UAE at 50: Etihad invites travellers to share UAE stories for new campaign

The national airline is celebrating the country’s 50th anniversary with a look back at the past, and the chance to win free flights

Etihad's legacy of a nation invites travellers to share their UAE memories. Michael Stokes remembers visiting Abu Dhabi with his father as a seven-year-old. Courtesy Etihad

UAE resident Anusha Aboobacker fondly recalls family picnics in Al Ain in the seventies. Courtesy Etihad

Colin Garnham Edge shares tales of spending school holidays in Abu Dhabi and driving around in his father's open-top car. Courtesy Etihad

Clairie Menelaou's father first moved to the UAE 44 years ago, and helped organised one of the country's first boating contests. Courtesy Etihad

Having lived in the UAE her whole life, Delaine D'Costa used to love wandering the Corniche and play in the old phone booths. Courtesy Etihad

Joe Saad shares memories of his life in the UAE capital back in the 1970s. Courtesy Etihad

With travel still not fully reopen, Etihad Airways is asking would-be travellers to take a journey of a different kind this summer, via a trip down memory lane.

The national airline of the UAE is inviting residents and citizens to share memories of their time spent in the country. The Legacy of a Nation campaign is part of Etihad's 50th anniversary celebratory programme.

Travellers who share their memories have a chance of winning one of 5,000 prizes, including flights to destinations across Etihad's network and bonus Etihad Guest Miles.

"This project is an important milestone in Etihad’s celebration of the history of our incredible country. The stories from both Emiratis and expatriates show the unparalleled progress the country has made in such a short period of time,” said Amina Taher, vice president brand, marketing and sponsorships at the airline.

Click through the gallery above to see shared memories of the UAE

"As one of the UAE's leading brands, we actively encourage everyone – whether they are new to the UAE or have spent their entire lives here – to share their story so we can preserve and archive this unique legacy," she said.

The campaign launched on June 7 and is open for entries until July 15. It has already garnered interest with people sharing their stories for others to see.

From fond accounts of family picnics in Al Ain to tales of decades spent serving in the UAE Army or a recollection about a single-digit number plate on an open-top car in the 1960s, each entry is a unique and untold perspective on life in the UAE over the years.

“The legacy of a nation is built with its people and the memories that are locked in their homes, hearts and minds. Let’s take a voyage back in time and reminisce on these historical moments," Etihad said on its website.

Get inspired by visiting Etihad's website to read some of the memories already listed.

The project plans to chart all of the experiences, stories and recollections shared about time spent in the UAE over the past five decades, with input from Emirati citizens and non-Emirati residents, visitors and tourists.

The national airline will then select 50 entries that it feels are a good showcase of the past 50 years of life in the UAE.

Etihad announced in April that it would be giving away 50,000 prizes throughout the year to celebrate the country's golden anniversary.