characters, with rides, shows and attractions for everyone.
- YAS LINKS – Named one of ‘The World’s Top City Golf Clubs’ by CNN Travel, and ranked one of the world’s top 25 courses by Golf Digest, Yas Links is a golfing paradise
- CLYMB – Set to open end of July on Yas Island, CLYMB, is the world’s widest flight chamber and tallest indoor climbing wall
- YAS MARINA CIRCUIT – The venue for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, it is the second Formula One track in the Middle East
- YAS WATERWORLD – Officially voted the Middle East’s Leading Water Park, Yas Waterworld has over 40 world-class rides, slides and attractions!
- YAS MALL – The mall is much more than a place to shop. With 400 of the world’s top fashion and food brands, a 20-screen cinema and the region’s largest family entertainment zone, it’s a marvellous indoor day out for the whole family
- YAS MARINA – With its long boardwalks, waterside restaurants and elegant yachts, Yas Marina exudes glamour
- FERRARI WORLD – A must-visit for Ferrari aficionados and families from around the world
Ferrari World has the world’s fastest rollercoaster and state-of-the-art simulators to spectacular live shows and award-winning dining. Be entertained and amazed by the inspiring shows featuring acrobats and gravity-defying stunts, as the Ferrari brand comes to life
Chasing the Dunes
- OVERNIGHT SAFARI – Enjoy Arabian ‘shisha’ pipes and savor a scrumptious barbecue dinner by the campfire
- CAMEL RIDE – Soak up the evocative warmth of the desert during the camel ride
- DUNE BASHING – The best place for Dune bashing is in the sprawling dunes of the Empty Quarter
- DUNE BUGGY / KTM BIKE RIDE – Explore the steep sand dunes of the Al Khatim desert
- QUAD BIKE SAFARI – Quad biking desert safari tour is the best option for every adventure junkie
- SAND BOARDING & SKIING – The Liwa Oasis on the edges of the Rub al-Khali or Empty Quarter is a sand skier’s paradise
SIR BANI YAS ISLAND
Stretching across 1400 hectares of land, the breathtaking Arabian Wildlife Park is home to many diverse members of the animal kingdom, ranging from the cute Arabian Rock Hyrax to the cheeky Ostrich, the beautiful Beisa Oryx and graceful Giraffe to the secretive scavenger, the Striped Hyena. In addition to being a wildlife sanctuary for more than 13,000 animals, research and conservation efforts are constantly undertaken as part of the Park’s development.
EMIRATI ZOO
With over 1700 animals, including a majestic pair of white tigers, a 31-year-old, 300kg-plus Siberian bear and dozens of zebras, the Emirates Park Zoo in Al Bahia, features a park-wide ‘misting system’ which keeps animals and patrons cool in the summer months.
HEAVEN’S ISLE
Just seven minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi and 20 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport, the 27 sq. km. Sa’adiyat Island is undergoing a remarkable transformation into a world class leisure, residential, business and cultural hub of global proportions, housing the world’s largest single concentration of premier cultural assets. These will include the Zayed National Museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi – all designed by Pritzker prize winners.
