Abu Dhabi – Middle East Central

By Kevin Woo  One+ | January 3, 2011

OIL AND WATER DON’T MIX, SAYS THE CLICHE. BUT THAT WASN’T THE CASE for the organizers of the recent Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference (ADIPEC). Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s largest emirate, is a T-shaped island city that sits a quarter-mile off the mainland. Oil and gas production drives the local economy, and Abu Dhabi holds nearly 10 percent of the world’s oil reserves and 5 percent of the world’s natural gas. To diversify and grow the city’s economic base, government officials have made huge investments in transportation, real estate and tourism. As a result, Abu Dhabi has emerged as a top meeting destination.

Billions have been invested in high-end hotels, world-class resorts, modern convention facilities and transportation—all with an eye to increase tourism. Add a few unique experiences (camel rides and desert safaris), and it’s easy to understand why Abu Dhabi is drawing groups. “Abu Dhabi is a central hub for the Middle East and is growing in influence in the energy sector,” said Hifazat Ahmad, ADIPEC’s event director. “It has premium transport facilities, including Abu Dhabi airport, and taxi ranks on every corner. In recent years, the emirate has developed many luxury and business hotels to provide for the increasing level of tourism and business being done in the capital and throughout the UAE.”

ADIPEC 2010 was held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) and attracted more than 40,000 oil and gas professionals from around the world. ADNEC, which opened in 2007, is the Middle East’s largest conference and exhibition center. It is part of a US$2 billion convention center development project that includes luxury hotels, retail shopping and restaurants. Conference attendees and exhibitors were treated to an opening gala at the Emirates Palace. The event included dinner, live music, fireworks and a special performance by The Chinese Flying Acrobats. The Emirates Palace, which features a mile-long private beach, multiple swimming pools, a spa and a private marina, is Abu Dhabi’s most luxurious property. At the time of its opening, the property was the second-most-expensive hotel ever built.

MONA LISA IN THE UAE?

But the construction of a new convention center and super luxurious hotels isn’t all that distinguishes Abu Dhabi from other meeting destinations. Instead, what makes this city unique is its exotic—some might say eclectic—flair. To firmly establish itself as the cultural center in the Middle East, the city is constructing several new museums as part of an extensive cultural exchange with the west. But these aren’t your ordinary museums.

Interested in checking out the “Mona Lisa,” the “Dying Slave” or the “Venus de Milo” while visiting Abu Dhabi? As shocking as it may sound, by 2012, paintings and sculptures that are held by the Paris Louvre could be on display at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabians have committed US$27 billion to develop the Saadiyat Island waterfront (Saadiyat Island is across the water from Abu Dhabi). When completed, the Saadiyat Island Cultural District will be the region’s center for  contemporary culture. In addition to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the cultural district will include the Sheikh Zayed National Museum, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, a performing arts center and a maritime museum.

To help kick-start the project, the Paris Louvre and several other French museums (including the Centre Georges Pompidou, the Musee d’Orsay and the Palace of Versailles) agreed to loan artwork to the Louvre Abu Dhabi. The Guggenheim will also loan works from its global collection.

MS. MANNERS

Over the next three years, several new hotels will open, adding more than 8,000 guest rooms to the area. Many of the properties will be five-star resorts with access to private beaches and spas. Whereas a western traveler might not think twice about walking through a hotel lobby in beachwear or robe, Daniel Andresen of International SOS says that would be a major error in judgment. “Visitors to Abu Dhabi need to understand that while the UAE may be very liberal compared to many of its neighbors, it is still a Muslim country,” Andresen said. “Visitors should respect the local customs and avoid drawing unnecessary attention.”

He suggests that men and women dress modestly at all times to avoid unwanted attention. Unlike other areas in the Middle East, women are not required to wear a hijab or abaya when walking around the city, although many locals elect to do so. It is recommended that women avoid short skirts, shorts, sleeveless shirts or form-fitting clothes. Men should opt for business-style casual clothing and avoid shorts and flip-flops.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Selecting the right time of year to organize an event in Abu Dhabi comes down to two primary factors: religious holidays and weather.

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims refrain from eating or drinking from dawn until sunset during Ramadan. This can present a challenge for Western visitors who aren’t used to fasting. Hotel restaurants typically continue to serve meals during the day, but it can be difficult to find off-site restaurants open during daylight hours. If visiting Abu Dhabi during Ramadan, travelers should try to avoid eating in public areas during daylight hours as a sign of respect.

The second-most-sacred holy period for Muslims is Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. During Muharram, out-of-towners may have difficulty finding food and drink during daylight hours, as most Muslims fast for the first 10 days of the New Year. “If you are meeting with someone who is fasting during the religious periods, it is courtesy not to eat or drink in their presence,” Ahmad said.

Southpaws should never eat, pass food or gesture with their left hand as it is considered rude. Muslims believe that the left hand is only to be used for hygiene. When eating in public, left handers are advised to make every effort to use only their right hand to avoid offense.

Laws that dictate the possession and consumption of alcohol vary between emirates. In Abu Dhabi, purchasing alcohol in a nightclub, hotel or authorized store is legal. Walking down the street with a drink, acts of public drunkenness or driving while intoxicated can result in harsh penalties including flogging. Because of the large concentration of tourists and easy access to alcohol, hotels have become the de facto center of Abu Dhabi nightlife.

Weather might be the biggest factor in determining when to hold an event in Abu Dhabi. During the summer months, daytime temperatures typically exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius) with very high humidity. It can be very uncomfortable to be outside for any period of time. Between November and April, temperatures average a much more moderate 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius) during the day and 56 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celsius) at night. The most popular time to visit Abu Dhabi is between December and April.

PRESCRIPTION AND OTC MEDICATION

The UAE has an extensive list of prescription and non-prescription medications that are not allowed into the country. These drugs include some common drugs that are over-the-counter in most western countries, such as cold-and-flu medicines with cough suppressants codeine or dextromethorphan, and prescription aids such as Valiumand sleeping pills. Visitors are required to bring signed and notarized letters from their doctors explaining why and how the medicines are to be used in order to bring these medications into the country.

While rare, some visitors have been imprisoned for up to four years or deported when customs agents discovered banned medications in luggage. Travelers are advised to check with their local embassies for a current list of banned substances.
UAE customs agents also check passports for Israeli visa stamps. Those who have visited Israel are technically not allowed to enter the UAE. Since 2008, however, that policy has been quietly ignored, and those with stamps from Israel have generally been allowed to enter the country. Israeli citizens are not allowed to enter the UAE.

THE PERFECT MIX

While getting acquainted with the region’s religious and cultural customs can seem daunting, the Abu Dhabi experience is unique. Abu Dhabi’s new convention facilities, pristine beaches and luxury beachfront hotels made it a perfect destination for ADIPEC. For the organizers, the sun drenched island city with its rich history and concentration of multinational oil conglomerates was the perfect mix.  One+

Kevin Woo is a freelance writer based in San Francisco and is a frequent contributor to One+.