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Al Ain Oasis reflects what agriculture in this region has been like for millennia

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The area was an important stop on a possible caravan route extending from Al Ain to the north of the United Arab Emirates

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DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE AND TOURISM - ABU DHABI

A wealth of cultural heritage.

Through an extensive cultural programme including museum developments, temporary exhibitions and educational initiatives, the Department places this legacy in a global context, fosters cross-cultural understanding and promotes Abu Dhabi as a tourist destination. DCT Abu Dhabi is also responsible for protecting, conserving and managing archaeological and World Heritage sites, historic buildings, and cultural landscapes. These include the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Al Ain.  DCT Abu Dhabi’s mission and objectives are aligned with the Abu Dhabi Plan, the emirate’s overarching growth and development strategy. This includes continuing to build Abu Dhabi as a thriving cultural centre that engages residents and tourists by preserving and presenting the United Arab Emirates’ rich cultural heritage and bringing the best of museums expertise, visual and performing arts programmes to the region. DCT Abu Dhabi’s activities range from preserving the past – both recent and ancient – to shaping the emirate’s cultural future, and from expanding and enriching cultural tourism offerings to positioning Abu Dhabi as an inspiring destination for visitors from around the world.  In building an understanding of Abu Dhabi’s history, DCT Abu Dhabi provides a deeper understanding of the country’s heritage that links people to their land and roots and provides a foundation to shape the future.  Through Abu Dhabi’s archaeological sites, historic buildings, community centres, libraries and museums, DCT Abu Dhabi helps to narrate the story of the UAE’s cultural heritage and cultural scene while supporting community engagement and cultural dialogue.  DCT Abu Dhabi maintains an ongoing programme of excavations and research that is uncovering findings that stretch humankind’s knowledge of the region, of the people who inhabited it millions of years ago, and of its role in maritime trade and commerce. Abu Dhabi’s museums provide a home and place to interpret these historic and pre-historic findings. They help to expand art collections, provides a platform to develop cultural heritage and tourism, and supports the transfer of knowledge and professional development. The National Library, through the establishment of regional, community, children’s and mobile libraries, contributes to community engagement. It also is the UAE’s largest knowledge repository and a vital resource for intellectuals, scholars and scientists. It acts as a publisher, translates the world's major literary works, and raises the profile of talented Emirati writers and researchers by publishing their books and academic works. DCT Abu Dhabi plays a key role in preserving and nurturing the UAE’s intangible heritage such as music, poetry, dance, spoken word and traditional handicrafts. Intrinsic to the UAE’s cultural identity, these practices are being recorded, researched and showcased to safeguard this important heritage and encourage its transmission across the generations.  At the same time as preserving the past, DCT Abu Dhabi acts as a cultural catalyst through its education and public engagement programme supporting and inspiring artistic and intellectual activity that responds to the present day and points the nation towards the future.  Through community centres and libraries that offer classes, art and heritage workshops, cultural activities and programmes for all ages and in diverse cultural mediums, including a variety of visual and performing arts, DCT Abu Dhabi helps create a vibrant cultural scene and an innovative public engagement programme.  Tangible and intangible heritage, visual and performing arts programmes and museums activities are all supported by interpretation and mediation tools designed to create awareness among different audiences, notably students and youth.

For more information on DCT Abu Dhabi, click here .

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Dct abu dhabi places special focus on performance, as we are committed to achieving ambitious goals and expect the same from our employees. in addition to rewarding high-performing employees, learning is a pivotal part of our organisational culture. we also offer our employees a range of development and travel opportunities to maximise their potential. .

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Department of culture and tourism - abu dhabi.

The Department of Culture and Tourism regulates, develops and promotes the Emirate of Abu Dhabi as an inspired global destination, rich in cultural authenticity, diverse natural offerings and unparalleled family leisure and entertainment attractions, with the aim of supporting Abu Dhabi’s evolution into a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction.

Tourism - Culture - National Library

Through our three key sectors: Tourism, Culture and National Library, we work extensively to regulate, support, develop and market Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry through a range of activities aimed at promoting and preserving the emirate’s distinctive heritage and culture. The efforts of these public facing delivery areas are supported by shared Marketing & Communications and Business Support Sectors. Our efforts help position Abu Dhabi as a dynamic and fast-evolving global destination, which offers diverse leisure, business, cultural and entertainment experiences for residents and international visitors.

The Tourism sector is charged with supporting the evolution of Abu Dhabi into a world-class destination.

Our organisation strives to preserve and promote the emirate’s rich cultural and historic heritage.

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Contact Department of Culture and Tourism

Abu dhabi tourism & culture headquarters.

Nation Towers Corniche, Building B PO Box 94000 Abu Dhabi + 971 2 444 0444 + 971 2 599 5720

Department of Culture and Tourism

Nation Towers Corniche, Building B

PO Box 94000

+ 971 2 444 0444

+ 971 2 599 5720

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Abu Dhabi’s $10 Billion Plan For Tourism

Josh Corder , Skift

April 5th, 2024 at 8:17 AM EDT

The capital of the UAE wants to supercharge its tourism sector.

Josh Corder

The capital of the United Arab Emirates has unveiled a new grand plan for tourism, with $10 billion worth of investment into the sector, almost 200,000 new jobs, and the promise of new streamlined visa processes.

Abu Dhabi serves as the administrative center of the UAE and holds most of the nation’s oil reserves. Nearby emirate Dubai is much better known for its tourism sector and brought in more than 17 million international visitors last year.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030 has the following goals by the end of the decade:

• Create 178,000 new tourism-related jobs.
• Double international overnight visitors from 3.8 million in 2023 to 7.2 million.
• Increase the number of hotel rooms from hotel room 34,000 in 2023 to 52,000.
• Increase countrywide GDP contribution from $13.3 billion in 2023 to $24.5 billion.

How Will Abu Dhabi Achieve This?

As is the way in the Middle East, Abu Dhabi is throwing money at the situation. DCT – Abu Dhabi chairman Mohamed Al Mubarak estimates the capital will spend $10 billion between now and 2030 on new tourism infrastructure.

He told local newspaper The National : “[When it comes to] infrastructure, in terms of museums, theme parks and hospitality, [with] the private sector playing a significant role, we are hovering at over $10 billion of investment from now to 2030.”

The chairman said another $1 billion is to go to marketing efforts between now and 2030.

Beyond the massive investment, the department hasn’t laid out timelines for its 2030 plan. Rather, it shared 26 “key initiatives” it needs to focus on. These initiatives aren’t named but are grouped into four pillars:

Offerings and City Activation

Promotion and marketing, infrastructure and mobility, visa, licensing, and regulations.

The first pillar surrounds the building of additional cultural sites, theme parks, retails offerings and new hotel chains.

DCT – Abu Dhabi will also more than double its promotion and marketing efforts, expanding its international reach from 11 to 26 markets. It will also establish global partnerships with media outlets and well-known brands for collaborations.

The strategy’s infrastructure and mobility pillar will increase hotel room availability, including accessible and luxury options, glamping, and farm stays. This pillar also stipulates boosting airlift and the aviation sector.

In November 2023, Abu Dhabi’s new Terminal A opened.

Abu Dhabi International Airport’s Terminal A  brings a major increase in capacity for the emirate’s commercial aviation sector, more than doubling the current passenger capacity, with the new facilities being able to process up to 45 million travelers annually. 

At triple the size of the previous terminals, Terminal A will handle 79 planes simultaneously and 11,000 passengers per hour.

Lastly, both visitor experience and tourism business operations will be enhanced with new visa, licensing and regulation processes.

What Does Abu Dhabi Currently Have?

Abu Dhabi has built itself up as a cultural alternative to Dubai, investing heavily in museums and religious sites. It is home to its own Louvre museum (affiliated with the famed Paris institution); Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque; and is building its own Guggenheim Museum as well.

The city is also big on sporting events, similar to Saudi Arabia’s recent focus on boxing, football and wrestling. Abu Dhabi has its own Formula 1 track which wraps around a five-star hotel operated by Marriott. It also has a Ferrari-themed amusement park and continuously hosts UFC events on Yas Island.

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Photo credit: The lobby at Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island, a luxury, All-inclusive resort on the Arabian Gulf in Abu Dhabi. Source: Ennismore.

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• Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi reveals new archaeological discoveries in the emirate

22 January 2024

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Archaeologists from the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) have launched the 2023-24 archaeology season by announcing the latest discoveries on Sas Al Nakhl Island. The entity believes that existing discoveries are just a fraction of what is yet to be uncovered from Abu Dhabi’s Umm an-Nar Bronze Age culture (2700-2000 BCE).

Recent findings in the emirate point to Abu Dhabi’s role in regional and global trade, as well as highlight the resilience and innovation of regional Bronze Age societies, helping to build a more complete picture of the UAE’s history. A recurring theme at Abu Dhabi excavation sites has been important evidence of ancient civilisations’ careful and innovative use of natural resources, such as copper, pearls, plaster, and fresh water, to facilitate international trade, sustain communities and establish prosperity. 

Located near to the modern city centre, Sas Al Nakhl is known locally as Umm an-Nar, which translates as mother of fire or the place of fire. Ashes and dark soil, which result from fires, cover large areas of the site, which may be the reason for this name. As the first site of this period excavated in the region, the island has given its name to the Bronze Age Umm an-Nar culture.

Almost 65 years since the very first archaeological excavations took place in Abu Dhabi at this same location, new excavations have begun on Sas Al Nakhl. The current archaeological programme also features work at locations across Abu Dhabi, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Al Ain .

Finds from the recent excavations include a well-preserved assemblage of over 30,000 bones revealing new insights into the Bronze Age diet. This diet consisted mostly of fish and seabirds, with dugongs clearly a rare delicacy.

Stone objects include grinding stones, polished stones, stone axes, beads, a softstone bowl and pierced circular stone disks, used to weigh down fishing nets. Copper objects include a small adze or chisel and fishhooks.

A large number of the pottery vessels were found to have been imported from as far away as ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) and the Indus Valley Civilisation (modern-day Pakistan and India), emphasising the island’s pivotal role in long-distance trade.

Bitumen from the site has been matched to sources in ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) and was used to waterproof pottery as well as a clay-lined storage pit. One large fragment has the impression of wood and two pieces of rope; indicating that this was likely once part of the waterproofing on the hull of a Bronze Age boat, providing evidence of the long history of seafaring.

These discoveries indicate that Sas Al Nakhl Island was thriving port from approximately 2800 to 2200 BC and is of significant international importance, due to its commercial activities with Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley (modern-day Pakistan and India), in addition to the monumental cemeteries it contains.

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Our Founding Father Sheikh Zayed was instrumental in driving understanding of Abu Dhabi’s history through his passion for the land and people of the UAE. DCT Abu Dhabi’s ambitious archaeology programme is a commitment to perpetuate that legacy to discover, preserve, and educate about our past. Members of the public are invited to visit our museums and cultural sites to learn more about the work done by our archaeologists and be informed about the significant contributions of DCT Abu Dhabi excavations that add greater depth and richness to our knowledge of our ancestors’ daily lives, helping us draw a more complete picture of our history and our region.”

Sas Al Nakhl Island was the site of the UAE’s first archaeological excavations in 1959, conducted by a group of Danish archaeologists invited by Abu Dhabi’s ruler, Sheikh Shakhbut, as a result of the Abu Dhabi leadership’s keen interest in history. The excavations identified monumental stone-built tombs associated with a previously unknown type of communal grave.

Almost 65 years later, DCT Abu Dhabi archaeologists are now revealing evidence for houses and other buildings, as well as bones, jewellery, fishing net weights, locally made and imported copper weapons, and elaborately decorated pottery. These indicate a sophisticated settlement that supported an ancient maritime trade in copper from the inland Al Hajar mountains 3,000 to 4,000 years ago.  

Across Abu Dhabi, internationally noteworthy discoveries made by the DCT Abu Dhabi team are changing global perspectives of the whole region, from Bronze Age burial chambers and complex underground irrigation systems to Neolithic pearl and copper trading towns. Leading archaeologists now believe these recent discoveries represent only a fraction of what is beneath the ground and are committed to investigate more.

There are currently seven live excavation sites across Abu Dhabi. The 2023-24 season features excavations not only in Al Ain and on Sas Al Nakhl, but also on Ghagha Island, the UAE’s westernmost island, where DCT Abu Dhabi archaeologists have unearthed structures dating back 8,500 years and Delma Island , where researchers are excavating a 7,000-year-old settlement.

DCT Abu Dhabi’s archaeology initiatives are shedding light on the roots of Emirati culture, a central pillar of the department’s cultural mission. Ongoing discoveries sustain the ancient traditions, heritage, and creativity of this land and reinforce the emirate’s history as a crossroads of civilisations – a place of commercial and religious interaction.

Recently, new cultural sites have opened to the public such as the Delma Island Museum , which celebrates the island’s ancient pearl trade and Emirati plaster-making industry, and a new visitor centre on Sir Bani Yas , which showcases a 7th and 8th century BCE Christian monastery and church. These provide further opportunities for audiences to engage with Abu Dhabi’s history.

An exhibition of the recent discoveries from Umm an-Nar and other important archaeological sites across the emirates will feature in the upcoming Zayed National Museum , set to open in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District. The national museum of the UAE will celebrate the nation’s ancient and modern history, interwoven with the life and legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed.

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Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi to deliver Tourism Strategy 2030

The Strategy aims to attract over 39 million visitors by 2030 & tourism sector to contribute AED 90 billion to UAE GDP. Tourism Strategy 2030 will create 178,000 new jobs, increase hotel room supply to 52,000 and boost international overnight visitors to over 7 million

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has approved the new Tourism Strategy 2030 for the emirate. Spearheaded by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the ambitious blueprint signals a new era of expansion and strategic development in the travel and tourism sector.

The Strategy seeks to boost visitor numbers from nearly 24 million in 2023 to 39.3 million by 2030 (overnight and same-day), with a 7% year-on-year growth. Moreover, it plans to significantly elevate the tourism and travel sector’s contribution to the UAE’s GDP, raising it from approximately AED 49 billion in 2023 to AED 90 billion annually by 2030.

The Strategy will generate an estimated 178,000 new jobs by 2030 as the entire tourism infrastructure develops to meet this demand. It intends to almost double international overnight visitors from 3.8 million in 2023 approximately to 7.2 million in 2030, expand hotel room availability from 34,000 in 2023 to 52,000 by 2030, and further enhance the holiday home segment to diversify accommodation options.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The Tourism Strategy 2030 marks a pivotal moment in Abu Dhabi’s transformative journey, representing a vital lever in our ongoing evolution. Delivered alongside our key partners, the Strategy underscores our steadfast commitment to fostering sustainable growth and strategic development in the travel and tourism sector. Through carefully crafted initiatives that will unlock economic opportunities, amplify our distinctive culture and enhance the emirate’s value proposition, we are laying the foundation for a vibrant and prosperous future that transcends generations.”

Fostering sustainable growth across four strategic pillars

To achieve the Strategy’s goals, 26 key initiatives have been identified across four strategic pillars: Offering and City Activation; Promotion & Marketing; Infrastructure & Mobility; and Visa, Licensing, and Regulations. These pillars form the foundation of Abu Dhabi’s comprehensive approach to realising its ambitious tourism targets and fostering sustainable growth in the sector.

The initiatives will be unlocked through the collective vision of DCT Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), and other key government and private stakeholders, who play a strategic role in bringing Abu Dhabi’s tourism vision to life.

The first pillar, Offering and City Activation, looks to further enhance the overall guest experience by unveiling additional cultural sites, theme parks, retails offerings and new hotel chains. Overall boosting the emirate’s events calendar of year-round concerts, festivals, and family events. The dining landscape will diversify significantly, offering expanded options including the introduction of culinary schools and training programmes.

DCT Abu Dhabi will also more than double its Promotion and Marketing efforts, expanding its international reach from 11 to 26 markets and enhancing synergy within Abu Dhabi’s tourism ecosystem. It will also establish strategic global partnerships with media outlets and well-known brands for high-profile collaborations, creating compelling, market-specific content across various touchpoints.

The Strategy’s Infrastructure and Mobility pillar will increase hotel room availability across various categories, including accessible and luxury options, glamping, and farm stays. Through valued collaborations, the emirate is set to enhance roads, public transport, and infrastructure, simplifying travel within and boosting visitor inflow through increased flight seat capacity with both local and international airlines.

Lastly, both visitor experience and tourism business operations will be greatly enhanced with streamlined Visa, Licensing and Regulation processes. In collaboration with relevant government agencies, enhanced platforms and processes will reduce time frames for all applications and permits, to improve the ease of doing business and attract investment.

Building on the success of 2023

In 2023, Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector saw a remarkable surge, welcoming nearly 24 million visitors. The 27% rise in hotel guests and 54% increase in international guests bolstered the economy with an approximate AED 49 billion contribution to the UAE’s GDP.

Arrivals from key international markets like India, Russia, United Kingdom, China and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia played a pivotal role in 2023, alongside the numbers attracted by the emirate’s vibrant array of over 150 events, its pristine beaches and natural landscapes, as well as its cultural sites such as Qasr Al Hosn, Qasr al Watan and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which attracted more than 8.7 million visitors. Offerings across museums, cultural festivals and art exhibitions saw record-setting attendance at Louvre Abu Dhabi and the inaugural Manar Abu Dhabi public art exhibition, underscoring the emirate’s diverse appeal.

Visitor numbers were further boosted by a 44% increase in MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) events. With 960,000 delegates across 2,477 events exploring Abu Dhabi’s attractions and dining options, the food and beverage sector saw a resultant 21% revenue increase. In addition, flagship entertainment events like the MOTN Festival and Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, along with cultural milestones such as the Al Hosn Festival and the Liwa Festival, further solidified Abu Dhabi’s position as a global centre for leisure and tourism.

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The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi: Get Inspired for Summer with 101 Abu Dhabi Do's!

From breakfast with giraffes to art classes at Louvre Abu Dhabi…

One Summer Isn't Enough

ABU DHABI, UAE, April 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Planning your summer holidays, and looking for a unique mix of culture, adventure, and inspiration? Then Abu Dhabi is the destination for you! With the summer season just around the corner, Experience Abu Dhabi has introduced 101 Abu Dhabi Do's to bring your travel plans to life, unveiling the vast diversity of what the emirate has to offer like never before.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click: https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/9260551-get-inspired-for-summer-with-101-abu-dhabi-dos/

From creating art beneath Louvre Abu Dhabi's iconic dome to driving on an F1 track at Yas Marina Circuit , visitors can blend relaxation, discovery, and excitement across the 101 experiences, each creating lasting memories across a packed summer season.

Every moment in Abu Dhabi is rooted in Emirati hospitality, with culture at the heart of every experience - each more enticing than the last. 101 Abu Dhabi Do's is more than just a list of experiences, it is a curated selection of enriching moments that highlight opportunities for adventure and discovery at every turn.

Are you ready for the best summer ever? Here are 11 experiences to kickstart your inspiration:

#45 Art tours from a new POV

Louvre Abu Dhabi is a work of art best viewed from the water

Blend art, history and adventure with an on-the-water experience, kayaking around the iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi dome. The region's first universal museum is surrounded by water, where you can catch sunset views.

• Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island

#83 Take the plunge

Scuba dive with more than 330+ species at The National Aquarium

If you're looking for aquatic adventures, head to Al Qana and visit The National Aquarium, where you can dive into the underwater realm and partake in an exhilarating swim with sharks, rays, and thousands underwater animals.

• The National Aquarium, Al Qana

#58 Travel back to 1897

Qasr Al Muwaiji tells a century of stories in every brick

Step back in time at the Qasr Al Muwaiji fort located in the heart of Al Ain, which over the years served as an important site for the community, the government, and the royal family.

• Qasr Al Muwajji, Al Ain

#30 Wake up on the wild side

Book breakfast with a giraffe at Emirates Park Zoo

Elevate your morning with a one-of-a-kind adventure, dining with some of nature's most incredible mammals - along with guided tour, and so much more.

• Emirates Park Zoo, Al Bahya

# 41 Learn centuries-old skills

Through the generations, House of Artisans keeps vibrant traditions alive

At this centre dedicated to Emirati crafts, visitors can not only purchase handmade mementoes, they can also participate in living traditions such as Sadu , Khoos and Talli handicrafts.

• House of Artisans, Al Hosn

# 87 Outwit a true trickster

Test your limits at the Joker's Funhouse

With mind-bending tricks, tests and surprises, kids and families will encounter The Riddler, Mr. Freeze, Penguin, and many more of Gotham City's most infamous residents.

• Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, Yas Island

#61 Step into the spotlight

More than 50 projectors light up Qasr Al Watan for an audiovisual spectacle

Delve into the nation's history and culture and wander through majestic halls, taking in the best of Arabian craftsmanship. Afterwards, enjoy the stunning nightly light show projected onto the exterior of the palace's walls.

• Qasr Al Watan, Abu Dhabi Corniche

#94 Roadtrip at 120mph

Power around an F1 circuit with the Formula Yas 3000 experience

Boasting a V6 Jaguar engine, this powerful race car is the closest thing to an F1® car that most people will ever drive. Test your skills on a legendary track with top speeds of up to 275km/h.

• Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island

#71 Weave your way through a masterpiece

Walk on the world's largest hand-woven carpet at the UAE's largest mosque

The predominantly wool, single-piece carpet is 5,400 square metres and was hand-crafted by approximately 1,200 artisans. The total project took two years, including eight months for the design and 12 months for the knotting.

• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

# 22 Drop in from 104 feet high

Try the world's biggest indoor flight chamber at CLYMB

Whether you're an absolute beginner or an expert flyer, dedicated instructors will guide you throughout this thrilling experience. The flight chamber measures 32 feet wide and a record-breaking 104 feet high.

• CLYMB Abu Dhabi, Yas Island

# 4 Become a ninja warrior

Take on the inflatable arena at Air Maniax in Yas Mall

Take on family and friends with this test of balance, strength, speed, and agility. Jump and swing your way around the course before tackling the inflatable arena - and a huge variety of obstacles.

• Air Maniax, Yas MallTop of Form

Listed in alphabetical order by location, the 101 Abu Dhabi Do's allow visitors to discover Abu Dhabi's hidden treasures and a wide variety of experiences, from the known to the unknown.

Discover the full list of 101 Abu Dhabi Do's!

Whether you are planning a solo trip to reconnect with yourself, spending time unwinding with your partner, or and creating long-lasting memories with family, you are sure to have a memorable time in Abu Dhabi this summer.

The full list of 101 Abu Dhabi Do's is now live, ready to guide your next travel adventure - with more experiences than can be discovered in just one summer.

www.visitabudhabi.ae

About the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi:

The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi's culture and tourism sectors and its creative industries, fuelling economic progress and helping to achieve Abu Dhabi's wider global ambitions.

By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate's position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate's potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism industries.

DCT Abu Dhabi's vision is defined by the emirate's people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi's status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.

For more information about the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit: dct.gov.ae and visitabudhabi.ae

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2379551/DCT_Abu_Dhabi.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2239093/4629993/Experience_Abu_Dhabi_Logo.jpg

ADIO, Dustour Marine Wooden Boats Trading partner to drive maritime, tourism activities in Abu Dhabi

A BU DHABI, 5th April, 2024 (WAM) -- Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) is collaborating with Dustour Marine Wooden Boats Trading Establishment to establish a new state-of-the-art project to support the Emirate’s coastal development in line with urban, social, recreational and economic expansion plans.

The Musataha agreement was signed during the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development’s (ADDED) second edition of its Al Multaqa meetings, targeted specifically at empowering Abu Dhabi’s family offices to achieve further commercial success and drive accelerated economic growth.

Located in Rabadan, the new Al Jaddaf project will provide a comprehensive sea paddle infrastructure tailored for boats. The 79,595 sqm project will encompass buildings dedicated to boat maintenance and repair, a centre for boat buying and selling, a shop catering to fishermen supplies, ample parking lots, boat stores, a café, various shops and restaurants, and a motel. It will also include a berth for 36 boats.

Commenting on the collaboration, Mansoor Al Bastaki, Head of Musataha at ADIO, said, “We are proud to be working with Dustour Marine Wooden Boats Trading Est. to cater to the needs of fishermen and boat owners in an efficient manner. The new Al Jaddaf project underscores the significance of serving coastal regions and will play a key role in supporting Abu Dhabi’s maritime activities and in promoting tourism in the Emirate.”

The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council issued the Interim Coastal Development Guidelines for the Emirate to unlock Abu Dhabi’s unique coastal lagoon setting and help shape the Emirate as a city of compact, mixed-use communities showcasing its unique ecosystem and landscapes. The project also supports Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030, which outlines plans to boost visitor numbers to 39.3 million and increase the sector's GDP contribution to AED90 billion by 2030.

Mousa Khalfan Faraj Al Mehairbi, Business Development Manager at Dustour Marine Wooden Boats Trading Est., said, “This collaboration goes beyond just serving the needs of local boat owners and fishermen. The project will also boast a boat slipway and a convenient fuel station, making Al Jaddaf a one-stop shop for both residents and tourists. This will not only attract visitors interested in experiencing the rich maritime heritage of Abu Dhabi, but also establish Rabdan as a central hub for potential investors in the yachting and boating industry. By concentrating these resources in one location, Al Jaddaf is poised to become a vibrant destination for maritime enthusiasts and a key driver of economic growth in the region.”

In close collaboration with government partners, sovereign investors and national champions, ADIO provides local and international companies with a range of growth-enabling support and access to Abu Dhabi’s public landbank and major infrastructure projects. ADIO continues to support communities across Abu Dhabi through a pipeline of Musataha projects to enable key initiatives in the Emirate. During the event, it also signed a number of agreements with Mara Real Estate Development LLC – OPC, International Jubilee Private School - Sole Proprietorship LLC and Aerotech Power for Real Estate Investments.