Latest news with #FairmontBabAlBahr
Al Etihad
3 days ago
- General
- Al Etihad
Eid Al-Adha feasts in Emirati homes carry stories from enduring traditions, says renowned chef
6 June 2025 01:24 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)Though the UAE has grown into a vibrant, cosmopolitan nation that welcomes cultures from around the world in a spirit of tolerance, the feasts shared during occasions like Eid Al-Adha remain deeply rooted in authentic Emirati tradition, a renowned chef has said. Speaking to Aletihad , pioneering Emirati chef Muna Al Mansoori, said the 'culinary identity' that marks Eid in the UAE has not changed through the years, despite global modern influences. There may be some innovations but in terms of presentation and overall taste, the dishes remain distinctly Emirati. 'Every meal begins with traditional Emirati food. Eastern and Western desserts are added, but Emirati cuisine remains the foundation,' said Al Mansoori, Executive Chef at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr and a well-known culinary competition judge, organiser of cooking contests, and TV show host across multiple channels. Al Udhiya meat (sacrificial meat) – whether it's sheep, goat, ox, or camel – is the centrepiece in most Emirati homes, she said. 'Camel meat is preferred in the western areas, while lamb or goat is more common elsewhere.''Ghouzi' – slow-cooked lamb served over spiced rice – is the most iconic Emirati dish during Eid, she said. It is distinguished by a flavourful stuffing that typically includes basmati rice, sautéed onions, garlic, aromatic spices such as cardamom and dried lemon, along with toasted nuts and dried fruits. This dish is then topped with a layer of soft raqaq bread infused with meat-boiling Fawala is an essential tradition for welcoming guests, Al Mansoori said. It is a festive spread featuring sweets, dates, coffee, and an array of elaborate dishes.'Fawala never changes. It is always served as a sign of welcome and generosity. We see harees, asida, bathitha, and khanfroush. Some are also served for breakfast, and these include balaleet and khameer bread with honey or molasses,' she said. Harees is a slow-cooked wheat and meat dish with a creamy, porridge-like texture, while asida is a soft dessert made of flour, ghee, and date syrup. Bathitha is a sweet Emirati treat made of dates, flour, and ghee, while khanfroush resembles a light doughnut flavoured with saffron and cardamom. Balaleet is a sweet and savoury breakfast dish made of vermicelli, eggs, and spices; and khameer is a slightly sweet Emirati bread often served with honey or date syrup.'Every Emirati household celebrates in its own way, but the constants are ghouzi and harees,' Al Mansoori said. Global Influences Preparations for all these delectable dishes do not happen overnight; these begin at least 10 days before the festival, the chef said. 'We prepare a part of the dish every day, so, we are fully prepared on the day of Eid.'Al Mansoori has mastered the art of blending local dishes with subtle influences from global cuisines.'I add international touches to my dishes, but with a clear Emirati identity. I want the table to be full of colours and dishes that satisfy all tastes,' she said. Dates remain a staple in UAE hospitality but, in recent years, there has been remarkable development in how they are served. 'Productive families have started offering dates with innovative fillings as a refined form of hospitality during holidays – presenting them in unique and elegant ways, much like the traditional bathitha,' she Al Mansoori, food is not only about nourishment – 'but also joy, togetherness, and spirituality'. 'The Eid table reflects the generosity of the Emirati home, and each dish carries a story from our traditions,' she said.
Campaign ME
22-05-2025
- Campaign ME
How the media is helping drive sustainable tourism in the UAE
The UAE is known for its unique skyline, luxury resorts and larger-than-life attractions. But recently, the country has been shifting gear, putting sustainable tourism at the heart of its hospitality and travel industries. Abu Dhabi, in particular, is leading the charge with big plans to grow its visitor numbers while keeping things eco-friendly. And the media has a role to play in making sure these efforts don't go unnoticed. Abu Dhabi isn't just looking to bring in more tourists; it wants to do so in a way that benefits both the environment and the local community. The Emirate's Tourism Strategy 2030 aims to increase visitor numbers from nearly 24 million in 2023 to 39.3 million by 2030 – an impressive 7 per cent growth each year. But instead of only building more hotels and attractions, the focus is on sustainable tourism, ensuring that visitors experience Abu Dhabi in a way that preserves its natural beauty and culture for generations to come. A great example is Etihad Airways' new complimentary Abu Dhabi pass for its passengers. Not only do visitors get a free tourist SIM card with 10GB of data (perfect for Google Maps and Instagram), but they also get unlimited access to public buses and a 24-hour hop-on-hop-off bus pass. This makes it easier for tourists to explore Abu Dhabi without relying on taxis or rental cars, helping reduce carbon emissions in the process. Sustainable initiatives like these are fantastic – but only if people know about them! That's where the media comes in. From highlighting eco-friendly hotels and restaurants to covering government policies on sustainability, media outlets play a crucial role in making sustainable tourism something that both businesses and travellers actually care about. Spreading the word When major publications cover sustainability efforts, it puts the pressure on tourism operators to step up their game. It also helps educate tourists – because let's be real, most of us don't always think about how much water a hotel uses or whether an attraction is harming local wildlife when we're planning a trip. But the more we talk about these things, the more they become part of everyday travel decisions. A few hotels in the capital have been instrumental in the change to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly. For example, Jumeriah Saadiyat Island Resort, the first hotel in the capital to install filtered water stations (still and sparkling, no less!), provides every guest who checks in with a reusable bottle to drink from as opposed to using disposable plastic bottles. Fairmont Bab Al Bahr was the first in the city to have its own filtered water bottling plant within the resort, offering filtered (essentially, tap) water to guests in the hotel, reducing plastic waste and offering guests better value (not having to pay for bottled water is a huge saving). At Abu Dhabi Review, we've made it a point to showcase eco-conscious tourism in the UAE. Whether it's covering hotels that are going plastic-free, restaurants sourcing local ingredients, or new transport initiatives that make the city more accessible without a car, we're always looking for ways to shine a light on sustainable activations in the city. We also love talking to the people behind the change – whether on the website, or on our Podcast, The ADR Chat – from chefs using farm-to-table concepts, to sustainable fashion advocates creating spaces for people to recycle their clothes. The more we can share these stories, the more we can inspire both visitors and businesses to make sustainable choices. The UAE's tourism industry is evolving, and sustainability is no longer just a buzzword, it's a real part of life. The 2025 Hilton Travel Trends Report reveals 84 per cent of respondents are actively looking for eco-friendly travel options and sustainable practices. And a recent Fast Company article, citing research from the Marriott Bonvoy hotel group, says 'Sustainability is gaining prominence, with 87 per cent of UAE travellers and 82 per cent of Saudi Arabian travellers factoring in the environmental impact of their travel plans.' Clearly, with more travellers looking for eco-friendly experiences, Abu Dhabi is proving that luxury and sustainability can go hand in hand. And with media platforms helping amplify these efforts, we're helping ensure that responsible tourism isn't just an option; it's the future. By Asha Sherwood, CEO & Founder, Abu Dhabi Review
Trade Arabia
05-02-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
A1RWATER, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr achieve water from Air milestone
A1RWATER, a global leader in atmospheric water generation (AWG), has reached a significant milestone in its partnership with Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, generating 704,846 litres of water from the air since 2023. Together, A1RWATER and Fairmont Bab Al Bahr have made significant strides in reducing plastic waste and lowering the hotel's carbon footprint, eliminating the production of 1,409,692 single-use plastic water bottles (500 ml) and mitigating 116.3 metric tonnes of carbon emissions; aligning with key governmental initiatives including the UAE Circular Economy Policy and UAE Net Zero 2050, said a statement. Leveraging A1RWATER's state-of-the-art technology, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr has effectively harnessed the moisture in the air to prevent 8,456 kg of plastic waste from entering the hotel, and ultimately the world's landfills and oceans. These efforts are also contributing to a key global objective in the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). A1RWATER's technology employs advanced HEPA filtration, UV, and carbon purification processes to ensure premium, mineralised drinking water without the waste associated with traditional groundwater extraction and reverse osmosis systems. Alex Guy, Founder & CEO of A1RWATER, commented: 'Our partnership with Fairmont Bab Al Bahr is a powerful testament to what is possible when innovation meets sustainability. By generating clean water directly from the atmosphere, we are not only addressing critical water scarcity challenges in MENA but also championing a future free of single-use plastics and excess carbon. This collaboration reflects our unwavering commitment to advancing the UAE's leadership in sustainability, aligning with national initiatives like the UAE Net Zero 2050 strategy and global SDGs. At A1RWATER, we are proud to lead the charge in redefining how we source and consume water – because the time for transformative action is now.' The collaboration is also timely given regional challenges around water scarcity. According to the World Bank, the MENA region is projected to face severe water shortages, with water availability falling below the critical threshold of 500 cubic metres per person per year by 2030. With more water in the atmosphere than in rivers worldwide, A1RWATER's cutting-edge air-to-water technology offers a sustainable solution to this looming crisis while also aligning itself with the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036 to help ensure sustainable access to water during both normal and emergency conditions. Shamsudheen Thekkepattayil, Director of Environmental, Health & Safety at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi, added: 'Sustainability has been at the heart of our operations. Working with A1RWATER has allowed us to take bold steps in reducing our environmental footprint while ensuring our guests enjoy the highest quality drinking water. This partnership exemplifies responsible luxury hospitality and demonstrates our alignment with the UAE's vision for a greener, more sustainable future.' A1RWATER's contributions to the UAE extend beyond hospitality. To date, the company has generated over 3.6 million litres of water for schools, hotels, private companies, government offices, and Dubai Metro stations. These efforts have replaced more than 7.2 million single-use plastic bottles and mitigated 555 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions, underscoring the brand's commitment to environmental stewardship, the company said. – TradeArabia News Service
