Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Caught by sudden travel restrictions, tourists in Abu Dhabi say they feel safe and well cared for after authorities stepped in to make sure the emirate’s visitors didn’t have to worry about hotel bills.
In a circular issued by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) on Sunday, hotels were urged to accommodate tourists whose check-out dates coincide with travel restrictions.
“In light of the current circumstances and given that some guests have reached their check-out date but are unable to travel for reasons beyond their control, you are kindly requested to extend their stay until they are able to depart,” the notice said.
Michał Węcławski arrived in Abu Dhabi last week with his wife and son, ready for a week of sun, sand, and sightseeing.
When regional travel disruptions hit, the Polish family found themselves greeted with what they described as an “unexpected” gesture: Abu Dhabi would cover the cost of any extra nights they needed to stay at their five-star hotel.
“I think it’s a very smart move to make visitors feel welcome,” Michał, who’s visiting Abu Dhabi for the first time, told Aletihad on Monday.
“It makes us feel that the authorities genuinely care about visitors,” he added. “It gives us a sense of security, because we don’t have to worry about finding a new hotel or calculating the cost of extra nights.”
The family spoke to Aletihad before setting off with friends to Moreeb Dune in Liwa, famed as the world’s tallest sand dune, without fretting about the hotel bill.
Gosia, another Polish visitor, arrived in Abu Dhabi with her husband on February 25.
“It’s very nice to hear that we don’t have to worry about hotel costs if our flight is cancelled,” she told Aletihad on Monday.
“We have a good impression of how the government is handling everything. Despite the strikes, we feel safe and everything is functioning normally here,” she added.
Gosia is on her fourth visit to Abu Dhabi, drawn by its well-developed infrastructure, excellent hotels, and pleasant weather during the winter months.
So-young, a visitor from South Korea, echoed the same sense of relief.
“Two or three extra nights can get expensive, so this really helps,” she told Aletihad.
“This city really cares about its visitors. That’s really nice to see, especially in a situation like this. I will definitely come back when everything is back to normal,” the first-time visitor added.
For families like Lukas Müller and his wife traveling with their two daughters, the gesture left a strong impression.
“These extra nights weren’t planned. It’s a huge weight off our shoulders knowing we don’t have to worry about accommodation right now,” he told Aletihad. “You don’t find hospitality like this anywhere else.”
The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) had announced a temporary partial closure of the country’s airspace as a precautionary measure on Saturday.
Operations across all major airports in the UAE, including the Zayed International Airport, remained suspended in Monday.
Leading UAE airlines, such as Etihad Airways, Emirates, flydubai and Air Arabia, have halted flights until Tuesday afternoon.
Etihad Airways confirmed that flights to and from Abu Dhabi will remain grounded until 2 pm UAE time on Tuesday, March 3.
Those with tickets issued on or before February 28, for travel up to March 7, may rebook free of charge until March 18 or request a refund.
Passengers are advised to check flight status online and ensure their contact details are updated.
