36 Destinations The Capital Gate skyscraper, next to Abu Dhabi National
Exhibition Centre, has a world-record 18-degree lean. The Leaning Tower of Pisa, by comparison, inclines at just under four degrees
ABU DHABI Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority / ME2115, ME2250
A heritage heartland offering an eclectic mix of modern and historic attractions, Abu Dhabi is poised to become a major cultural centre. The UAE’s largest emirate continues to grow
in vision and confidence, and boasts the tour- ism numbers to back up its soaring ambitions. According to the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture
Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), the capital’s hotels welcomed 4.4 million visitors in 2016 compared to 4.1 million the year before — an increase of eight percent — for a combined stay of 12 million nights. The domestic market accounted for one
third of all hotel guests, while India remained Abu Dhabi’s most popular overseas nation with 323,000 visitors (a 15 percent increase), followed by the UK with 238,000 arrivals. Abu Dhabi International Airport also saw a rise in numbers, with 24.5 million passengers passing through its terminals in 2016 — a 5.1 percent growth on 2015. The facility’s Midfield Terminal Building is due to open later this year, when it will become the new home for flag carrier
Etihad Airways, increasing the airport’s overall capacity to 45 million passengers annually. Earlier this year, the Mastercard Global Cities
Index Report named Abu Dhabi the world’s third fastest growing destination — helped by the Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau’s successes in the MICE sector, the expansion of the cruise industry and the opening to the public of Al Ain Oasis UNESCO World Heritage Site. The emirate aims to further improve on its
tourism numbers once more in 2017 — with TCA Abu Dhabi’s ‘Your Extraordinary Story’ campaign showcasing the emirate’s rich history, modernity and natural wonders to a global audience. Visitors to Abu Dhabi can enjoy all three in
abundance — with the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, countless retail options includ- ing Yas Mall and The Galleria on Al Maryah Island, and lush green mangrove forests. The city is also set to become a cultural
The UAE’s largest emirate continues to grow in vision and confidence, and boasts the tourism numbers to back up its soaring ambitions
capital with the much-anticipated opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum, all on Saadiyat Island. For those seeking an adrenaline rush, Yas Marina Circuit hosts the annual Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, while Ferrari World Abu Dhabi boasts the world’s fastest roller coaster with the 239 kilometres per hour Formula Rossa. A slate of hotel openings in the capital this
year includes the Edition Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah Sa’adiyat Island and Hard Rock Hotel Abu Dhabi.
Obaid bin Ali al Nasseri Mosque, Al Ain Oasis
Yas Viceroy Hotel, Yas Island
Fujairah is 450 square miles in size and is home to approximately 190,000 residents. Its coastline sits along the Gulf of Oman, as opposed to the Arabian Gulf like the other emirates
FUJAIRAH Fujairah Tourism & Antiquities Authority / ME4210
The only emirate situated on the Indian Ocean, Fujairah is famous for its diverse mix of mountain- ous terrain, historic attractions and watersports off its pristine coastline. A picturesque landscape and chilled-out
atmosphere make Fujairah a magnet for resi- dents from the larger emirates seeking stayca- tions, accounting for around one third of visitors, while its varied tourist offerings also bring in a healthy influx of international guests. Located on the UAE’s eastern coast, Fujai-
rah’s roster of interesting historic attractions includes Al Bidyah Mosque, the country’s oldest place of worship which was built in 1446. The beautifully restored Fujairah Fort dates back to the 16th
century and is fascinating to explore, while
parts of the expansive historic village surround- ing the fort have been reconstructed and are also well worth a visit. Fujairah Museum has a collection of impres-
sive archaeological finds from the area, includ- ing weaponry from the Bronze and Iron Ages,
while Al Hayl Fort, built around 1830 in the Hajjar Mountains, is one of the best preserved forts in the country. At the other end of the spectrum is Sheikh
Zayed Mosque, a gleaming US$57.18 million (AED210 million) construction which opened in 2015 and can accommodate 28,000 worshippers within the sprawling 39,000-square metre site. To help promote tourism, Fujairah Municipal-
ity has launched the ‘I Fujairah’ smartphone app, offering comprehensive information about the emirate’s attractions and activities. A host of planned new developments and
hotels are adding to Fujairah’s offering. The emir- ate welcomed the 180-room Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort in December, while hotels slated for opening later this year include the 190-room Inter- Continental Fujairah Resort, which will become the brand’s first Middle Eastern beach resort when it opens this summer. Meanwhile in February, the Ministry of Infra-
Sheikh Zayed Mosque is a US$57.18 million (AED210 million) construction which opened in 2015 and can accommodate 28,000 worshippers
structure Development began construction of Hamad bin Abdullah Road – a six-kilometre, three- lane road in Fujairah, which will improve transport links in the emirate. Costing US$68.07 million (AED250 million), the highway is expected to be completed by late-2019. Fujairah International Airport is another land-
mark set to undergo a multimillion-dollar expan- sion and modernisation. The development will see the addition of a new air traffic control tower and new runways added to the airport.
Fujairah city
Fujairah Fort
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