Saadiyat: One island, many journeys

In November, Abu Dhabi was ranked as the world’s best city for a family getaway by The Family Vacation Guide, a trusted international platform for families looking to plan their vacations.

The guide’s 2022 index rated the countries on “holiday enjoyability” factors, including safety, pollution, weather, affordability, and the number of family-friendly attractions.
Abu Dhabi scored 8.5 out of 10 – the highest among other listed countries for safety and performed well on all other criteria.

Growing focus on tourism
This latest milestone is a testament to the emirate’s successful strategy to promote tourism in line with the overarching Abu Dhabi Vision 2030.
Saadiyat Island plays a key role in fulfilling this mission, as it sits at the heart of Abu Dhabi’s cultural tourism ecosystem, an unmatched global centre for culture, arts and creativity.
Saadiyat Island is expected to attract 19 million visitors and contribute Dhs4.2bn in direct tourism revenue by 2025, thereby playing a significant role in the country’s overall tourism ecosystem.

One island, many journeys
In May, DCT Abu Dhabi and Miral, which oversees the destination management strategy for the island, unveiled the Saadiyat Vision 2025.
Complemented by the island’s campaign ‘One Island. Many Journeys’ Miral’s focus has been on showcasing why the island is the ideal destination for a wide audience, including families and individuals looking for unique cultural, leisure,wildlife and luxury experiences. In addition to the first international outpost of the Louvre Museum, the island has three world-class museums, such as Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, and Zayed National Museum, set to open in the coming years.

Other cultural gems include Manarat Al Saadiyat, in the Saadiyat Cultural District, which hosts exhibitions and community-oriented events; Berklee Abu Dhabi – the international wing of the Boston-based music college; and the New York University Abu Dhabi – all of which draw students, artists, visitors and cultural icons from every corner of the world.

Complementing these will be the Abrahamic Family House, comprising a mosque, synagogue and church, becoming a symbol for tolerance and interfaith dialogue when it opens. While the 17,000sqm teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, scheduled to open by 2024, will showcase an immersive multi-sensory experience where science, technology, nature and art cross paths.
Saadiyat Island’s hospitality offerings are equally impressive with some of the UAE’s most luxurious resorts including the 306-key Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island, the Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villas, the Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island, and the Nurai Island, a boutique private island resort that features 42 villas.

With expansive white beaches set against the tranquil, turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf, Saadiyat Island is renowned for its unparalleled beach experiences. Saadiyat Beach has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best beaches in Abu Dhabi offering stunning views and pristine, white sand.

The beach is carefully managed by local authorities in order to protect the native wildlife, including the critically endangered hawksbill turtles. You can also see bottlenose dolphins, the native Arabian gazelle and more than 300 species of birds.

For those searching for lifestyle-driven experiences, there are several beach clubs on the island, including Saadiyat Beach Club, Soul Beach and Kai Beach. The Saadiyat Beach Golf Club features the region’s first ocean golf course, while the Mamsha Al Saadiyat community has a range of dining, entertainment, and shopping outlets.
“With such a unique offering, from diverse cultural institutions including the iconic Louvre Museum, to pristine white beaches and undisturbed wildlife, Saadiyat Island is well-positioned to boost Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector,” concludes Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral.

For more details, visit saadiyatisland.ae