When it comes to getting noticed, few places do it with as much aplomb as Abu Dhabi. When Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning made its debut less than a year ago, millions of cinemagoers around the world got a taste of what the UAE capital had to offer, not least the brand-new terminal at its main international airport that was the backdrop to the film’s high-octane tale of international espionage. In a similar vein, the futuristic dystopia of the Dune sci-fi blockbusters has brought the emirate’s majestic Empty Quarter to a global audience. The emirate’s commitment to high-profile Hollywood projects such as these speaks volumes about its visibility and connection with the rest of the world.
That enthusiasm for developing Abu Dhabi as a travel destination received an important boost this week with news of a $10 billion investment in the emirate’s infrastructure that’s intended to support its 2030 tourism strategy, which includes ambitious goals to boost visitor numbers to 39.3 million and increase the sector's GDP contribution to Dh90 billion ($24.5 billion) within six years. But those who will get the most from these developments are not the visitors who come and go – it will be the people who live and work here.
Firstly, this ambitious investment plan does not just involve the tourism sector – it is a collaboration involving government departments responsible for culture, economic development, municipal services and transportation, among others. That means, as the tourism strategy states, enhancing Abu Dhabi’s roads, public transport and infrastructure. Improved connectivity and services are good news for citizens and residents, as is the positive effect of directly and indirectly creating nearly 180,000 jobs.
The $10 billion investment will also contribute to Abu Dhabi’s continuing work in transforming perceptions of Gulf travel from one dominated by glitz and glamour to one that is also culturally enriching, sustainable and – importantly – affordable. This process is already underway; last year the emirate removed a 6 per cent tourism fee and 4 per cent municipality fee applied to hotel restaurants. The 2030 strategy’s goal of boosting the number of hotel rooms to 52,000, from the current 34,000, will include options to suit all kinds of budgets.
Abu Dhabi is also increasingly keen to share its cultural wealth with the world – the UAE capital is already home to Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Abrahamic Family House and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, to name but three current cultural offerings. The Guggenheim museum on Saadiyat Island is progressing and Abu Dhabi is also preserving its modern heritage, with plans to install more than 60 plaques at landmarks across the emirate.
Such large-scale investment and planning are timely, arriving at a moment when countries are increasing air connections with Abu Dhabi, a single GCC visit visa is in the works and the emirate’s increasingly year-round appeal is making the stereotype of a "dead" season from June to September increasingly redundant. Not everyone who visits Abu Dhabi will be guaranteed a thrilling chase across the roof of Zayed International Airport or a ride on a sandworm in the Empty Quarter, but there will be plenty for everyone – tourists and residents alike – to experience.
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The years Ramadan fell in May
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Hili 2: Unesco World Heritage site
The site is part of the Hili archaeological park in Al Ain. Excavations there have proved the existence of the earliest known agricultural communities in modern-day UAE. Some date to the Bronze Age but Hili 2 is an Iron Age site. The Iron Age witnessed the development of the falaj, a network of channels that funnelled water from natural springs in the area. Wells allowed settlements to be established, but falaj meant they could grow and thrive. Unesco, the UN's cultural body, awarded Al Ain's sites - including Hili 2 - world heritage status in 2011. Now the most recent dig at the site has revealed even more about the skilled people that lived and worked there.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
What is dialysis?
Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.
It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.
There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.
In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.
In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.
It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Read more from Aya Iskandarani
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The Indoor Cricket World Cup
When: September 16-23
Where: Insportz, Dubai
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Stage 5 results
1 Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 3:48:53
2 Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana Pro Team -
3 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott -
4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ 0:00:04
5 Ilnur Zakarin (RUS) CCC Team 0:00:07
General Classification:
1 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott 20:35:04
2 Tadej Pogacar (SlO) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:01
3 Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana Pro Team 0:01:33
4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ 0:01:48
5 Rafał Majka (POL) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:02:11
RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES
September 30
South Africa v Australia
Argentina v New Zealand
October 7
South Africa v New Zealand
Argentina v Australia
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Prop idols
Girls full-contact rugby may be in its infancy in the Middle East, but there are already a number of role models for players to look up to.
Sophie Shams (Dubai Exiles mini, England sevens international)
An Emirati student who is blazing a trail in rugby. She first learnt the game at Dubai Exiles and captained her JESS Primary school team. After going to study geophysics at university in the UK, she scored a sensational try in a cup final at Twickenham. She has played for England sevens, and is now contracted to top Premiership club Saracens.
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Seren Gough-Walters (Sharjah Wanderers mini, Wales rugby league international)
Few players anywhere will have taken a more circuitous route to playing rugby on Sky Sports. Gough-Walters was born in Al Wasl Hospital in Dubai, raised in Sharjah, did not take up rugby seriously till she was 15, has a master’s in global governance and ethics, and once worked as an immigration officer at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi. In the summer of 2021 she played for Wales against England in rugby league, in a match that was broadcast live on TV.
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Erin King (Dubai Hurricanes mini, Ireland sevens international)
Aged five, Australia-born King went to Dubai Hurricanes training at The Sevens with her brothers. She immediately struck up a deep affection for rugby. She returned to the city at the end of last year to play at the Dubai Rugby Sevens in the colours of Ireland in the Women’s World Series tournament on Pitch 1.
