'City of Beauty' Al Ain all set to welcome tourists

Home to seven palm oasis and several stunningly beautiful spots, Al Ain has everything to be called "City of Beauty".

21 October 2015

No wonder, the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA) is focusing on Al Ain City, aiming to bring it more on the itinerary of national and international travellers.

Events, attractions and family-friendly activities will be part of the TCA's intense marketing and promotional campaign, projecting Al Ain as the "City of Beauty".

Al Ain is already a popular destination with Emirati families particularly from Abu Dhabi, Western tourist groups and Omani families travelling on short breaks thanks to the palm oasis, history and heritage museums, Al Ain Zoo and Hili Fun City, scenic spots such as the hot springs of Green Mubazarah, Jebel Hafeet and the Flower Garden.

Last year, Al Ain welcomed 345,669 visitors, generating Dh35.1million in direct hotel revenue. For the first eight months of 2015, the city's 17 hotels and hotel apartments attracted 244,371 guests, an increase of nine per cent, while accommodation occupancy has grown by five per cent to 67 per cent over the comparative period in 2014.

Through its travel offices and partners, the TCA will highlight Al Ain's archaeological sites and ancient civilizations going back 7,000 years ago, which are listed on Unesco's world heritage sites.

The city's hotels and entertainment centres are undertaking promotional offers to encourage people from all over the UAE to visit Abu Dhabi's second city.

There will be an array events, including the October 22 opening of the historic Souq Al Qattara 2015-16 season, which features the Friday Market, the Traditional Handicrafts Festival and an art exhibition that will start on October 29, as part of the "City of Beauty" campaign, which will continue until year-end.

The Al Ain Air Championship also makes a welcome return to the skies above the oasis city, on December 17-19.

Other cultural events included are the inauguration of Abu Dhabi Aviation and Aerospace Week, the UAE National Day celebrations, World Heritage Forum, as well as musical evenings from the Abu Dhabi Classics and Bait al Oud season.