Business Traveller (Middle East)
ABU DHABI FIGHTS BACK
Abu Dhabi has earned a reputation as a sporting events capital, with the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix hosted at the Yas Marina Circuit its most famous annual fixture. With Yas Island the destination’s undisputed entertainment hub, not only home to the circuit, but multiple attractions and hotels, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), has been trialling this district as an innovative ‘safe zone’ that has already hosted two major UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) events.
The inaugural UFC Fight Island™ in July saw the creation of a 6km² area of Yas Island cordoned off for five weeks, incorporating the arena, hotels, training facilities and Yas Beach, as well as dining and entertainment venues, and accommodating around
2,500 people including personnel from government entities, maintenance teams, operations staff, Yas Island employees and UFC delegates for the entire period.
A period of quarantine and negative COVID-19 tests were required before a person was allowed entry and everyone in the safe zone was required to wear face masks, except for fighters while in the octagon during their bouts. In addition, all safe zone occupants were tested for COVID-19 every three days.
“UFC Fight Island™ was a resounding success from start to finish,” says Saeed Al Saeed, Destination Marketing Director at DCT Abu Dhabi. “We had zero COVID-19 cases, and everybody adhered to the safety protocols to ensure delivery of a world-class event.”
Demonstrating “Abu Dhabi’s ability to host major international events with the highest standards of health and safety”, a follow-up event, the Return to Fight Island™, was hosted in the zone last month (October). Second time around the aim was “not to simply repeat the process, but to amplify our offering and make it even better”, explains Saeed.
“Starting with the safety measures, by the end of the event we conducted more than 20,000 COVID-19 tests.”
He believes the safe zone ‘ bubble’ has become the new benchmark in global sport safety and it has already garnered interest from international sporting bodies and event organisations, with several proposals for future events already under review.
“With the foundations in place, our innovative bubble concept can be adapted to suit a diverse range of events,” he adds.
It also paves the way for the revival of Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector when commercial flights to Abu Dhabi International Airport resume.
“In preparation for this, DCT Abu Dhabi led the development of the ‘Go Safe Certification’, enforcing global safety and hygiene standards across the emirate’s hotels, attractions, malls, hospitality facilities and public venues,” stresses Saeed.
“This supports the emirate’s broader efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19, which includes widespread testing, city-wide sanitisation, social distancing and enhanced healthcare services.
“Health and safety remains our number one priority; we have proven the safe zone concept can be adapted and are constantly innovating our offerings.”
In the meantime, Abu Dhabi is gearing up to host the 2020 Formula 1 race weekend from December 11-13, once again adopting its ‘ bubble’ concept to the delight of motorsport fans around the world.