Tag Archives: DCT Abu Dhabi

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has issued the updated list of “Green List” destinations. Vaccinated travellers arriving from these destinations will be exempt from mandatory quarantine measures after landing in Abu Dhabi and will be required to undergo PCR testing upon arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport, as well as another PCR test on day 6. Unvaccinated travellers arriving from these countries are exempt from mandatory quarantine but will also need to undergo PCR testing on arrival, as well as two further PCR tests on day 6 and 12. Countries, regions, and territories included within the “Green List” will be regularly updated based on international developments. Inclusion in the list is subject to strict criteria of health and safety to ensure the well-being of the UAE community. The list also only applies to countries travellers are arriving from, rather than citizenship. Please note below the updated “Green List” as of 13 July 2021: Albania Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Belgium Canada China Denmark France Germany Greece Hong Kong (SAR) Hungary Iceland Israel Italy Jordan Malta Mauritius Moldova Netherlands New Zealand Norway Republic of Ireland Romania Saudi Arabia Serbia Seychelles Singapore South Korea Sweden Switzerland Taiwan, Province of China Turkmenistan United States of America Vatican City More information on the “Green List” can be found on www.visitabudhabi.com. DCT Abu Dhabi will also continue to issue updates on the list and overall travel status in the coming months.

Sojern announced an extension of their partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) to drive further traveller demand into the Emirate using its Co-Op Marketing Programme. Following a successful pilot of the joint marketing programme, which has reached more than 3 million people so far, Abu Dhabi hotels have been able to increase direct bookings through a highly targeted, digital display and social media advertising campaign. The hospitality industry has been heavily impacted by the pandemic but DCT Abu Dhabi has worked closely with the UAE government to launch a series of stimulus initiatives to support the recovery of the tourism industry. “We were looking for ways to support the hospitality industry and navigate the economic challenges presented by the pandemic, and the partnership with Sojern helps us do just that, by supporting hotels in Abu Dhabi to drive direct bookings and improve room profitability,” said HE Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Executive Director of Tourism and Marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi. “DCT Abu Dhabi is committed to collaborative efforts between the private and public sectors within the local tourism industry to continuously support and drive tourism growth to the capital. Our efforts are aligned with the overall strategic objectives and vision — to support the evolution of Abu Dhabi into a world-class destination, while also reinforcing the capital’s position as a forward-thinking tourism destination.” Sojern’s Co-Op Marketing Programme is designed to help Destination Marketing Organisations (DMOs) and their partners increase the effectiveness of their marketing initiatives through collaboration, and drive revenue for the travel industry, at scale. “Hotels in Abu Dhabi were looking to improve their direct booking volumes and reduce commission from …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced plans to boost the recovery of the emirate’s tourism industry by rolling out a series of new retail consumer events, promotions, and campaigns in 2021 under its dedicated retail platform, Retail Abu Dhabi. The new events will expand on a successful 2020, which saw a series of innovative programmes, such as the Vogue Fashion’s Night In Powered by Retail Abu Dhabi, seasonal initiatives including the Unbox Amazing summer campaign, and the signature Abu Dhabi Winter Shopping Season, which generated a 23% growth on total transactions (YoY), and 17% growth in spending, with retail sector sales topping AED 2.4bn on Visa cards alone in participating malls. Now, and in line with the latest global trends for innovative and immersive experiences, Retail Abu Dhabi will continue to elevate the consumer shopping experience in Abu Dhabi in partnership with key stakeholders and international brands, by creating exclusive programming for the Abu Dhabi market, promoting the emirate’s global appeal, and stimulating post-pandemic recovery. “2021 will see the most exciting roll-out of dedicated Retail Abu Dhabi programming, as a result of strategic collaborations with a consortium of global and local, public and private sector entities,” said HE Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Executive Director of Tourism and Marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi. “As partners, we are all striving towards a shared goal, which is injecting purpose, passion and energy into the emirate’s tourism reopening and recovery. Introducing unique and first-in-the-region experiences, Retail Abu Dhabi’s 2021 calendar will continue to offer opportunities for both the retail and tourism industry.” A major contributor to Abu Dhabi’s booming economy, Rabih Al Hajri, Acting Executive Director …

Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has extended exemptions of tourism and municipality fees for hotel establishments operating within the Emirate until June 30th, 2021. The exemption follows directives from Abu Dhabi Executive Council that are part of the economic stimulus package and are part of ongoing efforts to support the sector in overcoming challenges from COVID-19. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, DCT Abu Dhabi introduced a series of initiatives and stimulus packages beginning in March 2020 to support hotel and tourism establishments in the capital. “This initiative is in line with our vision of sustaining and supporting the tourism sector, especially in the exceptional and urgent circumstances that currently face the sector,” said HE Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Executive Director of the Tourism and Marketing Sector at DCT Abu Dhabi. “This decision supports partners and stakeholders in revitalising the tourism sector and ensuring that it recovers from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing hotel and tourism facilities with the opportunity to develop and improve their experiences and products. Close collaborations between the public and private sectors are vital, and we are committed to working hand-in-hand to pave the way towards a brighter future,” he added.  

Culture Summit Abu Dhabi has released the full programme for its virtual fourth edition, which will be held under the theme The Cultural Economy and the Economy of Culture. Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the Summit will take place from 8 – 10 March 2021. Attendance is free and open to the public, with registration now available on the Culture Summit website. Culture Summit 2021 will convene global experts from fields such as design, heritage, media, public policy, and technology, for a series of keynote speeches, panel discussions, case studies, artist talks, performances, and film screenings. HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said, “Culture Summit is ambitious in its goal to produce innovative, globally-impactful propositions by connecting cultural leaders with key voices from diverse yet related fields, and we will amplify that impact even further this year, through our first virtual and public edition. We create future-facing solutions that aim to change and improve the fields of culture, which are vital contributors to the recovery, growth, and development of any economy.” “Abu Dhabi recognised the significant role that the culture sector and the creative industries play in economic development early on and have always considered them a key aspect in achieving the emirate’s objectives. In a time when the viability of these industries and their practitioners have been particularly affected by current global events, Culture Summit’s discussions will be vital ones, that must result in concrete outcomes,” Al Mubarak added.

Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) announced the ‘Creative Visa’ initiative, which aims to support individuals contributing to the cultural and creative industries in Abu Dhabi. The Creative Visa is open to a wide range of talented individuals operating within key fields across all domains within the cultural and creative industries, including heritage, performing arts, visual arts, design and crafts, gaming and e-sports, media and publishing. This initiative seeks to increase opportunities for residency and employment in Abu Dhabi while simultaneously bolstering the thriving creative scene in the United Arab Emirates. HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said, “Abu Dhabi is committed to not just nurturing the creative talent found within our borders but to also extending our resources to innovators from the region and around the world. This mutually beneficial system will attract pioneering ideas and creativity to Abu Dhabi, as the Creative Visa will offer participants access to world-class facilities and infrastructure, as well as an attractive, safe and inspiring living and working environment for individuals and families.” He added, “The creative ecosystem of the Emirate plays an important role in all our lives, and we are committed to supporting its practitioners and professionals. Abu Dhabi is a place rooted in cultural heritage and creativity, where culture is a driver of social and economic development. Championing the cultural and creative sectors will continue to be a priority for DCT Abu Dhabi, and this visa is only one of the globally relevant projects we’re launching with continued speed and agility.”

Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and UFC have announced that Return to UFC Fight Island, the much-celebrated UFC series will be held on Yas Island from September 26 to October 24. Following the undisputed success of July’s inaugural series, which saw the state-of-the-art UFC Fight Island Safe Zone implemented across all event-related areas of Yas Island, the series’ epic return less than three months later marks another historic first for Abu Dhabi and the sport. The capital of the UAE is continuing to take a leading position in safely organising large, high-profile sports events through successful management of health and safety protocols, providing a further boost to the local economy and showcasing the world’s leading athletes. “UFC Fight Island proved to be a tremendous success and its rapid return is testament to the strength of our partnership with UFC, and the global confidence in Abu Dhabi’s ability and preparedness to host major international events with the highest standards of health and safety,” said His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi. “The Return to UFC Fight Island concept underlines both Abu Dhabi’s commitment to global sporting and tourism events as well as the collaborative approach taken by various government departments to ensure the emirate is ready to safely welcome back visitors, business and more major international events across multiple sectors.” Dana White, the UFC President added, “While the rest of the world shut down, we worked with our partners in Abu Dhabi to put on the best live sporting experience, and we did it safely and responsibly. The infrastructure they have in place, from the arena, to the hotels, to the …

Tripoto has partnered with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) to promote the capital of the UAE as the ideal destination for Indian travellers. As part of the partnership, Tripoto created four Gigapixels – digital image bitmaps composed of one billion pixels each and featuring 1,000 times the information captured by a 1-megapixel digital camera. The images, shot across the city, were then meticulously stitched together, with the end result being high-resolution, 360-degree visuals that offers viewers an immersive, bird’s eye view of the UAE capital and its many attractions. Some of the highlights include family-friendly theme parks, such as Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, luxury hotels, shopping malls, beaches, golf clubs, and much more. “This pioneering partnership showcases the way in which tourism is moving, with travellers now being able to zoom right into the city, exploring even the minutest details before they even set foot there. From the grains of white sand on the beaches of Saadiyat Island to the soaring heights of the tallest roller coaster at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi’s Gigapixels really bring the emirate to life, allowing travellers to not only experience the magic of the capital from wherever they are in the world but also plan for their future holidays there,” said Michael Lyngdoh, Founder, Tripoto. Saeed Rashed Al Saeed, Destination Marketing Director at DCT Abu Dhabi, said, “Abu Dhabi is the perfect destination for savvy Indian travellers, offering everything from family-friendly theme parks to stunning natural attractions, luxury hotels, world-class business facilities, high-end shopping, gorgeous beaches, rich culture, and more. India is Abu Dhabi’s top source …

In the absence of a Culture Summit Abu Dhabi 2020 event, The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), in collaboration with global cultural organisations, is delivering a special Culture Summit Abu Dhabi live stream experience, set to be broadcast on YouTube on 9 April at 5pm (UAE time). HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, will chair the panel session ‘Alone Together: Culture and Resilience’, featuring distinguished participants including Ernesto OttoneRamírez, Assistant Director-General for Culture, UNESCO; Alexandra Munroe, Samsung Senior Curator of Asian Art and Senior Adviser, Global Arts, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation; Rebecca Lyons, Director of Collections and Learning, Royal Academy of Arts; Melanie Noronha, Senior Editor, Thought Leadership, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, The Economist Intelligence Unit; and Marisa Henderson, Chief, Creative Economy, UNCTAD. ‘Alone Together: Culture and Resilience’ will address the current global situation and its impact on culture from a social, economic and psychological angle. Culture today is in crisis, but the session will address how it is responding to the threat and helping to create a resilient society that prioritises participation and community support. With culture being the continuous thread which links an increasingly isolated global population, the discussion will assess the impact of this current period of unprecedented crisis on the culture sector, and explore how culture might help to lessen our collective anxiety and trauma. With many institutions closing their doors for an extended period of time, there are severe challenges around funding and staffing, and the panellists will debate how cultural organisations can best endure this period of shutdown, and how we can most effectively support institutions, artists, and the creative …

Sojern and Spark Foundry announced a partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). This new partnership incorporates Sojern’s real-time travel audience targeting capabilities directly into its ad-buying system, or DSP (Demand Side Platform), offering it increased transparency and control over its digital marketing campaigns. A test run in the final quarter of 2019 proved that Sojern’s hyper-targeted programmatic ads, which were delivered during key decision-making moments to audiences with travel intent, resulted in increased bookings and conversions and reduced traveller acquisition cost. Over the past decade, Sojern has built a network of global data partnerships that provide access to billions of real-time travel-intent signals. These intent signals are analysed using proprietary data-science methodology to better understand travellers’ booking behaviour along their path to purchase. This information is then used to target personalised marketing messages at every stage of the funnel, in this case supporting brand campaigns used to promote Abu Dhabi as a tourist destination, as well as direct response campaigns that drive direct bookings and conversions to key Abu Dhabi attractions. Saeed Rashed Al Saeed, Destination Marketing Director at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi said, “By managing our digital marketing campaigns within our own DSP, coupled with Sojern’s rich dataset for audience targeting, it enables us to monitor campaign performance, daily ad spend and total return on our campaign investments with more ease.” Chris Blaine, VP of EMEA at Sojern commented, “We are delighted to partner with DCT Abu Dhabi and Spark Foundry to encourage travellers to enjoy warm hospitality, family-friendly attractions, rich culture and impressive archaeological and historical sites in one of the safest and most modern …