The Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority recently conducted a survey to determine if people would be more inspired to visit Abu Dhabi if it was described as being in the Arabian Peninsula or Middle East. Results from the survey concluded that 62% felt more inspired by the Arabian Peninsula to just 4% support for the Middle East. 34% felt geographical renaming did not matter.
Abu Dhabi is becoming an increasingly popular leisure, cruise, business and stopover destination. In 2015, Abu Dhabi attracted some 64,068 visitors from Australia and New Zealand. Etihad Airways and the equity partner Virgin Australian now offer multiple daily flights from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
Etihad Airways operates one daily B787 Dreamliner flight between Singapore and Abu Dhabi. EY 473, the 7 hour 30 minute direct flight departs Singapore at 8.05pm and arrives in Abu Dhabi at 11.35pm. EY470, the return flight departs Abu Dhabi at 10.05pm and arrives in Singapore the next morning 9.50am. Etihad Airways is the only airline that operates direct flights between Singapore and Abu Dhabi.
And the move is expected to bolster destination awareness for other Arabian Peninsula destinations. Tourism Oman Country Manager Mona Tannous joins the regional TCA Abu Dhabi team in supporting the movement.
“Oman Tourism’s tag line has been the “best kept secret of Arabia” since 2010 as it conjures up the old world charm of what the destination embodies. The countries of the Arabian Peninsula such as the United Arab Emirates and Oman provide an unparalleled richness of experience for travellers as either a stand-alone destination or as a wider regional holiday,” said Mona Tannous.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi Voted TripAdvisor World’s Second Most Popular Landmark
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi has jumped two places to be voted world’s second most popular landmark by the TripAdvisor Community behind Machu Picchu in Peru. Last year it was voted fourth behind Angkor Wat in Cambodia and the Taj Mahal in India.
The Mosque has a capacity of 40,000 worshippers and is open to visitors who want to visit the landmark daily except Friday during prayer times. It is a marvellous sight with its 82 domes, over 1000 columns, 24 carat gold glided chandeliers and the world’s largest hand knotted carpet. The reflective pools surrounding the Mosque amplify its beauty and the unique lighting at night reflects the phases of the moon.
