The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced details of both the upcoming Eid Fest celebrations and the annual Abu Dhabi Summer Season; two marquee events for the emirate which aim to attract more overseas visitors to the UAE capital and to thrill and delight all-comers. Both events have been geared to provide both visitors and residents, especially families and bargain hunters, with something to get excited about, with sought-after experiences and fantastic promotional deals for all – making Abu Dhabi the place to be this summer.
The celebrations get off to a spectacular start with a 24-hour mall mega sale, featuring discounts of up to 90%, as part of Eid Fest celebrations. With more than 500 stores involved, the sale will kick off at 10am on Friday, June 15th and run until 10am on Saturday, June 16th in a bid to bring families and friends to Abu Dhabi to celebrate this special occasion. Inspired by the runaway success of last year’s Mega Sale at Yas Mall, a total of seven malls will be participating in this year’s super sale; World Trade Centre (WTC) Mall, Al Jimi Mall, Dalma Mall, Hili Mall, Marina Mall and Bawadi Mall, with Yas Mall yet again participating. In addition, Abu Dhabi will be marking the first day of Eid Al Fitr with a dazzling five-minute fireworks display that will light up the sky on Friday, June 15th at 9pm at Abu Dhabi corniche and Hazza bin Zayed stadium in Al Ain.
Aimed at cementing the Emirate’s status as a year-round tourism destination, the mega sale will be followed by the much-anticipated Abu Dhabi Summer Season (ADSS) returning in its fifth edition between June 21st and August 18th. This year’s ADSS will present a city-wide array of experiences that are not to be missed. Visitors and residents will be able to enjoy a huge range of activities and offers across the entire emirate, including hotel deals, F&B and retail promotions as well as a number of entertaining events for all the family. For these events, DCT has partnered with some of the well renowned entertainment and events companies in the region including MBC Group, Yak Events, Xceed Events, and Envie Events, who will together bring top quality performances and acts, kids’ shows, live family entertainment, renowned international shows, and Indian performers and concerts. The exciting summer event is designed to offer memorable moments for families, residents and visitors of all ages with unmatched entertainment activities as well as enticing summer deals at many hotels, attractions and F&B outlets as well as lots more shopping promotions at more than 10 participating malls.
HE Sultan Al Mutawa Al Dhaheri, Executive Director of the Tourism Sector at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The Eid Fest celebrations and Abu Dhabi Summer Season are annual anchor activations that aim to underpin the Emirate’s credentials as a destination of distinction during the summer, especially for families looking for unmissable experiences and offers. It forms part of our long-term strategy to incentivise the private sector and tourism industry and get them involved in event development while building both regional and international awareness of the emirate's appeal. Through this summer season, we aim to contribute to the increase of overseas visitors to Abu Dhabi, especially from top source markets including GCC and India, raise the average length-of-stay for visitors, and position Abu Dhabi as an attractive destination to visit during the summer.”
ADSS 2018 will also include unmatched hotel promotions for the duration of the festival, with spa, F&B, rooms and kids offers throughout the summer season. More than 50 of the emirate’s most luxurious hotels will be offering a total of 67 deals, with discounts ranging from 15% to 50%. Participating hotels include Shangri-La Hotel and Traders Hotel at Qaryat Al Beri, Yas Island’s Rotana, Radisson Blu, Park Inn and Centro, Bab Al Qasr, Al Seef Resort and Spa, Jannah Burj Al Sarab, Park and Beach Rotanas, Capital Centre Arjaan by Rotana, Centro Capital Centre, Dusit Thani, Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana, Pearl Rotana Capital Centre, Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas and the Marriott Downtown Abu Dhabi. The Hili Rayhaan by Rotana, Al Raha Beach Hotel, City Seasons Al Hamra Hotel, Danat Al Ain Resort, Hyatt Capital Gate, Mafraq Hotel, Novel Hotel City Center, Novotel Abu Dhabi Al Bustan, Oryx hotel, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Royal Rose Hotel, Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi Hotel, Al Diar Capital Hotel, InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Corniche Hotel Abu Dhabi, Western Hotel Madinat Zayed, Western Hotel Ghayathi Abu Dhabi, Tilal Liwa Hotel and the Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana are also offering ADSS promotions during the festival.
Foodies will also get some fantastic deals this summer, with unbeatable savings at their favourite restaurants – dine-in and online. DCT Abu Dhabi is partnering with Zomato to launch the ADSS Zomato Experience, presenting four F&B summer offers at more than 200 participating restaurants. The Abu Dhabi Summer Season Family Package will offer Zomato Gold Memberships at a 25% discount for members to enjoy mouthwatering meals at more than 200 restaurants, while the Abu Dhabi Summer Season Traveller Package is a special one-month subscription for overseas tourists visiting Abu Dhabi during ADSS. Throughout the summer season, restaurants across the city will also be serving up a Zomato-branded AED15 kids menu for kids from the age of 13 and below specially curated for ADSS. Additionally, children from the age of 13 and below can have a free dessert when visiting any of the dining outlets participating in ADSS and free food items on specific days. Lastly, ADSS Culinary Weeks will feature a series of themed “culinary weeks”, where a different culinary region will be highlighted each week by Zomato for customers to take advantage of a 25% discount at 25 restaurants when dining out.
Abu Dhabi Summer Season 2018 will also feature two offers specifically for the entertainment hub of Yas Island. A ‘Family Summer Season Offer’ will be available to purchase, giving families the opportunity to enjoy a special deal for a stay at a Yas Island hotel coupled with complimentary breakfast and entry to the theme park of their choice. The offer, which covers two adults and one child, also includes access to Yas Beach.
