Hoteliers in Abu Dhabi are cashing in on Pope Francis's visit with some customers being charged double rates to stay in the city for the landmark event.
The pontiff's trip to the capital on February 3 will be the first time a head of the Roman Catholic Church has made an official visit to the region, and hotels are expected to be full during his three-day stay.
It is anticipated that a crowd of about 135,000 people will attend a special Mass at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, February 5.
Hoteliers told The National they were prepared for a surge in last-minute bookings that would bring them close to full capacity.
"We have witnessed a strong momentum with a steady increase in bookings after the announcement of the first papal visit to the country's capital city, particularly from expatriates from across the GCC," said Christian Baudat, area vice president of Rotana, which has 17 properties in Abu Dhabi.
“It is worth adding that Rotana hotels in proximity to Zayed Sports City are already fully booked and we expect that occupancy will surge over 90 per cent at our downtown properties, thanks to an anticipated rise in last-minute bookings.”
Rotana is not the only hotel group gearing up for a sharp increase in customers in two weeks' time.
“The visit of Pope Francis to Abu Dhabi is expected to be one of the single largest gatherings ever held in the UAE,” said William Costley, Hilton vice president for the Arabian Peninsula and Turkey.
“Hilton saw an immediate increase in requests for accommodation in Abu Dhabi once the announcement of this historic visit was made.
“
The Hilton Capital Grand Abu Dhabi is now running at 100 per cent occupancy ahead of the Papal Mass at the Zayed Stadium."
A quick look at Booking.com confirmed that the Hilton Capital Grand Abu Dhabi is sold out on February 4, the night before the Pope is due to deliver the Mass.
But there are other hotels available if guests are prepared to pay higher rates than usual.
A one-night stay in a room for two adults at The Aloft Abu Dhabi will set guests back Dh230 this week, but the rate rises to Dh730 for a similar room on February 4.
The Capital Centre Arjaan by Rotana is selling a room for two adults this week for Dh226 but the same room will cost Dh575 for the night before the Mass.
The Novotel Abu Dhabi Al Bustan’s price increases from Dh279 to Dh653 on the night of February 4.
The Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi was another popular choice with guests and has sold out already ahead of the Mass.
Andaz Capital Gate Abu Dhabi did not quite double its price but there was still a significant increase from Dh455 to Dh745.
Another hotel that was getting a boost from the Pope’s visit was the Aparthotel Adagio Abu Dhabi Al Bustan, where prices jump from Dh245 to Dh540.
Marathon results
Men:
1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13
2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50
3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25
4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46
5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48
Women:
1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30
2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01
3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30
4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43
5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01
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Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17
Result: UAE won by 21 runs
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Deccan Gladiators 87-8
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Chadwick Walton 51 not out
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Saturday 15 January: v Canada
Thursday 20 January: v England
Saturday 22 January: v Bangladesh
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Race card
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; 5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; 6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (PA) 1,400m
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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Engine: 4.0-litre V8
Power: 503hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 685Nm at 2,000rpm
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The biog
Name: Sari Al Zubaidi
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2pm: Maiden Dh 60,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
2.30pm: Handicap Dh 76,000 (D) 1,400m
3pm: Handicap Dh 64,000 (D) 1,200m
3.30pm: Shadwell Farm Conditions Dh 100,000 (D) 1,000m
4pm: Maiden Dh 60,000 (D) 1,000m
4.30pm: Handicap 64,000 (D) 1,950m
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World Cup League Two
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Oman beat Nepal by 18 runs
Oman beat United States by six wickets
Nepal beat United States by 35 runs
Oman beat Nepal by eight wickets
Fixtures
Tuesday, Oman v United States
Wednesday, Nepal v United States
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Armies of Sand
By Kenneth Pollack (Oxford University Press)
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
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Looking for a new family pet? Here are the links to visit when it comes to adopting...
Arabian Saluki Center of Dubai (Ascod)
Emirates Animal Welfare Society
Rescue Animals in Need United Arab Emirates
Sniff - Strays Needing Interim of Furever Friends
PARA UAE - Protection of Animal Rights Association
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Friday (All UAE kick-off times)
Borussia Dortmund v Eintracht Frankfurt (11.30pm)
Saturday
Union Berlin v Bayer Leverkusen (6.30pm)
FA Augsburg v SC Freiburg (6.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Werder Bremen (6.30pm)
SC Paderborn v Hertha Berlin (6.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Wolfsburg (6.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Borussia Monchengladbach (9.30pm)
Sunday
Cologne v Bayern Munich (6.30pm)
Mainz v FC Schalke (9pm)
Brief scoreline:
Wales 1
James 5'
Slovakia 0
Man of the Match: Dan James (Wales)
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Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
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Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
