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Al Etihad
10-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Hamdan bin Mohammed: Dubai's unified service model drives government excellence, improves people's lives
10 May 2025 21:36 DUBAI (WAM)His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, awarded the Hamdan Flag to the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs, recognising its outstanding achievement in applying the Services 360 policy and delivering integrated, proactive services that anticipate future needs."Guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, our government services not only meet expectations—they anticipate them. Services 360 is not a procedural enhancement; it is a comprehensive approach that strengthens the partnership between government, business, and society. It transforms data and digital integration into a seamless, human-centric experiences,' His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed said."To date, 997 government services have been redesigned under the Services 360 policy, saving Dh2.3 billion for customers and Dh1.6 billion for government entities. These results are testament to Dubai's unified approach to service transformation. I am proud of the teams who have improved public services through collaboration and integration. Every entity that has contributed to this effort is part of Dubai's story of excellence," he General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs was recognised for placing the service user at the heart of every experience, embodying the one-government spirit that characterises Dubai's public service Highness said, "The Hamdan Flag is awarded for real-world impact. I congratulate the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs for transforming its services into a model of efficiency, foresight and customer value."He also congratulated Dubai Customs for winning Best Pioneering Initiative, and Dubai Police for winning the Best Digital City Experience. The Roads and Transport Authority achieved the highest customer trust score for the second consecutive Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed hailed the beginning of a new phase of public service excellence, commending every shortlisted entity for its winners were announced during the annual awards ceremony of the Hamdan bin Mohammed Programme for Government Services, organised by the Dubai Model Centre under the General Secretariat of The Executive event was held in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Deputy Chairman of The Executive Council, and His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Deputy Chairman of The Executive second phase of the Services 360 policy resulted in direct savings, a 93% reduction in waiting times and the number of required visits, a 63% reduction in service requirements, a 59% cut in processing time, and a 56% overall reduction in service completion nine finalists selected for the Hamdan Flag from 27 government entities, were Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Community Development Authority, Roads and Transport Authority, General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs-Dubai, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Police, Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai Customs, and Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Customs received the Best Pioneering Initiative Award for its Cross-Border e-Commerce project, which enhances service efficiency and positions Dubai as a leading global hub for e-commerce through real-time customs clearance and pre-emptive Police was awarded the Best Digital City Experience for the Ahsan Allah Aza'akum initiative, digitising death related procedures for UAE citizens in Dubai (phase one), developed in partnership with key entities including the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Dubai Municipality, the Dubai Health Authority, the Community Development Authority, the Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Civil Defence, and the Ministry of Health and Prevention. The initiative will expand in its second phase to include other population in the Digital City Experience category included the digitalisation of land grants and exchange by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment), electric vehicle driving experience by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, vehicle licensing by the Roads and Transport Authority, and digitising death related procedures for UAE citizens in Dubai by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority was honoured for achieving the highest customer trust score for the second year in a row, underscoring the government's commitment to service Hamdan bin Mohammed Programme for Government Services follows a rigorous evaluation by the Dubai Model Centre and international experts, based on five core criteria: results and impact, whole-of-government approach, innovation, service culture, and sustainability. Residents also participated in customer feedback, reinforcing the customer's role in shaping future Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary General of The Executive Council of Dubai, said, "The results of the Services 360 policy reflect the strength of Dubai's governance model, where the leadership's vision is translated into measurable, real-world outcomes. The Hamdan Flag celebrates government entities that create tangible improvements in people's lives, led by proactive design, institutional integration, innovation, and a commitment to exceeding public expectations."Hamad Al Mansoori, Director General of the Digital Dubai Authority said, "The new addition of the 'Digital City Experiences' category within the Hamdan bin Mohammed Programme for Government Services reflects a genuine translation of cross-entity integration and unified government efforts under a shared vision to enhance quality of life in Dubai. Dubai Police's recognition in this category marks a new milestone in its journey and reaffirms its commitment to delivering seamless, customer-centric digital experiences that are both efficient and innovative."Dr. Hazza Khalfan Al Nuaimi, Assistant Secretary General for Excellence and Government Services Sector at the General Secretariat of The Executive Council of Dubai, said," The Hamdan bin Mohammed Programme for Government Services has become a comprehensive framework for designing, delivering, and assessing government services. The Hamdan Flag represents more than recognition—it marks the transformation of strategic ambition into operational excellence." Eman Al Suwaidi, Director of Assessment and Studies, General Secretariat of The Executive Council, said, "This year saw a marked improvement in proactive, integrated services across entities. The programme encourages continuous innovation, helping government entities redefine the customer journey using data, co-design, and digital collaboration."
Al Etihad
06-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Economic growth fuels realty boom in Abu Dhabi
7 May 2025 00:50 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)Despite growing global economic uncertainty driven by trade battles, the UAE's real estate markets have recorded strong performances in the first quarter of 2025, according to CBRE's recent UAE Real Estate Market Review. 'Abu Dhabi's office market continues to benefit from a strong non-oil sector and continued government investments, which is supporting growth in new business licences and demand for commercial spaces across the emirate,' the report stated. The emirate's non-oil sector expanded by 6.2% in 2024, while foreign non-oil trade surged 9% year-on-year to Dh306 billion, supported by a 16% increase in non-oil exports and an 11% rise in re-exports. This growth has fuelled continued demand for prime office space, especially in ADGM Square and Al Maryah Tower, both now fully occupied, according to the report. Overall office occupancy reached an average of 96% in the CBRE basket, while rental rates climbed 13% year-on-year. Prime rents increased nearly 15% amid limited availability of quality space, while lease renewals were up 9% sales in Abu Dhabi fell 31% year-on-year in Q1 2025, largely due to a 46% decline in off-plan transactions.'Meanwhile, ready transactions have increased by around 10%, as more investors have looked to purchase completed properties for their own occupation and yield generation,' the report noted. 'This is viewed positively, in terms of the long-term health of the market, reflecting rising demand from end-users and long-term investors.'Property values continued to rise, with apartment prices growing 12% and villa prices increasing 13% over the past year. Rents also surged, with average apartment rents up 13%, while villa rentals rose 4%, the report 40,000 new units are expected to be delivered over the next three years, including 15,000 in 2025 alone, with key launches like Mandarin Oriental Residences and Mamsha Gardens report revealed that the UAE's hospitality sector has shown strong growth, with tourism contributing around 12% to the national economy. In Abu Dhabi, hotel revenue jumped 18% year-on-year to Dh2.3 billion, with ADR and RevPAR up 25%. Occupancy averaged 79% across the emirate, and 82% in the city. Dubai welcomed 5.31 million international visitors in the first two months of 2025, marking a 4% increase. Average hotel occupancy stood at 81.5%, and the average daily rate (ADR) rose 2% to Al Khaimah also recorded strong growth, with nearly 730,000 guest nights and longer stays boosting performance UAE's industrial market continues to attract increasing interest from new investors and developers, with a positive macro-landscape and strong sector fundamentals creating an increasingly compelling report said that the UAE's industrial market continues to draw growing interest from investors and developers, driven by strong sector fundamentals and a supportive macroeconomic environment that highlight its rising potential.'This is reflected in the strong upward rental trends across all locations, with solid occupier demand supporting increasingly aggressive actions of the country's industrial landlords.''This is being supported by an increasingly diversified non-oil economy, and rising trade,' the report added. The UAE's industrial sector remains one of the most dynamic parts of the economy. Five new Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) were signed in Q1 2025 with Malaysia, New Zealand, Kenya, Ukraine, and the Central African Republic, bringing the total to 26. This trade expansion has supported strong rent increases, with Dubai's warehouse rents up over 20% and Abu Dhabi's up 14%, driven by growth in KEZAD.
The National
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi to get new 'record-breaking' ride as more attractions planned at Yas Island
Theme park Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will soon add a new 'record-breaking' roller-coaster ride, with the wider Yas Island set to get another three new attractions amid growing demand, the chief executive of operator Miral has said. The 'significant and signature ride in Ferrari World will have four records worldwide and roller coaster fans will be very excited to hear that news soon', Mohamed Al Zaabi, group chief executive of Miral, told reporters on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai on Tuesday. 'Two more attractions will be added to Warner Brothers and both will be signature rides,' he said. Yas Island had more than 38 million visits last year, marking an annual growth of 10 per cent, and a 20 per cent growth in theme park visits. Occupancy at hotels in Yas Island reached about 82 per cent through the year, marking a 9 per cent annual increase, he said. Average daily rates at the hotels rose 17 per cent. The average guest stay is about 1.9 nights, but efforts are on to increase that. Mr Al Zaabi said that '2024 was an exceptional year, we have broken all our records'. 'And with the current demand of tourists coming from around the world, we believe that the current number of hotels and rooms are not enough. So, we think that in coming five years, we will increase the number of rooms by at least 30 per cent,' he added. The plan is to expand Warner Bros themed hotel, with more details to be provided shortly. The executive also confirmed that phase two of the expansion of Yas Waterworld is progressing, with the first phase, which will include 12 new rides and experiences, set to open this summer. Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi is also on track for completion by the end of the year, although Mr Al Zaabi did not disclose the opening date. Work was also moving 'at the right pace' on the Harry Potter-themed attraction in Warner Bros Abu Dhabi, he said. Abu Dhabi welcomed 1.4 million overnight guests in the first quarter of the year, with hotels generating Dh2.3 billion ($626.2 million) in revenue, marking an 18 per cent annual increase, the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) said this week. Hotel occupancy stood at 79 per cent across the emirate during the period, with revenue per available room reaching Dh484, a 25 per cent year-on-year increase. Abu Dhabi's tourism sector 'is on track' to reach its target of contributing Dh62 billion to the economy in 2025, a 13 per cent increase from 2024, supporting 255,000 jobs across the emirate during the year, the DCT said. The emirate's Tourism Strategy 2030 aims to attract 39.3 million visitors annually, support the creation of 178,000 new tourism jobs, expand hotel capacity to 50,000 rooms, and contribute Dh90 billion to the emirate's gross domestic product by the end of the decade. The addition of new attractions is aimed at boosting tourism growth, with teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, which was recently opened at Saadiyat Cultural District, already seeing better than anticipated visitation, Mr Al Zaabi said. This year, Zayed National Museum is set to open on the island, with Guggenheim Abu Dhabi also 'on track' for completion, according to the DCT. Mr Al Zaabi stressed that despite increasing competition from Dubai and neighbouring Saudi Arabia, demand from tourists would keep growing. 'I have not seen any competition that cannibalised or had negative impact in others worldwide,' he said. 'I believe that the GCC will be an international hub. We will have more than 800 airport gates … Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Riyadh, they're all one hour far from each other … Tourists will come to enjoy different experiences.' Travelling habits have also changed, he said. 'Those who used to travel once every three years, now they travel once a year or even twice, the customer has changed,' Mr Al Zaabi told The National. He said there is greater availability of airline and seats, resulting in 'more options'. 'Visas have also become much easier … We have seen that people tend to travel more and more,' added Mr Al Zaabi.
Khaleej Times
29-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Abu Dhabi to roll out face-recognition technology for check-in across all hotels
Abu Dhabi will deploy face-recognition technology across all hotels for the safety of the visitors, residents and employees. The new system will 'enhance guest verification processes,' and 'simplify procedures and significantly reduce check-in time.' The facial recognition system captures and analyses biometric data during guest check-in. The data is securely encrypted, retrieved by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP), and transmitted to a centralised database managed by Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. The data will be used exclusively for enhancing guest safety and streamlining hotel operations, while strictly adhering to legal and ethical standards, in accordance with UAE cybersecurity and data privacy regulations. This is the first government-led initiative in Abu Dhabi to introduce face recognition technology, in partnership with hotels. The system is now in its pilot phase across some selected hotels in the emirate. The first phase of the full rollout will commence across five-star hotels in Abu Dhabi city, the Al Ain Region, and the Al Dhafra Region, followed later by a second phase targeting four-star hotels, gradually expanding to all remaining hotel categories. DCT Abu Dhabi, through its Licensing & Regulatory Compliance Department, is launching the system in cooperation with ICP. DCT Abu Dhabi said it is working closely with hotels to ensure a smooth rollout of the system. This includes direct communication, detailed system briefings, and the provision of technical and training support. By streamlining check-in and check-out procedures, the technology also boosts operational efficiency and provides guests with a seamless, tech-enabled experience. Abu Dhabi's tourism sector is off to a strong start in 2025, welcoming 1.4 million overnight visitors in the first quarter of the year. The emirate drew visitors from top-tier target markets and beyond — with best-performing markets including India, China, Russia, the UK, and the USA. Hotels in the capital generated Dh2.3 billion ($626 million) in revenue, an 18 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, and revenue per available room (RevPAR) reached Dh484, a 25 per cent year-on-year increase. Hotel occupancy maintained high levels during the period, including in Ramadan, recording 79 per cent across the emirate. The tourism sector is set to contribute Dh62 billion to the economy in 2025, a 13 per cent increase from 2024, and support 255,000 jobs across the emirate in 2025. The UAE capital is already ranked the world's safest city by Numbeo's Safety Index and this new initiative will further strengthen its position among global cities. It has been ranked the safest city in the world for the 9th consecutive year. 'This initiative reflects our commitment to leveraging innovation to enhance the guest experience while maintaining the highest standards of safety and security for both guests and hospitality sector employees. By working closely with ICP and our hotel partners and national authorities, we are ensuring a seamless, safer and more connected journey for every visitor,' said Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director-General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi.
Al Etihad
28-04-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi showcases its growing reputation as unique destination at Arabian Travel Market
29 Apr 2025 01:03 KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (Abu Dhabi) The Arabian Travel Market (ATM) kicked off in Dubai on Monday, bringing together tourism delegations, companies and professionals from over 166 countries. Expected to attract over 55,000 guests, the conference has become a popular platform for countries to and companies to collaborate and promote their credentials as tourist destinations. At the event, running until May 1, the Abu Dhabi Department of Tourism and Culture (DCT) has marketed the city - and continues to boost its reputation - as a travel the past few years, Abu Dhabi has steadily differentiated itself from neighbouring cities like Dubai with its exclusive cultural and leisure offerings. As, DCT Chairman, Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, told Aletihad at a roundtable talk earlier this month, Abu Dhabi offers visitors a truly unique experience."If you look at it from an experiential perspective, from a visitor, the amount of experiences… it really puts us in a big differentiating pool with the rest," he said. "I'm a family man, I've got four kids, I can come and visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi, or I can actually start even earlier. I can go to the beach. In any of our natural beaches, we have over 200, play volleyball, whatever the case may be."Let's say we get there at eight o'clock in the morning. By 10, we're done. I can be at a museum. By 6.30pm, I can take them to a theatre, and I can drop the kids back at 9pm. I can take my wife across town for a steak. You really can't do that in any other city because of just how it's built."According to Mubarak, the emirate is investing in many of the cultural institutions - including the Zayed National Museum, a natural history museum, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and the Louvre Abu Dhabi - as a strategy to help inspire Emiratis and residents first and foremost, with tourism as a welcome additional benefit. This strategy is seemingly working, in tandem with a busy entertainment event calendar which this year includes international comedy acts like Bill Burr and Dave Chappelle as part of Abu Dhabi Comedy Season, as well as performers like rapper Nas at Bred Abu Dhabi – the capital is attracting more tourists than ever to DCT, Abu Dhabi welcomed 1.4 million overnight guests in the first quarter of the year, reflecting sustained growth compared to the same period last year. Hotels generated Dh2.3 billion in revenue, an 18% increase compared to the same period last year, and the industry as a whole is on track to reach the goal of contributing Dh62 billion to the economy in 2025. At this year's ATM, the capital will highlight these successes whilst giving visitors a chance to see the vision for the future of Abu Dhabi as a unique year's ATM is set to include several key themes including the rise of AI in Tourism, and the increasing popularity of luxury travel – an segment in which Abu Dhabi is increasingly featuring. In alignment with ATM 2025's theme of Developing Tomorrow's Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity, the Experience Abu Dhabi stand is showcasing everything the emirate has to offer, joined by 73 key trade and tourism partners from across the emirate.
