tourism company in abu dhabi

Recommended For You

DESERT ADVENTURE

Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi

Morning desert safari abu dhabi, sunrise desert safari abu dhabi.

LIWA DESERT EXPERIENCE

Liwa Desert Safari: Enjoy Full Day Liwa Desert Safari from Abu Dhabi

Romantic private dune dinner abu dhabi.

ABU DHABI DAY TOURS

Half Day Abu Dhabi Tour : Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Heritage Village, Dates Market, City Views

Al ain oasis tour from abu dhabi: experience full day al ain city tour with lunch.

DUBAI DAY TOURS

Full Day Dubai City Tour from Abu Dhabi: Explore Traditional and Modern Dubai City Tour from Abu Dhabi

Discover popular attractions, liwa overnight desert safari from abu dhabi, full day abu dhabi city tour with grand mosque, louvre museum, modern dubai city tour from abu dhabi: experience the modern dubai with burj khalifa, abu dhabi dhow cruise with dinner, mangrove kayaking abu dhabi, blogs & articles, dive into adventure: exploring sea world yas island, abu dhabi.

Nestled in the vibrant heart of Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, lies an aquatic wonderland that beckons visitors of all ages.

14 Apr, 2024 08:10 am

TOP 5 COMPELLING REASONS TO VISIT ABU DHABI IN 2024 - EXPLORE UAE'S CAPITAL

Your Definitive Guide to the UAE's Vibrant Capital.

05 Apr, 2024 02:52 pm

DISCOVERING DUBAI GOLD SOUK: A TIMELESS ELEGANCE EXPEDITION

Embark on a Journey through History, Luxury, and Craftsmanship

05 Mar, 2024 09:40 am

BAPS HINDU MANDIR: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO THE TEMPLE'S WONDERS

In the heart of Abu Dhabi, an architectural marvel stands tall, reflecting the culmination of craftsmanship, devotion, and cultural richness—the BAPS Hindu Mandir.

21 Feb, 2024 07:42 am

About Abu Dhabi

Local weather.

• Holiday-Package
• Our Services

• Holiday Package

Where do you want to go?

Uae national day.

As a leading travel management company, Mercator Travel and Tourism boasts extensive global alliances and strong partnerships with airlines, destination management companies, hotel groups, suppliers, and GDS systems. These collaborations enable us to offer our customers the best possible rates and benefits in the market. Our strategic alliances place us as one of the preferred travel companies in Abu Dhabi, catering to both government and private sectors.

In our Holidays department, we understand that each traveller has unique preferences and aspirations. Whether you envision a dream holiday anywhere in the world or seek a tailored experience that caters to your special interests, sports, or adventure pursuits, our team is here to assist you. We have earned the trust of international and local companies through thousands of successful arrangements, providing tours and excursions within the UAE.

Unforgettable Destinations

Mercator travel.

Where your journey becomes our passion. With a commitment to crafting unforgettable experiences, we invite you to explore the world through our curated travel services. From captivating destinations to seamless itineraries, we are your trusted companions on the path to discovery. Let us guide you on an adventure filled with cherished memories, cultural wonders, and extraordinary moments. Embark on a remarkable journey with Mercator Travel and make every step a memory to treasure.

Why Choose Us

Handpicked Hotels

We offer a curated collection of exceptional accommodations. Each hotel is carefully selected for its quality, service, and unique experiences. From boutique luxury retreats to grand resorts.

World Class Service

World Class Service is at the heart of everything we do. Our dedicated team goes above and beyond to ensure an exceptional guest experience, anticipating needs and exceeding expectations.

Best Price Guarantee

Our Best Price Guarantee ensures that you receive the most competitive rates. With our commitment to providing the best value, confidence, and most favorable price for your services.

Let our travel experts create your dream vacation...

Contact Info

+971 2 444 34 38

P/162 Bldg , Alkhazzaf St, Al Nahyan E25, Abu Dhabi, UAE

[email protected]

• Things to do
• Where to go
• What to see
• Plan your trip
• Business events
• Abu Dhabi Tours & Travel Agencies
• Where to stay

Abu Dhabi City Tours & Travel Agencies

Frequently asked questions about tours in abu dhabi, how can i spend 3 days in abu dhabi.

Depending on what you would like to do, here’s a few top Abu Dhabi spots to see in 3 days:

• Enjoy the exhilrating rides at Ferrari World
• Make a splash at Yas Waterworld
• Take a tour of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
• Immerse yourself in art at Louvre Abu Dhabi
• Tour the city’s largest mall at Yas Mall
• Lounge, tan and relax at  Kai Beach

How can I spend a day in Abu Dhabi?

If you have just one day free, make the most of it and take a tour to Abu Dhabi:

• Start your day early with kayaking into the Eastern Mangroves
• Step back into Abu Dhabi’s past at Heritage Village
• Unwind at the Nation Riveira Beach Club
• See the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque  at night

What is the best month to visit Abu Dhabi?

The best months to visit Abu Dhabi are November to April. The cooler months are November to February with March and April being quite pleasant. If you are looking to come at a hotter time, then April and May would be ideal.

Best Abu Dhabi Tour Companies

Search 18 Abu Dhabi tour operators and travel companies, with 51 reviews.

Charlie The Traveler

Health Safety

Featured Abu Dhabi Trips

Bravo Asia Tours

Ada Vegas Travel

Titan Travel

Indus Travels

Great Value Vacations

Sky Vacations

Sign in  to see which companies give additional savings to Travelstride Members (it’s free)

Gate 1 Travel

Peregrine Adventures

Mosaic North Africa

Discovery Tours by Gate 1

Perillos Learning Journeys

18 match your criteria (1 - 18 shown)

View Abu Dhabi trips

Plan your Abu Dhabi trip

Abu Dhabi Reviews & Ratings

Marco Perie

The Arab Emirates tour shows you many wonders of the country, it was well planned out.

If you’re thinking of going on one of Charlie’s tours, just do it. You won’t regret it. Going on this trip was one of the best decisions of my life, I got so much ou...

Sherese Neumann

One word: Unforgettable.

One word: Unforgettable. This tour had everything I was looking for - cultural experiences and thrilling activities. I was a fan of the safari adventure!! The organi...

Jimmy Damon

Wonderful. Great itinerary.

Wonderful. Great itinerary. Knowledgeable and welcoming tour guides... this tour was just what I had been looking for! I’ll definitely consider going on another one ...

Debora Cano

A once in a lifetime trip.

A once in a lifetime trip. United Arab Emirates is beautiful, and this tour does a great job at showing you what’s in the country, all while being extremely well org...

Lana Ermolaeva

One thing I appreciated was how well-timed everything was.

One thing I appreciated was how well-timed everything was. You get to do a variety of activities, but you also get some time to explore for yourself. Charlie is a ge...

See all Abu Dhabi reviews

Trip planning

• Area Guides
• Building Guides
• School Guides
• Floor plans
• Market Trends
• Life at Bayut

Let the journey begin with the best travel agencies in Abu Dhabi

• Travel Agencies in Abu Dhabi

Have you been planning a trip outside the UAE that you can’t seem to pull together even after trying for too long? Let the experts at travel agencies in Abu Dhabi take care of that. And while they plan the trip you need, you can daydream about the sweeter details involved. 

But first, you’ve got to find a travel and tourism company in Abu Dhabi that works best for you. 

TOP 10 TRAVEL AGENCIES IN ABU DHABI

You’ll find the best travel companies in Abu Dhabi right here. We have compiled a list of travel agents in Abu Dhabi who are at the top of their game when it comes to facilitating local and international travellers in the capital city. Let’s take a look. 

NIRVANA TRAVEL & TOURISM

Operating since 2007, Nirvana Travel and Tourism has evolved into one of the top travel agencies in Abu Dhabi. With 30 offices worldwide, including those in Dubai, Egypt, the UK and China, this tour company has all the right links to ensure you have everything you need for a successful trip.

From booking hotels and arranging transfers to processing visas and planning excursions, Nirvana Travel is your one-stop destination for all travel-related matters . The company also offers comprehensive travel packages in Abu Dhabi, with Malaysia, Indonesia and Maldives being the most popular ones. 

• Location: Breakwater, Beside Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club
• Timings: Monday to Friday, 09:00 am – 06:00 pm | Closed on Saturday and Sunday
• Contact: +971-2-304-3322

INFINITY TRAVEL AND TOURISM

Infinity Travel and Tourism is about enhancing your travel experience beyond the journey itself. The company takes pride in persistently landing the cheapest flight rates, the best hotels and hassle-free transfers for their clients within a budget.

Whether you plan to travel for leisure or business, trust this travel company in Abu Dhabi to bring you the best deals and packages, no matter what your destination is. Their popular holiday packages include tours to Armenia, Singapore and Bali. 

• Location: Al Zahiyah Street, Bathan Sultan Qarran Al Mansoori Building, Al Zahiyah | 1st floor, Al Wahda Mall
• Timings: Monday to Saturday, 08:30 am – 06:30 pm | Closed on Sunday
• Contact: +971-2-644-6222 (Al Zahiyah) | +971-2-546-4777 (Al Wahda Mall)

OMEIR TRAVEL AGENCY

Specialising in corporate travel since its inception, Omeir Travel Agency Abu Dhabi has a diversified clientele that requires personalised services. The company has an elite panel of strategic partners that includes hotel groups, airlines, destination management companies and an entire network of entities that ensure every service delivered is on time and executed perfectly.

Just reach out to their agent and tell them what you want, and they’ll make sure it’s delivered. Holidays, cargo services, visa facilitation or corporate travel – they have it all covered.

• Location: Airlines Tower, Khalifa Street
• Timings: Open 24-hour
• Contact: +971-600-511-111

SAFAR TRAVEL & TOURISM

Located near Liwa Street , Safar Travel and Tourism provides its clients with business travel, holidays, adventure tours and advisory services.

From the minute you step into their office until you land back in Abu Dhabi after your trip, Safar guarantees effortless travel and, more importantly, an experience that builds lasting relationships. The company will take care of everything on your behalf. All you have to do is tell them what you want and expect. They will not disappoint you. 

• Location: Lulu Street
• Timings: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, 08:30 am – 07:00 pm | Tuesday, 09:00 am – 07:00 pm | Closed on Friday and Sunday
• Contact: +971-2-418-0888

RAYNA TOURS AND TRAVELS

This Dubai-based tourism company has gained excellent traction in travel for its reliable travel management services. When we say travel management, we mean everything from deciding on an itinerary and processing visas to hotel reservations, flight bookings and ease of travel.

Rayna Tours goes beyond to ensure you have everything you need to fulfil the trip objective – be it vacations, exciting desert safari tours in Dubai or work-related travel. Besides all this, Rayna Tours offers an exciting range of day trips and activities in Singapore and the UAE. 

• Location: Office 701, 7th floor, Al Mansoor Tower, Al Salam Street, Al Danah Zone 1
• Timings: Monday to Saturday, 09:00 am – 06:00 pm | Closed on Sunday
• Contact: +971-4-208-7444

SHAMS ABU DHABI TRAVEL

One of the top travel companies in Abu Dhabi, Shams Abu Dhabi Travel employs top-of-the-line consultants with the ability, knowledge and connections to use their resources to your advantage.

Keeping your requirements and destinations in mind, these professionals draw up measurable, cost-efficient travel plans that work effortlessly for you. The company mainly caters to clients looking for bespoke holiday plans or immaculately planned work trips that require minimum effort. 

They have branches throughout the capital, including Tourist Club Area (Al Zahiyah), Al Ain Khalifa Street, Baniyas (near Lulu Hyper Market), Musaffah Shabia and Musaffah ICAD.

• Location: Multiple, including TCA, Musaffah and Baniyas
• Timings: Saturday to Thursday, 8:30 am – 06:00 pm | Closed on Friday
• Contact: +971-2-644-4494 (Tourist Club Area)

PINOY TOURISM AND TRAVELS

Whether you want to explore the UAE or other destinations around the world, it’s good to have a travel company in Abu Dhabi that listens to what you need. Pinoy Tourism and Travels has built a reputation for being a travel expert no matter where you wish to travel.

They will expedite your visa process, book you the cheapest flights, arrange for the hotel stays and be available on call for any inconveniences that may arise during your trip. If you’re looking for travel companies in Abu Dhabi that put your satisfaction over everything else – this is the one. 

• Location: Office 803, 8th floor, Abu Dhabi Plaza Tower, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street
• Timings: Monday to Saturday, 09:00 am – 10:00 pm | Sunday, 11:00 am – 09:00 pm
• Contact: +971-2-635-0007

COZMO TRAVEL

A one-stop travel destination, Cozmo Travel will do it all for you. Do you need car rentals in a foreign land? They’ll arrange it. Want to book a cruise vacation? Cozmo has it covered. Don’t go elsewhere if you want private plane charters or assistance with visa acquisitions.

Their comprehensive list of travel services makes them one of the legit travel agencies in Abu Dhabi. From simple corporate travel to full-blown luxurious vacations, Cozmo Travel has the experience and capacity to deliver the best. 

They are located at Hamdan Street (next to Habib Zurich Bank), Mussafah and Al Ain Industrial Area.

• Location: Multiple locations
• Timings: Monday to Saturday, 09:00 am – 08:00 pm | Closed on Sunday
• Contact: +971-2-555-7442 (Mussafah)

AL RAHEEB TRAVEL & TOURS

Around since 1997, Al Raheeb Travel and Tours specialises in vacation and tour packages, domestic and international air ticketing and hotel booking worldwide. When you approach Al Raheeb for travel services in Abu Dhabi, they deliver quality, professionalism and rates that are difficult to resist.

The company also extends travel insurance and car rental services for its clients, regardless of the destination they are travelling to. Al Raheeb always has exciting travel deals to places like Beirut, Thailand and Malaysia.

• Location: Mussafah Commercial Area, Near UAE Exchange
• Timings: Saturday to Thursday, 09:00 am – 10:00 pm | Friday, 05:00 pm – 09:00 pm
• Contact: +971-2-552-5295

GULF EXPRESS TRAVEL

Gulf Express Travel is an IATA-approved travel agency in Abu Dhabi that knows the travel business inside out. Gulf Express Travel customises travel plans and itineraries according to your requirements and budget and provides comprehensive travel facilitation services to its clients . Have a trip you’ve wanted to embark on for a while now? Head over to Gulf Express and let them handle it for you. 

• Location: Al Danah, Zone 1
• Timings: Monday to Saturday, 08:00 am – 05:00 pm | Closed on Sunday
• Contact: +971-2-634-3498

FAQS ABOUT TRAVEL AGENCIES IN ABU DHABI

Are there any budget airlines in the uae.

Some of the top budget airlines in the UAE are FlyDubai, Air Arabia and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi.

I AM A UAE RESIDENT, WHERE CAN I TRAVEL WITHOUT A VISIT VISA?

Sri Lanka, Maldives and Georgia are some countries a UAE resident can visit without a visa .

HOW TO CHECK TRAVEL BAN IN THE UAE?

While your travel agent in Abu Dhabi plans your next trip out of the country, educate yourself on how to check travel ban status in the UAE .

HOW TO CHECK UAE BAN STATUS WITH PASSPORT NUMBER?

You can do so by visiting a police station in your emirate or calling their helpline.

This brings us to the end of this list of travel agencies in Abu Dhabi. Wondering how to travel to Dubai from Abu Dhabi ? You can do so via taxi, bus and other options.

Looking for travel agency in Dubai to diversify your choices? Our guide has got you covered.

It is important to note that each travel company brings you a mix of customised and standard travel packages in Abu Dhabi. The prices and availability vary according to seasons, popular demand and destinations. It’s best to check with your preferred tour operators in Abu Dhabi for the latest travel deals.

Want to experience the best of the capital city? Here’s everything you can explore in Abu Dhabi in 24 hours . Or look into all the fun things to do at Abu Dhabi Airport during a long stopover.

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

A guide to Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)

All about St Mary’s Catholic Church Al Ain

Six Senses Residences The Palm – Where elegance meets exclusivity

• Residential Plot

Sliding Sidebar

Al Masaood Travel & Services

Whatsapp : +971 (0) 501062673

[email protected]

Get in touch with us today!

We are the official Travel Agent of

Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition Conference

We are official Travel Agent

A food, beverage and hospitality exhibition

Most Popular Tour Packages

Vietnam: Hanoi Capital-Hoa Lu-Tamcoc cave

Armenia: Weekend in Armenia 3N4D

Azerbaijan: Land of Fire (6N7D)

Azerbaijan: Land of Fire (4N5D)

Azerbaijan: Land of Fire (7N8D)

Explore Tanzania’s Exotic Parks

BALI SPRING SPECIAL (4N5D)

Sri Lanka: Let’s see paradise

Azerbaijan: Land of Fire (3N4D)

Our partners, sponsored events.

• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Frequently Asked Questions

Useful Links

• Travel News

Tour Packages

Visa Services

Transportation

IATA Travel Rules/Restrictions

Exclusive services on bin ham travel.

Best offers and hotel deals 

Flight Tickets

Hotel Bookings

UAE City Tour

UAE is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Middle East. Abu Dhabi is home to some of the world’s best theme parks such as Ferrari World. There is lots to do in UAE. The Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall, Grand Mosque and lot more to visit and explore in UAE.

Best views of Abu Dhabi

Take a trip to Abu Dhabi and discover amazing places and attractions such as Emirates Palace, Louvre Museum & many more…

Exclusive offers and Hot Deals from Bin Ham travel users. Offering various offers and Travel deals. Book now and avail the deals.

Products Not Found

Bin Ham Travel Group

Bin Ham travel group consist of four travel agencies namely

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

About Bin Ham Travel

Bin Ham Travel is one of the leading travel agency in UAE. The travel group consists of four travel agencies…

SHAIKH MUSALLAM SALEM MUSALLAM BIN HAM AL AMERI

Established in 1979 as an integral part of the Bin Ham Group, BIN HAM Travels is one of Abu Dhabi’s leading Travel Management Companies and enjoys a reputation for excellence in service, innovative technology and commitment to providing customers with a complete travel experience.

Bin Ham Group Hotels

Our hotel chain consists of 8 hotels.

Royal Rose Hotel a 5 star landmark icon building in Abu Dhabi…

Latest Blog

Kyrgyzstan Unleashed: Trekking Through the Pristine Beauty of Central Asia

Welcome to Kyrgyzstan, a hidden gem nestled in the heart...

A Tale of Two Worlds: Discover the Perfect Balance with a Bangkok to Krabi Escapade

Welcome to a tale of two worlds, where bustling metropolis...

Kazakhstan: A Modern Adventure in the Heart of Central Asia’s Cultural Melting Pot

Nestled in the heart of Central Asia, Kazakhstan beckons adventurous...

Unwind and Recharge: Why a Wellness Retreat in Sri Lanka is a Must-Do

Escape the chaos of everyday life and embark on a...

Bin Ham Travel Abu Dhabi and Dubai

Bin ham corporate:, dhafir tower, najda street, near city seasons hotel, abu dhabi. p.o. box: 27242.

• +971 2 643 5999
• [email protected]

Bin Ham Electra Office:

Electra road behind marks & spencer near e-vision tower, abu dhabi. p.o. box: 27242.

• +971 2 631 1488

Bin Ham Dubai Office:

Al whada bldg, opposite of deira city center, dubai. p.o. box: 14038.

• +971 4 294 3960

Salem Travel Agency in Abu Dhabi

Salem travel agency:, dhafir tower, najda street, near city seasons hotel, abu dhabi. p.o. box: 346.

• +971 2 621 8000

Al amaan Travel & Holidays in Al Ain

Al amaan travel & holidays main office:, main street st. al ain, p.o. box: 1615.

• +971 3 765 5777

Al Amaan Travel & Holidays:

Al yahar building no 24, p.o. box: 1615.

• +971 3 781 7770

Al Ain Express Travel & Holidays in Al Ain

Al ain express travel & holidays:, main street st. al ain, p.o. box: 1127.

• +971 3 764 2111

Corporate Travel Management

Air Ticketing

Hotels Bookings

VISA Services

Holidays Packages

Events & Conferences Management Services

 Luxury Travel

Transportation Services

Best Travel Agency In Abu Dhabi

Uniquely discover the world, and get all your travel needs at one place with Happy Life Travels.

• Affordable pricing
• Simple Transaction processing
• 24/7 Support
• Security guarantee
• Access to prime tourist spot

Best Price Guarantee

Easy online transaction, secure online transaction, guest reviews & ratings.

Best Managed Service Tour Operators In Abu Dhabi

Happy Life Travels, based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, invites you to see the hidden gem that promises a beautiful blend of adventure, travel, heritage, culture, breathtaking scenery, and a landmark for travelers and thrill-seekers.

We are a leading tour operator and travel agency in Abu Dhabi with the best holiday packages for our customers. Take a trip worldwide with Happy Life Travels and have the most exciting stay possible. We offer the best tour packages and hotel and flight booking services. We are a group of devoted individuals who are actively present here with exceptional packages and service options so that your trip and holiday are a success.

We are a travel agency that provides visa services, holiday packages, flight bookings, and hotel booking just to ensure your trip will be easy, fun, and successful. We design you with customized travel adventures so that you will take away the most important thing from the travel: Happy memory of a lifetime.

Contact us to make a reservation with the best Tourism Company in Abu Dhabi.

Our Services

Flight Ticket Booking

Visa services

Hotel Bookings

Happy Life Travels is first on the list, and true to its name, contributing to many enjoyable and memorable journeys. We help you…

Attractions

Travel & Tourism Packages

Prabashi kallayan card For Bangladeshi Citizens

Happy Life Travels provides Prabashi Kallyan card, birth registration, and passport service for Bangladeshi citizens.

Why Choose Happy Life Travels?

Worthy on every Penny

We are known to provide the service for what they are worth. So you do not have to worry about being overcharged. We constantly aim for and presumptively deliver real value for the money invested.

Trouble Free

We make it simple to plan your vacation. All you have to do is call us, and our tour operator professional will assist you in the entire process. We offer hassle-free procedures for all the services we provide.

Intimate Impact

We are with you from the initial interaction until you return to your residence.

Skilled and Sociable Workforce

Our employees have comprehensive knowledge of our service and are enthusiastic about their work.

Reviews from Clients

Let us help you. get in touch.

Only one ambition for Happy life Travels is our customer’s satisfaction. We take pride in addressing our clients professionally and in a friendly way. You are welcome to contact us by phone, email or in person. 

Contact us today to enjoy support from our travel professionals.

• UAE Visit Visa
• Dubai Express Visa
• UAE Multiple Entry Visa
• UAE Tourist Visa Extension
• Airport to Airport Visa UAE Change
• Saudi Visa for UAE Residents
• Saudi visa for GCC residents
• E-visa Saudi Arabia
• Travel Insurance
• Dubai Tour Packages
• Abu Dhabi Tour Packages
• Liwa Tour Packages
• Musandam Tour Packages
• Dune Buggy Abu Dhabi Tour
• Ras Al Khaimah Tour Packages
• Abu Dhabi Sunrise Desert Tour
• Abu Dhabi Morning Desert Safari
• Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari Tour
• Desert Dinner Abu Dhabi
• Abu Dhabi Camel Trekking Tour
• Liwa Desert Safari
• Ras Al Khaimah Desert Safari
• Dubai Marina Dinner Cruise
• Dubai Water Canal Cruise
• Dubai Creek Dinner Cruise
• Abu Dhabi Dhow Cruises
• Sky Dive in Dubai
• Sky dive Abu Dhabi
• Jebel Jais Sky Tour
• Jebel Jais Sledder
• Jebel Jais Flight
• Yacht Rental
• Dubai Frame Tickets
• Ski Dubai Tickets
• IMG Worlds Tickets
• Dolphinarium Tickets
• Miracle Garden Tickets
• Lost Chambers Tickets
• Sky Views Observatory Tickets
• La Perle Tickets
• Green Planet Tickets
• IFly Tickets
• Future Museum Tickets
• Aquarium Tickets
• The View at the Palm Ticket
• Burj Khalifa Tickets

Highly Rated Tour Operator in UAE for Tours, Visas & Insider Guides

For many years now, the Arabiers UAE team, in partnership with destination experts, have gone beyond the main streets and traveled into the heart of the United Arab Emirates to bring you the best authentic experiences.

We have beaten all odds to become a popular tour operator in the UAE. We provide well-curated UAE tours and activities, insider guides, and offer assistance with UAE entry visas.

Trusted, Reliable & Highly Rated

Experiences We Offer

Desert Tours

Outdoor Adventures

Airborne Experiences

Visa Assistance

Water Sports

Live Like Local

Ras Al Khaimah is an Arabic name meaning “Top of The Tent.” The emirate, often referred to as RAK, is home to the highest mountain in the UAE, the Jebel Jais and the world’s longest zipline , running across the mountains.

Another popular destination in RAK is the Al Wadi Desert, which offers the best desert safari experience with camel trekking and a quad bike experience.

Located in the UAE’s land, Musandam is an Omani Peninsula that attracts visitors from both Oman and the UAE. The regions’ fjord landscape is best explored while riding traditional dhows and yachts.

The popular destinations in Musandam are Musandam Khasab and Musandam Dibba.

Abu Dhabi, meaning “Father of the Gazelle”, is one of the Emirates in the UAE. Abu Dhabi city is the capital of the Abu Dhabi Emirate as well as the capital of the UAE.

The city was designed by DR Takahashi, a Japanese architect, in 1967 under the guidance of Sheikh Zayed.

Abu Dhabi is a proud host to the iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World, Warner Bros, UAE’s stunning deserts, and many other exciting places.

Located in the western region of Abu Dhabi, bordering Saudi Arabia, Liwa desert is the largest and the most spectacular desert in the UAE. When driving from Abu Dhabi city, it will take you only 2.5 hours to reach the Liwa desert.

The desert is part of the Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter), the largest uninterrupted desert with stunning landscapes and gigantic dunes. Liwa is popular for the world’s largest sand dunes safaris, overnight dune camping, and the stunning Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara.

Another popular destination in the UAE is Al Ain, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is home to Jebel Hafeet, the second tallest mountain in the UAE.

Many people also visit the Al Ain Oasis, the largest oasis in Al Ain and museums like the Al Ain Palace Museum and Al Jahili Fort.

Many people confuse Dubai to be an independent country, mostly due to its popularity. It is ranked among the top most visited cities in the world, and is also the most populous city in the UAE.

In the past, Dubai made its money from its oil reserves. Before that, it was known for fishing, farming, and pearl diving. Now, the city has transformed to a commercial and tourist hub with most of its funds coming from tourism.

The city features the world’s best experiences, world’s tallest skyscrapers, dhow cruises and the region’s first sky diving facility.

Visit iconic places in the city including the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab Hotel, Dubai Mall, the Fossil Rock, and Lehbad Deserts.

Al Wathba is one of the newest tourist destinations located in the suburbs of Abu Dhabi. There are several amazing experiences tourists can enjoy at this spot.

One of the major events which attracts tourist to this destination is the camel racing. The race is hosted during the winter season at the Al Wathba camel racing track.

When tourists explore this destination, they also get to enjoy cycling in one of the topmost cycle tracks. Furthermore, they get to indulge in a thrilling experience at Al Wathba Fossil Dunes on 4x4 vehicle tour.

Not to forget, spending a leisurely stay in a luxurious hotel located in this desert's serene environment — the Jumeirah Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa.

Hatta is among the popular destination for nature enthusiasts in Dubai. Some of the activities to enjoy at this spot include mountain climbing, biking, and hiking.

Other places that tourists can explore here are the Hatta Dam, Hatta Wadi Hub, and the rugged mountain peaks.

Arabiers Travel Visa Service

Arabiers has put together several in-depth guides to assist UAE visitors in obtaining, extending, or changing their UAE visas. Our experienced visa consultants are always ready to offer simple, transparent, and reliable visa services to our clients. Visit our offices in the UAE or reach out to us through WhatsApp/e-mail for any services or inquiries.

Prepaid Single Entry Visas

If you are planning to visit the UAE once and you are ineligible for an on-arrival visa, you need to obtain a prepaid single-entry visa.

Our expert visa consultant will provide you with more information about the prepaid single entry visa.

Prepaid Multiple Entry Visa

If you are planning to visit the UAE multiple times, you need to get a prepaid multiple entry visa.

Our expert visa consultant will guide you on how you can obtain a prepaid multiple entry visa to UAE.

Extending You Prepaid Visa

If you are already in the UAE, you can legally extend your stay. Check out our guides for the available UAE visa extension options.

Way to Pay Arabiers

• Visit our Office
• Transfer Online

• Deposit to Our Local Bank Accounts

List of top 20 Travel Agents in Abu Dhabi 240

Infinity Travel LLC

Ground Floor, Bin Ojan Building, Salam Street, Tourist Club

Infinity Travel, Abu Dhabi: Your gateway to unforgettable travel experiences in the UAE and beyond. Book flights, hotels, and tours with us today.

Darwish Bin Ahmed & Sons Travel & Tours

DBA is a well-diversified Group and one of Major Businesses in the United Arab Emirates.

Al Shamel Travel LLC

2nd Floor, Old Blood Bank Building, PCA Street

Military & Government Travel

Sharaf Travel Services LLC

Show Room #4 Plot # 78, Sector # M26, Mussafah (M-26)

Stay up to date with the latest travel news, supersaver deals, special offers and great travel tips. The best and leading travel agency in UAE.

Asrar Travel & Tourism

Electra Street

Asrar Travel & Tourism UAE provide Ticket, Hotel Booking, Tours & Holidays Hajj and Umrah Services, Rent A Car Services in all UAE

Omeir Travel Agency LLC

Office # 2 Airlines Tower, Khalifa Street

Largest and most recognized corporate travel management company in UAE. Flights, hotel deals, visa services and holiday deals with expert customer support

MICCO Travel & Tourism

Office #102, First Floor, Al Yasat Tower, Najda Street, Baniyas

MICCO is part of AD Port Group's Logistics Cluster and a leader in the fields of freight forwarder, warehousing and supply chain activities. Find out more.

BCD Travel offers a range of solutions for all types of business travel programs. You can explore these solutions to find the one that fits your needs.

Safe Travel

Ground Floor, Al Hussain Tower, Al Nasser Street

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES WEATHER !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s);if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src='https://weatherwidget.io/js/widget.min.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,'script','weatherwidget-io-js'); Holiday Packages Safe Travel Tourism & Services is one of the leading travel agencies in UAE, providing comprehensive services for individuals

BCD Travel LLC

Ground Floor, Business Centre, Hamdan Street, Tourist Club

Salem Travel Agency

Muroor Opp Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre

2nd Floor, Al Saman Tower, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street, Al Markaziyah

Safar Travel & Tourism

1st Floor, Al Fahim Headquarters, Industrial City Of Abu Dhabi (ICAD)

Safar is the best travels and tourism agency in UAE. You can visit best holiday’ s places in Abu Dhabi and book your top hotel reservation around Dubai with the best service of safar. Safar formerly known as Abdul Jalil travel agency in Abu Dhabi.

Office #101, 1st Floor, Airlines Building, Liwa Street, Al Markaziyah

Al Fandi Al Mazroui Travel Agency

Ground Floor, Mohd Al Fandi Al Mazroui Building, Istiqalal Street

Turkmenistan Airlines, General Sales Agents, Ticketing, Tours, Travel & Tours Packages

Shaheen Al Sahra Travel

Office # 2, Mezzanine Floor, Al Falah Tower, Al Falah Street

Booking & issuing tickets for different cities around the world. Hotel reservation inbound and outbound, Organizing desert tours & safari, Car rental, Group holiday packages & more. Dedicated special staff & special rates for corporate companies to meet &

SNTTA Cargo

Ground Floor, Al Falahi Building, Passport Road, Tourist Club

域名是企业重要的资产,您所访问的域名已经过期,请尽快联络注册商续费

Shams Abu Dhabi Travel & Toursim

Ground Floor, Sahari Towers, Street #22, Tourist Club

Shams Abu Dhabi Travel is a professional national establishment dedicated to provide reliable and efficient travel solutions to Corporate and Individual Travellers.

Kanoo Travel

Al Bashaier Travel

Shaheen Air

Ground Floor, Omir Travel Agency Building, khalifa Street

Al Thuraya Travel & Tourism

Office #203, Second floor, Mohammed rashool Khoory building, Airport Road, Al Markaziyah

Al Toufan Travel & Tours

Al Neyadi Travel

Ground Floor, Mohd Shamel Building, Al Nasser Street

Dhafir Travel Service

Bin Tannaf Travel

Desert King Travel & Tourism

Al Shahad Travel Agency

Al Duha Travel & Tourism

Al Manhal Travel

Urgent Travels

Mussafah (M-10)

Al Ghoson Haj & Umrah

Orient House for Travel & Tourism

Al Fayhaa Travel & Tourism

Al Jawareh Travel And Tourism

Bin Hamdoon Engineering Consultants

Dubai Travels

Air Choice Travel & Tourism

Ground Floor, Kodak Building, Al Falah Street

Starland Travel

Ground Floor, Al Khoori Building, Hamdan Street, Tourist Club

Alam Al Otolat

Castle Travel & Tourism

Al Nozha Tour & Travel Office

Al Shabah Travels & Cargo

Al Hadaf Travel & Tourism

Al Masood Travel & Services

Al Mansoura Travel & Tourism Est

National Travel

+971 2 6311189

Email Address

[email protected]

Head Office

Electra Street Abu Dhabi

• Umrah & Hajj

• United Kingdom

Saudi Arabia

• United State
• Booking Type
• Desir Safari
• Hotel Booking
• Limousine Services
• Travel & Tours

All Amenities

Travel & tours, protect your life.

We're here for look even you from start to finish.

Call Office

we provide car & lumazine services with driver all over UAE to over respected clients whenever you need car in just touch with Asrar Travel UAE.

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, made four Umrahs and one Hajj during his lifetime. Umrah. If you have any plane book now your umrah.

Ticket with Asrar Travel UAE you can find cheap and friendly book now your ticket come first and first get make your next weekend amazing.

Whenever you thought about Holidays specially when you are couple and want visit your desire place we can help you to give you nice places for your holidays.

Asrar Travel UAE

DESERT SAFARI

HELICOPTER TOUR

AIR BALLOONING

AIN DUBAI VIEWS

International travel and tours.

• Location 4.5
• Amenities 4

Marjan Island Resort

• Quality 4.5

Travel To America

Al Bahr Hotel And Resort

Awesome Abu Dhabi

• Location 4.67

Travel To Turkey

• Quality 4.33
• Amenities 4.33
• Services 4.33

Travel To Canada

Radisson Blu Beach Resort and Spa Fujairah

• Location 3.67

Mykonos and Santorini Tour

• Quality 3.67
• Location 4.33
• Amenities 4.67

Travel For Umrah

Travel To UAE

Travel To Switzerland

Book Your Ticket and Tours

Safe travel.

safety is our first priority

Low price & friendly

At Asrar you will get low and friendly price with other competitors

ready to travel & tours with asrar uae ?

provide you great opportunity to travel and tours

Safety first always, trusted travel, tours around the world.

Turkey Istanbul

United Arab Emirates

England Landon

Our Satisficed Customer Review

علي الكتيري Hgvv

mustafaali hussain

muhammad naveed

Mansoor Shahid

rasha abdulrahman

Amazing news & blog for every update.

Things to see and do when visiting Japan

A place where start new life with adventure travel

Journeys are best measured with friends

Travel the most beautiful places in the world

Top 10 destinations & adventure travel trips

BOOK WITH US

Best Packges

Trending activities - dubai, trending activities - abu dhabi, best tour travelling & visa services agency in abu dhabi, get all about visiting & visa change services by fast track tourism company in   travel agency in abu dhabi.

              The United Arab Emirates is one of the most desired places present on the bucket list of several people. As it is always observed to be an amazing place, full of entertaining and enjoyable places to visit in UAE. Due to the world’s attraction people cannot stay disappointed with the place. There are several places people can go in UAE which is the main reason of extending the trip in UAE. People feel lucky enough to visit Abu Dhabi so that they can blow away by the mixture of contemporary and conventional cultures, desert, sea and all the developments done there. It is an amazing city and has extended beyond the expectations people had from it. UAE has gracefully evolved from the Arabian desserts and serves as a synonym of Dubai for the whole world. It is one of the most preferred destinations for spending vacations, have business meetings as well as the shopping hub. We would like to bring certain things in your knowledge about the place and visit visa before we sway you with the travel temptations. The Travel Agency in Abu Dhabiprovides you services in three areas such as airport to airport visa change service, Oman visa change service and UAE visa service. Where, A2A visa service is being offered at pocket friendly rates to the visitors as it is highly preferable for the tourists as compared to the bus change procedure. Moreover, the agency provides UAE visa service to the visitors as well as visit visa extension. The travel specialists also offer the services such as: hotel booking and airline ticketing. Oman visa services is another service provided to the customers,along with this it also offers the visa for exiting Oman. So, come and have an unforgettable tourism experience with our Fast Track travelling agency.

New User? Click here to SIGN UP

For Existing User   LOGIN

Call us on +971 2 635 58 58

• Spring Offers
• Group Holidays
• Visas & Insurance

Explore the famous Giza pyramid complex

A rich history and a stunning present, azerbaijan truly is a land of beauty and adventure, enjoy the beautiful sunset of bulgaria, enjoy the beautiful sunset of bodrum, enjoy the beautiful of reykjavik, enjoy the beautiful sunset of maldives.

Travel Insurance

Luxury Holidays

Referral Program

Our Latest Offers

BODRUM TURKEY

ABIED ZANZIBAR

CAIRO EGYPT

SOFIA BULGARIA

For your inspiration.

Stories From Around The World

Things to do in Vienna

Vienna is the capital of Austria and an iconic tourism destination for many. The city holds almost one third of the country’s population, giving it a rich cultural, economic and political experience worth witnessing.

Things to do in Azerbaijan

Situated in the Caucuses region, Azerbijan is among the highly ranked countries when it comes to tourism.

Poland Travel Guide

Popularly known for its cities and deep history, Poland hosts a wide range of tourists from all corners of the world. Polish tourists typically flock in to have an experience of the past, but there is more to be explored here apart from the somber sites associated with the country’s 20th-century history.

Travel to Poland

Summer Offers

Discover The World

Why Book With Us ?

Fixed departure tour.

With us, you can book your next flight without worry and with confidence. It doesn’t matter whether it is a group tour, family tour or individual tour, we guarantee departures so that you will be able to plan your adventure and have peace of mind.

FRIENDLY & EFFICIENT SERVICES

We pride in our careful approach to holidays and travel planning. We are made up of a friendly team that works together with our client to provide an exceptional experience. We shall work towards creating a dream holiday and travel for you.

PROPER GUIDANCE

We provide a realistic idea of the amount you are going to spend on a trip. These include accommodation, meals, transportation, sightseeing, entry fee, taxes, and others. We do all our best to ensure that we give you the best travel deal.

Tailor Made

We strive to reduce the stress involves in traveling. This includes selecting the best travel and holiday destination, ticket acquiring, and travel insurance among others. Everything is tailored to your exact needs, we also work towards adapting to your needs.

Love Travel Love World

Al Ain Oasis Holidays a leading travel agency in Abu Dhabi and Ajman. Our Leisure division works under a unique concept “Love Travel Love World”. Every journey not just tells a ‘story’. It brings people into contact with each other and provides cultural exchange between hosts and guests. Because of this, the chances increase for people to develop mutual sympathy and understanding and to reduce their prejudices. In the end, sympathy and understanding can lead to a decrease of tension in the world and thus contribute to peace and love!

24/7 Within UAE 600 511 111

Outside UAE +971 600 511 111

• Search for:
• Corporate Travel
• City Breaks
• Luxury & Charm
• Nature’s Wonders
• Safari Thrills
• Staycation Getaways

• British Airways, BA
• Gulf Air, GF
• Qantas Airways, QF
• Royal Jordanian, RJ
• Singapore Airlines, SQ
• Vision and Mission

World Travel Awards 2024

24/7 Customer Support

Phuket experience luxury, bali tropical paradise, popular packages.

Choose from exciting destinations

Luxurious 4 Nights Zurich Pack...

Experience a 4-night luxury stay in Zurich with flights, 5-star hotel, breakfast, airport ...

Starting from AED 11,900

Luxurious 4 Nights Ticino Pack...

Enjoy a 4-night splendid stay in Ticino with flights, a 5-star hotel, breakfast, airport t...

Starting from AED 13,030

Extravagant 4 Nights Montreux ...

Embark on a 3-night retreat to Montreux, Switzerland, with flights, deluxe hotel accommoda...

Starting from AED 9,000

Deluxe 4 Nights Athens Package...

Indulge in a 4-night luxury stay in Athens with flights, 5-star hotel, breakfast, airport ...

Starting from AED 4,000

Luscious 4 Nights Tokyo Packag...

Enjoy a 4-night lush stay in Tokyo with flights, 5-star hotel, breakfast, airport transfer...

Starting from AED 12,630

Embark on a Summer Journey in ...

Experience Finland at Kamp Hotel Helsinki: 5 nights, flights, accommodation, breakfast, & ...

Starting from AED 7,900

Maitha alhameli

خدمة 24 ساعة في حال صادف اي مشكلة اثناء السفر 👌🏻

Rakesh Jayakrishnan

I reached out to Omeir Travels to obtain my ticket and had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Jijin. He was exceptionally courteous and professional throughout our conversation, providing me with excellent guidance to secure my ticket. I highly recommend both Mr. Jijin and Omeir Travels to my peers and acquaintances, as I firmly believe in treating customers like royalty. Mr. Jijin’s expertise in delivering top-notch service was truly commendable, and I am grateful for his assistance.

Lidia Montero

They were very fast, professional, and responsible when issuing my flight ticket. Later, they also warned me of a delay of the flight, so I didn’t had to wait so much at the airport. I recommend it for those who are looking for a serious travel agency

Very professional and efficient service provided by Mr. Faheem from the visa section. He is very respectful; I recommend this agency for visa related requests.

Sujit Rogith

Fantastic service in Abuhail Omeir Travel branch. Quick response to all of my questions will highly recommend. Thank you for such great service.

Hadayat ullah Shah

Best of the best in terms of price and service… I recommend them…

Good customer service

Well appreciated customer service. Highly recommended

• Airline Rep

Username or email address  *

Password  *

Remember me Log in

Lost your password?

Tourism 365

Tourism 365, the tourism arm of ADNEC Group, is a tourism development company. The company was established in May 2021 to position Abu Dhabi as the region’s foremost destination for tourism and act as the channel through which ADNEC’s tourism strategy would be developed and implemented.

Tourism 365 aims to pave the way for the growth of the travel and tourism industry in Abu Dhabi, other emirates and the GCC, with an objective to increase its global footprint.

The business has a diversified portfolio of services including Destination Management, Travel Management, Transportation Services and Tour Operation services. Its mission is to create a sustainable, vibrant, and financially attractive tourism as a way to pave the way for growth of the travel and tourism in the world, with a particular focus on Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

Why We Exist?

Increase the attractiveness of Abu Dhabi as a tourism destination.

Diversify offering, enhance guests experience and extend their stay .

Increase economic impact of tourism sector.

Our Mission

To create a sustainable, vibrant and financially attractive tourism sector in Abu Dhabi, through building a portfolio of businesses that promote tourism and facilitate the growth of the tourism industry.

Abu Dhabi to become the leading tourist destination in the MENA region.

Strategic Initiatives

Key partners & sponsors.

For any query please reach us on: [email protected]

• Tour Operators

Top Tour Operators and Travel Agencies in UAE 2024/2025

Top Tour Operators and Travel Agencies in UAE. Below you will find 22 of the best tour operators and travel agencies in UAE offering in total 100 tours and holidays through-out UAE. Combined they have received 82 customer reviews and an average rating of 5 out of 5 stars. The top tour activities offered in UAE are: Sightseeing, attractions, culture and history, Adventure and sport & Wildlife, landscapes and nature.

• Tours in UAE
• UAE Travel Guide
• Best Time to Visit Dubai
• Best Time to Visit UAE

22 Tour Operators in UAE with 82 Reviews

Luxury Holidays Nepal Pvt. Ltd

• Address Nayabazar-16, Kathmandu, Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
• Response Rate 93%
• Response Time 1 hour

• Best-in-Class Top 5% of companies
• Excellent Service Top 10% of companies
• Superior Service Top 15% of companies

On The Go Tours

• Address 3 Shortlands, 4th floor, Office 19, Hammersmith, England
• Response Rate 88%
• Response Time 2 hours

Orient Tours

• Address Orient Tours , Sharjah, UAE

The Yellow Boats

• Address Dubai Marina Walk, beside Reem Al Bawadi Restaurant, Dubai, UAE
• Response Rate 56%

See X Sea Cruise Line

• Address Dubai Marina, Dubai, UAE
• Response Rate 43%

Emirates Tours and Safari LLC

• Address 604, 6ht Floor, Tessco Building, Zayed the first Street, Abu Dhabi, UAE
• Response Rate 45%

BoatCharter AE

• Address Room 405 Elite Business Center, Al Barsha, UAE

Encounters Travel

• Address Leigh House, Varley Street, Leeds, England
• Response Rate 94%

Daytur Dubai

• Address Churchill Tower Business Bay Dubai, Dubai, UAE
• Response Rate 63%

Splash Tours UAE

• Address Dubai Marina Al Seba Street , Dubai, UAE
• Response Time 3 hours

Desert Springs Tourism LLC

• Address Deira Business Center Office No. G-10, Dubai, UAE
• Response Rate 20%

Travtur Tourism L.L.C

• Address Clover Bay Tower .11th Floor Office 1111 Business Bay, Dubai, UAE
• Response Rate 83%

Travelux Day Tours L.L.C

• Address Al Kharbash Building, Dubai, UAE
• Response Rate 38%

VooTours Tourism LLC

• Address Office No. 26, 2nd Floor, Millennium Tower, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street,, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Traveling to UAE? Chat with a local travel specialist in UAE who can help organize your trip.

UAE Tour Reviews

• Tina Bailey
• Carol Sherman
• Brittney Burns
• Uae budget tours
• Eco tours in Uae
• Uae guided tours
• Uae family tour packages
• Uae private tours
• Uae small group tours
• Uae solo trips
• Uae tailor-made vacation packages
• Uae tours for senior citizens
• Uae tours for young adults
• Uae group tours

Popular Destinations

• Dubai Tours

Upcoming Departures

• Spring 2024/2025
• Summer 2024/2025
• Winter 2024/2025
• August 2024
• September 2024
• October 2024
• November 2024
• December 2024
• January 2025
• February 2025
• August 2025
• September 2025
• October 2025
• November 2025

Best price guaranteed - No booking fees

Free cancellation on most trips

Sign-in to unlock instant trip discounts. Create wish lists and save up to USD 1,500.

Beaches, palaces, and high culture. The unexpected and completely over-the-top pleasures of Abu Dhabi.

The oil-rich city is setting its sights on luring tourists and becoming the cultural capital of the uae..

A BU DHABI — I’m not sure which was more surreal — kayaking through the mangroves around Abu Dhabi, or actually being in Abu Dhabi, period.

A few months ago, I was unaware that Abu Dhabi was located on an island (I’m blaming my seventh-grade geography teacher for this), and I did not know that it had a Mangrove National Park. When I previously thought of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, I thought of desert sand but not beach sand. Yet here it was — white sand beaches lined with cafes, beach clubs, and hotels along the Persian Gulf. Abu Dhabi is an archipelago of 200 islands, with the city itself located on an island off the mainland.

I traveled to Abu Dhabi at the beginning of April after Etihad Airways began direct service to Boston. Boston is the fourth US city that Etihad now services. But in the weeks leading up to my trip, I wrestled with the decision to go.

Instead of casually checking the weather forecast to determine what to pack, I was reading the US Department of State report on human rights practices in Abu Dhabi. The report called out violations such as government censorship, arbitrary arrests, and laws criminalizing consensual same-sex sexual conduct between adults.

As a gay man, I’d be traveling to a country where it’s illegal to be gay. I would not pack my “Drag Is Not a Crime” or “Kiss Me Bro” T-shirts. Kidding aside, I was torn.

My curiosity and assurances from friends and conversations with colleagues convinced me to take a chance. Abu Dhabi’s recent $10 billion investment in the tourism sector is transforming the city into a cultural destination, and I wanted a first-hand look. The opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2017 and the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi in 2025 are just the beginning. The grand Zayed National Museum, currently under construction, will showcase the history, culture, and economic transformation of the Emirates.

Advertisement

I reasoned that if Abu Dhabi is making a play for tourists and wants to compete against Dubai for visitors, it would not want to limit its audience or throw me in jail. But after visiting, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it, and not just the mangroves and beaches. The city’s over-the-top oil money opulence is something to behold. The restaurants are top-notch, and the cultural offerings are enlightening. After spending time exploring the city and talking with locals, I felt at ease.

Let’s start at the beginning. Etihad Airways is now offering direct service from Boston to Abu Dhabi four times a week. According to Etihad chief revenue officer Arik De, Boston was chosen because there was already a demand for the route.

“The UAE has a very strong link with the Boston area,” De said. “There’s a lot of Emirati students in Boston and a lot of alumni. There’s also demand because of our connection to Boston’s tech and health care. We also have a strong partnership with JetBlue and anticipate that will help open tourism.”

I arrived in Abu Dhabi during Ramadan and was unsure about whether stores and restaurants would be closed during the day. Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset for a month. But most stores and restaurants were open. As a bonus, there was a party atmosphere at night when locals came out after fasting and praying. One memorable night I had dinner at Erth Restaurant , a Michelin-starred eatery specializing in modern twists on Emirati cuisine. Think deconstructed date cake, and you get the idea. The atmosphere was lively, the bzar-marinated beef short ribs were seasoned perfectly, and the outdoor tables beneath a full moon were buzzing late into the night.

Abu Dhabi is modern, gleaming, and filled with high-end, luxury shopping, but until the 1950s, it had no roads, hospitals, electricity, or running water. Before the discovery of oil, it was a poor fishing town. When oil was discovered in 1958, modernization accelerated. By the late 1960s, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first president of the UAE, was working with architects to create a modern city. If you’re interested in history, there’s the Emirates Heritage Village , which is a re-creation of an ancient desert oasis town. It’s an Emirates version of Old Sturbridge Village or Plimoth Patuxet.

The pace in Abu Dhabi is slower than cosmopolitan Dubai. It’s also less flashy, and there are far fewer buzzing hotel bars, but that’s starting to change. The city is transforming into a center of fine art and high culture with the development of the Saadiyat Cultural District. While many museums here are still under construction (including the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Abu Dhabi), the star attraction, the Louvre Abu Dhabi , opened in 2017. The museum itself is a work of art. French architect Jean Nouvel designed the museum’s dome structure to appear as if it’s floating. Under the dome, light filters through an intricate web pattern, casting spots of sun into ever-changing patterns.

The museum, described as “France’s largest cultural project abroad,” collects works that show universal themes in art across cultures. Not to worry, there are Leonardo Da Vinci paintings here, as well.

Although the Louvre is a massive 260,000 square feet, it feels modest compared to some of the city’s other municipal and religious structures. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque covers 30 acres. There’s white marble and elaborate domes as far as the eye can see. Worshippers come to the mosque, but the majority of the crowd is tourists. I’m not one to gawk at massive gold chandeliers or be easily impressed by rugs, but everything in the mosque is on such a grand scale that it’s impossible not to be wowed. It houses the world’s largest hand-knotted rug, and some of the aforementioned chandeliers weigh 8 tons. If you don’t come to pray, you can also shop. There’s a mall underneath the mosque.

To enter the mosque, visitors are required to dress modestly. For women, that includes a headscarf. I adhered to covering up throughout the trip. In my case, that meant not wearing shorts, unless I was at the beach. I wanted to be respectful of the local customs, and found that most Westerners did the same. Public displays of affection, both gay and straight, are frowned upon. I had read that it’s advisable for LGBTQ+ couples to request rooms with two beds, but I’ve spoken with several gay couples who have booked a room with one bed and did not encounter issues.

Abu Dhabi is still more conservative than Dubai, but it is changing. A craft brewery opened earlier this year, the first ever in the UAE. Until now, it was illegal to produce alcohol. Called Craft by Side Hustle , it’s a novelty because of the beer, but also because the menu is based around Southern food and barbecue. Personally, I’d stick with Emirati cuisine, but if you’re homesick, it’s an option.

After spending a few days touring the city’s grand government buildings, such as the Qasr Al Watan palace, I was ready for some beach time. Temperatures in April hover around 80 degrees, ideal for being outside. I stayed at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental , which, as the name indicates, was once a palace. The hotel has its own beach, but there are several public beaches around the city.

On my last evening, I rented a kayak and watched the sun setting behind the city. Paddling along the mangroves, I looked for the flamingos and other birds that inhabit the park. There were no flamingos, but there was a Western reef heron skulking around. As I paddled in its direction, it froze and gave me a suspicious stare.

I’m happy to say that the bird’s angry glare was the only hostile act I faced during the trip.

Christopher Muther can be reached at [email protected] . Follow him @Chris_Muther and Instagram @chris_muther.

• Partner with AGBI
• Leisure & Hospitality

Tourism to contribute $64bn to UAE’s economy in 2024

The tourism sector’s contribution to the UAE’s economy is expected to reach AED236 billion ($64 billion) in 2024, accounting for 12 percent of the overall GDP, a senior government official has said. 

The sector contributed AED220 billion to the GDP last year, accounting for almost 12 percent of the overall economy, Khaled Al Midfa, chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), said at the UN Tourism 50th regional commission meeting for the Middle East in Muscat.

Al Midfa said the tourism sector generated 809,000 jobs last year, which is projected to rise to 833,000 this year.

The UAE tourism strategy seeks to increase the sector’s contribution to the country’s GDP to AED450 billion by 2031, attract new investment of AED100 billion and welcome 40 million guests to the country’s hotels by the next decade.

The six GCC governments – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE – are exploring ways to co-operate on tourism, including a  unified visa  set to become available by the end of the year.

GCC nations should co-ordinate their event schedules to avoid overlaps and entice tourists to make multiple stops in the region, officials said at the Arabian Travel Market conference earlier this month.

Latest articles

Saudi deal with Lucid powers up EV charging network

US electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid has partnered with a Saudi government entity to create a much-needed network of charging hubs around the Gulf state. There were less than 1,000 electric cars on the roads in Saudi Arabia in 2023.  Saudi-backed Lucid signed an agreement on May 29 with the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company (EVIQ), which […]

• Giga-projects

Saudi review says 87% of Vision 2030 projects ‘on right track’

Saudi Arabia’s top economic body discussed the progress of the kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan this week, citing a recent government report that 87 percent of its projects are “on the right track”. The Council of Economic and Development Affairs, which is headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, convened on May 28 in a meeting […]

• Infrastructure

Dubai’s Sidara submits ‘final’ $2bn bid for John Wood Group

Dubai engineering and consulting company Dar Al-Handasah – known as Sidara – has made a fourth and “final” bid to buy London-listed contractor John Wood Group. The latest proposal of 230 pence sterling per share gives Wood a valuation of £1.58 billion ($2 billion) and is significantly higher than the first of three bids, which […]

Gulf bidders in running for Deutsche Bahn logistics arm

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and Saudi Arabia’s national shipping carrier Bahri are in the final round of a bidding process for DB Schenker, the logistics subsidiary of Germany’s national rail operator Deutsche Bahn. Danish companies Maersk and DSV are also in the running, sources told Reuters. ADIA, the UAE’s largest sovereign wealth fund, is […]

Download the AGBI app today

We've detected unusual activity from your computer network

To continue, please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot.

Why did this happen?

Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy .

For inquiries related to this message please contact our support team and provide the reference ID below.

Rajinikanth back to Chennai after his Abu Dhabi spiritual trip

C hennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], May 28 (ANI): After his spiritual visit to BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, Megastar Rajinikanth on Tuesday morning returned home. He was snapped at the Chennai airport.

In the videos by ANI, Rajinikanth can be seen waving to fans and paps as he heads towards his car.

Recently, Rajinikanth visited the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi. Videos and pictures of Rajinikanth seeking blessing at the temple were posted on the official social media account of the BAPS Hindu Mandir.

Meanwhile, Rajinikanth was granted the golden visa by UAE's Department of Culture and Tourism.

The veteran actor expressed his gratitude to the Abu Dhabi government and his friend, MA Yusuff Ali, chairman and managing director of Lulu Group, for their support in securing the visa.

"I am deeply honoured to receive the prestigious UAE Golden visa from Abu Dhabi Govt...," he said in one of the viral videos.

On the acting front, Rajinikanth has completed the shoot of his upcoming movie 'Vettaiyan', directed by TJ Gnanavel. 'Vettaiyan' also stars Amitabh Bachchan.

'Vettaiyan,' which is Rajinikanth's 170th film, is scheduled for a worldwide release in October this year. Earlier this month, Rajinikanth and Amitabh were seen filming a few scenes together in Mumbai. Taking to his Instagram handle, Amitabh treated fans with a photo featuring himself and Rajinikanth.

In the picture, Amitabh and Rajinikanth are seen hugging and having a fun conversation.

Sharing the post, he wrote, "I am honoured and privileged to be with the Thala the Great Rajni again .. he hasn't changed at all .. the same simple humble down to earth friend despite his stratospheric greatness !!!"

Earlier, the production company unveiled the title teaser of the movie on Rajinikanth's 73rd birthday.

The film features an ensemble cast including Fahadh Faasil, Rana Daggubati, Ritika Singh, Manju Warrier, and Dushara Vijayan. Anirudh Ravichander serves as the music composer for the film. Rajinikanth was spotted filming for the movie in various locations, such as Trivandrum, Tirunelveli, and Tuticorin.

Rajinikanth was last seen in his daughter Aishwarya's film 'Lal Salaam'. The Tamil-language sports drama tackles themes of caste oppression and religious discrimination and opened to mixed reviews. Lal Salaam stars Vishnu Vishal and Vikranth in the lead roles, while Rajinikanth is seen in an extended cameo as Moideen Bhai. (ANI)