ABU DHABI// More than 250,000 tourists from around the world have visited the Sir Bani Yas Island nature reserve since it opened six years ago.
The 87-square kilometre island off the coast of the Western region of Abu Dhabi is expected to see an increase in visitors numbers as a range of new activities are introduced.
“Today, we’re proud of what we have achieved on the island – making it one of the most attractive places to visit in the region,” said Ali Majed Al Mansoori, chairman of the Tourism Development Investment Company.
“It has become a destination of choice as it brings a different kind of travel experience to Abu Dhabi, and one that puts the emirate alongside top leading tourism destinations in the world.”
The new attractions include a daily falconry demonstration introducing people to an important feature of Emirati heritage.
Land-sailing sessions allowing people to negotiate the varied terrain on the island and camping excursions are also now available.
Existing activities include a nature and wildlife drive through the 4,100 hectare Arabian Wildlife Park, which is home to over 13,000 free-roaming animals including Oryx, gazelles, deer, ostriches, giraffes and cheetahs.
There are also nature walks, mountain bike riding and horseback riding.
The Desert Islands Watersports Centre also offers activities like snorkeling, diving deep sea fishing and sea kayaking.
Boat owners can dock their craft at the Royal Bay Moorings, which has space for boats of 50 feet.
Guests also have the option of three five-star hotel resorts.
For more details visit http://www.desertislands.com/EN/
newsdesk@thenational.ae
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Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
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Mark Chahwan, co-founder and chief executive of robo-advisory firm Sarwa, forecasts that Generation Alpha (born between 2010 and 2024) will start investing in their teenage years and therefore benefit from compound interest.
“Technology and education should be the main drivers to make this happen, whether it’s investing in a few clicks or their schools/parents stepping up their personal finance education skills,” he adds.
Mr Chahwan says younger generations have a higher capacity to take on risk, but for some their appetite can be more cautious because they are investing for the first time. “Schools still do not teach personal finance and stock market investing, so a lot of the learning journey can feel daunting and intimidating,” he says.
He advises millennials to not always start with an aggressive portfolio even if they can afford to take risks. “We always advise to work your way up to your risk capacity, that way you experience volatility and get used to it. Given the higher risk capacity for the younger generations, stocks are a favourite,” says Mr Chahwan.
Highlighting the role technology has played in encouraging millennials and Gen Z to invest, he says: “They were often excluded, but with lower account minimums ... a customer with $1,000 [Dh3,672] in their account has their money working for them just as hard as the portfolio of a high get-worth individual.”
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