Staycations in the UAE remain popular with Dubai leading a list of the top destinations for UAE residents.
Abu Dhabi came second in the list by YouGov, which ranked the top 10 destinations for UAE consumers using what the global public opinion and data company calls an impression score.
Dubai ranked highest with a score of 65.7, while the UAE capital was right behind with a score of 50.2. Both cities improved on their 2021 impression scores.
Internationally, the destination that UAE residents hold in the highest regard is Switzerland, which had a score of 31.6.
Famed as much for its natural alpine beauty as it is for its expensive watches and handcrafted chocolate, the country has also eased entry requirements. Travellers from the UAE can now fly to Switzerland without any Covid-19 restrictions such as pre-departure tests, vaccination requirements or passenger locator forms.
Singapore is the second international destination and fourth overall on the list. The Lion City also had the highest change in score, improving 6.3 points since 2021.
Having imposed some of the strictest border rules at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the island nation is slowly reopening to visitors and vaccinated UAE residents can visit from Friday, if they meet eligibility requirements and undergo quarantine.
Canada — which has just eased Covid-19 testing restrictions for travellers — is the third international country ranked highest by UAE residents. The sprawling nation famed for its craggy coastlines, culture-filled cities and mountain-laden wilderness, scored 28.6.
Holiday hotspot the Maldives also ranked in the top 10.
The idyllic island nation was the fourth-highest ranked foreign destination, and sixth overall. With most islands in the archipelago sticking to a one-isle, one-resort policy, the Indian Ocean destination offers social distancing almost by default.
Interestingly, there were no US destinations in the top 10, a country that has typically been a popular place for UAE residents to visit.
Top 10 destinations for UAE consumers
- Dubai 65.7
- Abu Dhabi 50.2
- Switzerland 31.6
- Singapore 30.9
- Canada 28.6
- Maldives 27.6
- Japan 25.7
- UK 23.6
- Germany 23.2
- South Korea 21.8
The information was published as part of YouGov’s Travel & Tourism: Brand & Destination Rankings 2022, which also ranked Emirates as the number one brand for travellers in the UAE, followed by Etihad Airways.
Qosty Byogaani
Starring: Hani Razmzi, Maya Nasir and Hassan Hosny
Four stars
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
RACECARD%20
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Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Disability on screen
Empire — neuromuscular disease myasthenia gravis; bipolar disorder; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Rosewood and Transparent — heart issues
24: Legacy — PTSD;
Superstore and NCIS: New Orleans — wheelchair-bound
Taken and This Is Us — cancer
Trial & Error — cognitive disorder prosopagnosia (facial blindness and dyslexia)
Grey’s Anatomy — prosthetic leg
Scorpion — obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety
Switched at Birth — deafness
One Mississippi, Wentworth and Transparent — double mastectomy
Dragons — double amputee
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
