Tourism will continue to remain vital for global economic recovery: Liam Findlay, Experience Hub, Yas Island

‘From award-winning theme parks to quite a few leisure actions, Yas Island has rather a lot to supply to the vacationers.’

Covid-19’s second wave has jolted the journey and hospitality trade very badly. Depart alone travelling, persons are even cautious about stepping out of their properties. Whereas travelling noticed return of some actions within the first quarter of 2021, the second wave has utterly taken the inexperienced out of newly sprouting shoots. The journey and hospitality phase has been dealt a extreme blow by the second wave. In an unique dialog with Monetary Specific On-line Liam Findlay, Common Supervisor, Expertise Hub at Yas Island, Abudhabi talks about impression of Covid-19 on the journey trade, how the journey trade will bounce again and journey to Yas island. Excerpts

What has been the impression of Covid-19 on the journey trade?

One of the vital adventurous and entertaining methods of assembly new folks is thru travelling, to discover new locations and immerse oneself in experiences like by no means earlier than. With the outbreak of Covid-19, the journey and tourism sector got here to a halt. Tourism is known to be a key driver for socio-economic progress, closely contributing to the worldwide GDP. Taking the toughest hit of all sectors, the pandemic impacted the tourism trade and with it the related sectors of hospitality, journey companies, and many others. Sporadic border closing resulting from lockdowns introduced abroad journey to a standstill. Along with this, there was a drastic fall in enterprise travels, additionally affecting leisure excursions, world occasions and MICE tourism.

How has Yas Island been affected with the outbreak of pandemic?

On February 27, 2020, we had been knowledgeable by native authorities that two members of a tour group examined constructive for Coronavirus. The folks involved weren’t company at W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, though they had been involved with company on the lodge just lately. As a precautionary measure the authorities positioned the lodge on short-term lockdown and undertook crucial well being screenings. The protection and well-being of company and associates is all the time of paramount significance to the lodge and so they and the remainder of the island lodge and sights proceed to adjust to the general public well being and security route supplied by the UAE authorities. W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island resumed regular operations a number of weeks later, as quickly the lodge had clearance from the authorities.

How will the journey trade bounce again post-pandemic?

Numerous measures must weigh in for the Journey & Tourism trade. As vaccination programmes roll out, the tourism sector continues to plan to get again to regular as quickly as potential, contingency planning for restoration within the close to future. Tourism has and can proceed to stay important for International financial restoration within the Submit –epidemic Period. The Tourism sector has already confirmed to be of help by placing its infrastructure, provide chains and workers on the service of public well being and humanitarian assist. The trade has remained vigilant in intently monitoring and reacting with agility to the disaster to make sure the protection of public well being , main the way in which for tourism to get better as financial exercise creating lengthy lasting synergies between public well being and tourism is an funding in making certain that the trade is nicely ready for future disaster, and contributes to the boldness and belief amongst future travellers, given the significance and present sensitivities in the direction of public well being. The harmonization, coordination and digitalization of COVID-19 travel-related danger discount measures, together with testing, tracing and journey well being certificates, are important foundations to advertise protected journey and put together for the restoration of tourism as soon as situations enable.

Given the present situation, what precautions are undertaken at Yas Island to facilitate a protected expertise for vacationers?

We goal to be amongst one of many first totally vaccinated vacation locations on the planet. Within the wake of the continuing scenario, we’ve got launched complete measures on well being and security protocol following UAE authorities’ steerage to make sure guests really feel assured to return to the vacation spot like nowhere else. We now have demonstrated our dedication to well being and wellbeing by supporting Abu Dhabi’s vaccination program. Over 93% of our staff working at sights, experiences, accommodations, eating places and retailers at Yas Island, are vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19 thus far.

Liam Findlay, Common Supervisor, Expertise Hub at Yas Island, Abudhabi

May you inform us in regards to the security measure in place at Yas Island?

The well being and security of company is Yas Island’s prime precedence. We now have carried out quite a lot of precautionary measures to make sure that company and staff really feel protected in any respect Yas Theme Parks, sights and the accommodations. We now have turn into the primary vacation spot in Abu Dhabi to obtain the coveted WTTC ‘Protected Travels’ stamp in recognition of our superior security efforts.

Sustaining the best requirements of public well being and security, Yas Island launched quite a few security measures together with the ‘#TogetherAtYas’ on-line platform which gives company a information to the general public well being and security protocols on Yas Island, and the extensively counseled ‘Yas Wellness Program’, which grants company direct entry to a devoted staff of Yas Wellness ambassadors.

The Wellness Ambassadors are a staff of specifically skilled people who’re capable of reply company’ queries on the well being and security measures in place. In an effort to frequently bridge company to Yas Island, the Wellness Ambassadors are contactable by way of cellphone, social media, WhatsApp and e mail from 8 am to 5pm UAE time, each day.

What are the journey pointers and quarantine guidelines in place for vacationers?

If the vacationer visa has been accredited by Abu Dhabi, then passengers can enter the emirate any nation. However passengers carrying go to visas issued by every other Emirate can enter the emirate of Abu Dhabi if flying from one of many international locations in inexperienced listing. Vacationers are required to verify and comply with the rules of the departing nation If their validity for the PCR check is lower than 96 hours or in the event that they require kids under the 12 years of age to conduct the Covid-19 PCR check. Passengers must carry unfavorable covid-19 PCR check outcomes to point out on the check-in counter.

After arriving in Abu Dhabi, the passengers must obtain AlHOSN cellular utility and the passengers coming from Inexperienced international locations aren’t required to do quarantine. Speaking in regards to the passengers coming from different international locations, they might be required to self-quarantine for 10 days.

Are you able to shed a lightweight on what one can anticipate from their go to to Yas Island by way of a healthful household expertise?

From award-winning theme parks to quite a few leisure actions, Yas Island has rather a lot to supply to the vacationers. The Island has a mixture of award-winning leisure and leisure experiences, from one-of-a-kind theme parks, world-class purchasing and excellent eating, to the globally famend hyperlinks golf course, thrilling water and motorsports, and spectacular musical, leisure and household occasions… all throughout the 25 sq km Island.

The travellers can immerse themselves in an expertise like no different on the award-winning theme parks Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, the record-breaking CLYMB™ Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina Circuit (residence to the FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX™), the glamorous Yas Marina, the award-winning Yas Hyperlinks golf course, in addition to Abu Dhabi’s largest mall, Yas Mall.

The Island is residence to eight accommodations, together with 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 Dhabi Yas Island, plus greater than 165 eating experiences, the vacation spot additionally options indoor and out of doors live performance venues together with MAD and Etihad Enviornment – all of that are complemented by a variety of customer providers that join all sights to at least one one other.

What are the must-to-do actions for folks visiting Yas Island?

All of the actions obtainable at Yas Island equivalent to indoor sky-diving, wall climbing are set to offer thrills to the vacationers who go to a vacation spot like nowhere else. There may be all the time enjoyable and pleasure in every little thing that Yas has to supply to its vacationers. So, we advise if you find yourself at Yas attempt every little thing and stay life to the fullest.