ADTA opens visitor information centre at Abu Dhabi International Airport

The centre in the Arrivals Hall of Abu Dhabi International Airport was opened by the authority's Deputy Director General Business Support, Abdulaziz Al Hammadi. The new visitor arrivals 'gateway' is being manned round-the-clock by trained visitor service representatives.

"This is the start of a substantial investment in visitor information facilities planned for this year and next which is all aimed at enhancing the entire visitor experience,"

explained Al Hammadi.

Four other centres are due to come on line this year - at the Yas Marina Circuit, Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi Mall and Al Wahda Mall. They will be open from October 24- November 2 with the mall operations also featuring racing car simulators on which visitors can try out their skills.

"Tenders for these facilities are now being finalised with work due to commence imminently. These temporary facilities will be manned by ADTA personnel who are undergoing specific visitor service training," said Nasser Al Reyami, ADTA's Tourism Standards Director.

The ADTA is also planning to activate additional touch-screen visitor kiosks on Yas Island, in the Shangri-la Qary'at Al Beri Hotel, in Al Bawardi Mall, Al Ain and at the border between Al Buraimi, in Oman and Al Ain - a popular crossing point for visitors from the Sultanate to the UAE. This will bring the total throughout the emirate to 26.

A sixth visitor centre - designed as a one-stop arrivals experience encompassing immigration proceedings, duty free and an information centre will be combined in an 'Arabian tent' structure being commissioned to serve the cruise season at Mina Zayed. All six centres will complement existing visitor information centres at Al Maqta Fort next to Al Maqta Bridge the 'gateway' to the UAE capital and another in the signature Emirates Palace hotel.

"Ease of access to destination information can lift the entire visitor experience particularly during in the lead-up to, during and the immediate post period of an important event," explained Saeed Al Dhaheri, Visitor Information Manager, ADTA.

"Visitors to these new facilities will be to pick up complimentary copies of the new Official Visitors Guide available in English and Arabic, city maps for Abu Dhabi and Al Ain and any one of 31 fliers on attractions and cultural traditions which will be available in seven languages."

The Mina Zayed centre will deliver a true Arabian welcome experience to passengers of a growing number of cruise ships calling at Mina Zayed.

"Visitors will be welcomed with Arabic coffee, dates and incense and there will be demonstrations of henna painting, calligraphy and a falcon on hand so that they can gain a better understanding of Abu Dhabi's cultural traditions," explained Al Dhaheri.

Plans are also underway for the launch of additional permanent visitor centres next year at the planned Ferrari World theme park on Yas Island and in the souk being built as part of Aldar's Central Market project.

An further visitor kiosk will also be installed in the new year in the Qasr Al Sarab (Mirage Palace) desert retreat which is to open in the Liwa desert in Abu Dhabi's Al Gharbia (western region) at the end of this month.