• SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is set to open on May 23, 2023. All photos: Miral unless specified otherwise
    SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is set to open on May 23, 2023. All photos: Miral unless specified otherwise
  • It will be the first SeaWorld location outside North America
    It will be the first SeaWorld location outside North America
  • It's set to be home to the region's largest multi-species aquarium
    It's set to be home to the region's largest multi-species aquarium
  • SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is a new attraction on Yas Island, which is also home to Yas Bay Waterfront, pictured. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is a new attraction on Yas Island, which is also home to Yas Bay Waterfront, pictured. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is another family-friendly attraction on Yas Island. Photo: Yas Island
    Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is another family-friendly attraction on Yas Island. Photo: Yas Island
  • Yas Island is also home to the world’s first Warner Bros-themed hotel
    Yas Island is also home to the world’s first Warner Bros-themed hotel

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi to open in 2023


Katy Gillett
  • English
  • Arabic

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is 90 per cent complete and will open in 2023, property developer Miral announced on Wednesday.

It will be the first SeaWorld location outside of North America and is the latest addition to Yas Island’s attractions, which include Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi and Clymb Abu Dhabi.

The marine-life theme park complex will also include the UAE’s first dedicated marine research, rescue, rehabilitation and return centre, supporting regional conservation projects and with a focus on indigenous ecosystems in the Arabian Gulf.

What's inside SeaWorld Abu Dhabi?

The attraction is being built over five floors spanning about 183,000 square metres and including habitats, rides, interactive exhibits and immersive guests experiences, full details of which are yet to be revealed.

It's set to be home to the region's largest multi-species aquarium, with more than 58 million litres of water and 150 species, including sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will also be home to the UAE's first dedicated marine-life research and rescue centre. Photo: Miral
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will also be home to the UAE's first dedicated marine-life research and rescue centre. Photo: Miral

The park will also home hundreds of bird species — from penguins to puffins. The animals will be looked after by expert zoologists, veterinarians, nutritionists and other animal specialists.

The central zone is called One Ocean and links six marine environments throughout the park, each telling a story designed to emphasise the interconnectivity of life on Earth and under the seas. There will also be a 360-degree media experience in this zone.

The building will use rooftop solar photovoltaic systems with a total capacity of 8.2 megawatts, Abu Dhabi clean energy company Masdar revealed in July.

'We are excited'

“Abu Dhabi and the UAE has delivered longstanding marine conservation, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi signifies the start of a new chapter in regional and global marine life knowledge, conservation, and sustainability,” said Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Miral. “Our partnership with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment to bring this next-generation marine-life theme park to the capital will further help position Abu Dhabi as a global tourism hub and contribute to its economic growth and diversification vision.”

Scott Ross, chairman of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, said the company is “honoured” to be a part of “Abu Dhabi's innovative vision for economic diversification and growth, as well as the emirate's commitment to marine-life conservation”.

Commenting on the research and rescue centre, Marc Swanson, chief executive of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, said: "SeaWorld’s nearly six decades of caring for such a vast array of marine animals is what makes this possible and what enables us to introduce another first for the UAE region.

“We are excited to witness the impact these endeavours will have on inspiring the next generation of marine-animal conservationists across the UAE, and advancing the causes of research, rescue and conservation worldwide.”

Yas Bay: the complete guide to Abu Dhabi's new waterfront destination — in pictures

  • Yas Bay Waterfront has opened to the public. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Yas Bay Waterfront has opened to the public. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Pier 71 is home to a number of restaurants and lounges at Yas Bay Waterfront.
    Pier 71 is home to a number of restaurants and lounges at Yas Bay Waterfront.
  • Guests can enjoy views of Al Raha Beach skyline from Yas Bay Waterfront.
    Guests can enjoy views of Al Raha Beach skyline from Yas Bay Waterfront.
  • The boardwalk at Yas Bay Waterfront.
    The boardwalk at Yas Bay Waterfront.
  • Yas Bay Waterfront has a three-kilometre boardwalk that overlooks the Arabian Gulf.
    Yas Bay Waterfront has a three-kilometre boardwalk that overlooks the Arabian Gulf.
  • There are art installations around the waterfront area.
    There are art installations around the waterfront area.
  • A giant bronze sculpture emerges from the water at Yas Bay Waterfront.
    A giant bronze sculpture emerges from the water at Yas Bay Waterfront.
  • Paradiso, which is helmed by Nicole Rubi, the woman behind LPM Restaurant, and Michelin-lauded chef Pierre Gagnaire.
    Paradiso, which is helmed by Nicole Rubi, the woman behind LPM Restaurant, and Michelin-lauded chef Pierre Gagnaire.
  • Paradiso, a Mediterranean restaurant that originated in Cannes, France, is now open at Yas Bay Waterfront.
    Paradiso, a Mediterranean restaurant that originated in Cannes, France, is now open at Yas Bay Waterfront.
  • The rigatoni pasta dish at Paradiso.
    The rigatoni pasta dish at Paradiso.
  • Pizza with tomatoes and oregano at Paradiso.
    Pizza with tomatoes and oregano at Paradiso.
  • Etihad Arena is located within Yas Bay Waterfront.
    Etihad Arena is located within Yas Bay Waterfront.
  • More restaurants and concepts are set to open in the coming months.
    More restaurants and concepts are set to open in the coming months.
  • Cafe del Mar's cabanas come with their own Jacuzzi.
    Cafe del Mar's cabanas come with their own Jacuzzi.
  • An installation lights up at night at Yas Bay Waterfront.
    An installation lights up at night at Yas Bay Waterfront.
BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP

Group A

Paraguay
Japan
Switzerland
USA

Group B

Uruguay
Mexico
Italy
Tahiti

Group C

Belarus
UAE
Senegal
Russia

Group D

Brazil
Oman
Portugal
Nigeria

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Healthcare spending to double to $2.2 trillion rupees

Launched a 641billion-rupee federal health scheme

Allotted 200 billion rupees for the recapitalisation of state-run banks

Around 1.75 trillion rupees allotted for privatisation and stake sales in state-owned assets

Hales' batting career

Tests 11; Runs 573; 100s 0; 50s 5; Avg 27.38; Best 94

ODIs 58; Runs 1,957; 100s 5; 50s 11; Avg 36.24; Best 171

T20s 52; Runs 1,456; 100s 1; 50s 7; Avg 31.65; Best 116 not out

Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
'Operation Mincemeat' 

Director: John Madden 

 

Cast: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfayden, Kelly Macdonald and Penelope Wilton

 

Rating: 4/5

 
Persuasion
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Retirement funds heavily invested in equities at a risky time

Pension funds in growing economies in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East have a sharply higher percentage of assets parked in stocks, just at a time when trade tensions threaten to derail markets.

Retirement money managers in 14 geographies now allocate 40 per cent of their assets to equities, an 8 percentage-point climb over the past five years, according to a Mercer survey released last week that canvassed government, corporate and mandatory pension funds with almost $5 trillion in assets under management. That compares with about 25 per cent for pension funds in Europe.

The escalating trade spat between the US and China has heightened fears that stocks are ripe for a downturn. With tensions mounting and outcomes driven more by politics than economics, the S&P 500 Index will be on course for a “full-scale bear market” without Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts, Citigroup’s global macro strategy team said earlier this week.

The increased allocation to equities by growth-market pension funds has come at the expense of fixed-income investments, which declined 11 percentage points over the five years, according to the survey.

Hong Kong funds have the highest exposure to equities at 66 per cent, although that’s been relatively stable over the period. Japan’s equity allocation jumped 13 percentage points while South Korea’s increased 8 percentage points.

The money managers are also directing a higher portion of their funds to assets outside of their home countries. On average, foreign stocks now account for 49 per cent of respondents’ equity investments, 4 percentage points higher than five years ago, while foreign fixed-income exposure climbed 7 percentage points to 23 per cent. Funds in Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Taiwan are among those seeking greater diversification in stocks and fixed income.

• Bloomberg

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EQureos%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EUAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E33%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESoftware%20and%20technology%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%243%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E470hp%2C%20338kW%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20620Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh491%2C500%20(estimate)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

What is Folia?

Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.

Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."

Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.

In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love". 

There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.

While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."

How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
SHALASH%20THE%20IRAQI
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Updated: September 14, 2022, 8:58 AM