Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority has launched an upgraded version of its official destination website, visitabudhabi.ae, supported by a wide array of social media channels. Meanwhile, the UAE capital is preparing for this year’s ‘Summer In Abu Dhabi’, which will feature 11 headline activities and present blockbuster, family-centric edutainment across four halls at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from 21st June – 19th July.
The refreshed website is designed as a one-stop-shop for tourists who want to explore the emirate, giving them easy access to interact, in any of eight languages, with extensive, dynamic information on Abu Dhabi’s attractions and experiences, culture, heritage and events and recreation activities. The new content is available in Arabic, English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Japanese and Chinese.
The new hotel search option, which aggregates live deals and room availability from over 50 booking engines, allows visitors to find real-time information prior to their decision to book. The website provides the filters and the search, and leaves the consumer to decide which hotel they would like to book their stay with. Hotels will make the rooms available online, with their preferred booking sites.
The new consumer-orientated website also acts as a base for the launch of Abu Dhabi’s social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google +, Flickr and Pinterest), inviting travellers to become active contributors to the destination, posting, commenting and sharing their experiences. Abu Dhabi also has its own city guide at abudhabi.mobi
During June, visitors to the website can enter an Abu Dhabi 360⁰ competition when they subscribe to the website’s planned e-newsletter – and get the chance to win a holiday of a lifetime.
A second stage of the visitabudhabi.ae enhancements will be completed by the year-end. The developments will include iPhone and iPad apps, interactive maps, flight booking, car rental, and additional social media channels.
Summer In Abu Dhabi
This year’s Summer In Abu Dhabi will feature 11 headline activities and will be the highlight of a mega promotion with spectacular seasonal deals from Etihad Airways , and across more than 50 of the emirate’s hotels and attractions. The month-long blockbuster, family-centric edutainment event will run across four halls at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from 21st June – 19th July (3pm – 9pm Sunday-Thursday; 2pm – 10pm Friday-Saturday).
At ADNEC a special train will take families from the car park to the festival entrance. Once inside, visitors can step back millions of years to the Ice Age Village; over in Adventure World the daring can join in telematch activities in the Lost City or take up the Zorb Ball Challenge over an obstacle-rich course.
Eight challenges and fun activities await in the Galactic Academy including the testing trial of passing through the Laser Room without crossing laser beams and lines. In The Sea Lion Station there are great chances to capture lasting family memories, while families with an artistic bent will love Artsvile, where children can paint their own T-shirts, plates and even faces!
At the Clown Stunt Academy youngsters can learn how to perform movie stunts, while the daring can get onboard the Big Bag Jump and plunge into a massive air bag from a height of 10 metres.
In three adjoining halls, Abu Dhabi Sports Council will host a range of activities and workshops as part of its Summer Sports Festival targeted at sports enthusiasts from five to 35 years of age. These will include judo, basketball, soccer, table tennis, tennis, badminton and golf.
Entry to ADNEC’s Summer In Abu Dhabi activities, including the three Abu Dhabi Sports Council halls, is AED 40 (€8.76) for adults and AED 30 (€6.57) for children under 12 years of age. Tickets can be bought at the door. People producing an Etihad boarding pass with validity from 15th May – 19th July get a single entry free.
