Tag Archives: Miral

COP28 will witness world leaders gathering in the UAE which will open new chapters in tourism. Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO, Miral shares the importance of this gathering to the tourism sector. “In a few days, the highly anticipated COP28 UAE will convene with world leaders and policy makers right here in the UAE in a bid to accelerate global efforts towards Net Zero and carbon neutral goals. These conversations are more critical than ever for the tourism industry, which is responsible for approximately 8% of the world’s carbon emissions. The UAE has played an increasingly crucial role in the fight against global warming, from committing to Net Zero by 2050 to marking 2023 as the Year of Sustainability. To ensure such endeavours go a long way in creating a positive impact on our people and the planet, our tourism ecosystem must make concerted efforts to keep sustainability high on the agenda and mitigate the overall effects of climate change. It’s inspiring to witness several industry pioneers across Abu Dhabi already rising to this challenge. A comprehensive sustainability framework by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) is enabling industry partners to apply sustainable practices across their operations and pledge towards Net Zero carbon events by 2050. In addition, the opening of Abu Dhabi Airports state-of-the-art Terminal A is spearheading a new chapter in the Emirate’s sustainable economic development. As a key player within the tourism industry, Miral has long been committed to this positive transformation. Sustainability is an integral part of our vision to deliver growth across the leisure, entertainment, and tourism sector. We define our success by creating a positive impact on …

In an exclusive interview with TravelTV Middle East, Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO, Miral revealed that this summer, there has been 90% occupancy at the newly opened Warner Bros hotel with a daily rate of AED 1200/-. Al Zaabi reiterated, “We are very proud of the success of those hotels, especially Warner Bros hotel for example in summer only this year we achieved 90% occupancy and the average daily rate of 1200AED and that is unheard of before. We think that this is the vision of Yas island.  In 2021, Miral we opened 3 hotels: Hilton Abu Dhabi, Double Tree as well as in collaboration with Warner Bros Discovery Warner Bros Abu Dhabi hotel.” On the sidelines at the Future Hospitality Summit Abu Dhabi, Al Zaabi further shared, “over the last 15 years Miral has been creating an unique and unforgettable destination and experiences in Abu Dhabi which helped to vision Abu Dhabi as a global hub for tourism, leisure and entertainment, we are the trusted partner here in the sector and we are very happy that the role that we are playing to transform the sector to attracting the sector in Abu Dhabi as well as the role we are playing to diversify the economy of the emirate and increase the revenue of the tourism sector. Miral looks after a number of attractions in Yas island and we oversee the strategy of Saadiyat destination management through our portfolios and we are very proud of the contribution that we are bringing here to the tourism industry from economic impact as well as revenue of tourism and very importantly the number of jobs that we have created over the past …

Miral announced the launch of its robust Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy for the group, focused on creating positive impact across society. Inspired by its long-standing commitment to the people and communities it serves, the strategy will launch and implement over 80 economic, social and environment initiatives and programmes over the next two years, across the business and all the Group’s subsidiaries – Miral Experiences, Miral Destinations, Yas Asset Management. Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO, Miral, commented: “Miral has always been committed to creating world-leading experiences that not only accelerate the realization of the Emirate’s tourism growth and contribution to the industry’s ecosystem, but also to have a positive impact on the communities in which we operate. With the launch of this new group strategy and framework, we are underpinning our commitment, making it integral to how we operate and ensuring that we are taking crucial action across our entire business, to benefit three key groups – people, community, and the environment – helping to achieve our long-term goal of sustainable development. By aligning our focus areas with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, we can help establish and promote Abu Dhabi’s leading position as a global destination in eco-tourism and sustainable tourism.” In the last few years CSR has seen increasing relevance to businesses and stakeholders across the world. In the UAE, the CSR UAE Fund was formed in 2018 with the vision to establish the UAE as a global leader in Corporate Social Responsibility. As such, Miral has developed its group strategy to focus on contributing towards society and the environment through innovative and sustainable community interventions, closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and …

Yas Island has launched a virtual exploration platform, offering international visitors access to the emirate’s iconic landmarks. The users’ digital avatars provide a journey through attractions and cultural sites, showcasing Abu Dhabi as a leading tourism destination.  The initiative is part of a pioneering collaboration between the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), Aldar, Miral, twofour54, and Ethara. The virtual Yas Island experience was developed by Super League and breaks through on Roblox, accessible at Yas Island Tycoon – Roblox. Users’ digital avatars take a journey through key Abu Dhabi landmarks on Yas Island and beyond, including SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina Circuit, Etihad Park, Aldar Square, twofour54’s Yas Creative Hub, and an Experience Abu Dhabi dedicated area featuring Louvre Abu Dhabi, Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Sir Bani Yas Island, Al Ain Oasis and Al Jahili Fort. Participants will be able to traverse the 25-square-kilometre virtual site and experience a playable, socially engaging world designed to entertain and inform audiences globally. Throughout a blend of interactive experiences, immersive environments, games, and soon to come one-of-a-kind events, players can explore and build cultural and entertainment attractions within Abu Dhabi. As users progress through the virtual destination and its attractions, they will experience more adventures such as theme park rides, driving across Yas Island in race cars and constructing virtual homes. Customisable avatars and surprise awards are part of every player’s personalised adventure. The gamified experience will continually evolve with new partnerships and experiences. His Excellency Saeed Al Fazari, Strategic Affairs Executive Director at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “This immersive adventure in the virtual realm is the latest example of Abu Dhabi’s commitment to utilising innovation …

Miral Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Microsoft, announced the launch of its generative AI customer-facing service leveraging ChatGPT through Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service to provide personalized guidance and information to customers visiting Yas Island’s theme parks and experiences. With over 1,700 operations completed successfully within a week, ChatGPT is being used to augment the capabilities of chatbots for customer services for the first time, not only across various industries in the UAE, but also within the wider region’s tourism and entertainment sector. Commenting on the collaboration, Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral, said: “We are proud to be pioneering the introduction of ChatGPT through Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service within the tourism and entertainment sector.  We champion innovation at every step and believe that digital transformation is key to creating more compelling and personalized visitor propositions. Our collaboration with Microsoft is a testament to our relentless pursuit of delivering unique and memorable experiences to guests of all ages and nationalities, further positioning Yas Island as a top global destination for entertainment and leisure.” Miral has long been working with Microsoft, having used the company’s intelligent cloud and data services for its existing guest experience platform and operations. As part of its ambition to be a customer-centric, progressive and efficient organisation, Miral plans to use Azure OpenAI Service and ChatGPT to enable customers to plan their day at any of the theme parks, providing a more seamless customer experience. “We are delighted to collaborate with Miral to enhance its customer experience through the use of Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service.” Said Naim Yazbeck, General Manager, Microsoft UAE. “With the help of Azure OpenAI Service and ChatGPT, Miral can better engage with …

Miral announced that SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is set to open its doors to the public on the 23rd of May 2023. The next-generation Marine Life Theme Park will tell a captivating ‘One Ocean’ story that uncovers the interconnectivity between life on earth and our ocean. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will deliver engaging, and immersive family-friendly experiences through eight of its uniquely themed realms, featuring up-close animal encounters, exciting rides, inspiring entertainment, as well as unmatched dining and shopping experiences. A collaboration between Miral and SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi’s eight realms can be explored across five indoor levels spanning an area of approximately 183,000m2 with the Endless Ocean realm set to be home to the world’s largest and most expansive multi-species aquarium. This innovatively designed aquarium will contain over 25 million liters of water and will be a dynamic habitat for more than 68,000 marine animals, including sharks, schools of fish, manta rays and sea turtles. Located on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, in total there will be over 100,000 marine animals including 150 species of birds, fish, mammals and reptiles at the Marine Life Theme Park. Animal habitats in each realm of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi have been custom designed using state-of-the-art technology and the highest standards for animal welfare. Chairman of Miral, His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, said: “We are delighted to announce the opening of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi this May, and proud of our partnership with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment to bring the region’s next-generation Marine Life Theme Park to Abu Dhabi and to Yas Island. As part of our commitment to the Year of Sustainability, the marine life park will embed Sheikh Zayed’s legacy and profound …

Abu Dhabi Maritime, established by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) and AD Ports Group as the primary custodian of Abu Dhabi’s waterways, has announced that it has launched a new Public Water Taxi service within the greater Yas Bay and Raha Beach community, in collaboration with Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences. The Public Water Taxi service will enhance connectivity between a number of Abu Dhabi’s waterfront attractions while offering an alternative transport option for the public. It will initially operate across high-demand locations including Yas Bay, Yas Marina and Al Bandar with further stops to follow. The service will be open seven days a week following scheduled timings which ensure vessel availability at each stop every hour. H.E. Dr. Salem Khalfan Al Kaabi, Director General of Operational Affairs, Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) said: “We are working closely with AD Ports Group as part of our collaboration with Abu Dhabi Maritime to provide advanced services that will boost the emirate’s connectivity making access to high-demand destinations even easier for Abu Dhabi residents and tourists. The new Public Water Taxi service underscores our efforts and commitment to developing state-of-the-art maritime services needed to support Abu Dhabi’s global position as one of the best destinations to live, work and visit.” Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral, said: “Our partnership with Abu Dhabi Maritime for the launch of the Public Water Taxi Service reiterates our commitment towards further positioning Yas Island as a top global destination for entertainment and leisure. With enhanced connectivity, residents and visitors will have the opportunity to navigate, explore and enjoy the island’s world-class offerings and landmarks. “The launch …

Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, unveiled its new visual identity and first brand campaign, signifying a new chapter of growth as it strives to be the region’s most impactful, influential leisure, tourism, and lifestyle entity. A key contributor to the diversification of Abu Dhabi’s economy, Miral also announced its portfolio of projects under construction worth over AED 13 billion on Yas Island and across the emirate, with three new projects coming soon. HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Miral said: “Miral delivers sustainable, long-term value, that contributes to the positioning Abu Dhabi as a global tourism hub. The new decade is set to be marked with accomplishments of great magnitude, that reflect a renewed promise through integrated destinations, underscored by a relentless commitment to evolving the capital’s tourism ecosystem and growth.” Today, Miral conceives, creates, develops, operates, and manages immersive destinations and experiences that attract visitors from across the world, creating unforgettable memories, that accelerate the realisation of the Emirate’s economic diversification. Its track record of excellence and success has positioned it as a trusted partner within the industry, while also creating over three thousand job opportunities within the leisure and entertainment industry. Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral, said: “Miral is committed to transforming the leisure and entertainment industry in Abu Dhabi and our rebrand signifies how we will aim to deliver on this promise and contribute to economic growth of the Emirate.  The new brand reflects the way we are reimagining and evolving an integrated visitor experience, creating unforgettable memories and moments of joy for both residents and international guests. With this, we will continue to position our destinations as …

Miral in collaboration with Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment, announced that The WB Abu Dhabi hotel is on track to open in 2021. With a design and concept inspired by the world-famous Warner Bros. brand, the hotel, developed with a total investment of USD 112 Million, will complement the company’s commitment to diversifying Yas Island’s offerings and delivering holistic unforgettable experiences for its visitors. The world’s first Warner Bros. themed hotel, operated and managed by Hilton under its upper-upscale Curio Collection by Hilton brand, is now 90% complete. To date, the first guestroom floors, branding and theming, as well as the ballroom, core spaces, and the building façade within Miral’s newest hospitality development, have been substantially completed. Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral, commented: “We are proud of our long-term partnership with Warner Bros. that has resulted in two world-firsts here on Yas Island.  The WB Abu Dhabi represents a great addition to Yas Island’s hospitality offerings and attractions, strengthening our commitment to position the Island as a top global destination for leisure, entertainment, and business. We look forward to celebrating the hotel’s opening later this year and welcoming guests to experience a truly unique hotel.” Peter van Roden, SVP Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment, said, “We are thrilled to be so close to completion on the world’s first Warner Bros. branded hotel. The WB Abu Dhabi will be an amazing complement to the adjacent Warner Bros. World theme park. The hotel will be a first-rate family destination inspired by the iconic WB library of film and television shows. Guests will be able to participate in all the thrills and excitement of the theme park then step inside the hotel for …

Miral announced that Yas Island is on track to become a fully contactless destination through the adoption of FacePass.  This cutting-edge contactless technology is part of Miral’s digital transformation strategy for Yas Island.  Rolled out in phases across the island, it will streamline guest experiences using facial recognition, with Yas Theme Parks leading the way as the first theme parks in the region to adopt FacePass. Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral commented, “We are thrilled to be pioneering the adoption of the FacePass technology within the regional leisure and entertainment industry, and delivering on our promise of creating a world-class wall-less destination using the latest technology.  Yas theme parks will be the first in the region to implement complete contactless access and payment solutions. This cutting-edge functionality is in line with our digital transformation strategy, and a testament to achieving our vision of positioning Yas Island as a top global destination for entertainment, leisure and business.”