What’s new in Abu Dhabi...

Etihad launches DMC

Etihad Airways will launch its own destination management company to provide a diverse range of leisure and business activities for visitors to the capital.

The new DMC will work closely with Etihad Holidays and is expected to offer tours, desert safaris, event management, bespoke packages and VIP services.

Airport expands

Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) announced in April that Abu Dhabi International Airport Terminal 3 (T3) is fully operational. The US $272.6 million facility has expanded the airport's capacity to 12 million passengers a year, more than a five million increase.

The terminal comprises 10 departure gates and covers an area of 88m². The duty free hosts 19 retail boutiques, including luxury brands Cartier, Fendi, Salvatore Ferragamo and Rolex, among others.

T3 is part of a $6.8-million redevelopment of Abu Dhabi International Airport, which will eventually increase the overall capacity to 20 million passengers a year. With the third terminal and a second runway finished, a new Airport Traffic Control (ATC) tower and the Midfield Terminal Complex will complete the project within the next few years.

Kayak ‘eco-tours' launched

Full-time dad of two, Don Revis, likes nothing better than to tour Abu Dhabi's islands by kayak.

His hobby has stirred a huge interest among residents and tourists, leading him to set up Nakhuda Adventure Company, offering kayak eco-tours and fishing to tourists.

"Kayaking shows a different side of Abu Dhabi and is something for tourists to do besides going to a mall. It's been very popular. We've had so many bookings that I've been doing tours for two months straight with only two days off." says Revis.

To cater to demand, the company expects to take on three fulltime guides in September and increase its kayak fleet, which currently comprises 20 single and double kayaks.

An island excursion lasts four-to-six hours, includes a barbeque lunch and a 10km paddle from Abu Dhabi towards Saadiyat Island into the mangrove forests.

"The guided tour explains the role the mangroves play in the ecology of Abu Dhabi. Around 70% of all of the Gulf's fish are born in these forests," says Revis.

"The mangroves are also an important nest for flamingos, herons and many species of migrating birds," he adds.

So far tours have been sold through word of mouth, but Revis says he is looking to work with travel agents in the region.

For further details call Don Revis on +971 (0)50 542 0820.

Falcon hospital gets conference wing

Following a huge increase in its meetings and incentive business, Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital will open its new conference centre in June. The Al Shaheen Centre, named after the smallest and fastest falcon, will cater to 200 delegates.

"The conference centre is unlike any other. Delegates on a lunch- or coffee break will be able to see falcons flying around through a large, glass dividing wall," says deputy manager Amer Abu Aabed.

"They'll get the opportunity to hold, feed and take pictures of the falcons. We also have a shop so they can buy something to remember the experience," he adds.

Packages are still being developed for the corporate market, but are likely to include lunch and refreshments and a tour of the hospital, with information provided in Arabic, English, French and German.

The centre, which opened in 1999, introduced its tourism programme in 2007 and currently works with several tour operators in the region.

For more information visit www.falconhospital.com

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