Global Village has been named the most popular attraction in the UAE.
In a new survey that looks at leisure and entertainment trends in the Gulf, the open-air family attraction was voted number one by 39 per cent of those polled.
Entertainment centre Magic Planet, which has several locations across the UAE, is the second-most popular attraction, at 18 per cent, while Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo in the Dubai Mall rounds off the top three, at 17 per cent.
Global Village, which shuts down for summer each year, recently announced it would return a week earlier "due to overwhelming public demand". Representatives said the attraction welcomed nine million visitors during its most recent stint, from October 25, 2022 to April 30.
Season 28 is scheduled to run from October 18 to April 28.
Top 5 attractions in the UAE
1. Global Village, Dubai
2. Magic Planet, Dubai
3. Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
4. Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi
5. Dubai Parks & Resorts
- Source: YouGov
Global Village also tops a list of attractions residents intend to visit or revisit in the next 12 months – with 31 per cent of respondents saying they would return.
Museum of the Future in Dubai comes a close second, at 25 per cent.
Meanwhile, four attractions share third place, at 17 per cent: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi, Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo and Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark in Dubai.
The study, by British market research company YouGov, was conducted last month among 1,003 online respondents, who are residents of the UAE.
The survey also asked whether or not residents intended to stay in the UAE during the summer months, from June to September, and an overwhelming majority, at 70 per cent, said they would.
Of those planning to stay, 42 per cent of respondents plan to spend their free time in parks and gardens, 39 per cent say they'd go to shopping malls and 38 per cent said they'd visit restaurants and cafes.
1971: The Year The Music Changed Everything
Director: Asif Kapadia
4/5
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How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
MWTC info
Tickets to the MWTC range from Dh100 and can be purchased from www.ticketmaster.ae or by calling 800 86 823 from within the UAE or 971 4 366 2289 from outside the country and all Virgin Megastores. Fans looking to attend all three days of the MWTC can avail of a special 20 percent discount on ticket prices.
Tank warfare
Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks.
“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.
“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
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
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance: the specs
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 plus rear-mounted electric motor
Power: 843hp at N/A rpm
Torque: 1470Nm N/A rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.6L/100km
On sale: October to December
Price: From Dh875,000 (estimate)
