Tag Archives: DCT Abu Dhabi

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT – Abu Dhabi) has been awarded with the Guiness World Records (GWR) title for the ‘Largest Augmented Reality (AR) Screen’, as part of a pioneering augmented-reality advertising campaign to promote the UAE capital as a world-leading holiday destination. The latest marketing campaign utilised the famous 40-foot digital billboard known as Piccadilly Lights in the heart of London, transforming the screen into an interactive augmented-reality (AR) experience, showcasing some of Abu Dhabi’s most iconic landmarks. Ali Al Shaiba, Acting Executive Director of Tourism and Marketing at DCT – Abu Dhabi, said, “The world-record-breaking augmented-reality experience took over Piccadilly Lights for two weeks, showcasing the UAE capital’s most famous landmarks in a pioneering way. When conceptualising the campaign, we knew we wanted to do more than just bring Abu Dhabi’s famous sights to life at one of London’s most iconic landmarks. We also wanted to capitalise on the scale of the experience by breaking a GWR title for the ‘World’s Largest Augmented Reality (AR) Screen.” Aside from breaking a GWR title, the augmented reality screen has also been designed to allow passers-by to play a starring role in the experience. Al Shaiba added, “By standing near the fountain in the square, people are captured by the hi-tech, on-site audience camera – used specifically for advertising for the first time for this campaign – transporting them to some of Abu Dhabi’s most famous attractions – think family-friendly indoor theme park Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, wildlife haven Sir Bani Yas Island, and the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – on the screen. Each one of the capital’s landmarks has been brought vividly to life …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has unveiled the first edition of Abu Dhabi Music Week, a pioneering platform for music fans and professionals set to launch in March 2020 in the UAE Capital. The first edition of the Music Week will focus on electronic dance music (EDM), featuring global electronic music festival Ultra. The week will also include citywide international and local music events and activations at some of Abu Dhabi’s key attractions, including the inaugural DJ Mag Middle East conference. Commenting on the hosting of the landmark music platform in the UAE capital, Saeed Al Saeed, Destination Marketing Director at the Department of Culture and Tourism, said, “Abu Dhabi Music Week is a lively celebration of music that is set to be the first of its kind in the Middle East. We believe in the power of music to unite people of all backgrounds. Therefore, we created Abu Dhabi Music Week to demonstrate our commitment to providing our residents and visitors alike with unforgettable experiences.” Dudley Chou, Executive Producer, Ultra Abu Dhabi, said, “We are humbled by the opportunity to bring Ultra to the Middle East for the first time in the amazing venue at du Arena at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. 2020 is going to be an exciting year for us and look forward to developing a long-term icon for festival goers to indulge in.” Tickets and artists for Abu Dhabi Music Week will be announced over the coming months, visitors and residents of Abu Dhabi will be able to take advantage of a number of offers and discounts to attend the event. The pioneering music platform is expected to be …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced that the fourth edition of ‘Mother of the Nation Festival’ (MOTN) is set to return to Abu Dhabi from March 12-23, 2019, in conjunction with the Special Olympics World Games, taking place from March 14-21. More than 7,500 athletes from 192 countries are set to participate in the Games, which are being held in the Middle East and North Africa region for the first time. The festival pays tribute to the living legacy of the original ‘Mother of the Nation’, HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union and President of the Supreme Council of Motherhood and Childhood. It embodies her inspirational values of empowerment, conservation, collaboration and sustainability. MOTN is committed to providing a wide array of entertainment through performances, workshops, dining, retail offers and activities for the entire family to enjoy over the course of 12 days. The festival’s campaign will embody the spirit of the ‘Year of Tolerance’ through a number of activities, which will once again be held along a kilometre of Abu Dhabi’s Corniche. It will offer something for everyone to enjoy, from musical and entertainment performances and art exhibits to interactive workshops, in addition to the newly introduced Special Olympics Zone. There will also be an e-sports gaming championship in the Progress Zone, while the Happiness Zone returns with an array of exhilarating activities. HE Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary, DCT Abu Dhabi, said, “This year, we are delighted to host the Special Olympics World Summer Games as part of the fourth edition of the Mother of the Nation Festival. This …

Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) and Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau, a division of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) have teamed up to win bids to host four leading international conferences in Abu Dhabi – all of them being held in the Middle East region for the first time. These wins, for the World Congress of Nephrology, the Annual Conference of the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) Congress, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Africa, Europe, Middle East Global Conference, and the XIV World Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation (WAPR) World Congress – will contribute to enhancing Abu Dhabi’s growing reputation as a global health and education hub. Securing these significant conferences will also support the Abu Dhabi government in its efforts to further develop these sectors, which have been identified as key development areas in the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 roadmap for the future. HE Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary, DCT Abu Dhabi, said, “Abu Dhabi is now firmly established as a major player on the global events stage, able to excel at hosting the world’s most prominent conferences and exhibitions. Working in partnership with our colleagues at ADNEC to secure these conferences for the Emirate is further proof of the great strides we are making in positioning Abu Dhabi as a destination of choice for a whole host of major international organisations.” Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Group CEO, ADNEC, said, “These four conferences are of strategic importance as we continue our efforts to position the Emirate as a key global hub for health and education, which are among the sectors identified in the Abu Dhabi vision document as crucial to the Emirate’s …

As the United Arab Emirates (UAE) celebrated the 47th National Day, His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman, DCT Abu Dhabi, said, “The early years will reflect on the reason for the important artistic and cultural role that this institution has played in the community. The Cultural Foundation was a gathering place, a home for exchange and debate and a beacon for intellectual inspiration. Many of our UAE artists had their firsts there – their first introduction to art, first exhibition, first sale of an artwork. With its reopening, the Cultural Foundation is now a modern heritage building that will once again celebrate all forms of culture and regain its status as the cultural heart of Abu Dhabi.” Expressing his happiness on the reopening of the Cultural Foundation, His Excellency Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary, DCT Abu Dhabi, said, “We are incredibly excited that the Cultural Foundation is reopening its doors to once again become a platform for the UAE creative scene. With this inaugural exhibition, we celebrate this beloved institution that has launched many nascent careers. With the December 7 reopening, we are once again able to widen the horizons for cultural exchange, as the Cultural Foundation’s programmes, grants and public engagement will give voice to a new generation of artists and innovators.”

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced that the much-anticipated grand opening of Al Hosn, will take place on December 7, 2018. Al Hosn is the city’s original urban block and will comprise four interrelated components: the historic Qasr Al Hosn Fort, the Cultural Foundation, the National Consultative Council building, and the House of Artisans. The official launch will be a celebration of Abu Dhabi’s rich history and culture, with days of public programming to mark the occasion. The newly renovated premises of the Cultural Foundation will host a diverse visual and performing arts programme, alongside the opening of the first children’s library of its kind. To mark the occasion of its reopening in December, the Foundation’s Visual Arts Centre will present a landmark exhibition which will focus on the building’s history as a beacon for local artists. Cultural Foundation will re-open in phases with December 7 allowing access to the Visual Arts Centre, which will feature exhibition halls and art studios. The two remaining components – a theatre and the Children’s Library – will open in 2019. HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman, DCT Abu Dhabi, said, “Qasr Al Hosn retraces the history of the city of Abu Dhabi. It stands as a constant in our evolving city. It is a testament to the heart and spirit of our people and the repository of our collective memories, and its reopening is a key moment for both the citizens of Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE. In addition, we are thrilled to reopen the Cultural Foundation, which has always played an integral role in the cultural scene of Abu Dhabi, the UAE and …

DCT Abu Dhabi has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Medical Tourism Association (MTA) to host the MTA’s annual World Medical Tourism & Global Healthcare Congress for the first time in Abu Dhabi . The event brings together experts and organisations from over 100 countries and attracts more than 10,000 visitors, approximately 200 exhibitors and sponsors and up to 100 hosted VIP buyers. The MoU agreement, signed by HE Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary, DCT Abu Dhabi and Jonathan Edelheit, CEO, Medical Tourism Association and Chairman & Co-Founder, Global Healthcare Resources, opens a pathway for the two entities to further build a medical tourism proposition for consumer markets in key areas, including Russia, China, India and across the GCC. The agreement also includes the opening of a new MTA office in Abu Dhabi as well as the production of a new Abu Dhabi Destination Guide, which will be used to further promote the destination for the targeted regions. HE Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary, DCT Abu Dhabi, said, “This agreement is in line with our mandate to promote Abu Dhabi on the world stage and to support Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision 2030, designed to guide our emirate’s growth and development. The experience and knowledge shared under this MoU will greatly enhance the emirate’s ability to appeal to our intended markets as we look to increase the contribution of medical tourism to the UAE’s economy.” Jonathan Edelheit, Chairman & CEO, Medical Tourism Association, said, “The partnership between the MTA and DCT Abu Dhabi will boost the medical travel industry. It is our goal to establish Abu Dhabi as the most trusted medical tourism destination, initiating joint trade missions into the GCC, China and …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has been named the best government entity in the emirate for the provision of ‘Smart Services’ by Abu Dhabi’s Smart Solutions and Services Authority (ADSSSA). The Institutional Maturity Index, which is rated by ADSSSA, assessed 24 of DCT Abu Dhabi’s ‘Smart Services’, with DCT Abu Dhabi’s Innovation and Smart Technologies Department scoring record maturity levels, topping 37 other government entities in the emirate. Representing DCT Abu Dhabi, Nawal Rashid Al Hassani, Executive Director, Strategy and Planning Sector, received the award during a ceremony organised by ADSSSA. Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary, DCT Abu Dhabi, said, “Available around-the -clock, our ‘smart services’ have helped to streamline DCT’s application-processing operations and elevate customer satisfaction, offering transparency and easy access for customers to contact us via smart phones anytime, anywhere. Striving to improve our online services and making them part of our daily operations, we have launched many important initiatives to develop our service system locally and globally.”  

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) officially opened the Travel Agents Federation of India’s (TAFI) annual convention at Emirates Palace on September 25. The 12th edition of the event, which will run until September 27, has gathered together key decision-makers from the Indian tourism industry to exchange knowledge and help members navigate the ever-evolving business environment. The event will lead the discussion on impact of the digital world on the travel and tourism sectors. The convention is themed “Innovation – Transform – Disrupt – Redefining the Offline Travel World”, with DCT Abu Dhabi planning to follow the opening evening event with sightseeing tours around Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra regions. All the top tourism offerings and iconic landmarks such as Louvre Abu Dhabi, Al Ain Palace Museum, Al Ain Oasis, Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, among others, will be included in the itinerary. The conference opened with a welcome address by HE Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary, DCT Abu Dhabi followed by an inaugural address by HE Navdeep Singh Suri, Ambassador of India to the UAE. The following two days will feature business sessions to discuss pertinent issues related to the tourism industry and media tours.

The number of guests staying in Abu Dhabi hotels during August rose by 10.5 per cent compared to the same month in 2017, reveal the latest figures released by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). August’s results show that the Department’s targets of improving upon 2017’s record-breaking numbers of guest arrivals, when close to five million people stayed in the emirate, are firmly on track. Overall, 477,606 visitors enjoyed stays at one of Abu Dhabi’s 162 hotels and hotel apartments during August 2018, an increase of more than 45,000 over August 2017. For the first eight months of the year, the figures show Abu Dhabi has recorded more than 3.31 million guests, a 5.8 per cent boost in the total number of hotel guests to the emirate compared to the last year. The Chinese market recorded a strong improvement during this month, up by almost 9 per cent compared to August 2017, and on a year-to-date basis, China is still Abu Dhabi’s number one source market – up about 13 per cent in total compared to 2017. Indian hotels also recorded 22 per cent growth during this month with the arrival of Indian guests. Saudi guests increased for a third consecutive month during August, recording a growth of about 24 per cent compared to August 2017. The US market also performed well, with the number of American guests increasing by almost 35 per cent. For the year-to-date, American hotel guests were up by almost 26 per cent compared to 2017. The UK posted 3.6 per cent increase for the month, but despite this, for the year-to-date, visitors from the UK are up by 8 …