Ambitions are running high in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which recently declared during the World Government Summit in Dubai a plan to colonize Mars by the year 2117. It is also setting its sights on sending an unmanned probe to Mars by 2021 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the founding of the UAE, a federation of seven emirates along the Arabian Peninsula of which Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the largest.
While meetings on Mars may be a few decades off, back here on Earth the UAE offers off-site venues and settings on an other-worldly level, making use of its cultural riches, sultry desert landscapes and sophisticated infrastructure and amenities.
The UAE capital of Abu Dhabi touts itself as a hub of culture, sports and leisure, and is home to such magnificent structures as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Etihad Towers. Meanwhile, Dubai boasts the tallest building in the world—Burj Khalifa tower—as well as oversize shopping malls, sprawling beach resorts and Ski Dubai, one of the world’s largest indoor ski slopes.
Business First
“Dubai’s reputation for all things luxury is well-established, and while high-end experiences are certainly available here, they are only one part of the city’s offerings, which also include a substantial variety of value-for-money alternatives,” said Steen Jakobsen, director of Dubai Business Events, part of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing. “Everything from transport options and a growing mid-market hotel sector, to restaurants and meeting venues, offer pricing that’s competitive with other global hubs in Europe, Asia and North America.”
Access is also key, according to Jakobsen, who noted that the government’s open- skies policy has made it possible for more than 140 airlines from around the world to bring visitors into Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport.
“Historically, global connectivity, great hospitality, state-of-the-art facilities and world-class infrastructure are reasons that the city has established such a robust business events offering,” Jakobsen said. “In addition, Dubai is moving beyond these traditional values and focusing on the vision of establishing the city as a knowledge hub, which is another key driver attracting more business events.”
Dubai is home to significant industry clusters within healthcare, education, technology, transportation, clean energy, water and space that can provide support, knowledge and expertise to international business events, Jakobsen noted.
While hosting meetings in the Middle East may be a deterrent for some, Jakobsen emphasized the safety factor.
“UAE is one of the safest places in the world, ranked in the top three for safety and security according to the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2015, with a stable government and a department of Dubai Police dedicated entirely to visitors,” Jakobsen said.
According to Lynda Baum, North American representative for Dubai-based DMC Gulf Dunes, “The trend is more visibility and increased interest from North America. Dubai is typically on the same wish list as Australia or Africa when clients are looking at long-haul, exotic locales. North American clients are quite comfortable here, with the familiarity of the transportation system, hotels and multitude of activities geared toward the luxury traveler.”
Gulf Dunes also operates in Abu Dhabi, which boasts one of the world’s lowest crime rates, according to the Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau, a division of the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority. Abu Dhabi recently hosted IBTM Arabia and will host the Special Olympics in 2019, expected to attract 10,000 participants.
Vast Venues
Groups at both desert locales can make use of the UAE’s natural assets as well as myriad extravagant indoor cultural venues.
According to Baum, Dubai’s Armani Pavilion, part of Armani Hotel Dubai, is a popular group venue for up to 600 overlooking The Dubai Fountain, with Burj Khalifa as the backdrop. The Clubhouse Terrace at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club can host 800, while for smaller groups, the Majlis Gallery, located in the historic Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, can host 100.
PageBreak
JA Al Sahra Desert Resort & Equestrian Centre offers desert riding and corporate teambuilding as well as the spectacular Al Sahra Amphitheatre. Groups can also arrange for a desert safari experience that allows attendees to sample local Arabian cuisine, try a camel ride, henna tattoo their hands, shop a craft souk, ride the sand dunes and stargaze, among other activities.
Also popular, according to Baum, is the Music Hall at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray resort, located on Dubai-owned Palm Jumeirah, the world’s largest manmade island.
“Jumeirah offers groups a variety of exceptional destinations for venues that provide a sense of place, that boast unbelievable character and energy of the local culture,” said Tahir Ciyanci, Jumeirah’s cluster director of group sales. “Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts is renowned for the ability to impress and surprise guests.”
Options include Magnolia-Jumeriah Al Qasr at Madinat Jumeirah, a concealed waterfront locale with a private abra, or water taxi, station offering space for up to 300 guests. The Terrace at iconic hotel Burj Al Arab can host receptions and is home to Scape Restaurant & Bar, two pools and a beach area. The Executive Pool Terrace at Jumeirah Beach Hotel can accommodate up to 200 guests.
“Dubai also has the new theme park called Dubai Parks & Resorts, which has a few new event venues with highly versatile space,” Baum said. “Qasr Al Sultan is a fantastic new Arabian-themed venue/restaurant, and the Dubai Opera, which opened in September 2016, is also proving to be a highlight for many programs.”
The Dubai Opera debuted as a 2,000- seat, multi-format theater and is central to The Opera District, a new arts and lifestyle destination downtown.
Abu Dhabi boasts unspoiled desert and dunes, pristine coastline, island getaways, rugged mountain scenery, lush oases and wildlife. Groups can arrange everything from a cultural visit to Sheikh Zayed Mosque to a trip to a camel market or heritage village, or host events at the Palace Terrace located at Emirates Palace hotel.
For scenic tours, groups can charter seaplanes with Seawings, which offers flights over Abu Dhabi, or charter tours with The Yellow Boats for views of the Abu Dhabi skyline. Other options include yacht cruises, helicopter rides, teambuilding outings at the Al Forsan International Sports Resort or racing laps at Yas Marina Circuit, home to the annual Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Its Luna Lounge is open to groups.
Groups can also arrange to visit the Al Ain Dairy Farm with its camel herd and meet its local “camel whisperer,” or the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, which treats around 11,200 falcons annually.
One of Abu Dhabi’s most anticipated attractions is the Saadiyat Cultural District, on Saadiyat Island just off the main coast. The five museums set to open in the coming years are Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Performing Arts Centre and Maritime Museum. Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will be the largest Guggenheim in the world—about 12 times larger than Frank Lloyd Wright’s Guggenheim in New York.
“Abu Dhabi will have a plethora of new venues when the main attractions on Saadiyat Island open up,” Baum said. “We all anticipate them opening toward 2018.”
Currently open on Saadiyat Island are the UAE Pavilion and art galleries in the Manarat Al Saadiyat building, which has a 250-seat theater.
On the meetings front, the main venues include the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC), part of the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) complex, the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and the Al Ain Convention Centre in Abu Dhabi.
New on the scene in Dubai is multiuse development Al Habtoor City, which features three Starwood hotels: The St. Regis Dubai, with 182 guest rooms and 52 suites; the 356-room W Dubai–Al Habtoor City; and the 1,004-room Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City. Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) debuted last year.
Hotels slated for this year include the Royal Atlantis Resort; Dubai’s first Viceroy, on Palm Jumeirah; and Venu, a leisure concept from the Jumeirah Group. The property will be set on manmade Bluewaters Island, with Ain Dubai, the world’s largest observation wheel, at its core.
Abu Dhabi last year debuted the Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island and recently the Marriott Hotel Al Forsan. Other hotels in the works are a Grand Hyatt and W Abu Dhabi.
