Beach charges start to deter single men

Visitors to the new Abu Dhabi Beach will have to pay an entrance fee starting this weekend, as part of measures to prevent large groups of single men from congregating on the beach.

From Friday, families will have to pay five dirhams per person to use the beach, while men unaccompanied by women will be charged 10 dirhams each, UAE daily The National reported on Thursday.

The announcement comes less than a month after the capital’s first landscaped public beach was opened to much fanfare.

Municipal officials said they received numerous complaints about single men occupying much of the beach, with women in particular voicing their discomfort.

The decision comes only two weeks after the beach was divided into two sections – one for families and women, and one for the general public.

Plans to segregate a new beach in Abu Dhabi were not supported by people taking part in an Arabian Business poll recently.

More than 63 percent oppose the proposal with the majority of these (36 percent) saying beach patrols should be introduced instead to monitor behaviour on the beach.

Twenty-seven percent of respondents were adamant that everyone should be able to go where they like when they visit the beach.

63% oppose beach segregation plan
Proposal to divide up new $28.5mn beach in Abu Dhabi not backed by Arabian Business poll.

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Charges for the beach visit
Posted by Hombil, Muscat, Oman on Saturday 26 July 2008 at 17:31 UAE time


Yet another indirect taxation from the UAE government! Beaches (and parks) have been common man's free leisure during holidays, but now visiting beaches will not be affordable for many. What else is now left free in the UAE for the poor common man?

Is this a practical solution to deter the bachelors from going to the beaches? Those bachelors who can afford would still go to the beach and what is the guarantee that such person/s will not be a nuisance value to the families or females?

How does this help???
Posted by Lester, Dubai, UAE on Saturday 26 July 2008 at 11:46 UAE time

I went to the new corniche this week....noticed security stopping single men from entering through the gate, while you could see troublemakers get in somehow from another side.....Why isn't there a clear demarkation.....appreciate the govt's efforts to make families and women feel comfortable but then who are they kidding? who do you restrict...single men who come to stare at women however decent and sophisticated they may be??? illiterate people who come to do the same....what's the difference??? the emirates palace has a nice private beach for its customers.....does anyone even try to disturb people there??? i suggest clear demarkation....where it's men only...families....and women only.... i know of places where people are charged to use facilities...charges are levied for the sole purpose of maintenance...

Segregation of men and women on beaches
Posted by Valerie Houghton, Abu Dhabi, UAE on Friday 25 July 2008 at 08:51 UAE time


So typical of the UAE to try and resolve an issue with money versus common sense. If you are uncomfortable at the beach with men, then don't go there. Maybe the malls should start charing 5dh for the "general public "and 10dh for every female who wants to shop; some reverse discrimination could be a lesson that needs to be learned.

charges on beach
Posted by leo, dubai, uae on Thursday 24 July 2008 at 08:42 UAE time

So 68% against beach charges but from the authorities perspective, 28.5 million reasons why the charge on the beach. Yet another money grabbing activity like most everything. Can't afford to pay? Stay home. Can't afford a home? Sleep on the beach...Can't afford the beach? Sleep on the roads..Cant afford the roads????

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