Latest news with #DepartmentofCultureandTourism-AbuDhabi
Al Etihad
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Full week of fan activities in the lead-up to UFC FIGHT NIGHT
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD) UFC FIGHT NIGHT will take centre stage at Etihad Arena on Saturday, July 26, with a thrilling middleweight showdown between former champion Robert Whittaker and undefeated Dutch contender Reinier de Ridder taking the headline slot. In the week leading up to the main event inside the Octagon, host city Abu Dhabi has coordinated an action-packed schedule of peripheral entertainment. Fight Week, from Monday, July 21, to Sunday, July 27, is offering fight fans immersive activities and exclusive opportunities, including the chance to meet the UFC athletes. Organised by UFC in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the week-long programme will transform Yas Island into a hotspot of fan engagement and fight week excitement. UFC's Fan Experience opened on Monday to the public at Yas Mall and will remain open throughout the week, providing visitors with the chance to explore interactive UFC activations, take part in UFC-themed challenges, and explore a range of exhibits celebrating the sport's greatest moments and champions. On Wednesday, July 23, Yas Mall will also host the official UFC Open Workouts, where fans can watch their favourite fighters train live in preparation for their upcoming bouts. Two days later, on July 25, fans who head to Etihad Arena for the official UFC Ceremonial Weigh-Ins will see the fighters step onto the scale and face-off one final time before fight night. Meanwhile, a special UFC Meet & Greet taking place on the same day at Yas Mall will give fans the chance to meet UFC stars Gilbert Burns and Gregory Rodrigues; pose for photos and create memories to take home. Burns, ranked No.10 at welterweight and a former title challenger, is known for his world-class Brazilian jiu-jitsu and heavy hands, while Rodrigues is coming off a dominant first-round knockout win over Jack Hermansson at last month's UFC 317, making a statement in his middleweight division. Fight Week will also feature the IMMAF Youth World Championships running from July 20 to 27, bringing together the next generation of MMA talent from around the world, as well as UAE Warriors, returning on July 23 and 24 at Space42 with a thrilling showcase of regional and international fighters. Together, these events reflect the capital's continued commitment to combat sports across all levels, from grassroots development to elite global competition. It all leads to UFC FIGHT NIGHT: Whittaker vs De Ridder on Saturday, July 26, which promises an unforgettable night of top-tier MMA action. Australian Whittaker faces undefeated contender Reinier de Ridder of the Netherlands in the main event. The card also features the return of former bantamweight champion Petr Yan against rising star Marcus McGhee, as well as blockbuster bouts between Bryce Mitchell and Said Nurmagomedov, Shara Magomedov taking on Marc-Andre Barriault, and Nikita Krylov against Bogdan Guskov.
Al Etihad
09-07-2025
- Al Etihad
Bidaa Bint Saud stands tall among Al Ain historical sites
10 July 2025 00:46 RAJEEV CHERIAN (AL AIN)Offering insights into ancient community settlements, Bidaa Bint Saud, running adjacent to a caravan trail, looms large among Al Ain's array of archaeological some 25km north of Al Ain, the caravan site, situated at the crossroads of the ancient land routes between Oman and the Arabian Peninsula, is home to significant archaeological finds dating to the Iron and Bronze Bidaa Bint Saud site is one of Al Ain's UNESCO World Heritage sites, which include the six oases of Al Ain, and the archaeological sites of Hafit, and among the archaeological finds from the site are the 5,000-year-old burial tombs, Iron Age (1,300–300 BCE) irrigation systems, a rare Iron Age building and other artefacts that indicate the area was a major stop on a possible caravan route that extended from Al Ain to the north of the UAE, according to the Abu Dhabi Culture site is dominated by a natural stone outcrop, called Garn Bint Saud, which is 700 metres in length and rises 40 metres above the surrounding area.'Man inhabited the area for thousands of years, when the climate was slightly better than today and sand dunes less encroaching. The long habitation left stone-built graves and traces of the ancient settlements on and around the outcrop,' reads an inscription at the archaeological findings point to Bidaa Bint Saud's emergence as a rural centre and farming community during the Iron findings from the outcrop uncovered a number of Bronze Age (3,000–1300 BCE) tombs on the eastern side, as well as Iron Age tombs on the top of the outcrop, according to an educational resource provided by the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).Furthermore, excavations at the site yielded pottery, stone vessels, dagger blades, arrowheads and beads.'Sites to the north suggest a caravan route linked Bidaa Bint Saud to the Al Ain oases, and continued north towards present-day Dubai and the northern emirates,' it digs at the site also resulted in uncovering remains of the falaj water system, an ancient irrigation method which used a network of underground and surface channels to bring the key findings include a 3,000-year-old falaj one kilometre west of Garn Bint Saud, and the remains of a public building, 'Bait al-Falaj' (House of the Falaj), which sheds light on the origins and administration of the falaj system, according to DCT Abu excavations at the site were carried out by a Danish archaeological team in the 1960s, followed by experts from the Department of Antiquities and Tourism in Al Ain in the also found a series of enigmatic paintings and engravings on the eastern rock face, among other motifs, whose origins date back to the Bronze and Iron Ages. According to UNESCO, the Cultural Sites of Al Ain 'constitute a serial property that testifies to sedentary human occupation of a desert region since the Neolithic period with vestiges of many prehistoric cultures Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Gulf Today
12-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Abu Dhabi hotels record Dhs611m in revenue in March
Abu Dhabi's hospitality sector continues to show robust growth, with hotel establishments across the emirate generating revenues of Dhs611 million in March 2025, according to preliminary data released by the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), in coordination with the Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi (SCAD). The total revenue breakdown comprises Dhs345 million from room bookings, Dhs228 million from food and beverage services, and Dhs38 million from other sources. The emirate welcomed approximately 417,000 hotel guests during March, highlighting Abu Dhabi's growing appeal as a global tourist destination. The surge is attributed to the emirate's diverse accommodation offerings and high-quality hospitality services. A total of 171 hotel establishments, comprising 34,341 rooms, operated across Abu Dhabi in March. These properties recorded over 1.2 million guest nights, achieving an average occupancy rate of 69 per cent. The average revenue per available room (RevPAR) stood at AED486. Non-Arab Asian nationals topped the list of international visitors, accounting for 152,000 hotel guests. European travellers followed with 123,000 guests, while UAE nationals accounted for 58,000 stays. These figures underline Abu Dhabi's sustained tourism growth and its strengthening position as a preferred destination for a wide range of global markets. Five-star hotels hosted the highest number of guests, totalling 205,000 in March. European visitors made up the largest segment within this category, with 78,000 guests. Four-star hotels received 119,000 guests, followed by three-star and below hotels with 54,000 guests. Additionally, serviced apartments accommodated 38,000 visitors. The strong performance aligns with Abu Dhabi's Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to attract 39.3 million visitors annually, generate 178,000 new jobs in the tourism sector, expand hotel capacity to 50,000 rooms, and increase the sector's contribution to the emirate's GDP to Dhs90 billion by the end of the decade.
Al Etihad
12-06-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi hotels record Dh 611 million in revenue in March 2025
12 June 2025 15:26 ABU DHABI (WAM) Abu Dhabi's hospitality sector continues to show robust growth, with hotel establishments across the emirate generating revenues of Dh611 million in March 2025, according to preliminary data released by the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), in coordination with the Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi (SCAD).The total revenue breakdown comprises Dh345 million from room bookings, Dh228 million from food and beverage services, and Dh38 million from other emirate welcomed approximately 417,000 hotel guests during March, highlighting Abu Dhabi's growing appeal as a global tourist destination. The surge is attributed to the emirate's diverse accommodation offerings and high-quality hospitality services.A total of 171 hotel establishments, comprising 34,341 rooms, operated across Abu Dhabi in March. These properties recorded over 1.2 million guest nights, achieving an average occupancy rate of 69%. The average revenue per available room (RevPAR) stood at Asian nationals topped the list of international visitors, accounting for 152,000 hotel guests. European travellers followed with 123,000 guests, while UAE nationals accounted for 58,000 stays. These figures underline Abu Dhabi's sustained tourism growth and its strengthening position as a preferred destination for a wide range of global hotels hosted the highest number of guests, totalling 205,000 in March. European visitors made up the largest segment within this category, with 78,000 guests. Four-star hotels received 119,000 guests, followed by three-star and below hotels with 54,000 guests. Additionally, serviced apartments accommodated 38,000 strong performance aligns with Abu Dhabi's Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to attract 39.3 million visitors annually, generate 178,000 new jobs in the tourism sector, expand hotel capacity to 50,000 rooms, and increase the sector's contribution to the emirate's GDP to Dh90 billion by the end of the decade.
Al Etihad
28-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Fifteen businesses that have shaped Abu Dhabi's cultural and social landscape honoured as ‘Urban Treasures'
28 May 2025 23:38 AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced the recipients of the fourth edition of the Urban Treasures Initiative, an annual celebration of long-running businesses that have shaped Abu Dhabi's cultural and social businesses have contributed to cementing Abu Dhabi's position as one of the leading cities in the world for living and award forms part of the department's ongoing efforts to preserve the emirate's modern heritage and celebrate its rich ceremony was held at the Cultural Foundation, during which 15 establishments from across the emirate were honoured for their longstanding presence and exceptional contributions to the local Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, presented the awards to the winning institutions, which included: Khulood Club, Gulf Pastry, Zahrat Al Khaleej Nablusia Sweets, Orchid Tailoring & Embroidery Shop, Mohammed Farooq Perfumes, Al Jumaira Studio and Stores, Al Yahar Modern Restaurant and Kitchen, Three Star Watches Shop, Shawarma Ala Alragef Cafeteria, Happy Yemen Restaurant, Ahmed Sultan Al Salami Trading and Importing, Al Ain International Medical Polyclinic, Nauras, Baqala Cheese & Pickles Centre, and Al Sidr Natural Khalifa Al Mubarak said: 'The Urban Treasures initiative continues to shine a light on the longstanding businesses that have added to Abu Dhabi's character over the decades. These establishments are enduring community pillars that reflect the spirit of our emirate, and by celebrating them, we honour these human stories and traditions. With each successive edition, we celebrate businesses that are recognised for having a lasting impact within our community and inspire future generations to cherish their legacy.'Speaking at the event, Saood Al Hosani, Undersecretary at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: 'Our celebration today marks the fourth edition of the Urban Treasures initiative. It aligns with the principles of the Year of the Community in the UAE, fostering social cohesion and solidarity. Through this initiative, we honour places that have brought people together and upheld the values of cooperation, coexistence and shared trade.'He continued: 'Today, we recognise 15 commercial establishments chosen by the local community. So far, we have honoured 60 such institutions - a major milestone in our mission to safeguard the living heritage of Abu Dhabi. These businesses have flourished for more than 20 years and helped shape the cultural identity of the UAE.'Among this year's honourees was Elie Reaidy, representing the historic Nauras Shop, founded in 1969. He said: 'I would like to thank the Department of Culture and Tourism for this wonderful initiative. Our logo features a bird - the migratory bird - which symbolises freedom. The bird carries wheat, representing generosity and prosperity. So, our symbol is love - love that lies between freedom and giving. We hope that Abu Dhabi continues to embody these values.'Mohammed Younis, originally from Jordan and owner of a honey factory in Abu Dhabi, shared his journey: 'I've been working with bees and honey for 40 years. My love for bees and the medicinal value of honey inspired me to establish a specialised institution at a time when none existed in this field. Honey isn't just a food, but also a medicine - and our goal was to share its health benefits with society.'The Urban Treasures Initiative was launched with the aim of recognising the city's landmark homegrown businesses - including restaurants, bakeries, tailors, fabric stores, perfumeries, jewellers, pharmacies, photography studios and similar establishments - which have thrived in Abu Dhabi for 20 years or to further raise the profiles of these 'treasures' and preserve them for future generations, the award aligns with DCT Abu Dhabi's Modern Heritage Initiative, which celebrates and safeguards the emirate's more recent past. Nominations for Urban Treasures 2025 were opened to the public. Candidates were then evaluated by a specialised committee based on a set of criteria, including key elements such as place-making, urban history, community value, and physical authenticity.
