Abu Dhabi has been named as the Middle East’s Leading Wedding Destination for 2021, as well as scooping a string of other tourism awards.
The UAE capital was awarded four top accolades at the 28th annual World Travel Awards, one of the most prestigious events in the tourism sector.
The emirate was also awarded the Middle East’s Leading Business Travel Destination 2021, in recognition for playing host to a number of global business events. Abu Dhabi also scooped the Middle East’s Leading Marketing Campaign 2021, for the "It’s Always Summer in Abu Dhabi" drive.
The emirate was awarded the Middle East’s Leading Sports Tourism Destination 2021, for events including the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Mubadala World Tennis Championship and the UFC Fight Island championship, among others.
The Middle East’s Leading Wedding Destination 2021 award recognised the beautiful locations and hospitality of the city.
“Abu Dhabi is home to the most important international events and with its vast array of offerings, has focused on enriching the visitor’s experience even during the height of the pandemic," said Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, executive director of Tourism and Marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi.
"Under the strong leadership and guidance of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the emirate continues to enhance its tourism offerings and consolidate its position on the global tourism map.”
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes.
Where to stay
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
Mountain Classification Tour de France after Stage 8 on Saturday:
- 1. Lilian Calmejane (France / Direct Energie) 11
- 2. Fabio Aru (Italy / Astana) 10
- 3. Daniel Martin (Ireland / Quick-Step) 8
- 4. Robert Gesink (Netherlands / LottoNL) 8
- 5. Warren Barguil (France / Sunweb) 7
- 6. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) 6
- 7. Guillaume Martin (France / Wanty) 6
- 8. Jan Bakelants (Belgium / AG2R) 5
- 9. Serge Pauwels (Belgium / Dimension Data) 5
- 10. Richie Porte (Australia / BMC Racing) 4
Specs%3A%202024%20McLaren%20Artura%20Spider
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