Tag Archives: Abu Dhabi

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) announced the launch of an enhanced Advantage Abu Dhabi Meetings & Incentives 2.0 programme at IMEX Frankfurt, the key industry-leading exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events. The announcement made today unveiled the latest part of DCT Abu Dhabi’s strategy to further stimulate the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions (MICE) sector in the emirate post-pandemic. With global destinations increasingly bidding and attracting corporate groups, the enhanced programme builds on the existing Advantage Abu Dhabi Meetings & Incentives programme, which was launched in 2019, to provide additional value-adds and benefits to meetings and incentives organisers looking to host events in the capital, in order to remain competitive as the MICE industry continues to reopen. The programme encourages organisers to ‘Get The Advantage’, leveraging the UAE capital’s reputation as delivering unrivalled hospitality in the world’s safest city, a place which offers extensive support alongside strategic initiatives, and a destination with a packed calendar of thrilling events. The revamped programme forms part of a wider, ongoing strategy to increase Abu Dhabi’s MICE market share and further establish the emirate as one of the world’s leading business events destinations. It follows the launch of several new initiatives, including a recent collaboration with Etihad Airways to offer benefits to corporate groups looking to hold business events in the capital, such as discounted air-tickets, group booking discounts, complimentary flights and special flight rates for inspection trips to Abu Dhabi. Mubarak Al Shamisi, Director of Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB) at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “We are delighted to launch our enhanced Advantage Abu Dhabi Meetings & Incentives programme which will enable us …

Qatar Airways announces increase in flights from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, operating triple daily flights from the Emirate to Doha, commencing 10 July 2022. The additional flights will provide passengers with more flexibility and better connectivity to Qatar Airways’ extensive global network. With this increase in its services, the airline will operate 21 weekly flights from Abu Dhabi, and a total of 56 flights from Qatar Airways’ three gateways in UAE; Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are pleased to offer seven additional weekly flights to Abu Dhabi, providing passengers from UAE with more connectivity and convenience. By offering these additional flights between Doha and Abu Dhabi, passengers can enjoy more of our extensive network, and increased flexibility in making their travel plans via the best airport in the world, Hamad International.” Passengers from Abu Dhabi can benefit from Qatar Airways’ expanded network in USA, Europe, Asia and Africa. They can also enjoy the airline’s newly integrated rewards currency – Avios, providing passengers even greater opportunities to accumulate points and leverage exciting innovations in redeeming and spending their rewards. In addition, Qatar Airways loyalty programme members will retain their well-earned rewards balance and will be able to continue enjoying the redemption opportunities they currently have. A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was announced as the ‘Airline of the Year’ at the 2021 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. It was also named ‘World’s Best Business Class’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Seat’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering’ and ‘Best Airline in the …

In celebration of Abu Dhabi hosting the inaugural Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards on 7 February, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced the launch of 50 Best Week Abu Dhabi — a culinary festival featuring experiential dining experiences, cooking masterclasses and unique collaboration dinners. Taking place from 4 to 11 February 2022, the eight-day culinary festival will showcase the city’s vibrant gastronomic experiences and some of its finest restaurants. Ideal for food-lovers looking to explore Abu Dhabi’s diverse culinary scene, the event will be filled with mouth-watering moments to enjoy, with renowned international chefs coming to the UAE’s capital city to display their skills, and homegrown Emirati talent showcasing their own stellar abilities. Culinary leaders will provide insights into their food philosophy inspiring food lovers of their dishes, ingredients, stories and experiences. The esteemed restaurant awards and gala dinner will recognise 50 outstanding restaurants from across the region highlighting their culinary excellence and dining experiences. Fatima Saeed Al Baloushi, Acting Director of DCT’s Abu Dhabi Events Bureau, said: “We are thrilled to be celebrating culinary excellence across Abu Dhabi, catering to residents and visitors, and both seasoned food lovers and more casual diners offering them a taste of our diverse food, and to experience great dishes by some of the world’s leading chefs who are heading to our multi-cultural capital city next month.” The events include three interactive Masterclasses taking place on Friday 4 February, where acclaimed chefs from around the world will showcase their skills while preparing signature dishes in front of a live audience. The chefs – Tim Raue of Restaurant Tim Raue in Berlin; innovative …

Yas Island Abu Dhabi looks forward to welcoming back travellers from Saudi Arabia to the award-winning destination following the announcement of relaxed quarantine measures for fully vaccinated travellers to the UAE. With improved health measures, Yas Island Abu Dhabi is a destination where visitors of all ages can enjoy unforgettable experiences in a safe environment. Since the start of the pandemic, Yas Island has been reassuring visitors of their safety and well-being during their time at the destination. 95% of eligible team members across the destination have been vaccinated, including attractions, experiences, hotels, restaurants, and retailers in support of Abu Dhabi’s vaccination program. In addition, Yas Island’s theme parks and attractions were awarded the ‘Go Safe’ certification by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, CLYMB Abu Dhabi earlier in the year, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Mall, as well as W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island – the first hotel in the UAE to receive the accreditation – and all Yas Plaza hotels. The certification is one of 25 health and safety accreditations received by the destination, including the coveted WTTC ‘Safe Travels’ stamp by the World Travel & Tourism Council in August 2020 – the first destination in Abu Dhabi to receive the international honour. During the summer months, Yas Island introduced its popular ‘Kids Go Free’ packages across the destination for the ultimate summer break, and has now extended the package to holidaymakers from Saudi Arabia. Until 30 September 2021, children below the age of 12 will be able to stay and play for free – one child for every one paying …

Etihad Airways is restarting services to Rabat on 23 June 2021. As Phuket prepares to reopen to international vaccinated travellers, Etihad is recommencing services to the popular holiday destination on 1 July 2021.  Fares from Abu Dhabi to Rabat and Phuket start from just AED 995 return in Economy. This fare is limited on a first come first-served basis. The sale starts today, Wednesday, 2 June 2021 and ends on Friday, 4 June 2021. Guests who book between 5 and 9 June 2021 will enjoy return fares to Rabat starting from AED 1,995 in Economy and Business fares from AED 9,495. Travellers can jet off to Phuket in Business from AED 6,995. Sale fares are valid for travel until 20 November 2021. The Rabat service will operate with an initial twice-weekly flight and Phuket will be three times a week, using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, offering Economy Space and Neighbour-free seating options. To simplify the travel experience and provide additional peace of mind, Etihad recently launched Verified to Fly, allowing guests to validate their Covid-19 travel documents before arriving at the airport. Travellers who use Verified to Fly can enjoy fast track check-in at the airport by going to the dedicated Verified to Fly desk for a quicker and smoother experience. To use the Verified to Fly service, guests can sign-up by visiting Manage my Booking and will receive further information on how to submit their documents. For more convenient travel options, guests can also check in for their Etihad flight from the comfort of their own home by visiting etihad.com/homecheckin up to seven hours before their flight. This means passengers can check in their bags, choose their seat and …

Travellers flying from Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways, will be able to validate their Covid-19 travel documents before arriving at the airport. Guests can arrive at the airport with confidence and with peace of mind, knowing they have met all essential requirements before their flight. With the formalities out of the way, verified travellers can enjoy fast track check-in at the airport by going to the dedicated Verified to Fly desk for a quicker and smoother experience. Mohammad Al Bulooki, Chief Operating Officer, Etihad Aviation Group said: “As Etihad continuously looks for innovative solutions to simplify the travel experience, Verified to Fly removes any guess work from the equation and makes check-in faster. Guests have total peace of mind knowing that when they arrive at the airport, they have already met all Covid travel requirements”.

Xtreme Zone has announced reopening of its premises in Abu Dhabi. The centres are now ready to welcome all guests, who can have fun and thrill of a variety of activities in a safe and healthy environment. Xtreme Zone is operational in The Galleria, the super-regional mall in Al Maryah Island and the new age Abu Dhabi Mall in the heart of the city, adding a breath of fresh air to entertainment of kids and families in the city. The centres offer an experience of leisure combined with fitness and recreational options, maintaining all the safety protocols to families and children to make them get active again. Commenting on the reopening, Fahad Al Othaim, Vice Chairman of Al-Othaim Leisure and Tourism, said, “We have started welcoming our guests back to their favorite ‘sports based entertainment destination in the city. All our centres are sanitized as per the official guidelines, and our staffs are trained to ensure a healthy and safe environment for our guests. Now we are bringing back all our special campaigns for families across these centres. This will help families to participate in special fun activities, rides, games and trampoline activities.” “Social distancing and other preventive measures against COVID-19 are always being followed across all its outlets. Our dedicated and specially trained and experienced staffs ensure that safety guidelines and regular maintenance of equipment help customers to achieve an enhanced experience upon every visit,” he added. “Your boys and girls can blow off some steam in the trampoline park and also learn and try active climbing which is a lot of fun. With the strategic locations of Xtreme Zone, parents shopping with their children may look for an …

Nature enthusiasts, can once again find sanctuary in Jubail Mangrove Park, Abu Dhabi’s, first of its kind, educational, nature and leisure destination on beautiful Jubail Island effective October 1, 2020. Abu Dhabi’s premier nature attraction, Jubail Mangrove Park, first opened in January with the aim of enhancing the awareness, appreciation and understanding of the delicate ecosystem and rich biodiversity of the UAE capital’s famed mangroves. The park was an instant success with residents and visitors alike, who flocked to explore the mangroves. The park temporarily ceased operations in March in accordance with safety precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19. Visitors will once again be able to stroll down the sprawling boardwalk that runs through the mangroves, meander through 2.3 kilometres of Boardwalk and see a variety of terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna. Specially trained rangers are on hand who can explain the history behind the mangroves and detail wildlife native to Abu Dhabi that can be spotted within the lush natural habitat and crystal waters. Educational tours led by rangers and other activities will also resume. Richard Russell, Chief Operations Officer of Jubail Island Investment Company (JIIC) said, “We have been working tirelessly with our partners in preparation for the reopening as the safety and health of our visitors and employees has – and remains – our top priority. As we resume operations, we have implemented policies designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and we will monitor all aspects of this issue as we continue to co-ordinate with relevant entities and strive to meet the highest standards of safety. We urge the public to help us keep our treasured park open by also doing their part by …

Abu Dhabi has demonstrated its commitment to safely organising large, high-profile events through successful management of health and safety protocols, as some of the biggest names in UFC, touched down in the UAE capital for the much-anticipated Return to UFC Fight Island. The mega five-event series is set to take place on Yas Island from September 27 to October 25. Brazilian fighter Paulo Costa and opponent Israel Adesanya arrived at the W Hotel, inside the UFC Fight Island safe zone on Yas Island, ahead of their UFC 253: ADESANYA vs COSTA clash on September 27. Both sporting black face masks on arrival, the pair were joined by Jan Blachowicz and Dominick Reyes, who go head-to-head in the co-main event light heavyweight bout on the same event card. Following two initial COVID-19 tests prior to their departure and upon arrival in Abu Dhabi, the athletes are required a third negative test before they can leave their hotel rooms and access the state-of-the-art UFC Fight Island™ safe zone, which includes all event facilities on Yas Island. Having achieved a new benchmark in global sport safety with its pioneering ‘bubble’ concept at the inaugural UFC Fight Island™ in July, the 6 square km safe zone incorporates the arena, hotels, and training facilities, as well as entertainment and dining establishments. The safe zone is only accessible to UFC fighters, coaches, delegates and UAE-based event personnel, as well as employees necessary to ensure operational continuity of Yas Island facilities.

Miral announced the latest milestones and construction progress at Yas Island’s Yas Bay. His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Executive Council and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, visited the development and was briefed on construction progress and milestones achieved to date. Yas Bay represents a USD 1.1 Billion investment, and is an integral part of Miral’s USD 3.26 Billion portfolio of diverse leisure and entertainment developments under construction on Yas Island.As part of the overall masterplan for Yas Island, Yas Bay will play an important role in the continued growth of the island, with Miral investing the USD 1.1 Billion into The project’s Waterfront, infrastructure and public realm. H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Miral said, “We have made significant progress across Abu Dhabi’s new iconic development, Yas Bay. The latest milestones underscore our vision for Yas Island to position it as a top global destination for entertainment, leisure and business. We remain committed to enriching our portfolio of unique experiences and immersive attractions across Yas Island while further contributing to Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s wider tourism growth.”