UAE capital certification to encourage tourism

Abu Dhabi has launched a ‘Go Safe’ self-assessment safety certification for hotels and tourist destinations to encourage inbound tourism.

Four new rapid COVID-19 testing centres, offering tests for Dhs50 (US$14), have been opened across the UAE to facilitate entry into Abu Dhabi. The UAE capital requires a negative PCR test for residents and visitors to enter.

The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee along with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi have issued rules governing the mandatory Covid-19 tests required for entry into Abu Dhabi. Entry will be permitted to those who have secured a negative PCR “nose swab” test within the previous 48 hours, provided it is supplemented with a negative PCR test result received within six days prior to entry.

All UAE residents, except Dubai visa holders, can now fly into Abu Dhabi without having to request permission. Dubai has its own procedures in place and residents with Dubai visas still need approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs. Once this approval is given, Dubai residents can also fly to Abu Dhabi if they choose.

Abu Dhabi has launched a ‘Go Safe’ self-assessment safety certification for hotels and tourist destinations. The programme was launched in coordination with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT) and requires entities to undergo guided self-assessments. Once verified, the entities will be awarded the Go Safe Certificate.

Abu Dhabi is still hoping to rival Dubai as a major medical tourism destination and in 2019 the city launched a campaign to attract medical tourists. A partnership between the Department of Health and the Department of Culture and Tourism launched a global marketing campaign to establish the city as a medical tourism destination. The campaign highlighted specific areas of medical excellence and there are medical treatment packages including discounts on attractions. A destination guide was produced.

Due to the pandemic, all this is now on hold. The collapse of Abu Dhabi based NMC Healthcare has also had an impact on the state’s medical reputation.