Many new arrivals in Abu Dhabi can feel a little geographically confused when they see local places named after far-off locations. This trend ranges from institutions like the Paris Sorbonne University and the New York Film Academy right down to small businesses like Al Quds Grocery or Nablus Bakery, named after their owners’ homelands.
Until very recently, the Monte Carlo Beach Club on Saadiyat Island was another example of this trend, but now the Abu Dhabi offshoot of the Principality of Monaco's upmarket leisure spot bears an entirely home-grown moniker: Saadiyat Beach Club. The rebranding occurred after an agreement between TDIC, the island's developer, and Monte-Carlo SBM, the club's previous management, expired at the end of last month.
The renaming is, perhaps, also a sign of a growing confidence in what we have here, rather than seeking to import brands from overseas. We see this in the name recognition our top brands now enjoy the world over, particularly in the leisure and hospitality sectors. Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways are both good examples of this.
Not long ago, Saadiyat Island’s only residents were gazelles and the occasional turtle. Now Saadiyat is a name with global recognition – with a beach club to match.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
