THE Desert Islands Resort & Spa on Sir Bani Yas Island just off the Abu Dhabi emirate’s Western coastline is seeing healthy visitor numbers despite the global downturn.
Since it opened last October, occupancy rates at the resort which is managed by Anantara have been between 80 to 85 per cent on weekends, according to George Chakar, Marketing & Communications Manager of Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), developers and operators of the Desert Islands project which includes, Sir Bani Yas Island, Dalma Island and Discovery Islands.
“Weekdays the numbers are less but more will be done in the coming months to encourage visitors here during the week, such as the introduction of corporate packages which could include team building, corporate incentives and meetings,” said Chakar. “We have the infrastructure to handle any such event, and are approaching corporate organisers to handle this.”
Most guests are nationals and expatriates from the region, particularly from UAE, GCC and international (mainly Europe). “Sir Bani Yas Island has not been accessible to the public for 25 years, so there is a natural curiosity from people regionally,” said Chakar. The target market is initially visitors from the region – a logical move in terms of the credit crisis – then the aim is to expand to Europe and Asia.
“We want to make more locals aware of our holistic sustainable strategy, which includes projects involving water, power, infrastructure, waste management and green building standards, as well as tourism based initiatives,” said Chakar. The strategy is being developed jointly by TDIC and Masdar the Abu Dhabi government’s renewable energy wing.
On the 87 square kilometre natural island in the Arabian Gulf is the Middle East’s largest wind turbine, which currently produces two per cent of the islands electricity. “We want to be self sustained eventually - perhaps within the next five to six years,” he said.
This nature based sanctuary was originally a private wildlife reserve belonging to His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the late UAE president and ruler of Abu Dhabi. Now it is known as the Arabian Wildlife Park, which houses more than 23 free roaming species including the threatened Arabian oryx and the Beisa oryx from East Africa, as well as other animals such as cheetah, blackbuck and spotted deer. The focus at Sir Bani Yas Island is on nature and adventure. Activities on offer include 4x4 game viewing safaris, mountain biking and hiking, kayaking in its mangrove reserve, home to over 60 species of migratory birds, and snorkelling nearby in waters inhabited by dolphins, dugongs and sea turtles.
The hotel itself has 64 rooms, plus there is the option of two royal villas and two beach villas. The Safaa Spa has four treatment rooms and offers a wide range of therapies.
The island lies alongside Jebel Dhanna in Al Gharbia, a 250 kilometre drive from Abu Dhabi city. Guests then take a 15 minute boat ferry to the secluded island. Guests can also opt for a 50 minute flight from Abu Dhabi International Airport. Operated by Empire Aviation, scheduled flights are available on Thursdays and Saturdays, and charter flights as and when arranged.
Sir Bani Yas is one of eight natural islands that make up Desert Islands, a project being developed by TDIC.
by Cheryl Mandy