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Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - Abu Dhabi's tourism chief said the emirate was primed to welcome back overseas visitors for the first time in six months after the Covid-19 pandemic posed "unprecedented challenges".
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism, said the safety of the public remained paramount as authorities laid the groundwork to maintain the capital's position as a key attraction.
He said a successful tourism industry is a "cornerstone" of a successful economy.
Mr Al Mubarak delivered his hopeful message on the heels of Abu Dhabi announcing on Thursday that tourists can once again secure visas to travel to the emirate.
As we prepare to welcome visitors once again, we are doubling our efforts in ensuring the safety of our destinations
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak
The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) said the move would "support recovery plans of the country's tourism sector and economy".
"Tourism is one of the cornerstones of economic development. This is why, over the past few years, we have developed the tourism infrastructure in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, in line with the knowledge economy strategies implemented by the government. This includes enhancing the tourism workforce and encouraging more talent to contribute to the growth of the sector," said Mr Al Mubarak.
He admitted the rise of coronavirus had affected the tourism industry across the globe.
"The Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly had its impact on the industry, presenting us with a number of unprecedented challenges," he said.
"We have had to approach these challenges with innovative solutions and strategies to revive the sector while maintaining the safety and well-being of our local community, which has always been our utmost priority.
"We also took this time to develop a number of cultural and heritage programmes, which incorporate a wealth of talent from various backgrounds and age groups.
French artist M performs during the opening day at the Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi on November 11, 2017. Christopher Pike / The National
SSheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, stand for a photograph while touring the newly constructed Louvre Abu Dhabi in September 2017. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
Entrance to Louvre Abu Dhabi, which opened its doors to the publi con November 11, 2017. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Bidhya Devi Bhandari, President of Nepal, visited the museum in November 2017, shortly after its opening. Saif Ghobash, Undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi and museum director Manuel Rabate was there during her visit. Courtesy Louvre Abu Dhabi
From April 2016: The first four stages of "flooding" the construction site starts. The process involved welcoming back water from the Arabian Gulf, which surrounds the museum today. Christopher Pike / The National
Francois Hollande, former president of France, visits the museum's construction site with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, in December 2016. Christopher Pike / The National
On the E11, the Vincent van Gogh self portrait advertises Louvre Abu Dhabi in February. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Moroccan King Mohammed VI looks at a painting titled "Whistler's Mother" by James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1871) as he visits the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum during its inauguration in 2017. ludovic MARIN / AFP
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed greet Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte at the opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi. AFP
A visitor walks through a patch of light at Louvre Abu Dhabi. The museum's iconic done, designed by Jean Nouvel, filters natural light to produce this dappled effect. Christopher Pike / REUTERS
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy visits the museum's construction site with Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority in January 2016. Sarkozy has close ties to the project after initiating its intergovernmental agreement in 2007. Courtesy TDIC
Construction for Louvre Abu Dhabi began in 2009 and reached its final stages in 2016. Christopher Pike / The National
The inauguration ceremony of the museum on November 8, 2017 was attended by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (centre), King Mohamed VI of Morocco (right) and French president Emmanuel Macron (left). Hamad Al Kaabi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
Portrait of a woman by Pablo Picasso on display at the Louvre. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Bust of Faustina the younger, Roman Empress on display at the Louvre, from November 2017. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Louvre Abu Dhabi opened its doors to the public on November 11. Christopher Pike / The National
A visitor takes a photo of Leonardo da Vinci's 'La Belle Ferronière' at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A visitor at the modern and contemporary section of Louvre Abu Dhabi, from November 2017. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Jacques-Louis David's 'Napoleon Bonaparte Crossing the Alps', depicting the French stateman's crossing through the Great St. Bernard's Pass in May 1800. Chris Whiteoak / The National
An Emirati man shows visitors traditional weaving techniques for fishnets during a UAE National Day Program at Louvre Abu Dhabi in December 2018. Antonie Robertson / The National
An aerial view of Louvre ABu Dhabi. In 2018, the museum announced that it welcomed more than one million visitors in its first year. UAE residents represented 40% of the museum’s visitors, with Emirati nationals ranking in the top two visitors in this category. Courtesy DCT Abu Dhabi
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority looks at the Monumental Lion sculpture on view at Louvre Abu Dhabi in February 2018. Christopher Pike / Reuters
epa07953447 Visitors gather under the building's main dome during a preview of the exhibition '10,000 years of Luxury' at the Louvre Gallery in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 27 October 2019. The exhibition also includes a 8,000-year-old pearl of just a few millimeters in diameter that has been discovered during archeological excavations on the Marawah Island near Abu Dhabi. Some 350 extraordinary pieces from around 30 countries spanning several millennia are shown at the exhibition that reportedly opens on 30 October. EPA/ALI HAIDER
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, September 17, 2020. The U.A.E. flag proudly waves at the Louvre Abu Dhabi on a Thursday afternoon. Victor Besa/The National. Section: Standalone
Senior adviser to the US president Jared Kushner being shown a replica of the Abrahamic Family House, a planned interfaith prayer site, at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Twitter/ @USAinUAE
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, June 25, 2020. The Louvre , Abu Dhabi after 100 days of being temporarily closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Victor Besa / The National Section: NA Reporter: Saeed Saeed
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, September 17, 2020. The garden area outside the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa/The National. Section: Standalone
"Additionally, we have worked on creating a number of ground-breaking virtual experiences to enable travellers to appreciate the best of Abu Dhabi, amidst a number of closures and travel restrictions imposed by the pandemic."
Mr Al Mubarak said bolstering the key tourism sector was key to plans to revive the economy amid Covid-19.
"Through this innovation and commitment, the UAE has succeeded in setting a shining example in crisis management with its globally acclaimed Covid-19 response," he said.
"We have worked relentlessly alongside other government entities to launch a number of initiatives to support the tourism sector during this period and elevate the level of trust amongst our consumers to position Abu Dhabi as one of the safest destinations in the world.
"And today, as we prepare to welcome visitors once again, we are doubling our efforts in ensuring the safety of our destinations to guarantee our guests a safe and unforgettable experience."
Saood Al Hosani, undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism, said officials were now focused on enticing tourists back to Abu Dhabi.
"Abu Dhabi has been recognised and highly praised for its efficient, persistent and rapid response to managing and containing the spread of Covid-19 through a series of initiatives developed by local government and the relevant authorities, including DCT Abu Dhabi," he said.
"The implementation of stringent measures and safety guidelines helped boost consumers’ confidence towards our destination, while simultaneously revitalising the tourism sector.
"With the reopening of tourism in the UAE, we hope to promote Abu Dhabi as the safe destination it truly is by enhancing our efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of visitors and residents.
"We are especially focused on enhancing the safety measures to protect all employees within the culture and tourism sectors, who play a key role in making our destination experience an exceptional one by creating a sustainable creative environment.
"Abu Dhabi is a diverse destination with a variety of landscapes and environments, from which a multitude of unique cultural communities have grown to create a vibrant scene.
"We are currently working to develop the destinations within these communities to reflect our rich heritage, enabling creativity to thrive and spurring significant economic growth."
Updated: September 27, 2020 09:49 AM
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