18 19 - Abu Dhabi Tourism

Life in the Fast Lane
Abu Dhabi Readies for Mega Events Season
Formula One Concert Line-ups & Volvo Ocean Race Packages Revealed
Wadi Adventure: Al Ain’s Newest and Wettest Attraction!
Al Ain Aerobatic Show Gets New Dates
ISSUE 9
October 2011

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Issue 9 • October 2011
5 GL Events Open Up in Abu Dhabi
6 Al Jaber Aviation Takes Flight
8 Revealed: F1 Concerts, Yasalam Details,
Volvo Ocean Race Packages, ‘Destination
Village’ Entertainment
12 Al Ain’s Aerobatic Weekend
14 Wadi Adventure Opens in Al Ain
20 New Tour Guide Licence Rules at SZGMC
24 In Focus: Al Ain Equestrian & Golf Club
30 Brand New Park Hyatt Uncovered
34 Kennedy Restaurant: Tasty Tribute to
Pioneer Doctors*
*Images courtesy of Oasis Hospital, Al Ain
Editorial Team
Barbara Saunders Editor • Euan Megson & May Mohr Deputy Editors
Saeed Jumoh Photo Editor
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Please contact us with any feedback, news updates or article ideas via email partners@adta.ae
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Distribution
8,000 copies of Seyaha are distributed throughout the UAE and internationally through ADTA’s international offices. Seyaha is also available in
Etihad business class lounges in London, Frankfurt and Abu Dhabi.
Seyaha is also carried by Air France and Ukraine International Airlines and is distributed to every UAE embassy worldwide.
Seyaha is now available to download, as either a PDF or E-brochure, at: http://www.abudhabitourism.ae/en/portal/publications.aspx
Copyright Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.
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Editor’s
Message
Is there an opportunity
here for a specialised
tour of our iconic
buildings?
Dear industry partners
I recently addressed a gathering of Middle Eastern hoteliers which gave me the chance to explore
with them the opportunities that lie ahead in stimulating travel to our destination. With Abu Dhabi
now more competitive than ever, in terms of room rates, we are in a great position to leverage. We
all recognise it’s a tough marketplace out there with hungry entrants – and that means we have to
spread our influence. We have to look at new markets, assisted by new air routes, such as Etihad’s
planned new service from Chengdu this December and Shanghai next March, while continuing to
court those on our doorstep and our old friends.
We also have to spread the word of where we are, what we have to offer and dispel any
misconceptions. This all calls for a mindset which I call: The I Factor. I believe if we all act
Inclusively, Innovate and Inform we will have the required Impact.
Inclusiveness is the all-encompassing attitude we need to embrace – that’s the whole industry
coming together to up the ante. We, as the tourism authority, can give you support, incentives,
events and promotional opportunities but we need your buy in and need you to leverage them – we
are In this together.
We have made strides in coming together and we need to keep the momentum going. Ask
yourselves, is there more you can do to activate around our events? Is the destination featured
prominently on your websites?
We are here to listen to your imaginative ideas – those ‘I’ words again - please keep them coming.
Mubarak Hamad Al Muhairi
Director General
Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority
Dear colleagues
ADTA has been busy upgrading its destination collateral ready for the busy season ahead. We
now have ready an updated Where To Go & What To See Guide, Where To Stay Guide and Where
To Eat Guide as well as an updated Trade Brochure. You can request limited quantities via a simple
email to partners@adta.ae.
Also appearing soon at all our visitor centres are new postcard packs – including one devoted to
our expanding portfolio of iconic buildings. Featured in the pack are 12 iconic structures: Emirates
Palace; the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque; the record-busting Capital Gate Tower – the world’s
furthest leaning tower; the Aldar HQ – the Middle East’s only spherical building; Ferrari World Abu
Dhabi; The Yas Hotel – the only one in the world straddling a grand prix race track; the intriguing
al Jahili Fort in Al Ain; Maqta Fort in Abu Dhabi city; the simply stunning Qasr Al Sarab resort in
the Liwa Desert; the truly unique ‘Falcon’ clubhouse structure at Abu Dhabi Golf Club and the
remarkable Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel, which resembles a huge golden falcon perched on
the shore with its wings outstretched and is an engineering feat being one of the world’s largest tent
structures without immediate support.
Other destinations may be rich in historic buildings, we have an increasing wealth in iconic
buildings – and, of course, today’s iconic is tomorrow’s history. So it occurred to me – is there a
opportunity here for a specialised tour – that of our iconic buildings? Certainly a visit to Abu Dhabi
by my engineer brother suggests there well could be. He was ‘amazed’ at the Golf Club’s ‘Falcon,’
intrigued by Emirates Palace and simply blown away by the Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel
which he described as “an engineering work of art.” Specialised it would be because we are not all
interested in the engineering which created these structures – but the fact is that many are – just
something for enterprising operators to think about.
For any other great tour ideas – we are ready and waiting on: partners@adta.ae
Barbara Saunders
Editor
We have made strides in coming together and
we need to keep the momentum going.
GL events Makes
Abu Dhabi Debut
GL Events: Aiming to become ‘Abu Dhabi’s
leading professional conference organiser.
With offices in 25 countries and 3,500
employees worldwide, GL events, a
leading international provider of event
solutions and services, has opened an
office in Abu Dhabi and has major plans
in store for the UAE capital.
“We plan to become Abu Dhabi’s
leading professional conference organiser,
we have key international contacts in the
industry and are working to attract them
to bring their shows and conferences
here,” said Yann Roubert, Middle East
Director, GL events.
The company has an annual income
of US $ 1 billion and an events portfolio
of more than 250 B2B and B2C trade
shows in 12 sectors, including sports
events such as the FIFA World Cup, World
Rugby Club, Asian Football Cup in Qatar,
Commonwealth Games and the Bahrain
Golf Open.
GL events is looking to work
closely with Abu Dhabi’s government
departments and expand its UAE capital
office activities in line with Abu Dhabi’s
2030 vision.
“We have eight international
congresses in line for Abu Dhabi some of
which will bring up to 12,000 delegates to
the emirate,” added Roubert.
GL events’ Abu Dhabi office extends
a Middle East network which includes
Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Dubai and
represents the global company’s 90th
branch.
“The Middle East is one of our group’s
strategic growth areas and we met with
key industry representatives who gave
us great confidence in Abu Dhabi”, said
Christophe Draye, Managing Director of
GL events Middle East’s Abu Dhabi office.
According to GL events, the main
growth areas for Abu Dhabi’s event
industry are environment, energy,
transport, sports, life science and
healthcare.
“Abu Dhabi is a place where you can
link education with development and
we find there’s a need for professional
development in many areas of the
emirate’s conferences and sports events
industry, this is where we can bring our
25 years of international expertise to good
use.
“Abu Dhabi’s offering in terms of
exhibition and conference infrastructure
is already very attractive to the MICE
industry,” added Draye.
Gl-events.com
Business Tourism
The SIAL menu features
something for everyone.
Food Glorious Food
Visit SIAL, the Middle East Food
Exhibition at Abu Dhabi National
Exhibition Centre from November 21 - 23.
Expect to network with 500 exhibitors,
200 chefs and discover over 100 new
industry trends. The spotlight will be on
foodservice & QSR equipment, bake &
take, organic products and seafood. The
event also features La Cuisine du SIAL,
organised by the Emirates Culinary Guild
of Abu Dhabi where the talents of over
200 professional chefs will be showcased.
There’ll also be a Food Retail Forum
organised in co-operation with Abu Dhabi
Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
More details from TurretME@wize1.co.uk.
Expo/Conference Licensing
Goes On Line
The licence procedure for all exhibitions
and conferences held in Abu Dhabi is now
online.
Licences can be provisionally granted
for up to five years subject to annual
renewal.
Organisers looking to apply simply log
on to www.abudhabitourism.ae and click
on ‘Register’ on the top, left-hand side of
the welcome page to create a personal
account to get through to the licensing
section.
More details are available by calling
800 555 or via email on conferences@
adta.ae or exhibitions@adta.ae
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Aviation
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Al Jaber Aviation, or AJA, is the latest Abu Dhabi-based
start-up to enter the VIP aviation segment.
The company’s impressive fleet – all its aircraft are three
years old or younger - is made up of premium executive
jets at the leading edge of modern technology, while
a simple-to-master pricing structure is determined by
flying hours and overnight charges.
Ajaprivatejets.com
AJA: A premium experience
on-the-ground and in the air.
Classy Newcomer Joins
VIP Aviation Fray
AJA’s Fleet:
2 X Embraer Legacy 600 Capacity - 13 seats
5 X Embraer Lineage 1000 Capacity - 19 seats
8 X Embraer Legacy 450 / 500 Capacity - 9 seats
4 X Airbus Elite 318 Capacity - 19 seats
2 X Airbus ACJ Capacity - 32 seats
Abu Dhabi GA Expo Unveiled
The Middle East’s only exhibition dedicated to general
aviation, the Abu Dhabi GA Expo will fly into Al Bateen
Executive Airport from March 6 - 8 next year.
With the region now accounting for 10% of global
executive jet sales, the expo is designed to bring together
major general aviation players – from ultralights to
business jets - and enable customers to discover the
industry’s latest developments and innovations.
For more information, email: info@adairexpo.com
abudhabiairexpo.com
From Our National Airline
Our Great Haul From China
An uplift in hotel guest numbers from China is on the
cards as our home-based, award-winning airline Etihad
Airways plans to add to its existing flights from Beijing
with four, non-stop services a week from Chengdu,
China’s south-west economic hub, from December 15 and
a non-stop daily service from Shanghai from March 1.
Etihad Airways will also launch four weekly nonstop
return services from Dusseldorf in Germany on
December 16, before increasing flights to daily in April
2012. The new route will see the airline’s flight frequency
from Germany rise to 25 times weekly from Munich,
Frankfurt and Dusseldorf.
Getting To Abu Dhabi Has Never Been Easier!
And Etihad Airways passengers from France can
now book rail-air connections to Abu Dhabi from
over 20 French cities thanks to the airline’s signing
of a codeshare deal with SNCF, the French Railways
company. The agreement includes connections from
Bordeaux, Le Mans, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes,
Rennes and Strasbourg.
More From Saudi Arabia
Also on the cards are increasing Etihad flights from
Etihad Airways: Making news in China,
Germany, France and KSA.
the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh to Abu Dhabi from
eight times weekly to 13, starting October 30th.
The upgraded schedule will complement the awardwinning
UAE national carrier’s other Saudi services –
13 flights a week from both Jeddah and Dammam.
Etihadairways.com
Czech Mate
CSA – the Czech airline - is now flying
non-stop, four times a week from
Prague to Abu Dhabi International using
an Airbus A319.
czechairlines.com
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Cover Feature
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Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
As Yas Marina Circuit prepares to
host Abu Dhabi’s third Formula One
event, a host of after-race concerts
and sideline entertainment schedules
have been revealed that will ensure
motor-sport mania takes over the
emirate in November. Running under
the mantle of ‘Yasalam’, the threepillared
entertainment activation is
driven by live music on the Corniche
and on Yas Island.
Top of the Pops: A world-class line-up will perform
during Abu Dhabi’s third Grand Prix weekend.
Over the forthcoming season, a string of major events – from sporting spectacles and concert
headline-grabbers to industry-specific conferences – will roll out across Abu Dhabi emirate.
Without any doubt, two of the biggest draws will be the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi
Grand Prix (November 11 - 13) and the historic hosting of the Volvo Ocean Race fleet on New
Year’s Eve, which will kick-off a fortnight of sailing-related extravaganza all over the UAE capital.
Seyaha finds out what to expect...
Beats on the Beach
The music festival is not limited to Yas Island, and
there is an extended schedule of international artists
performing on a specially-constructed stage on the
Corniche – right in the heart of the capital. All events in
the Yasalam area of the Corniche are free-to-the-public,
with entry based on a first-come, first-served system.
Running October 14 –
November 13, the cosmopolitan
Beats on the Beach line-up
includes: British DJ Fatboy Slim,
American superstar Wyclef
Jean, R’n’B sensation Jay Sean,
Lebanese icon Najwa Karam
and Tunisian singer Saber
Robai, amongst others.
ROLL UP, ROLL UP!
After-Race Concerts
Taking place in the purpose-built venue in between
Yas Marina Circuit and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the
following acts are free-to-enter with a regular Abu
Dhabi Grand Prix weekend pass.
11.11.11 – Pop princess Britney Spears will make her
first Abu Dhabi performance after pre-race practise.
12.11.11 – Post-qualifying on Yas Marina Circuit
track, British hard rock act, The Cult, will open for
Incubus, the American rock giants.
13.11.11 – Rock royalty, Sir Paul McCartney, will
close out Grand Prix weekend with his first-ever UAE
performance. This one will be huge!
For more information about
Yasalam and all its subsidiary
events, visit: yasalam.ae
To book tickets for the Abu
Dhabi Grand Prix, visit:
yasmarinacircuit.com
Seyaha’s Top Yasalam Picks
The show-stopping after-race concerts and Beats
on the Beach line-up aside, here are our top three
Yasalam activities.
1 - Cinema by the Sea: From October 31 to
November 3, Al Sahil Beach on Abu Dhabi Corniche
will be transformed into a huge, open-air movie
venue. The remarkable documentary ‘Senna’ – which
chronicles the life and death of arguably the mostrevered
driver in F1 history – will be screened publicly
for the first time.
2 - TROPFEST Arabia: The world’s biggest short film
festival is coming to the Middle East for the first time!
A celebrity film panel will judge the best entries from
scores of regional contributors.
3 - Cut&Paste Abu Dhabi: On November 7, the
world’s most creative artists will face-off in a unique
‘live design battle’. Quite simply, Abu Dhabi has never
seen anything like this...
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Making Waves: The Destination Village will
feature family-friendly nautical-themed
activities, as well as traditional Emirati
entertainment.
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Volvo
Ocean Race Abu Dhabi Gets
Even before the fleet sets sail, Abu Dhabi’s staging of
a Volvo Ocean Race stopover – the first in Middle East
history - has already had a positive halo effect on the
domestic travel, marine and hospitality sectors. According
to in-depth research based on outcomes achieved at
other host ports, ADTA anticipates that around 100,000
spectators will flock to the host Destination Village, with
an additional 150,000 expected to be engaged with the
event over that period.
To date, more than 4,500 hotel nights have been booked
by visiting teams, organisers and partners with a further
6,500 currently reserved for the event.
In addition, the event has spurred sailing interest
with international sailing academies hoping to set-up
permanent training facilities in the UAE capital over
the coming months, while local charter companies are
receiving strong interest for boat and yacht rentals around
the two-week stopover, as people look to get on the water
to watch the race and spend time berthed at many of the
emirate’s industry-leading marinas.
Volvooceanraceabudhabi.com
‘Life At The Extreme’
As part of Abu Dhabi’s huge two-week activation
plan for hosting the Volvo Ocean Race this New
Year, it has been confirmed that Volvo’s ‘Life at
the Extreme’ activity centre is the latest attraction
coming to the purpose-built ‘Destination Village’ on
the breakwater opposite the Corniche.
Running daily at the Destination Village, which
will host a wealth of free activities to celebrate
the race from December 31st 2011 – 14th January
2012, ‘Life at the Extreme’ includes rides and
entertainment that allow fans to experience the
‘Everest of Sailing’ at first-hand.
Top attractions include: ‘The Ride’, a state-ofthe-art
simulator that gives the feeling of being
onboard a Volvo Open 70 yacht at speed in extreme
conditions whilst being bombarded by strong winds
and spray; ‘The Dome’, a 40-person interactive
3D cinema; ‘The Grinding Challenge’, where
participants can pit their strength against their
friends on the pedestal grinders which the crews use
onboard Volvo Open 70s; and ‘Air Balls’, which gives
kids the chance to ‘run’ on water.
PACKAGES FINALISED
Tailored packages for Abu Dhabi’s stop-over hosting
of the Volvo Ocean Race are now available. The
competitive packages, which cover both four- and
five-star hotel options, have been split into two distinct
product concepts: ‘New Year’s Eve Experience’ and
‘Racing Experience’.
1) VOR: New Year’s Eve Experience
• Airport meet and greet
• Premium limo return airport transfer
• 4 nights accommodation (four- or five-star, including
breakfast)
• Volvo Ocean Race ‘Active Abu Dhabi Card’
• Sunset Dhow Cruise
• Access ticket to the New Year’s Eve concert
• Commemorative gift from Abu Dhabi stop-over
*First 100 to book will receive VIP access to the ADTA pavilion
2) VOR: Racing Experience
• Airport meet and greet
• Premium limo return airport transfer
• Volvo Ocean Race ‘Active Abu Dhabi Card’
• Access to VOR Hospitality Marquee for the race
weekend (12 / 13 / 14)
• Daily return transfers to Volvo Ocean Race Village
• 4 nights accommodation (four- or five-star, including
breakfast)
• Commemorative gift from Abu Dhabi stop-over
*First 100 to book will receive VIP access to the ADTA pavilion
Flight costs will be added from the ‘point of origin’ to
the package cost; full package details and prices can be
found at www.volvooceanraceabudhabi.com
All packages also include an ‘Active Abu Dhabi’ card –
a specially-created initiative where patrons can pick and
choose optional ‘tours’ of their choice at a host of Abu
Dhabi’s leading attractions and leisure operators with a
pre-paid card. It’s the perfect way to see the UAE capital
at your own pace!
For more information, email: travel@
volvooceanraceabudhabi.com
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Events
Show-stopper: The annual Al Ain Aerobatics
Show is one of the Oasis City’s leading events.
Aerobatics
displays provide
fun for all ages.
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Eyes on
Al Ain’s Skies feature
Al Ain Aerobatic Show – the Oasis City’s annual
aerobatics extravaganza – will next year be held over the
December UAE National Day weekend. The move away
from the traditional January date will allow visitors to
travel to Al Ain for a long weekend break taking in the
show and the other attractions in this city which has
been inscribed as a UNESCO Heritage Site for its rich
archaeological and historic treasures.
The 2012 event marks the show’s 10th anniversary
and will take place from Friday 30 November to Sunday
2 December at Al Ain International Airport. It will
an exciting daily programme of daring aircraft
aerobatics and an activity-packed spectator village.
Special weekend packages are being put together by
the event organisers.
Keep your eyes on future issues of Seyaha for
details on acts, performers and family-friendly sideline
entertainment in the spectator village, but here’s one
spoiler we don’t mind giving away: year 10 promises to
bring the biggest and most exciting show yet!
alainaerobaticshow.com
New Home For Abu Dhabi Art
Abu Dhabi Art, a boutique-style platform that brings
together the world’s foremost collectors, connoisseurs
and artists, returns for a third outing at Manarat Al
Saadiyat on Saadiyat Island from November 16 - 19.
Much of the new concept art fair, which combines
Western, Eastern and Middle Eastern influences, will
be housed in the iconic UAE Pavilion – a Lord Norman
Foster-designed structure that was originally built for
the World Expo in Shanghai last year. The reconstructed
pavilion, which will now be permanently on Saadiyat,
will be the focal point of four days of events at Manarat
Al Saadiyat - Abu Dhabi’s purpose-built, multi-use, art
exhibition space.
Fifty international galleries from the Middle East,
Asia, Europe and the United States, many of which
have never exhibited in the UAE before, will take part
in a series of unique exhibitions, while multi-media
performances, educational presentations and exclusive
tours and events complete the fair’s schedule.
Building on its public outreach agenda, Tourism
Development & investment Company (TDIC), the event
organiser, will share the event experience with the
people of the UAE by placing several exhibition pieces in
outdoor public spaces.
Aside from the eye-catching international offerings,
this year’s event sees the return of Emirati Expressions
- the second edition in a series of exhibitions supported
by local artists. Running from 19 October through to 28
January, the exhibitions aim to position Emirati artists at
the core of the Saadiyat Cultural District institutions and
to nurture and support their talents through active and
continuous interaction with world art experts.
This year’s Emirati Expressions focus is photography,
with Stephen Shore - the renowned US artist - offering
artistic direction to 10 Emirati artists practicing in the
medium. Look for pieces exploring Emirati cultural
heritage and others that examine the place of Emirati art
in the global arena.
In addition to the works of the 10 Emirati
photographers, Emirati Expressions 2011 will show
some of Stephen Shore’s beautiful, TDIC-commissioned
photographs of Abu Dhabi. Other highlights include the
works of photographer JR, known for his larger than life
photographic installations in public places, as well as
Tarek Al Ghoussein, photographer and Professor of the
American University of Sharjah, whose work has been
exhibited extensively and collected by museums all over
the world.
Tour operators looking to organise group trips to Abu
Dhabi Art should contact Manarat Al Saadiyat on +971 2
6575800 or manaratalsaadiyat@tdic.ae
Abudhabiartfair.ae
Seyaha Fact: Abu Dhabi Art attracted over
17,000 visitors in 2010
Roll Out The Red Carpet
Abu Dhabi Film Festival (ADFF) runs for the fifth
consecutive year from October 13 - 22 and will screen
more than 200 films from 43 countries.
Held at the beachfront, five-star Fairmont Bab Al
Bar, the festival opens with Canada’s Oscar foreign
film contender, Monsieur Lazhar- the story of an Arab
man trying to find acceptance as a substitute teacher
in Quebec – and will feature a fascinating selection
of regional and international features, shorts and
documentaries.
Screenings will also take place at Abu Dhabi Theatre
on the Corniche and Marina Mall’s VOX Cinemas at
Marina Mall.
Shhh... Rumor has it that Viggo Mortensen and
Woody Harrelson will be in town to promote their
festival showings Dangerous Method and Rampart.
abudhabifilmfestival.ae
A List: Viggo
Mortensen (left)
and Woody
Harrelson are
expected at ADFF
2011.
Going global:
More than 50
international
galleries will
take part in Abu
Dhabi Art.
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Leisure Tourism
Leave the torch at home: Night
golf on ADGC’s Garden Course.
families, it is only a 90 minute drive from
Dubai and Abu Dhabi city,” says Bouazza.
Spanning 126,000 square metres, this
first-of-its-kind project leverages on the
great scenery of the rocky Jebel Hafeet,
offering a dramatic backdrop to the project. ADGC Gets
Lessons are provided by certified trainers for all levels
of competency, guests can bring their own equipment or
rent or buy gear from the resort’s retail outlet.
Wadi Adventure features three world-class Garden Lights
Wadi Adventure is the region’s first man-made white water rafting, kayaking and surf facility built in the
foothills of the majestic Jebel Hafeet – Abu Dhabi’s highest peak.
The resort offers a range of adventure sports and family activities, ensuring there’s something for
whitewater rafting and kayaking runs with a combined
length of 1,133 metres, a surf pool capable of producing
3.3 metre-high waves every 90 seconds, a 127-metre- & Sand Traps
beginners and experts set in a safe and monitored environment.
long pool, a kids’ splash pool and a man-made beach
“Wadi Adventure is ideal for a fun-filled day out or a weekend getaway for adventure seekers and stretch with its own private cabanas.
Abu Dhabi Golf Club, home of the annual European PGA
“While watersport activities are the resort’s main Tour sanctioned Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship
attractions, they are by no means the only experiences running for the seventh time this January has launched
on offer: the resort also features a rope course, wall its new floodlight Night Golf on the Garden Course
climbing and zip line activities,” adds Bouazza.
(holes 19 to 27).
The less adventurous can relax at the family pool, The nine-hole course is now floodlit by 191 lights on
enjoy the wave pool or soak in the panoramic scenery 65 poles, which in produce maximum illmination and
while having a meal at the resort’s restaurant.
excellent conditions for an optimum experience on every
Featuring a large multifunction hall for weddings and hole.
special occasions that can take up to 3,000 guests, the In addition, each bunker has been renovated to
resort’s world-class facilities are also equipped to host enhance course appearance, while new fairway lines
international water sport tournaments.
and improved landscaping deliver enhanced overall
An adjoining hotel is also planned to host regional playability.
and international visitors.
“The refurbishment raises the quality of each hole. So
Set to be operational all year round, Wadi Adventure far the changes look fantastic,” said Andrew Whittaker,
also caters for corporate team building activities, private Course Superintendent.
events and offers ladies-only special timings.
Four new bunkers have been added to test both
tamouh.com
beginner and seasoned golfers, new tees on holes 20,
22 and 26 add a further 76 yards to the Garden’s overall
length, which now stands at 3,341 yards.
All in the name: It’s wet and wild -
it’s Wadi Adventure!
Adgolfclub.com
14 15

Hotels
Islamic
Treasures: Miraj
will house pieces
sourced from all
over the Muslim
world.
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Miraj Islamic Centre
Opens In UAE Capital
Miraj, CIE Group’s second Islamic art gallery, is set
in a two-storey villa behind the upscale Abu Dhabi
Marina area. The centre features museum-like displays
of unique Islamic art pieces sourced from around the
Muslim world from places like Egypt, Syria, Iran, India
Iraq, Kashmir and Russia. Displays include meticulously
hand woven pictorial and bejewelled carpets, silk
textiles, jewellery, marble pieces, Arabic calligraphy
engraved vases, miniature paintings and experienced
staff is on hand to brief visitors on the history and origin
of the pieces and the techniques used in making them.
“Already we are projecting expansion to a bigger
Abu Dhabi venue in two years,” explained Imtiyaz
Beigh, Marketing Manager, Miraj Islamic Art Centre,
“Abu Dhabi’s ambitions to be a destination for tourism,
culture and arts are spectacular and it is the obvious
place for us to be.
“Islamic art is rich and diverse due to Islam’s
presence in the Middle East, Asia and Europe and we
are here to take visitor on a journey through this rich
heritage and educate them on the art and legacy of
Islamic societies.”
Miraj is offering visitors a complementary pick-up
and drop-off service from their hotels as well as welcome
refreshments, Arabic Qahwah (cardamom coffee) and
dates to groups of over 50 guests.
“Guests can contact us through their hotel concierge
service and we will send a luxury car within 20 minutes
to bring them to Miraj and take them back after their
visit,” explained Beigh. The centre, which also features
a rooftop café with panoramic views of Emirates Palace
and the Arabian Gulf, is open daily from 9am-7pm.
Entrance is free.
More info from Imtiyaz Beigh on +971 50 2503950
A Royal Play
Kids now get to enjoy a royal treatment while staying in
style with their parents at Emirates Palace.
‘The Palace kids Programme’ offers kids fun activities
such as ‘The Magical Journey’ house tour, special f&b
menu treats in addition to a dedicated check-in and
check-out area with welcome bags upon arrival.
A Palace Kids Ambassador is also available to assist
them during their stay.
Do Feed The Animals At Al Ain Zoo!
Giraffe feeding, camel riding and ‘Elezba’ petting zoo are
the latest interactive activities at Al Ain Zoo, the UAE’s
premier wildlife destination.
Visitors can now enjoy feeding the giraffe treats
such as carrots or lettuce five times daily in a specially
allocated area.
Designed in the style of a local farm, ‘Elezba’ petting
zoo lets families feed and play with sheep, goats, camels,
llamas, chicken and ducks, enjoy camel riding or simply
picnic in the farm’s designated area.
‘Elezba’ is open daily from 11am to 8pm, while tickets
for the giraffe feeding experience can be bought at a
designated kiosk.
Al Ain Zoo is open daily from 9am to 8pm.
Awpr.ae
Cruising To A Temporary Home
Abu Dhabi now has a specially-commissioned
cruise terminal at Mina Zayed which is capable of
accommodating 1,300 passengers at any one time.
The temporary, tented facility on the site of the
former ADTA visitor information centre and designed to
cater for the 2011 / 2012 and 2012 / 2013 cruise seasons,
spans some 2,000 square metres and comprises two
dedicated halls – one a luggage-handling facility; the
other a passenger centre complete with a waiting
lounge, security section, prayer rooms, offices, visitor
information centre, currency exchange, as well as
customs and immigration facilities.
The terminal is this season home to the luxury MSC
Lirica which is embarking from there on a schedule of
eight day/seven night cruises around the Arabian Gulf.
The MSC Lirica has a capacity for 2,199 guests in 784
cabins.
In line with its long-term cruise ambitions, ADTA,
which has an industry target of securing 300 ships
and over 600,000 passengers a year by 2030, hopes to
construct a permanent, purpose-built cruise terminal at
Mina Zayed and a technical feasibility study has been
commissioned.
Msccruises.com
Abu Dhabi’s new temporary cruise
terminal can accommodate 1,300
guests at one time.
Leisure Tourism
Dinner Time: Feeding offers visitors a
memorable experience at Al Ain Zoo.
17

Where to find us in 2012
Next year, ADTA will mount pavilions at no less than 16 exhibitions in 12 countries and we’d love you to join us.
We’ll be backing every participation with advertising and pro-active public relations and will activate the pavilion
to ensure it attracts visitors.
We’ve put together this handy wall-map of our exhibitions so you can pin it up in the office and have ready
access to the information. To sign up to partner us at any of these events, please contact: Anoud Khalifa on
akhalifa@adta.ae
No. Exhibition Location Date Focus Website
1 SATTE Delhi, India 10-12 Feb Leisure www.satte.org
2 BIT Milan, Italy 16-19 Feb Leisure www.bit.fieramilano.it
3 ITB Berlin, Germany 07-11 March Leisure www.itb-berlin.de
4 GIBTM Abu-Dhabi, UAE 26-28 March MICE www.gibtm.com
5 ATM Dubai, UAE 30 Apr - 03 May Leisure www.arabiantravelmarket.com
6 IMEX Frankfurt, Germany 22-24 May MICE www.imex-frankfurt.com
7 KOTFA Korea June Leisure www.kotfa.co.kr
8 AIBTM Baltimore, USA 19-21 Jun MICE www.aibtm.com
9 CIBTM Beijing, China 12-14 Sep. MICE www.cibtm.travel
10 ADIHEX Abu-Dhabi, UAE Sep. Leisure www.adihex.net
11 Top Resa Paris, France 18-21 Sep. Leisure www.topresa.com
12 Leisure Moscow, Russia Sep. Leisure www.tourismexpo.ru
13 JATA Tokyo, Japan 20-23 Sep. Leisure www.jata-wtf.com
14 ITB Asia Singapore, Asia 3-5 Oct. Leisure www.itb-asia.com
15 CITM Kunming, China Oct. Leisure www.citm.com.cn
16 WTM London, UK 5-8 Nov. Leisure www.wtmlondon.com
18 Seya Seya 19

Industry Buzz
20
New Tour Guide Rules
at Zayed Grand Mosque
In a bid to enhance its cultural and educational tourism
offering, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (SZGMC) –
our most popular visitor attraction according to our
international visitor survey - has introduced a new set of
procedures to govern registered tour operators and tour
guides operating on site.
The mosque, which is the UAE’s largest, currently
offers 23 ‘walk-in’ public tour slots a week at prearranged
times, as well as Culture Guides for pre-booked
group or VIP tours.
Now external tour guides will need to have the
relevant credentials to operate at the mosque – even if
they, individually or as a company, have an ADTA-issued
tourist guide licence. Here’s how to apply:
Step One
Visit the SZGMC Visitor Services Team and provide them
with:
• Photocopy of a valid UAE issued Tourist Guide licence
• Photocopy of passport and residency
• Complete contact detail form
• Sign SZGMC Tourist Guides Code of Conduct
Step Two
Registered tourist guides will need to attend a
complimentary one-day workshop in the SZGMC within
four months of initial registration. The workshops will be
held every fortnight and dates will be published on the
SZGMC website.
For more information, visit: szgmc.ae/en/toursbooking-form
New procedures
will improve the
SZGMC visitor
experience.
SZGMC is the
emirate’s most
popular attraction.
21

Industry Buzz
There’s nothing
sketchy about
our plans for
a new Visitor
Centre.
22
On The Cards
For 2012
ADTA will open a purpose-built visitor centre on the main Dubai-Abu
Dhabi highway next year. The centre, which will be a stop-off point for
visitors heading to the UAE capital, will open in the final quarter of
2012 and will be open daily 10am-5pm.
A full range of destination collateral and brochures will be available
round-the-clock at the centre, while visitors will also be able to enjoy
traditional Arabic coffee and dates during regular opening hours.
In other visitor centre news, our re-modelled station at Al Jahili
Fort in Al Ain is now up and running, with the refurbished site now
featuring fully-fitted meeting room facilities. Designed to manage the
information requests of inquisitive visitors, Seyaha believes the Al
Jahili centre is the ideal location for tour operators and agents to come
and sit with ADTA staff and discuss potential package itineraries in
and around the Oasis City.
Remember, Al Ain now has four UNESCO World Heritage listed
sites to discover!
For more information on ADTA’s visitor centres, or to arrange
a tour of the Al Jahili site, contact: ADTA’s Saeed Al Dhaheri on
saldhaheri@adta.ae
A mall for all occasions.
Mushrif Mall Opens
The UAE capital has another retail
megaplex with the opening of Mushrif
Mall. On the city’s main Airport Road,
just five minutes drive from Abu Dhabi
National Exhibition Centre, the mall is an
expansive, three-floor complex with an
offering for all customers levels.
With its mix of shopping, dining,
leisure and entertainment, Mushrif
Mall has more than 200 shops offering
everything from luxury fashion to
electronic goods and furniture and the
Middle East’s biggest food court featuring
the first Jimmy’s Killer Prawns brand in
Abu Dhabi.
Mushrifmall.com
Abu Dhabi grabs bite of Big Apple.
Adta Moves Stateside
With ADTA’s US office in New York due to
open in Q1 next year, we’ve taken our first
steps in the North American market with
the appointment of our on-the-ground US
team.
Let’s meet who’s spreading the word
for us Stateside:
• Kershing Goh, Country Manager,
kgoh@adta.ae
• Paul McDonagh, Trade and MICE
Executive, pmcdonagh@adta.ae
• Shone Jemmott, PR and Brand
Executive, sjemmott@adta.ae
• Jennifer Glantz, Admin Co-ordinator,
jglantz@adta.ae
Seyaha gets Jumeirah newsstand.
Seyaha Gets Jumeirah
Seal Of Approval
As the five-star Jumeirah at Etihad Towers readies to open on November 1,
the newest addition to Abu Dhabi city’s glistening, ultra-modern skyline has
thrown its support behind Seyaha.
Copies of the magazine will be available in the eye-catching property’s
45th floor Club Executive Lounge - that offers breakfast, light snacks,
hors d’oeuvres, desserts and complimentary beverages. Open 24 hours,
the prestigious lounge comprises shower suites and changing rooms, an
internet lounge, a business centre with four meeting rooms, all equipped
with state-of-the-art technology, video conferencing facilities and high speed
connectivity.
Guests staying in the Club Tower, Club Deluxe, Club Grand Deluxe Rooms
and Tower, Etihad, Sky and Royal Etihad Suites receive exclusive service and
access to the Club Executive Lounge.
It all sounds like the ideal setting to sit back with Seyaha and get the
inside-track on what’s going on around the emirate.
To order copies of Seyaha for your hotel’s executive areas, please contact
May Mohr on mmohr@adta.ae
23

Having recently returned to its original moniker,
Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club
(AESGC) – a lush, sporting haven nestled under
the Oasis City’s imposing Jebel Hafeet heights
– offers members and guests a wide variety
of activities. As well as having Al Ain’s only 18hole
golf course, AESGC is awash with stables,
shooting ranges and is even home to a trio of
carpet-like rugby pitches. With a five-star hotel
under construction, this is one address you’ll be
hearing a lot more of. Seyaha investigates…
OASIS
SPORTS
Special Feature
24 25

Special Feature
Bunkers, Beasts & Bullets
26
Golf
Originally opened as a nine-hole facility in 2007, it was a
further two years before Peter Forrester, AESGC’s Course
Superintendent, put the finishing touches on a water
hazard-filled back nine. To ensure a consistent challenge,
the front nine was upgraded with new bunkers and
landscaping over the summer; the result is a compelling,
visually scenic, yet relatively short Par 71 challenge.
The fact that Al Ain’s first ‘green’ course isn’t
championship-standard length - coupled with the four
tee options that bring water in to play on 12 - means it
is a stern but decidedly conquerable test for seasoned
veterans of the game and weekend golfers alike.
“The course is in the best condition I have ever seen
it in and the upgrading work has really enhanced its
accessibility and playability,” says Gavin Chappell, the
club’s Head Golf Professional.
An early measure of the course improvements comes
when AESGC hosts the final round of the maiden MENA
Golf Tour, a new regional series, from October 17 - 19.
“It is, without doubt, the largest tournament we have
staged at the club,” adds Gavin. “We’ll have the cream
of the regional crop here and it’s exciting that the Tour’s
debut champion will be crowned in Al Ain – it’s a great
coup for the club and for golf in the city.”
To complement the 18-hole mainstay, there is also a
floodlit, nine-hole, par three Academy Course. “We’re
the only place you can play night golf in Al Ain – it is one
of our key selling points,” continues Gavin.
For information on tee-times, prices and to make
bookings, email: golf@aesgc.ae.
Aesgc.ae
F&B
The Palm Greens Restaurant is a 90-cover outlet
with mouth-watering, Stone Grill-cooked steaks
and lamb chops to satisfy any post-golf stomach
rumbles, while the all-new VIP Sports Bar is a great
place to hang out and catch your favourite team do
its thing.
EXTRAS
1) Play the Middle East’s Longest Hole!
At an astonishing 678 yards off the back tees,
Hole 10 is officially the Middle East’s longest par
five challenge. Originally conceived as a headlinegrabbing
par six – there are only around 50 such
holes in the world – the back nine’s opening test is
a daunting challenge distance-wise, while several
hazards ensure accuracy and length share top-ofmind
for those on the tee.
2) Chappell’s Top Three Holes
10: This epic par five is as tough as it is long!
12: A relatively short par four is complicated by
a small stream that borders the front of the green.
Perhaps go up a club…?
16: Another makeable par four has water running
all the way down the right of the fairway. Not a good
place to slice it!
Tour Operator Tips
• With Hole 10, large corporate incentives eyeing
golf-based trips to the emirate for their clients have
a ready-made ‘Longest Drive’ challenge. What better
way to ramp up competition than a mini contest to
find a company’s biggest hitter on the Middle East’s
longest par five…?
• AESGC is committed to working with tour
operators and travel agents and endeavours to offer
‘competitive’ rates. Tour operators interested in
discussing potential package ideas should contact
Gavin Chappell at gavin@aesgc.ae
Shooting
The most recent addition to AESGC, the Shooting Club
has excellent facilities and is considered the UAE’s best
in terms of Olympic and ISSF (International Shooting
Sport Federation) standards.
The club offers a wide range of facilities, including:
25m Pistol range, 50m Rifle range and 10m Air Pistol
and Rifle ranges. All ranges are equipped with an
electronic scoring system. Elsewhere, there are four
ranges for the clay shooting disciplines of skeet, trap
and double trap.
F&B
The all-new Shooters Restaurant serves a mix
of well-priced global cuisine, while Target Café
is a casual, low-key eatery selling snacks and
refreshments.
Taking Aim: AESGC has an abundance of shooting options.
27

Special Feature
The Equestrian
Club’s stables
accommodate up
to 155 horses.
28
Equestrian
Launched back in 2007, the Equestrian Club is AESGC’s
traditional heart and soul in terms of usage by both
Al Ain residents and visitors. Numerous stables
accommodate up to 155 horses, while supporting
facilities include an outdoor arena made of sandblast
- one of the best surfaces to learn and ride on – four
surface arenas, 15 sand paddocks, three specialised
horse walkers and a 3,000-metre international-standard
race track. An indoor arena is on its way and there is
also an 80-metre swimming pool.
A huge attraction for visitors is the club’s unrivalled
lessons programme. With expert horseback riding
tuition for children and adults of all levels, the centre’s
riding academy is unlike any other training facility in
the UAE in that it offers students of all ages a wide range
of riding disciplines to choose from. Simply show up,
then saddle up!
F&B
Al Rikab Bar & Restaurant offers sumptuous
Lebanese cuisine in an environment that is perfect
for all occasions - from candle light dinners to
corporate events and parties.
F&B
Tuck into delicious, hearty food at The Ambler
Bar & Restaurant. Prices range from AED60 - 150
(US$16.50 - 41) for a three-course meal with a drink.
Fairway views: The 215-room Millennium Golf
Resort Hotel will open its doors in 2013.
Millennium Golf
Resort Hotel
Scheduled to open in Q1 2013, the Millennium Golf
Resort Hotel will house 215 well-appointed luxury suites
and 60 luxury chalets. In terms of F&B, the hotel will
have two of Al Ain’s finest restaurants where diners can
expect specialty menus, theme interiors and exquisite
service.
In addition to a swimming pool and a full range of
fitness and gymnasium facilities, the property will also
feature a spa and business centre.
The General Manager’s Perspective:
On hosting international events: “They are a key
element in our growth strategy. To increase AESGC’s
domestic and international exposure, we are aiming
to host one international or regional championship at
every one of AESGC’s clubs every year.”
On increasing market share: “Hotels and their guests
need activities; we have those in abundace and are
actively exploring ways to attract leisure-minded visitors
staying in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi city or other emirates.”
On improving the local community: “We are the
only venue in Al Ain to offer so many sports options, as
well as exemplary teaching professionals from America,
South Africa, Europe and Asia.”
His Excellency Mohammed Rashid Al Nasseri.
29

Hotels
Park Life
There’s big hype surrounding new hotel
openings on the much anticipated Saadiyat
Beach District on Saadiyat Island. Park Hyatt is
one of the five-star resorts scheduled to open
later this year. Seyaha takes a closer look at
what the resort has to offer.
Surrounded by seven hectares of landscaped gardens
and soothing water features, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi
comes across as a contemporary resort, with subtle
Arabian design touches.
The hotel features 306 rooms, suites and villas each
with a private balcony or terrace offering exceptional
views of Saadiyat Beach, the golf club or the hotel
gardens. All villas, beach suites and garden suites are
equipped with special water features and refreshing
open-air jet pools, offering guests a private, residential
ambience in a secluded, serene and relaxing retreat.
Each room has a private balcony, and a spacious,
open-plan bathroom with an oversized stand-alone bath
tub and dedicated rain shower area. State-of-the-art
equipment such as motion sensors that automatically
regulate temperature and lighting, 42-inch LED TVs and
iPod docking stations are available in all rooms.
The resort is adjacent to the famous Saadiyat Beach
Golf Club, 20 minutes away from Abu Dhabi National
Exhibition Centre and Abu Dhabi International Airport.
The hotel is currently working towards getting a LEED
certification for sustainability.
Relax at Atarmia Spa.
DINE
Abu Dhabi’s culinary offering has never been better
and more varied. With more dining outlets scheduled to
open at Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, visitors and guests will be
spoilt for choice.
The hotel offers a wide selection of cuisines
complemented with unrestricted views of Saadiyat
Beach and the beautifully landscaped hotel gardens.
The contemporary, two-storey The Park Bar & Grill
offers both lounge and dining options where grills will be
served from a theatrical show kitchen.
The Café is the hotel’s stylish all-day-dining
restaurant serving Arabic specialities and featuring an
impressive show kitchen with a large wood-burning
oven. Lunch and dinner offer a choice from a large
selection of Middle Eastern hot and cold mezzeh.
The Beach House is home to Mediterranean cuisine
served along with great views of Saadiyat Beach, making
it an ideal place to watch the sun set over the Arabian
Gulf.
Library is Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi’s contemporary
loft-style lounge, serving selected teas, Barista coffee
specialities, home-made Western and Arabic pastries
and grand cru chocolates.
Landscaped gardens and water features add
to the breathtaking views of Saadiyat Beach.
RELAX
The hotel’s Atarmia Spa promises to take guests on
a sensory journey of ancient Arabia. Offering resultsorientated
treatments, Atarmia Spa features nine large
rooms, including a VIP couples treatment room, three rooms
with private outdoor terraces, each equipped with its own
rain shower. The spa features indoor and outdoor relaxation
spaces spread over three levels with separate areas for ladies
and gentlemen.
WORK
Meeting facilities can accommodate board meetings, large
conferences or social gatherings. The hotel has 11 flexible-
indoor and outdoor- meeting rooms.
CELEBRATE
The Residence -UAE’s first residential-style, multifunctional
event facility – is set on the hotel’s lobby level and
consists of five individually styled event rooms, The Kitchen,
The Dining Room, The Majilis, The Drawing Room and The
Living Room -all surrounding an inner courtyard where
coffee breaks and meals can be freshly prepared and served.
The Residence can accommodate from 5 to up to 200 guests.
Park.hyatt.com
The Café all-dining-restaurant serves
delectable Arabic specialties.
30 31

St. Regis will be
housed in the
Nations Towers
on Abu Dhabi
Corniche.
Towering Luxury
St. Regis, one of the world’s most exclusive hospitality
brands, is serious about luxury and is also serious about
Abu Dhabi.
The group is to have its second property in the
emirate - The St. Regis Abu Dhabi - in the Nation
Towers’ mixed-use development on Abu Dhabi Corniche
due for completion next year.
Overlooking the clear waters of the Arabian Gulf, the
hotel will be close to the city’s business district. Guests
will enjoy St. Regis’ signature customised service and its
world-famous, round-the-clock St. Regis Butler Service.
It will have 281 luxurious guest rooms, including 56
suites, an array of dining outlets, including a restaurant
in the connecting bridge linking the two towers, state-ofthe-art
meeting and event facilities and a 3,000 square
metre health club with an outdoor swimming pool.
Guests will also have access to an adjacent beach club
operated by Starwood.
Keep a track of the project in upcoming editions of
Seyaha.
Stregis.com
Viceroy In Pole Position at The Yas Hotel
The Viceroy Hotel Group, the prestigious US-based
hotel group, has been appointed to operate Abu Dhabi’s
iconic, five-star The Yas Hotel - the only property in the
world to straddle a Formula 1 track.
Having been operated by Aldar Hotels and Hospitality
since opening in 2009, the 499-room Yas Viceroy Hotel
will be the first non-Americas based property in Viceroy’s
roster of high-end resorts.
The chain is also slated to operate a 250-room
hotel, the Viceroy Abu Dhabi, on Sowwah Island, the
new financial district development taking shape just
10 minutes drive from the city’s pristine Corniche
beachfront.
Yashotel.com
And The Winner Of The First Biltmore
Outside North America Is…
Yes, you’ve guessed. The world-famous Biltmore Hotel,
where the first Oscars awards ceremony was held, has
confirmed that its first property outside of North America
will be in the UAE capital.
Information and details are few and far between, but
the five-star luxury brand has promised to stick to the
Hollywood theme that has underlined its glamorous
international reputation down the years.
Rotana Expands International
Sales Offices
The Rotana Group, one of the Middle East’s fastest
expanding hotel brands, has opened new Outbound
Sales Offices in China, India and Russia – taking the
company’s international sales office presence to 12.
Rotana, eager to capitalise on four new properties it is
scheduled to open in the emirate next year,
“China, India and Russia are key feeder markets for
Rotana - it is important for us to grow the stature of
our brand to increase our share of outbound business
and leisure travelleres,” said Omer Kaddouri, Rotana’s
Executive Vice President & COO.
With all three territories recording double-digit
growth outbound tourist growth in 2010 – Russia saw
a staggering 34 per cent increase – Kaddouri added:
“The main responsibilities of these new offices will be to
promotion, marketing and sales; these strategic offices
are key enablers in expanding our brand reach and
awareness in core growth markets.”
Three of Rotana’s new Abu Dhabi properties are
prominent developments in the Capital Centre hub next
to Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC),
which will feature a commercial zone, a marina, bustling
outdoor cafés, retail, restaurants and premier residences,
creating a vibrant business and lifestyle destination for
residents and visitors alike.
Rotana’s Abu Dhabi
Openings in 2012
Hili Rayhaan by Rotana (Al Ain): In the relaxed settings
of the Oasis City, this five-star property will offer 259
luxurious rooms and suites, restaurants, ultra-modern
business services and extensive recreational facilities.
Capital Centre Rotana: With 315 spacious rooms &
suites, this four-star hotel will have a wide variety of
restaurants as well as a state-of-the art fitness centre.
Location, location, location: Yas Viceroy Hotel
enjoys pride of place within Yas Marina Circuit.
Viceroy has moved into The Yas Hotel.
Centro Capital Centre: Rotana’s second Capital Centre
property, the three-star Centro will offer 414 rooms and
suites, the latest in-room technology, three outlets, two
meeting rooms and a gym.
Capital Centre Arjaan by Rotana: The chain’s
third Capital Centre property will offer 259 spacious
apartments, all within five minutes walk of a wide variety
of restaurants and a state-of-the art fitness centre.
Centro Capital Centre by Rotana is
scheduled to open next year.
32 33

F&B
Abu Dhabi’s tribute to
Medical Couple
In the marble-halled surroundings of Abu Dhabi’s Armed
Forces Officers Club & Hotel there is an unexpected
tribute to a medical duo who helped found the first
hospital in the emirate’s ‘Oasis City’ of Al Ain.
The fine dining restaurant ‘Kennedy’ is not named
after the American political family as some might
suspect, but to New Yorker Pat Kennedy and his
Californian wife Marian.
The couple arrived in Al Ain in November 1960 at the
invitation of the late UAE President & Abu Dhabi Ruler,
Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan who had heard
of the care they had provided in Muscat, Oman. They
arrived to an Al Ain with infant mortality rates of 50%
and maternal mortality at 35%, endemic tuberculosis,
malaria, eye diseases and intestinal parasites. At the
invitation of Sheikh Zayed the Kennedys founded the
Oasis Hospital which was quickly treating up to 200
patients a day.
The late Kennedys – Dr. Marian, who was known
locally as Mariam, passed away in 2004 aged 80 while
Dr. Pat passed away two years later at 87 – served in Al
Ain until 1975 and in 2005 were honoured with the Abu
Dhabi Award to mark their contribution to the emirate’s
social welfare.
Today diners at Kennedy are served the very finest of
European cuisine in surroundings adorned with locally
inspired art and unwittingly celebrate a medical duo
who helped change the face of Abu Dhabi’s healthcare.
Kennedy at AFOC: Fine dining in
exquisite surroundings.
Old photos courtesy of Oasis Hospital, Al Ain
Pole Position: Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, has
embraced Abu Dhabi’s F1 frenzy with exclusive menus.
F1 Culinary Fever At Shangri-La
Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri has launched exciting
promotions to coincide with the emirate’s third hosting
of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand
Prix.
Specially-created set menus and culinary delights will
be available at the property’s dining outlets; guests can
enjoy the finest cuts of steak on Torque Tuesdays at Sofra
restaurant on November 8, or end the adrenalin-packed
week with a Chequered Flag Brunch on November 11
and 12.
A special Body Torque massage is also available
throughout November at the hotel’s CHI, The Spa.
shangri-la.com
Leave It To The Chef!
Cristal Hotels and Resorts, one of the Middle East’s
most dynamic hotel groups, has recently appointed
Mohammed Asif as Cluster Executive Chef for its Cristal
Hotel and the recently-opened Cristal Salam Hotel in
Abu Dhabi.
Asif will oversee the two properties’ kitchen
operations including food preparation, cooking activities,
menu creation, and will assist in budgeting and financial
planning for the hotels’ F&B outlets.
Chef Mohammed has over 25 years experience having
worked in leading hotel chains in Pakistan and the
Middle East including the Sheraton Hotel in Karachi, the
former InterContinental Al Ain, Beach Rotana Hotel Abu
Dhabi, Gulf Hotel and Resort in Oman, Al Bustan Rotana
Hotel and Jumeirah Group in Dubai.
Cristalhotelsandresorts.com
Diabetic-Friendly Menu At Grand Millennium
Al Wahda
Visitors with diabetes or health-conscious guests can
now enjoy diabetic-friendly cuisine at Abu Dhabi’s
Grand Millennium Al Wahda hotel, which recently saw
its menu updated to feature diabetic meals.
The hotel’s Executive Chef Gus Moustakas – a
diabetic- collaborated with Mafraq Hospital’s
endocrinology, diet and nutrition experts on recipes
including salads, steak and dessert such as chocolate
mousse and cheesecake using low- carbohydrates and
low-fat ingredients.
This successful project will soon be rolled out across
12 Millennium and Copthorne hotels in the Middle East.
millenniumhotels.com
Cristal Clear:
Mohammed Asif
is group’s new
Cluster Executive
Chef.
34 35

Where You Can Find Your ADTA Partners
Here’s where you’ll find the contact details of your ADTA partners. Please remember that
ADTA’s normal business hours in the UAE are between Sunday to Thursday, from 8am to 4pm.
ADTA Abu Dhabi
PO Box 94000
Abu Dhabi UAE
tel: +971 2 444 0444
fax: +971 2 444 0400
email: info@adta.ae
ADTA Al Ain
Ali Bin Abi Taleb Street
PO Box 59333, Al Ain, UAE
tel: +971 3 764 2000
fax: +971 3 764 456
email: info@adta.ae
ADTA Australia
Level 13, 338 Pitt Street
Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
tel: +61 2 82685533
fax: +61 2 9268 0243
email: australia@adta.ae
ADTA’s Toll free number in the UAE
800 555
International toll free number is
+971 666 4442
abudhabitourism.ae
visitabudhabi.ae
abudhabievents.ae
ADTA China
Guohua Investment Building
Level 1, Room 01
No. 3 Dongzhimen South St
Beijing, 100007
People’s Republic of China
tel: +86 21 6355 8033
fax: +86 21 6375 6255
email: china@adta.ae
ADTA France
11 Bis, Rue Blanche
75009 Paris, France
tel: + 33 1 5325 0352
fax: +33 1 5325 1112
email: france@adta.ae
ADTA Germany
Goethestrasse 27
60313 Frankfurt, Germany
tel: +49 69 299 253 920
fax: +49 69 299 253 920
email: germany@adta.ae
ADTA Italy
Via Pietrasanta 14
20141 Milan, Italy
tel: +39 02 573 78315
fax: +39 02 57378572
email: italy@adta.ae
ADTA Russia
Prospekt Mira, 39 / 2
Olympic Plaza - 2
129110, Moscow, Russia
tel: +7 495 937 5950
fax: +7 495 937 5951
email: ashirgaliev@adta.ae
ADTA UK & Ireland
No 1. Knightsbridge
London SW1X 7LY, UK
tel: +44 207 201 6400
fax: +44 207 210 6426
email: UK@adta.ae