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UFC in UAE: Second Abu Dhabi Showdown Week boosts global tourism

The recent Abu Dhabi Showdown Week demonstrated the UAE capital’s readiness to accelerate global tourism plans after the weeklong fight-and-fitness themed festival attracted fans from 75 countries. More than 10,000 fans attended Abu Dhabi Showdown Week’s headline UFC 267, with attendees including Mohammad Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman, Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director and Group CEO, Mubadala, and senior DCT Abu Dhabi Management, alongside influential regional and international figures. Abu Dhabi Showdown Week activities engaged fans, with 3,200 taking part in UFC 267 fanzine activities at Yas Mall, with hundreds more engaging in the pre-event news conferences, weigh-ins, fan zone events, meet-and-greet sessions with fighters, and more. Almost half the number of fans who purchased tickets for a night of top-quality UFC action travelled from overseas as Etihad Arena lived up to its billing as the sport’s international home. And, while the event strengthened Abu Dhabi’s bid to be recognised as a global MMA capital, it underscored the confidence of worldwide visitors in the emirate as a safe and secure destination. The successful hosting of Abu Dhabi Showdown Week with thousands of international visitors in attendance follows hot on the heels of Abu Dhabi being named the MENA region’s safest city by the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Safe Cites Index. Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Executive Director, Tourism and Marketing, at DCT Abu Dhabi said, “This event is one of a multitude of sports, entertainment and cultural events that were successfully organised in the UAE capital over the past months with stringent health and safety protocols, including four major UFC championships in just seven months. Thanks to close collaboration between government departments and key partners, we successfully organised this second edition of Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, with the programme of activations demonstrating our capabilities as the perfect host destination for mega events. Backed by desire and hard work, Abu Dhabi Showdown Week exceeded all of our expectations for visitors, including those from overseas. Fans came from 75 countries for this event, which translates into positives both reputationally and economically for the emirate.” Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Executive Director, Tourism and Marketing, at DCT Abu Dhabi said, “This event is one of a wide variety of sports, entertainment and cultural events that were successfully organised at the UAE capital over the past months with health and safety measures, including four major UFC championships in just seven months. Thanks to close collaboration between government departments and key partners, we successfully organised this second edition of Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, with the programme of activations demonstrating our capabilities as the perfect host destination for mega events. Backed by desire and hard work, Abu Dhabi Showdown Week exceeded all of our expectations for visitors, including those from overseas. Fans came from 75 countries for this event, which translates into positives both reputationally and economically for the emirate. ” Hotels in proximity to UFC 267 venue Etihad Arena and associated Abu Dhabi Showdown Week activities on Yas Island reported 82 per cent occupancy rates, compared with 42 per cent for the same period in 2020, as the festival grabbed global attention. Numbers were boosted by the 335 UFC delegates and 28 international fighters from 11 countries travelling to Abu Dhabi for the weeklong MMA extravaganza, with UFC stars quick to praise Abu Dhabi as a host of major sporting events and an unrivalled destination. Brazil’s Glover Teixeira, who produced a fine performance in the main event to win the light heavyweight title, becoming the UFC’s oldest first time champion at 42, said: “Abu Dhabi is a great place to come and fight. They know their combat sports; they know their MMA. The hospitality is truly amazing. It doesn’t get much better than this.” Lerone Murphy, from England, who won his matchup against Finland’s Makwan Amirkhani to make it three straight wins in Abu Dhabi, said: “I love Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi is my home. I love it, the heat, the nice hotels, the hospitality, the people, everything. It’s just the vibe. It’s my vibe.” Meanwhile, Russia’s Petr Yan secured victory over Corey Sandhagen in the co-main event to win the UFC interim bantamweight title. After which he said: “This is the second time I’ve won the title in Abu Dhabi, it feels like home to me, it’s Yan Island.”

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First meeting of tourism board to be held in Dec

The first meeting of the Goa Tourism Board — which will be the final authority in deciding tourism-related projects and strategies — is expected to take place in December. The notification constituting it will be out shortly. The cabinet had recently approved the board’s formation with the chief minister as its chairperson and the tourism minister as its co-chairperson. The board will pave the way for implementing the tourism master plan and policy and has been the chief feature of the tourism policy that was approved last year. Though the composition of the board was finalised after much deliberation and consultation, the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) had requested the government to have it headed by the chief minister instead of the tourism minister a few months ago. The suggestion was made as a broad consensus arose among stakeholders that having the chief minister at the helm of affairs would be prudent and that his presence would help fast-track the projects that may need authorisation and approval of departments other than the tourism ministry. A member of the trade body said that though much time was lost, they are happy the board will become a reality soon. “The board will be the final authority henceforth in deciding projects, promotions and marketing strategies,” the member said. Several trade members had been critical of Goa Tourism over the past few years when funds were utilised mainly to beautify temples and churches due to the insistence of either GTDC or the tourism minister, or sometimes both.

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CM seeks Central assistance for promoting tourism in Puducherry

Making a pitch for tourism promotion in the Union Territory of Puducherry with more Central assistance, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy has sought funds for setting up a water aerodrome for seaplane operations apart from introducing cruise and chopper services. In a virtual interaction with Chief Ministers/Finance Ministers chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman the other day, Mr. Rangasamy also sought assistance for expansion of airport and port infrastructure and establishment of a film city. Mr. Rangasamy wanted Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme for operators of helicopter operations in the initial period. As tourists, who go sight-seeing, preferred entertainment, there is a proposal to set up auditoriums / convention centre / amphitheatres for cultural performances/MICE activities. On the proposal for a film city, theme park and cruise terminals on a 100-acre site along Manapet beach, Mr. Rangasamy sought the Central Government’s help in identifying and designating suitable agencies to implement the scheme in PPP mode. On the IT/ITES front, the Chief Minister sought assistance to develop multi-storeyed infrastructure in industrial estates for start-ups to launch operations on a plug-and-play basis. As the Union Territory proposed to implement universal health coverage, it required Central assistance to construct a new 500-bedded Infectious /Epidemic diseases hospital to strengthen the infrastructure for health care facilities at an estimate cost of ₹150 crore. The Chief Minister made a case for differentiating Puducherry from a Union Territory like Delhi with regard to allocation of financial resources as the several key sectors of the NCT were directly administered by the Centre. He advocated a funding pattern for Centrally-sponsored schemes on a par with those for the Union Territories where Central share was 90%. The Chief Minister pointed out that the existing funding support under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) for Puducherry was inadequate to complete the housing projects after the government enhanced the share of Union Territory. As the revised pattern of funding financial implications for housing schemes amounted to ₹126.84 crore, a higher Central grant for the housing project for Puducherry would be of help to achieve the objective of providing houses to the poor. Another important plea was to implement a 10% year-on-year increase in Central grants provided to the Puducherry Government.

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Karnataka: In huge boost for tourism sector, kayaking launched at Gokak falls

BELAGAVI: In a huge boost for the pandemic-hit tourism sector, the government has allowed kayaking at Gokak falls in Belagavi district. The falls is a major tourist destination during the monsoon season and the kayaking initiative is likely to draw more visitors, especially water sport enthusiasts. After the forest and other government departments cleared the project, Explore The Outdoors, a private venture owned by Ayub Khan launched the kayaking service about 10 days ago. More than 350 people have taken kayaking trips since, besides learning about paddling and navigation. Currently, five kayaks, a jetski and a raft are available for hire. A 30-minute ride on the Ghataprabha river costs Rs 300 per person. Visitors are taught the basics of kayaking — for example paddling and how to ensure one’s balance while seated — prior to the ride. Khan said all safety measures are in place and staff from the firm are always on hand to help. In the coming weeks, he expects footfall to increase since enquiries are pouring in. He also claimed the sport will continue in summer without any interruption. “Even in the summer months, water levels will be sufficient for boats to manoeuvre and people can visit,” he said. He said the emphasis is more on training people to handle a kayak instead of mere entertainment so that they could manage emergency rescues during floods. He also stressed safety of participants is a priority and his team members are professional rescuers. Khan, who has helped with search and rescue operations for the past 30 years and who rescues more than 130 residents stranded in villages in Gokak during the floods in 2019, had sought permission for the venture way back in 2014. An adventure sport enthusiast, Khan has six acres of land on the riverbank adjacent to the falls area from where the firm operates.

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Th8 Palm opens to bookings in Dubai

Th8 Palm is now open for bookings on the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. The new Accor lifestyle property launches as an all-suite beachside resort with 121 suites, each with ocean views and an innovative design. The destination also offers a 200-metre private beach and a temperature-controlled infinity pool. The interiors at the boutique resort are inspired by the art deco scene of Miami Beach. The resort is home to a beach club, called Fluid. Here guests can order exotic cocktails and bites, while listening to music and enjoying access to the infinity pool. The pool and beach area also feature private cabanas. Other leisure facilities include the state-of-the-art, fully equipped gym with personal trainers available. Th8 Palm hotel manager, Klaus Assmann, said: “Modern, art-inspired, fashionable yet functional in its design, Th8’s unpretentious luxury is effortless and honest, while offering guests the very best views of the Palm Jumeirah and Dubai’s iconic skyline. “Choose from 121 suites where nothing is standard, but the premium luxury is unmistakable. “With a laid-back atmosphere that goes from day to night, the resort offers an infinity pool, water sports, signature beachfront restaurant, VIP cabanas, and outdoor entertainment areas.” Every room at Th8 Palm is a suite, with a choice of studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom suites. Each comes with a king-size bed, living area with a sofa bed, full kitchen suites and a balcony that has views of the city skyline or the Arabian Gulf. The 194-square-metre three-bedroom Panoramic Palm Sea View family suite is the most coveted. This penthouse sleeps up to eight guests and has a wraparound balcony for the very best views in the house.

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Guernsey to welcome cruise visitors in 2022

After two seasons without cruise ships calling into Guernsey this vital part of the tourism economy is due to be reinstated for 2022. As one of the most important and popular ports in the British Isles, the destination will see its first return call taking place on April 14th with the arrival of Hanseatic Spirit. Running right through the season with the last call to Guernsey’s St Peter Port scheduled on October 30th, with the visit of Vasco da Gama, the season will see cruise call numbers returning to pre-pandemic levels. “Over the last five years we have worked hard to establish an attractive, compelling cruise proposition that offers an unrivalled product in the British Isles. “We have invested heavily in our cruise infrastructure focusing on our welcome, disembarkation process and extensive and themed shore excursion that in turn have made us attractive to the leading international cruise lines. “We are delighted to be bouncing back and seeing the level of interest and commitment from the flagship cruise lines,” commented Wendy Pedder, marketing manager, trade and media relations, marketing and tourism, VisitGuernsey.

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