Abu Dhabi’s standing as a world leader in tourism has received another welcome boost after two of its attractions appeared in a list of the greatest places of 2018.
Both the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi were the only attractions in the UAE highlighted by Time magazine.
Other destinations in the Gulf region to make the list included the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture in Saudi Arabia, the Al Qarawiyyan Library in Fez, Morocco and Cairo’s Marriott Mena House hotel.
Tourism experts heralded Abu Dhabi’s inclusion as further evidence of the city’s success in diversifying its oil-rich economy.
“We have The Louvre, Warner Bros, Yas Island and a tremendous amount of investment, effort and the right brands entering the market," said Gaurav Sinha, a tourism expert based in Dubai.
“It’s one thing to invest money in creating landmarks, per se, and another thing to bring trusted operators like Warner Bros into markets like Abu Dhabi. The long-term strategy is yielding dividends.”
In recent months the UAE has launched campaigns to increase the number of visitors to the country.
Initiatives have included a decision by the Cabinet to give more international travellers a tourist visa on arrival rather than having to apply before flying.
Last year, Dubai proved the No 1 destination for inbound travel into the UAE, accounting for 87 per cent of all arrivals.
But experts say Abu Dhabi is making important strides in attracting its own visitors.
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Read more:
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UAE day visas: things to do over 12 hours in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
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"Dubai remains the number one destination for global travelers coming to the UAE, taking the majority of all inbound travel," said Sam Ayles, senior growth manager at flight Skyscanner.ae.
"However, Abu Dhabi is showing strong growth, seeing a 15 per cent increase in bookings year on year, compared to Dubai’s 6 per cent increase from 2016 to 2017.
"With its year-long sunshine and growing number of cultural attractions and hotels, the UAE and the capital Abu Dhabi are fast-becoming a key global tourist hotspots”.
In its entry for the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Time references the emirate's cultural ambitions, saying "great fortunes like to associate themselves with great art".
The magazine’s listing for Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi, meanwhile, says the theme park is “designed to entertain all kinds of Warner Bros fans and also offer them a reprieve from the region’s often sweltering heat”.
In assembling the annual list, Time said it welcomed nominations across a variety of categories, "such as museums, parks, bars, restaurants, theme parks, cruises and hotels – from our editors and correspondents around the world as well as dozens of industry experts".
Entries were evaluated based on a set of factors including quality, originality, innovation, sustainability and influence.
"The result is a list as diverse as the world it reflects, with 100 entries spanning six continents and 48 countries," Time said.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Aldar Properties Abu Dhabi T10
*November 15 to November 24
*Venue: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
*Tickets: Start at Dh10, from ttensports.com
*TV: Ten Sports
*Streaming: Jio Live
*2017 winners: Kerala Kings
*2018 winners: Northern Warriors
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
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
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League quarter-final (first-leg score):
Juventus (1) v Ajax (1), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
Match will be shown on BeIN Sports
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Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League last-16, second leg:
Real Madrid 1 (Asensio 70'), Ajax 4 (Ziyech 7', Neres 18', Tadic 62', Schone 72')
Ajax win 5-3 on aggregate
