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TOURISM bosses believe neighbouring Abu Dhabi’s Sir Bani Yas Island’s nature-based ‘legacy destination’ can play a key role in boosting visitor length-of-stay for the emirate.
During a two-day, fact-finding visit to the location – a former private nature reserve of Abu Dhabi’s ruling family in the Western region (Al Gharbia) – 12 tour and cruise excursion operators and destination management companies dubbed its wildlife, heritage and adventure experiences as a ‘powerful tool’ to lift awareness of the country’s diversity and commitment to conservation.
The operators took in a wealth of wildlife and activity tours, conference facilities and the island’s three, five-star resorts operated by Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas.
The tour came as tourism officials look to hone in on Al Gharbia’s largely untapped and unique potential.
“Al Gharbia is rich in landscape and natural resources. It has beautiful islands and desert and the stunning Liwa Oasis,” explained Humaid Al Mheiri, TCA Abu Dhabi’s accessibility & tour operators unit head. “Sir Bani Yas Island is its unique selling points and is now benefitting from non-stop Rotana Jet flights from both Abu Dhabi and Dubai.”
New developments in Al Gharbia – positioned as ‘Where The Desert Meets The Sea’ – include the tendering, by Tourism Development & Investment Company for the lease of a land plot on Sir Bani Yas Island for the building of a four-star hotel, the inclusion of a beach stopover on the island by a major cruise line operator, while Abu Dhabi Airports Company is progressing plans to upgrade the island’s airport to international status allowing charter aircraft to land.
“These initiatives will increase accessibility to the island and bring it within easier and more affordable reach of an extended audience,” said Mr Al Mheiri.
“There are developments too in the picturesque fishing village of Al Mirfa, currently served by a three-star hotel, where investment by Abu Dhabi Ports Company will increase the tourism profile of this peaceful spot. TCA will also open a dedicated visitor centre on the Saudi Arabia border at Al Gweifhat to inform the many tourists from the kingdom, who arrive in Abu Dhabi by road, of the Al Gharbia places of interest.”
Several operators have now confirmed interest in selling the island’s offering, including Jasem Zaiton, cruise manager for tour operator Gulf Ventures who was sold on the island’s environmental credentials and Alaa Khalifa, director of Salem Holidays and business development manager at Salem Travel International.
Sir Bani Yas Island is home to the Arabian Wildlife Park which has more than 10,000 free roaming animals including one of the world’s largest herds of Arabian Oryx.
This island’s clear surrounding waters are rich with marine life and its history makes for a compelling tale for travellers all of which, Jyoti Panchmatia, general manager of TUI Group’s Dubai-based Travco, says could change the way people think of Abu Dhabi.
“Much of our European clientele perceive Abu Dhabi exclusively as a winter sun destination with passengers looking for a beach-based holiday. I will present Sir Bani Yas Island as an extension to Abu Dhabi and Dubai visits, and the breadth and diversity of the island’s offering will encourage longer stays.
“The island’s offering also allows us to think out of the box in relation to our MICE (a specialised niche of group tourism dedicated to planning, booking and facilitating conferences, seminars and other events) product with the wildlife and adventure activities shedding new light on team-building options.”
* Further information on the range of nature, wildlife and adventure activities on Sir Bani Yas Island can be found at www.desertislands.com
