Tourism will proceed to stay important for world financial restoration: Liam Findlay, Expertise Hub, Yas Island

“From award-winning theme parks to a variety of recreational activities, Yas Island has a lot to offer tourists.”

The second wave of Covid-19 has rocked the travel and hospitality industry. Leave alone traveling, people are even careful stepping out of their homes. While some activity returned while traveling in the first quarter of 2021, the second wave completely removed the green of the newly sprouting shoots. The travel and hospitality segment was hit hard by the second wave. In an exclusive conversation with Financial Express Online Liam Findlay, General Manager, Experience Hub on Yas Island, Abudhabi talks about the impact of Covid-19 on the travel industry, how the travel industry will recover and travel to Yas Island. Extracts

What is the impact of Covid-19 on the travel industry?

One of the most adventurous and fun ways to meet new people is to travel, explore new places, and immerse yourself in experiences like never before. With the outbreak of Covid-19, the travel and tourism sector came to a standstill. Tourism is seen as the main driver of socio-economic progress and is a major contributor to global GDP. The pandemic, which was hit hardest by all sectors, affected the tourism industry and, consequently, the hospitality, travel agency, etc. related sectors. Sporadic border closings due to closures brought overseas travel to a standstill. In addition, there has been a sharp drop in business travel, which also impacted vacation tours, global events, and MICE tourism.

How has Yas Island been affected by the pandemic outbreak?

On February 27, 2020, we were informed by the local authorities that two members of a travel group had tested positive for coronavirus. Those affected were not guests at W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, although they recently had contact with guests at the hotel. As a precautionary measure, the authorities have temporarily closed the hotel and carried out the necessary health checks. The safety and well-being of guests and employees are always of the utmost importance to the hotel. You and the rest of the island hotel and attractions will continue to adhere to public health and safety instructions provided by the UAE authorities. W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island resumed normal operations a few weeks later once the hotel received regulatory approval.

How will the travel industry recover from the pandemic?

Many measures need to be taken for the travel and tourism industry. While vaccination programs are in place, the tourism sector continues to plan to return to normal as soon as possible and conduct contingency planning for recovery in the near future. Tourism was and is vital to the recovery of the world economy in the post-epidemic period. The tourism sector has already shown itself to be helpful in putting its infrastructure, supply chains and people at the service of public health and humanitarian aid. The industry remains vigilant when it comes to closely monitoring the crisis and responding to it with agility to ensure public health safety. This causes tourism to recover as economic activities that create lasting synergies between public health and tourism represent an investment in ensuring the industry is well prepared for future crises and sustaining the importance and current public sensitivity Health contributes to the confidence and confidence of future travelers. Harmonizing, coordinating, and digitizing travel-related COVID-19 risk mitigation measures, including testing, tracing, and travel health certificates, are essential to promoting safe travel and preparing the recovery of tourism as soon as conditions permit.

Given the current scenario on Yas Island, what precautions are being taken to ensure a safe experience for tourists?

We want to be among the world’s first fully vaccinated vacation destinations. As the situation persists, following instructions from the UAE authorities, we have put in place extensive health and safety protocol measures to ensure visitors feel safe returning to their destination like nowhere else. We have demonstrated our commitment to health and wellbeing by supporting the Abu Dhabi immunization program. Over 93% of our employees who work in attractions, experiences, hotels, restaurants and retailers on Yas Island have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Liam Findlay, General Manager, Experience Hub on Yas Island, Abudhabi

Can you tell us about the security measures on Yas Island?

The health and safety of guests is a top priority for Yas Island. We have taken various precautions to ensure that guests and staff feel safe at all Yas theme parks, attractions and hotels. We are the first Abu Dhabi travel destination to receive the coveted WTTC “Safe Travels” stamp in recognition of our advanced safety efforts.

While maintaining the highest standards of public health and safety, Yas Island implemented numerous security measures, including the #TogetherAtYas online platform, which provides guests with a guide to the public health and safety protocols on Yas Island, and the widely acclaimed ” Yas Wellness Program “. This gives guests direct access to a dedicated team of Yas wellness ambassadors.

The Wellness Ambassadors are a team of specially trained people who are able to answer guests’ questions about the applicable health and safety measures. In order to continuously connect guests with Yas Island, the wellness ambassadors are available via phone, social media, Whatsapp and email 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. UAE time, daily.

What travel policies and quarantine rules apply to tourists?

Once the Abu Dhabi tourist visa is approved, passengers can travel to any country in the emirate. However, passengers with a visitor visa issued by another emirate can enter the emirate of Abu Dhabi if they are flying from any of the green list countries. Tourists must review and follow the guidelines of the country of departure if their validity for the PCR test is less than 96 hours or if children under the age of 12 are required to perform the Covid-19 PCR test. Passengers must carry negative Covid-19 PCR test results to display them at the check-in counter.

Upon arrival in Abu Dhabi, passengers need to download the AlHOSN mobile application, and passengers from green countries do not need to quarantine. If they talk about passengers from other countries, they would have to quarantine themselves for 10 days.

Can you shed some light on what to expect from a visit to Yas Island in terms of a healthy family experience?

From award-winning theme parks to numerous recreational activities, Yas Island has a lot to offer tourists. The island offers a mix of award-winning leisure and entertainment experiences, from unique theme parks to first-class shopping and excellent restaurants to the world-famous links golf course, exciting water and motor sports and spectacular musicals. Entertainment and family events … all within the 25 km² island.

At the award-winning theme parks Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, the record breaking CLYMB ™ Abu Dhabi and Yas Marina Circuit (home of the FORMULA), travelers can immerse themselves in an experience like no other 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX ™ ), the glamorous Yas Marina, the award-winning Yas Links golf course and the largest mall in Abu Dhabi, the Yas Mall.

The island is home to eight hotels, including W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Park Inn Radisson, Abu Dhabi, Centro Yas Island, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi Yas Island, and Staybridge Suites Abu The Island Dhabi Yas and 165+ dining experiences also offer indoor and outdoor concert venues, including MAD and Etihad Arena. All of this is complemented by a range of visitor services that link all of the attractions together.

What are the main activities for visitors to Yas Island?

All of the activities on offer on Yas Island such as indoor sky diving and wall climbing will be a thrill for travelers visiting a destination like nowhere else. There is always fun and excitement in everything Yas has to offer its tourists. When you are with Yas, we recommend that you try everything and enjoy life to the fullest.

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