Tag Archives: Abu Dhabi

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.”

Effective August 1, all travellers flying Etihad Airways from around the world to Abu Dhabi, and those transferring via Abu Dhabi onto other flights, will be required to show a negative COVID-19 PCR test result from a list of approved testing facilities listed on their website, alongside their ICA approval if Abu Dhabi is their end destination. The PCR test must be carried out within 96 hours prior to arrival in Abu Dhabi and a negative COVID-19 PCR test result certificate from one of the approved clinics listed must be shown for approval to board. Children under the age of 12 and people with mild to severe disabilities are currently exempt from this PCR test requirement. Travellers leaving the UAE from Abu Dhabi to any country in the European Union, the United Kingdom, or to any country where it is mandatory by the authorities at the destination, a negative COVID-19 PCR test result will be required within 96 hours prior to departure. To help facilitate this process, Etihad Airways is collaborating with Mediclinic Middle East to offer departing travellers the option of convenient PRC testing, for a fee, at their home, or at Mediclinic facilities in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Dubai prior to their travel. The gradual return to more international flying to, from, and via Abu Dhabi is being greatly supported by the Etihad Wellness sanitisation and safety programme, which ensures the highest standards of hygiene are maintained at every stage of the customer journey. This includes specially trained Wellness Ambassadors, a first in the industry, who have been introduced by the airline to provide essential travel health information and care on the ground and on every flight, …

The final in a tri-series webinar to promote the rich, beautiful and historical Spain will be held on Wednesday June 24, 2020 at 11am. As Spain gears up to open its destination to foreign visitors, behind the scene, the authorities are on a drive to ensure safety and hygiene for its travellers. In this session Daniel Rosado Bayon – Director of the Spanish Tourism Office in Abu Dhabi will walk the viewers through a very interesting lush greenery areas in the Spain. First and foremost he will update of the current situation in Spain, regarding tourists, measures taken, what they need to know to travel to the destination etc. Thereafter he will take the viewers through an interesting journey of the greener areas in northern Spain and the many islands; Balearic islands in the Mediterranean and Canary Islands, of volcanic origin in the Atlantic.They offer paradise beaches with green sceneries, great nature, amazing gastronomy and history. Another few key factors are that they have mild temperatures and plenty of space to move around easily and without getting disturbed.

Khaled Mubarak Bani Zama, Director of the Industrial Development at the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development stated that around 8,000 tourism, leisure and commercial facilities and restaurants in the emirate of Abu Dhabi are eligible to a refund of 20 per cent of the annual rental value on their commercial property leases worth Dh1 billion; according to a report published by Gulf News. “The refunding of 20 per cent of the value of helps support the private sector and enhance confidence in the emirate’s investment environment, thus ensuring the sustainability of businesses in view of the current exceptional conditions facing the world at large,” Bani Zama said. Earlier in May, the department launched a strategic digital service that will enable restaurants, tourism and entertainment facilities within the emirate to apply for a 20 percent refund on the annual rental value of their commercial property leases.The department approved 220 applications from restaurants, tourism and entertainment facilities who applied for a 20 per cent refund on the annual rental value of their commercial property leases, Zami said. The Abu Dhabi government stressed that the refund of 20 per cent of the total rental value paid by investors who started their lease from September 2019 or renewed their contracts during the period from April 1, 2020 until the end of September 2020.The move aimed to help add and enhance the confidence in the emirate’s business environment. The resolution covers all facilities practicing activities of restaurants, cafeterias, tourism and entertainment.

Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Hjayceelyn M. Quintana led the inauguration of the Passport Renewal Center (PaRC) at VFS Global in the World Trade Center in Abu Dhabi city. The inauguration coincided with the commemoration of Philippine Independence Day, which falls June 12, every year. This is the second PaRC facility for Philippine passport renewal that is now operational in the United Arab Emirates. The first PaRC facility was opened in the Wafi Mall in Dubai on November 21, 2019 with the Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. leading the inauguration. The two PaRC facilities are operated by VFS Global. VFS Global is the world’s largest visa outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. The establishment of the PaRC facilities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are based on a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Foreign Affairs and VFS Global. “A befitting gift to Filipinos in the UAE on the occasion of Philippine Independence Day is the opening of the PaRC facility in Abu Dhabi. It is also very timely, given the need to reduce travel and observe strict physical distancing and other health protocols during the pandemic,” said Hjayceelyn M. Quintana, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE. Filipinos now have an alternative location to go for passport renewal aside from the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi. The VFS Global PaRC facility offers the convenience of weekend processing of passport renewal application because it operates on Friday and Saturday in addition to the regular working days from Sunday to Thursday. The facility is open daily from 10am to 6pm.

Yas Island, Abu Dhabi’s premier leisure and entertainment hub, has launched a new video entitled #InThisTogether.  In anticipation of a more hopeful future, the video encourages travellers, staycationers, day trippers and holidaymakers to stay positive in an uncertain world, highlighting a tomorrow where the world reopens again and Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, can look forward to welcoming its visitors with open arms. 

Etihad Airways has announced a series of special passenger flights from Abu Dhabi to Brussels, Dublin, London Heathrow, Tokyo Narita and Zurich, in addition to those previously published. The airline has been operating special flights which have allowed passengers stranded in the UAE due to COVID-19 restrictions, the opportunity to return home. The flights also support the ‘UAE Food Security Program’ by utilising belly-hold capacity of passenger aircraft for cargo. The airline continues to repatriate UAE citizens on return sectors, wherever possible, and carry fresh produce as belly-hold cargo back to Abu Dhabi. In addition to these newly announced destinations, Etihad continues to operate special passenger flights from Abu Dhabi to several destinations including Amsterdam, Jakarta, Manila, Melbourne, Seoul Incheon, and Singapore.

Further to the previously announced schedule of special passenger flights, Etihad Airways will add additional flights from Abu Dhabi to Melbourne and Amsterdam. The airline has been operating special flights which have allowed passengers stranded in the UAE due to COVID-19 restrictions, the opportunity to return home. The flights also support the ‘UAE Food Security Program’ by utilising belly-hold capacity of passenger aircraft for cargo. The airline continues to repatriate UAE citizens on return sectors, where possible, and carry fresh produce as belly-hold cargo, on the return segments back to Abu Dhabi. In addition to Melbourne and Amsterdam, Etihad continues to operate special passenger flights from Abu Dhabi to several destinations including Seoul Incheon, Singapore, Manila, and Jakarta.

The programme for the tenth World Urban Forum (WUF10), under the theme ‘Cities of Opportunities: Connecting Culture and Innovation’, was unveiled to a selected media under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces. WUF10 will take place at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi, February 8-13, 2020, co-organised by the UN agency focused on sustainable urbanisation, UN-Habitat and the Department of Urban Planning and Transport (DMT). The 92-page programme provided a comprehensive guide to the packed six-day agenda, which will include assemblies, dialogues, roundtables, special sessions, side events, networking events, training events, caucus meetings, urban library, one UN room, voices from cities, SDGs in action, urban cinema, WUF integrated initiatives, sustainable urban development now, press conferences and urban talks. H.E. Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed, Executive Director of Strategic Affairs at DMT and General Coordinator of the World Urban Forum 10, said, “The comprehensive nature of this programme reflects the ambitious nature of WUF10 – we seek not only to drive forward sustainable development but also to shape the nature of urban development for the Arab world as a whole. As the first Arab city to host a WUF, efforts are being made to raise the profile of urban stakeholders from the region.” Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, said, “The Forum is bringing together a wide range of compelling speakers including global thought leaders, investors, experts, governments and key influencers to discuss how to shape a better urban future.”