“The world will soon return”: Abu Dhabi says city’s silence is a time for reflection
Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism has released a message of hope, looking forward to the moment the emirate can welcome the world again.
In a stirring video released across its social media channels, the department called on the travelling public to use their own isolation as an opportunity for reflection.
It comes as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) enters the second week of its ban on domestic and international transit, and the extension of its closure of all cultural sites.
“Remember this silence, for it will not last long,” the Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism tweeted.
“Abu Dhabi’s gates will open once more, welcoming the world as we always have and always will.
“Here is the home of hope.”
Check it out for yourself below:
الهدوء فرصة للتأمل والتفكر، واستذكار فضل بناة الدار والآباء المؤسسين، وجهودهم الكبيرة من أجلنا، من أجل الوطن. لن يدوم الصمت طويلاً، وستعود عجلة الحياة لطبيعتها بعزيمتنا ودعم قيادتنا وصلابة إرادتنا، وستظل أبواب #أبوظبي مشرعة، موطناً للمستقبل والإنجاز. pic.twitter.com/MhMhD8lo2A
— Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (@dctabudhabi) March 27, 2020
The UAE has shut its borders to slow the spread of COVID-19, with the country’s Ministry of Health having confirmed 814 cases of COVID-19 across the country and eight deaths.
Like much of the world, this has seen its cities and tourism destinations empty, with #stayhome spread across the country and its emirates’ social media accounts advising residents to play their part in fighting the deadly novel virus.
The country has suspended all arriving and departing passenger flights at airports for a renewable two weeks.
Expo 2020 backs proposal to delay event
It comes as the organisers of Expo 2020 Dubai on Monday said they backed a proposal to postpone the major tourism event for a year, as countries prioritise fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We remain firm in our collective aim to deliver an Expo that is true to its time and to our shared, urgent priorities. But it is clear that this is not the right time,” Expo 2020 said in a statement.
“While everyone involved in Expo 2020 Dubai remains firmly committed, many countries have been significantly impacted by COVID-19 and they have expressed a need to postpone Expo’s opening by one year, to enable them to overcome this challenge.
“In spirit of solidarity and unity, we support the proposal to explore a one-year postponement made by the Steering Committee at today’s meeting.”
A nearly six-month-long event showcasing world culture, business and technology through the pavilions of 192 countries, Expo 2020 was expected to draw 25 million visitors to Dubai and be a major economic boost for the emirate.
According to the organisers of the event, from 2013 to 2031, Expo 2020 and its legacy would have been likely to contribute AE$122.6 billion ($54.8 billion) gross value added (GVA) to the UAE’s economy.
In addition, AE$40.1 billion ($17.94 billion) is expected to have been invested in infrastructure and other assets for Expo 2020, with most of it “likely to be retained” for future use.
A final decision on a change of dates is expected to be made in June by member states of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), which awards the event.
It comes as another of the year’s largest events, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, announced it would be postponed for a year.
Featured image: iStock.com/EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
2020 Summer Olympics abu dhabi COVID-19 expo 2020 united arab emiratesLatest News
Collette goes off the beaten track with Canyon Country tour
To be clear TW is not advocating actually walking off the beaten track. Avoid the coyotes. Stay on the beaten track.
Intrepid & Korean Tourism Organisation team up to give agents a cooking masterclass
These guys learnt that Korean cooking is more than just putting kimchi on 2-minute noodles (as we once thought).
Winner, winner! Intrepid reveals the 9 lucky agents that won $2k
Who won the incentive? Which Intrepid trip will they spend it on? What day of the week is it again? Where am I? Huh?
Corporate Traveller reports 42% increase in Easter traffic this year
Business travellers just love Easter! Expect plenty of chocolate stained documents returning to the office on Tuesday.
Turbulent year wiped $384m off Qantas brand value: Report
Meanwhile, eating tuna at your desk can damage your own personal office brand value by several thousand dollars.
FAMIL: Room-Res & Singapore Tourism Board shows agents the Lion City’s roar
Click this article to see a man very impressed by a 20-layer chocolate cake. We're not kidding, he loved it!
Oceania Cruises offers sailors free pre-cruise hotel stay
Looking for ways to make your holidays as long as possible? Look no further.
Bonza launches new website to compliment app, agent portal
Does news about an airline's website fill you with ecstasy, glee and joy? Get your hit of the good stuff here.
MTA agents attends ‘Lunch ‘n’ Learn’ with AMA Waterways
When organising the event, Lunch 'n' Learn beat out Dinner 'n' Divulge and Breakfast 'n' Banter. Understandably so.
Travelmarvel reveals 2025 South America tours
If you spot any typos in the newsletter today it is because TW became distracted Googling images of Machu Picchu.
Tourists from 5 countries could be BANNED from visiting Australia
Anthony Albanese's immigration laws could impact tourism from certain countries.
Just how many passengers will Qantas & Jetstar hop around this Easter?
Airline workers are ready for gleeful Easter travellers! Also prepared for sticky children with chocolate on their face.
Air New Zealand gets ready for bumper Easter weekend
Air NZ gears up for travelling passengers this Easter, while TW looks to beat our egg eating record. 117 here we come!
Four Seasons Yachts reveals first itineraries to the Caribbean & Mediterranean
These trips look so good we wish there were five seasons! Alright, we'll see ourselves out...
FAMIL: Travellers Choice treats top agents to the wonders of Rotorua
This one's got plenty of famil pics and no one looks shockingly hungover in them! Clearly no TW staffers were there.
European Waterways celebrates 50th anniversary with week-long founders cruise
Plan on celebrating your 50th anniversary with a bottle of Moët and fairy bread? European Waterways has better ideas.
100th route! Jetstar celebrates the launch of Brisbane-Avalon with 12 hour sale
Jetstar knocks a ton and celebrates with a sale while TW once scored a ton and celebrated with about 17 beers.
Record-breaking year for NSW as visitor expenditure soars past $50 billion
Enjoy running round the Opera House? Be prepared to elbow even more tourists out the way.
Norwegian Cruise Line makes play for solo travellers
NCL ensuring you don't have to go trawling Tinder to find a cruise partner. Thank goodness, we were sick of catfishing.
Entire Travel Group’s Canada and Europe 2024/25 brochures are out now
Entire's new brochure is bittersweet; it both informs your clients and makes you envious of the holiday they'll take.
Malaysia Airlines adds 3 new destinations & A330neo seats
More seats means cheaper airfares and more money to spend on overpriced airport sandwiches. Woohoo!
Two divine days onboard Crystal Serenity
It's only pure serenity onboard this ship. Anxiety, agitation and anguish have been rejected by the bouncer.
How the Globus Family of Brands elevates coach touring: Travel Weekly TV with Chris Fundell
Chris' here so you don't think coaches mean peeling your thighs off a sticky leather seat every time you stand up!
The Flight Centre Foundation gears up for massive 2024 with 3 new board members
The foundation looks to invest $200k this year, spurring the TW journos to figure out how to qualify as a charity.
Barking Owl Communications to head up Anantara & Avani in ANZ
Fellow PR competitors had been barking up the wrong tree even thinking of bidding for this job!
Amex GBT to purchase CWT for $871m
It's big deals like this that get a firm handshake - hence the sore hands over at the CWT and Amex GBT offices.
1000MTG’s second global conference reminds agents to ‘strive and thrive’
Alongside messages to 'strive' and 'thrive' were those to 'survive', 'drive', 'arrive' and 'jive' (when appropriate).
Qantas A330 makes “loud bang”, pilots forced to shut down one engine
Qantas refusing to let Boeing have all the headlines in aviation world today!
GX Community Tourism Summit 2024 location revealed!
The new location has arrived and it'll blow your socks off! Time for another trip to Target for more socks then.
Visiting the destination my Mum didn’t want me to
Yet again, this journo has been a stress to his mother. Discover how this trip spurred his mother's anxiety here.
Agents come out of their shells at P&O’s turtle hatchery event
For some, it's a few glasses of bubbles to lure them out of their shell. For these agents, it was a bit more literal.
Boeing cleanout: CEO, chair to go as safety crisis plagues the manufacturer
CEOs are falling thick and fast these days. We should have started up a bingo game with their headshots in the office.
Virgin looks to swap MAX 10 order for MAX 8s amid Boeing delays: Reports
Virgin has changed its order for something smaller. Much like we have to at Maccas following a worrying doctor's visit.
Club Med unveils newest luxury yacht for 2024/25 early bird sale
This yacht is preserved for the early birds! Night Owls may also get onboard depending how late they stay up.
Abercrombie & Kent 2024 Asia Portfolio is here
Round up the family and get planning an Asia jaunt. Or, if they're hard to handle, brush them all and go it alone!
Elevate your earnings: Final days to secure double commission with Inspiring Vacations’ March offer
What could inspire you to sell more Inspiring Vacations? Double commission of course! That's all the inspiration needed.