Tag Archives: HE Ali Hassan Al Shaiba

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 …

Retail Abu Dhabi indicates record sales figures of AED 2.4 billion were achieved on Visa cards in participating stores alone during the recent Abu Dhabi Winter Shopping Season. Alongside global partner, Visa, it is reported that total transactions using Visa cards during the campaign grew by 17% compared to last year, engaging 21 malls and over 3,500 participating stores in the emirate. “Following on from Retail Abu Dhabi’s successful 2020 Unbox Amazing summer campaign, which demonstrated the sector’s strong COVID-19 resilience, the emirate’s retail sector has once again shown its maturity and agility with Abu Dhabi Winter Shopping Season,” said HE Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Executive Director of Tourism and Marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi. “As our most effective winter season campaign to date, the winter campaign has consolidated Abu Dhabi’s standing as a leading regional shopping destination, amplified with robust strategic alliances delivering first-in-region consumer experiences. This includes the introduction of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Beauty Week, which underlines Retail Abu Dhabi’s position as a platform for innovation across multiple retail segments. “The legacy of both Abu Dhabi Winter Shopping Season and Abu Dhabi Beauty Week presents a slew of opportunities to expand the emirate’s retail and beauty sectors for future editions and leaves us very optimistic as we continue to navigate this ‘new normal’ together.” Rabih Al Hajri, Acting Executive Director of Abu Dhabi Business Center, Department of Economic Development – Abu Dhabi, praised the strong collaboration: “The Department of Economic Development aims to support the rebound of Abu Dhabi’s business and tourism sectors. In partnership with DCT-Abu Dhabi, the seasonal retail campaigns, including the Abu Dhabi Winter Shopping Season, played an active role in supporting the recovery …

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.  

Hundreds of hospitality employees working in Yas Island hotels have chosen to vaccinate as part of Abu Dhabi’s efforts to ensure a safe reopening to tourists and a safe hosting of the recent UFC Fight Island Triple Header event. More than 240 people working inside the UFC Fight Island ‘bubble’ hotels on Yas Island received their first dose of the vaccine, via an initiative to provide free vaccines to all hotel staff who choose to vaccinate. The initiative was launched in line with Abu Dhabi’s coordinated and collaborative response to COVID-19, the emirate-wide ‘Choose to Vaccinate’ campaign and the nationwide immunisation programme. HE Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Executive Director of Tourism and Marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi, said, “The safe and successful return of fans to live events at UFC Fight Island Triple Header showcased the hard work and collaboration of government departments, public and private sectors and UFC to make it possible. Abu Dhabi is open; Abu Dhabi is safe. This vaccination drive for hospitality staff, who are the face of Abu Dhabi and work tirelessly to uphold the emirate’s standing as a world-class leisure destination, will help reassure visitors that they are in a safe and secure environment and reaffirm our efforts to press forward with our tourism plans, guided by the country’s visionary leaders.” Fahad Al Mahmoud, Executive Director Stakeholder Management at Aldar, who was one of the 240 to receive the vaccine, said: “Our leadership’s tireless efforts and rigorous approach to managing the COVID-19 pandemic have enabled us to remain resilient throughout. The tourism sector is a vital pillar of our economy and this vaccination drive will ensure we continue to play our part in supporting …