Tag Archives: Sir Bani Yas Island

Celestyal marked its maiden call in Dubai this week entering the emirate’s waters with a dhow escort, the line’s newest ship, Celestyal Journey, hosted a plaque exchange ceremony and a star-studded party to kick off the ship’s first week-long ‘Desert Days’ itinerary, which includes sailing roundtrip from Dubai and calling at Bahrain, Khasab, Sir Bani Yas Island and Abu Dhabi. The result of a collaboration between Greek company Celestyal and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) that aims to share the region’s extraordinary offerings with the wider world, Celestyal Journey will homeport from the city for the next three years, with passengers already able to book trips. Celestyal’s inaugural Arabian Gulf season sails until March 2025.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) inaugurated the Sir Bani Yas Island Visitor Centre. The centre will serve as a cultural resource for both local and international tourists to learn more about the historic landscape of Sir Bani Yas Island. The new centre features interactive displays that guests can explore after touring the church and monastery site, helping them to visualise the history of Sir Bani Yas. A curated selection of objects from various locations on the island, spanning different time periods, are also showcased in the centre, each accompanied by an interactive tablet with further information. Following DCT Abu Dhabi’s conservation efforts, in 2019 the Sir Bani Yas Church and Monastery site reopened to the public with enhanced facilities and informative panels to guide visitors. Today, with the launch of the visitor centre, the site will provide a definitive account of the island’s natural and cultural history. HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi said, “The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi is committed to safeguarding and promoting the UAE’s cultural heritage. The new Sir Bani Yas Visitor Centre will provide residents and international guests with the opportunity to explore the rich and fascinating history of Sir Bani Yas in greater detail and help them view the island through the eyes of our Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed.” The cultural heritage sites of Sir Bani Yas are not limited to the church and monastery; the island is also home to sites that date back to the Neolithic period (Late Stone Age). Sir Bani Yas has served as an important natural resource and shelter for fishermen and seafarers …

Abu Dhabi Airports, in collaboration with Emirates Red Crescent, has launched its ‘Flight of the Children of Zayed’ initiative, under which it recently organised a trip for 31 orphans to Sir Bani Yas Island. The initiative comes under the framework of Abu Dhabi Airports’ ongoing corporate social responsibility (CSR) and Year of Zayed programme. Abu Dhabi Airports is committed to organising various social initiatives and sponsoring charities in line with its vision of becoming the world’s leading airports group. As a part of the ‘Flight of the Children of Zayed’, Abu Dhabi Airports collaborated with various authorities, including the Federal Authority For Identity and Citizenship, Abu Dhabi Police GHQ, Abu Dhabi Department of Culture & Tourism, the Tourism Development & Investment Company that sponsored the recreational activities and accommodation on the island and Abu Dhabi Aviation that provided air transportation. The initiative included a safari on the island and a variety of water sports. The children also planted trees bearing their names and received souvenirs. Abu Dhabi Airports commended the staff across all the organisations involved that contributed, coordinated and implemented the ‘Flight of the Children of Zayed’ initiative.