EXPERIENCE ABU DHABI UNVEILS INSPIRING CAMPAIGN

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) reports its best year for tourism ever, welcoming a record 1.22 million overnight arrivals to the nature Emirate in 2023, up 8% on 2022 numbers and bolstered by a significant 24% year-on-year pick-up in international visitors. The robust performance is underscored by RAKTDA’s strategic growth plans. From investment in tourism infrastructure, targeted initiatives to drive more visitors to the emirate, to developing an ecosystem rooted in sustainability, Ras Al Khaimah continues to reinforce its position as a destination of the future. Its key 2023 achievements include:

I last checked in at the half-year, highlighting the few brands, ideas, and services that deserved a hat tip for their executions. There were a lot of exciting ideas: At that point, we’d gone from the precariousness of a global pandemic into a full-throttle, growth sprint for luxury. Interest in high-end experiences continued to surge, along with eye-watering room rates.  

As the end of the festive season approaches, guests can dive into a world of enchantment at Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi’s beloved Winter Spectacular, running until the 7th of January 2024. Guests can look forward to an array of holiday performances, meet-and-greets with their favorite characters and unforgettable family-friendly experiences, bringing to life the festive spirit.

SeaWorld® Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, the region’s first Marine Life Theme Park, introduced an innovative and immersive activation that aims to inspire and educate young minds. In a creative endeavor to drive interest and promote education about marine life, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi brought its miniature submersible to Yas American Academy on Yas Island. Offering a unique experience designed to engage students, the submersible is equipped with an educational component, allowing participants to embark on a simulated underwater adventure right within their school’s courtyard. Up to six children can board the submersible at a time for a five-minute journey filled with excitement and learning.

UNWTO has set the direction of travel, evolving its Programme of Work and moving even closer to its Members on the ground. Now, it’s time to look ahead and build a sector that offers even more for even more people and communities while also focusing on this year’s World Tourism Day Theme: Tourism and Peace.

Five hotels under Dubai’s home-grown company Emaar Hospitality have been rebranded in one swoop this week. Properties in prestige locations such as The Dubai Mall (the world’s biggest mall) and Dubai Marina have been rebranded as Kempinski and Marriott respectively. Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH) owns the properties and says the move to strip Emaar branding was a “strategic business decision.”

Kempinski The Boulevard Dubai and Kempinski Central Avenue Dubai reaffirm the company’s position as one of the leading luxury hotel brands in the UAE.

New non-stop flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Verona (Italy), Narvik-Lofoten Islands (Norway) and Kalamata (Greece). Resumption of service to Minneapolis (Minnesota, USA). Extension through summer of service to Raleigh-Durham (North Carolina, USA), Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) and Tromsø (Norway).

Daily flights to Kozhikode (CCJ) and Thiruvananthapuram (TRV) began on New Year’s Day

Airport livery service, on demand rides, and special event luxury car service is now expanding across the US and the United Arab Emirates.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), Miral, the leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences in Abu Dhabi, and teamLab have announced the completion of 70 percent of the overall development of teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi. Spanning 17,000 sqm of gross floor area (GFA), the mega-project is making steady progress towards its development, with its reinforced concrete structure fully complete, further to the construction of the artwork spaces.

The record-breaking passenger was Tajikistan resident Mr. Dilshod Rakhimov, who flew to Abu Dhabi on Wizz Air flight 5W7164.