Abu Dhabi heads to ITB Berlin with major product enhancements

Joining the authority in its ITB Berlin Abu Dhabi pavilion are 63 stakeholders representing a product line of over 80 offerings including state-of-the-art attractions, luxurious beachfront resorts, city centre hotels, the Arabian Gulf's first integrated wellness medical centre, tour operators and a sustainable desert retreat.

Pavilion newcomers include the stunning The Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal - a new signature property flanking Khor Al Maqta (Maqta Creek) which marks the entry of this high-end brand into the United Arab Emirates' capital. Making its international debut is the new DNA Center for Integrative Medicine & Wellness on Saadiyat Island. Nestled in The Collection retail complex of the five-star, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, this centre is offering a new integrative family health protocol uniting mind, body and spirit to combat anti-ageing and chronic disease and assist with lifestyle changes to improve quality of life.

"Our mission is to deliver a state-of-the-art centre of excellence for health and wellness in the UAE that provides the highest level of US healthcare protocols for lifestyle, anti-ageing and chronic disease treatment," said Dr. Nasim Ashraf, Chairman and CEO of DNA Health Corp.

"Abu Dhabi is the fulcrum of that vision. The emirate is a true destination of distinction that intrinsically reflects our company ethos. With the opening of this centre on the luxurious surroundings of Saadiyat Island, it is our aim to establish Abu Dhabi as a leading global wellness tourism destination."

At ITB the Center will roll-out a core health and wellness programme 'DNA For Life' tailored to be relevant to the German wellness tourism market seeking stress management, weight management and anti-ageing. This four-day Optimal Health and Wellness Package assesses a client's state of health using genome testing and DNA sequencing methods and works with their personal wellness goals to create a customised lifestyle and wellness plan to take health and well-being to an entirely new level.

"We are looking to establish relationships with German luxury tour operators to be included in brochures for 2013/2014," explained Dr. Nasim. "Germany represents one of the largest markets for hotel guests in Abu Dhabi, attracted by the year-round sunshine as well as relaxation and cultural activities. We believe the Center's offering of wellness programmes and ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation while staying at the Park Hyatt on Saadiyat Island will be attractive to this market. Packages include a round of golf at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club or a day pass to Monte Carlo Beach Club and accommodation for spouses or partners is included."

The Center is affiliated with Washington DC's GW Center for Integrative Medicine, widely recognised as one of the world's leading facilities in its field.
"Saadiyat Island is a perfect fit for a wellness centre of this calibre," added Dr. Ashraf. "Its stunning, natural environment, crystal clear turquoise waters and nine kilometre stretch of white sand beach make it the ideal destination to seek healing, rejuvenation and replenishment of the spirit."

Wellness is also making an appearance among new 2013 room packages launched by Hilton Abu Dhabi. Its new Revitalising Wellness Package includes a one-night stay, a 30-minute massage at the Hiltonia Spa, an in-room juice bar, yoga, pilates or a health activity of choice at the Hiltonia Health Club, a healthy meal at La Terrazza Restaurant and a late check-out. Rates start from US $205 per person per night with the offer being subject to availability, 10% service charge and 6% tourism fee.

The hotel is also pushing its new Hilton Abu Dhabi Family Package where families get a 20% discount on the best available bed-and-breakfast rate and children under 12 eat, stay and play for free. The package, which includes a late check-out and complimentary shuttle to the nearby Marina Mall, centres around the popular Hiltonia Beach Club with its 350 metre private beach, chilled swimming pools, water slides and water sports activities. Terms and conditions apply.

Taking pride of place on the Aldar Properties corner will be the thrilling new power draw of YasWaterworld - the Arabian Gulf's biggest waterpark which is almost the size of 15 football pitches with 43 rides, slides and attractions, five of which are industry 'firsts.'
YasWaterworld visitors can try the 238-metre long, world's first, and largest hydromagnetic-powered, six-person Tornado waterslide. For adrenaline seekers there are three-metre high waves on Bubble's Barrel, which has the world's largest surfable sheet wave for flowboards and bodyboards. The Bandit Bomber, a 550-metre coaster, is the first with onboard water and laser effects. Riders can shoot jets of water at targets, drop water bombs and trigger special effects, while people below can spray them with water as they pass.

Sitting atop Jebel Dana, the towering core of the park's altitude-defying summit measuring eight metres in diameter, the park's gigantic pearl is the newest landmark for Abu Dhabi's Yas Island entertainment destination. The park draws on Abu Dhabi's heritage and has 'The Lost Pearl' as its theme. Visitors follow the story of a young Emirati girl on a quest to find a legendary pearl as they make their way around the attractions, which include a souk and a pearl-diving exhibit with a 100-seat ampitheatre.

There's now more than ever to Yas Island - home to the Yas Marina Circuit which hosts the annual Etihad Airways Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the iconic Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi, the only hotel in the world to straddle an F1 race track . Recently opened is Yas Beach, which is set on the island's tranquil southern shores and is its only stretch of public beach. Open daily from 10am - 7pm, this is a great spot to relax and enjoy sun, sea, sand, food and drinks, and there's plenty of car parking available.

Aldar has also introduced a Yas Park Pass which is a dual-park combo ticket that gets guests into Ferrari World Abu Dhabi - the world's largest indoor theme park with the world's fastest roller-coaster - and YasWaterworld Abu Dhabi at one great value price. The pass is available as a one-day or two-day ticket. The one-day ticket lets guests visit both parks the same day. The two-day pass lets visitors visit both parks within 14 days of each other.

Another great development for Yas Island is the introduction of the Yas Express - a complimentary shuttle bus service which runs daily from 9am to 9pm, providing easy access to the island's main attractions and landmarks, including - Yas Viceroy Hotel, Yas Plaza Hotels, Yas Central at Yas Marina Circuit, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and YasWaterworld.

The recent Yas Island initiatives will, according to Sayed Tayoun, Area Director of Sales & Marketing of the Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island, benefit all the hotels within Abu Dhabi's entertainment destination.

"With these recent additions we expect to significantly grow our leisure market," he said.

"So at ITB we will be looking to increase the amount of leisure guests we get from Europe and drive awareness of Yas Island as a leisure destination."

Also making their ITB debuts in the Abu Dhabi pavilion is the sustainable desert attraction of Arabian Nights Village. Set on a dedicated plot in Al Khatem, half way between the UAE capital and the emirate's heritage heartland of Al Ain,thevillage harnesses the soul and essence of old Arabia.

Conceived to give visitors a chance to experience the mythical and timeless beauty of the desert and traditional Emirati life, the Arabian Nights Village is not a hotel, but by no means a rustic camp. Although internet is available for emergencies, there are no televisions on-site, inviting the guests to enjoy an authentic, serene experience. The village - for all its traditional practises - utilises a mix of ancient and futuristic technologies to ensure everything runs smoothly and, vitally, sustainably. The village utilises the area's natural resources, with a specialist water treatment facility extracting and treating water on-site. Drinking water comes from a deep well. The village also uses treated waste water to irrigate trees and its landscaped gardens.

"This is a one-of-a-kind desert village in Abu Dhabi which adds value to the destination as it fills the gap of a luxurious desert experience," said MuradSaket, General Manager, Arabian Nights. "At ITB we are looking to reach the retail and corporate markets which have the potential to bring tourists to the UAE."

The site is powered by four sound-proofed generators and there are three types of room available, Beit Al Barr, traditional mud houses of the desert, Beit Al Bahr, the original houses of Emirati sea-dwellers which are made from palm fronds, and BeitShaar, or woven tents. There is also an idyllic 200m² swimming pool - the ideal place to cool down after a spot of dune bashing, quad biking, sand surfing or falconry.

Another newcomer is The St. Regis Abu Dhabi - the luxury operator's second hotel in the emirate - which promises to 'set a new standard of luxury' when it opens in May. Commanding a prime position along Abu Dhabi's Corniche beachfront, this towering property has 17 floors in the new Nation Towers development giving it panoramic vistas of the Arabian Gulf and the hotel will feature the chain's much-famed and pioneering all-guest butler service.

Michelin-starred chef Gary Rhodes is onboard and will present a 225-cover, all-day dining restaurant - en English-style bistro with Arabic touches - with street-front access. Rhode has also agreed to devise additional and bespoke menus for the hotel's Tea Lounge, Library Bar, room service and exclusive beach club.

Crossing eight lanes of Corniche roadway to reach the 5,000m2 spot of beachfront will be of no concern to The St. Regis Abu Dhabi guests: a private, air-conditioned tunnel will offer a convenient, ground-floor pathway to personal cabanas lying along a 200metre strip of white sand.

Arguably the hotel's most striking and memorable feature - the one overriding aspect that will let guests know they are in a St. Regis - comes into view well before guests ever reach their rooms, hit the beach, indulge in a quick shop or have a bite to eat. A sweeping, majestically ornate and elegantly refined staircase dominates the lobby area. Recalling the elegant fineries of yesteryear, the beautiful, curving flight of fancy provides an instantaneous sense of grandeur.

Among The St. Regis Abu Dhabi's 283 rooms and 40 suites is the immaculate Abu Dhabi Suite. Suspended between the two towers, the extravagant suite spans 1,085 square metres and includes three bedrooms, a grand, two-storeymajlis, a kitchen, dining room, movie theatre, fully-equipped gym and private spa. The dramatic master suite in the upper wing, boasts a private entrance with elevator, en-suite bathroom library, lounge, entertainment and dining area complete with art deco-inspired furniture and crystal chandeliers.

Motoring into the Abu Dhabi pavilion for the first time is The Big Bus hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of Abu Dhabi, taking passengers to all of the UAE capital's landmarks. The tour provides a personal commentary in a choice of languages, explaining Abu Dhabi's rapid development and cultural history.

Its 24-hour tickets gives passengers plenty of time to explore Abu Dhabi's popular attractions. The sightseeing tour also includes a shuttle to Abu Dhabi's entertainment capital, Yas Island and free entrance to the Sky Tower at Marina Mall.

Meanwhile another pavilion sharer - this time the five-star Jumeirah at Etihad Towers - has introduced an attraction of its own: the Level 74, Tower 2, the Observation Deck at 300. This offers the highest vantage of Abu Dhabi's cityscape and guests can enjoy delicious refreshments against a spectacular backdrop.

"We will be clearly demonstrating to our ITB visitors how the sheer diversity of Abu Dhabi's rapidly expanding visitor proposition is firmly establishing the emirate as a place where there is much more to see and do than ever before," explained Mubarak Al Nuaimi, Director Promotions & Overseas Offices, TCA Abu Dhabi.

And Abu Dhabi's Danat Hotels & Resorts will be touting two new initiatives - the Al Raha Beach Hotel extension and the Q3 2013 introduction of its Danat Resident and Hotel Apartments which will open close to Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.