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.
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Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
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Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
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Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
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Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
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Youngest F1 driver (17 years 3 days Japan 2014)
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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.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile
Started: 2016
Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel
Based: Ramallah, Palestine
Sector: Technology, Security
# of staff: 13
Investment: $745,000
Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
The specs
Engine: 8.0-litre, quad-turbo 16-cylinder
Transmission: 7-speed auto
0-100kmh 2.3 seconds
0-200kmh 5.5 seconds
0-300kmh 11.6 seconds
Power: 1500hp
Torque: 1600Nm
Price: Dh13,400,000
On sale: now
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Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
Klopp at the Kop
Matches 68; Wins 35; Draws 19; Losses 14; Goals For 133; Goals Against 82
- Eighth place in Premier League in 2015/16
- Runners-up in Europa League in 2016
- Runners-up in League Cup in 2016
- Fourth place in Premier League in 2016/17
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Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
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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- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
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The biog
Family: wife, four children, 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren
Reads: Newspapers, historical, religious books and biographies
Education: High school in Thatta, a city now in Pakistan
Regrets: Not completing college in Karachi when universities were shut down following protests by freedom fighters for the British to quit India
Happiness: Work on creative ideas, you will also need ideals to make people happy
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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Martin Sabbagh profile
Job: CEO JCDecaux Middle East
In the role: Since January 2015
Lives: In the UAE
Background: M&A, investment banking
Studied: Corporate finance
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