A UAE domestic tourism campaign has been hailed for driving up visitor numbers and hotel revenues while promoting the “rich culture of the Emirates”.
The third annual World's Coolest Winter initiative was launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, at Ajman's Al Zorah nature reserve on December 4.
It aimed to encourage residents and holiday-goers alike to explore all that the country has to offer, from nature spots to entertainment venues and five-star hotels.
The UAE Government Media Office said on Sunday that UAE hotels had enjoyed total revenues of Dh1.8 billion during the latest campaign, up from Dh1.5 billion in the corresponding period last year.
The number of domestic tourists rose to 1.4 million, the media office said, an increase of 8 per cent year-on-year.
Abdulla bin Touq, Minister of Economy, said the scheme was key to the UAE's efforts to boost the tourism sector's contribute to gross domestic product to Dh450bn by 2031.
“The Campaign succeeded in shedding light on our identity and heritage, and introducing the rich culture of the Emirates, taking advantage of the great success achieved in the past editions,” said Mr Bin Touq.
This year’s campaign sought to celebrate the UAE's, heritage, national identity, and authentic Emirati values.
Hotels reap benefits
The National reported this week on how a packed events schedule and bustling tourism season had led to a 30 per cent price surge and limited availability for hotel rooms across Dubai.
With many hotels at close to 100 per cent occupancy due to conferences and the Dubai Duty Free tennis championships, visitors without a booking have faced sky-high prices.
The trend is set to continue, hotel managers said.
School holidays in the UK, Europe and the UAE all fall during Ramadan this year, creating a boom in demand.
Gulfood at Dubai World Trade Centre attracted tens of thousands to the city this week, with more piling in to attend the Step Conference tech event at Internet City.
Dubai is also filling up with spillover from the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (Idex) in Abu Dhabi.
The Rove Hotel group has nine properties in Dubai, with each fully booked for consecutive days, a first for the mid-market chain.
“Occupancy levels across the city are very high at the moment,” said Paul Bridger, chief operating officer.
“It was the first time all Rove Hotels achieved 100 per cent occupancy on the same day, and we expect that to be repeated.”
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Two-step truce
The UN-brokered ceasefire deal for Hodeidah will be implemented in two stages, with the first to be completed before the New Year begins, according to the Arab Coalition supporting the Yemeni government.
By midnight on December 31, the Houthi rebels will have to withdraw from the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Issa and Al Saqef, coalition officials told The National.
The second stage will be the complete withdrawal of all pro-government forces and rebels from Hodeidah city, to be completed by midnight on January 7.
The process is to be overseen by a Redeployment Co-ordination Committee (RCC) comprising UN monitors and representatives of the government and the rebels.
The agreement also calls the deployment of UN-supervised neutral forces in the city and the establishment of humanitarian corridors to ensure distribution of aid across the country.
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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
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