Blazing The Tourism Trail

As Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) sets targets to raise the level of Emirati employment within the emirate’s tourism sector, national pioneers are blazing a product development trail and urging their younger compatriots to consider the industry and the private sector as a vehicle for talent and monetary investment.

For Liwa-born Matar Al Mansoori who established Al Badeyah Eyes Tourism which operates a desert camp at Al Khazna on the way to Al Ain, the decision to enter the sector stemmed from a love of the UAE’s heritage and tradition instilled in him by his parents. “I was raised in the Liwa oasis by parents who keep their traditions and heritage alive until now. This made me appreciate my past and I wanted to give U.A.E visitors the chance to experience the real culture and traditions of our society. Secondly, I was overseas for nine years finishing my undergraduate degree and serving my country in two embassies. During this time I travelled a lot and lived among different cultures - the U.S.A, Ecuador, Morocco and South Africa included. As a visitor I enjoyed the way these different countries preserved their culture and traditions which made me think of doing something similar. I began to educate myself more in the fields of tourism and business.

“I want visitors to experience true Arabian hospitality and to have unforgettable experiences and memories when they return home. I want them to understand our culture and heritage and experience our traditions, so when they go home, they have many memories to share with their friends.” Matar chose to establish the camp because he so much enjoys his time in the desert and believe visitors can too.

“The desert has a unique nature, no-one can imagine it unless they experience it. The U.A.E has a variety of dune shapes and Liwa Oasis has the region’s highest dunes. I want to be an Emirati who focuses on promoting desert tourism in Abu Dhabi. I want to be an entrepreneur and was happy to face the challenge of making a traditional heritage camp that is family-oriented yet enjoyable and adventurous for visitors.

“Abu Dhabi has big tourism and cultural projects underway, some are ready and some will be ready in the next few years. Therefore, a lot of tourists are coming and will come to visit the city. They would like to be welcomed by Emiratis who can take them around the city, answer their questions and show them our culture, traditions and heritage.” Matar believes young nationals have a great opportunity to leverage and help further develop the UAE’s tourism industry.

“It is the right time for young nationals to lead in this field. The country has beautiful places for tourists - the sea, desert and mountains. Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority conducts a three-month programme every summer for local people and public sector employees to enroll in and become educated about tourism. It is also training young nationals to become involved in the tourism sector and to be ambassadors who can present our culture and tourism projects to visitors. Zayed University also has a Masters programme on tourism to encourage young locals to learn about this sector and the Khalifa Fund supports locals who are interested to set up businesses and has already funded several applicants whose businesses are in the tourism and hospitality fields. So if young nationals have the potential, the opportunities and the resources to enter the tourism field - they just need to make the decision and develop an action plan.”

For keen cyclist Aboubaker Al Sakaf the desire to be able to ride in safety prompted his tourism venture – he now owns FunRideSports which rents out bicycles to people wanting to ‘ride’ Abu Dhabi’s Corniche. “I used to ride my bicycle in the city but felt unsafe. The only safe place to ride was along the Corniche. But when I wanted to cycle on the Corniche, I had to take by own bike in my car beforehand. “That gave me the idea to establish a business which would provide bikes for rent. It took offer because people like to ride in pleasant surroundings.”

Aboubaker believes nationals who have a tourism-related idea should press it home. “I would suggest for them to have the courage to start a business they believe in. If they prepare everything in a nice, simple and clear way they will win the patronage of their target client. “The determination to continue with what you believe in will definitely make you successful. My personal experience in establishing this business was that it took me a lot of effort to convince the authorities that my idea would benefit Abu Dhabi’s lovely surroundings – but I proved it to them and now we are well established.”

Forty-one-year-old Emirati Yaser Al Hamiri’s passion for Abu Dhabi’s scenic coastline and waters was the inspiration behind his venture Sea Cruiser Tours. “My dream was always to give everyone the chance to experience Abu Dhabi’s incredible beaches, warm ocean waters and rich marine life – all at an accessible and affordable price,” explained Yaser.

“Before I started Sea Cruiser I had my own small boats which I would take out for fishing, and friends would constantly ask me to take them out and show them around the small islands that surround Abu Dhabi city. I couldn’t keep up with the demand, so it was logical for me to take the next step and start up a dedicated business with larger boats.” As with Matar, Yaser won the backing of Khalifa Fund, which assists the development of Emirati businessmen and women to contribute to the emirate’s ongoing economic growth. Sea Cruiser boat tours are now sailing daily from Abu Dhabi’s Fish Market pier. “I was the first person to receive a Tourism Cruising Boat licence in Abu Dhabi,” smiles Yaser “and the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority was very supportive in helping me obtain this new type of licence.”

Although it’s early days for Sea Cruiser, Yaser has high hopes for the business and plans to buy two additional boats in the near further to meet demand from local hotels wanting tours for their guests. “This really is my dream job and I truly believe that Abu Dhabi offers the best cruising in the Middle East. I’m looking forward to all the new marinas opening up and the possibility of picking guests up from the Corniche and taking them for a tour through the city’s waterways to the fine-dining restaurant of their choice – from Reem to Saadiyat and Yas islands. It really is going to be a fantastic experience for everyone,” he said.

The sea also beckoned for Emirati entrepreneur Adel Abu Haliqa who teamed up with expatriate enthusiast Alex Boulting to establish Freediving UAE – the only company specialising in freediving training and courses in the United Arab Emirates. Having started freediving in 2006, Adel set the first UAE freediving national record in both pool and depth disciplines in 2009 and is a regular at international competitions. “We believe Abu Dhabi is a more than ideal location for people to get into freediving with its clear and warm 30 degree plus ocean waters and a plethora of fascinating sealife, it provides absolutely perfect conditions for peacefully exploring underwater worlds,” said Adel.

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