In the summer of 2012, after 7 years of successful promotion in the Russian market of the Philippines, Eduard Grigoriev headed the Office of Tourism and Culture of Abu Dhabi in Russia and the CIS. Having extensive experience in the travel industry and the sphere of representative services, from the first days of his work, Eduard chose the main direction of his activity to work with travel companies and the press in order to increase interest in the emirate among Russian tourists. What is the current situation in the tourist business and what attracts Russians to Abu Dhabi are the main topics of our conversation.
In today's difficult time for Russians, there are many factors influencing the outbound tourism market in Russia. Nevertheless, Abu Dhabi is still a popular holiday destination for Russian tourists. What's the secret?
- Indeed, today, in many respects, the decision on the choice of a place for recreation is made by Russians primarily taking into account the pricing factor. This could not but affect the overall outbound tourism market, which is showing a significant decline. I will not hide that Abu Dhabi also could not avoid a drop in tourist traffic: over the past year it amounted to 17% compared to 2014 - this is relatively small. We see that our potential clients choose Abu Dhabi for the exceptionally high level of quality of the offered product: convenient transfer, hotel service, rich excursion program, security, flexible system of discounts and bonuses. The marketing strategy of the Abu Dhabi Department of Tourism and Culture with the support of our partners - Russian travel operators working in this area - played an important role. In particular, it is now possible to more actively redirect tourist flows to the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
- What will Abu Dhabi offer Russian tourists in 2016?
- Speaking of private clients, we strive to increase their motivation to spend their holidays in Abu Dhabi. As a rule, this audience is quite loyal to the UAE. There are many options here. These are special seasonal promotions for all-inclusive accommodation. It is known that in summer it is very hot in Abu Dhabi, but for many this is not an obstacle, because all hotels offer huge discounts, and shops attract with attractive promotions. These are also beneficial offers from our partner tour operators, which allow you to effectively optimize the travel product. For example, it can be bonus tickets to amusement parks for children or even a free transfer for those who book hotels in Abu Dhabi, but arrive at airports in other emirates.
We also try to open up the maximum profitable opportunities for corporate clients thanks to the Advantage Abu Dhabi program, which will allow them to optimize the costs of organizing their events with us due to the fact that the Tourism Authority will take part of the costs or provide a certain set of services for free.
A lover of entertainment will not be bored? What event program does Abu Dhabi offer this year?
In Abu Dhabi, the calendar of events is scheduled for the year ahead and something is constantly happening here. Fans of speed and drive will never miss the Etihad Airways Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which will be held for the eighth time this year. Admirers of the national flavor will not disregard national festivals dedicated to local traditions. For example, the unique Al Dhafra Camel Festival with the world's only camel beauty pageant, or the Qasr Al Hosn Festival, which features world-class live entertainment shows, interactive educational projects and historical exhibitions.
Classical concerts and performances by renowned artists are held throughout the emirate during the Abu Dhabi Classic and Abu Dhabi Art special cultural events.
There are also seasonal events. For example, the Summer Festival, which has already become traditional and very popular with tourists, which runs until autumn and is full of various creative, entertainment and sports activities. The sites themselves are constantly initiating events. And right now, the spring festival is in full swing at the largest shopping center in Abu Dhabi, Yas Mall. Any visitor can go to concerts of local pop stars or watch a fashion show for free.
This year it is planned to open the Louvre Abu Dhabi …
- I want to talk about him separately. The opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island is truly a landmark event for the region, which will transform the emirate into the cultural capital of the Middle East. It demonstrates the vector of the emirate's development: the preservation and enhancement of cultural values. Visitors will be able to see collections from the Paris Museum of the same name, as well as temporary exhibitions by local artists.
We must pay tribute to the building of the future museum itself - according to the architect's idea, it will stand on the water, and the roof will be a perforated dome, thanks to which the effect of solar rain will be created inside.
- Are there any completely unusual places in Abu Dhabi that you should definitely visit?
- You can find a lot of information about Abu Dhabi on the Internet. This is the eponymous capital of the UAE, and the greenest of the emirates, and the largest and richest. And before going on a trip, you can explore all of its popular attractions, among which, of course, will be the Sheikh Zayed Mosque and the Emirates Palace hotel …
- … and, of course, the famous Ferrari World amusement park.
- Oh sure. But it seems to me that it is worth touching on other places that are no less interesting to visit. For example, did you know that Abu Dhabi is home to the largest falcon hospital in the world? You will be even more surprised to know that this is not just a bird hospital, but also a kind of beauty salon and hotel for falcons. Here they undergo a wide variety of procedures, keep them in equipped aviaries for the duration of the molt, feed and care for them daily. Surely, few people would think that the treatment of such a small creature requires the same attention as the treatment of a person: there are operating rooms, rooms for rehabilitation, special devices for filing claws and a huge number of caring bird lovers. Falcon Hospital conducts a special excursion, which is simply a must-see if you are interested in the above.
- Surely, not all guests of the emirate are interested in birds …
- If it is inconvenient to bring a falcon from a trip, then there is an opportunity to somehow preserve a piece of Emirati traditions as a keepsake. This piece may fit in the palm of your hand, but in meaning, it happens, it even exceeds all of the above. I am talking now about pearls and pearl fishing.
Previously, the bravest and most desperate people were considered pearl divers, it was hard, not always justified work, because a pearl extracted could cost someone's life at the same time or feed the whole family for a whole month. More recently, it became possible to see how it actually happened. Travel to the most remote part of the Al Gharbiya region, Sir Bani Yas Island. This is a real island reserve, here in the wild there are more than ten thousand animals that you can get acquainted with during a safari walk. It also hosts the Princes of Pearling, a first-of-its-kind excursion where participants can dive for pearls on their own with the help of antique gadgets.
Probably not entirely safe?
- Don't worry about security! This is the paramount thing in the UAE that no one ever forgets about. And those emotions from the very experience of diving to the opening of the sink will delight the most serious connoisseur of sightseeing leisure.
