UAE RETAIL AND HOSPITALITY SECTORS ANTICIPATE BOOM AFTER WEEKEND CHANGE TAKES EFFECT

Malls, theme parks and hotels in the UAE are anticipating a surge in customers as the country shifts to the new weekend. Alhasan Kaabous Alzaabi, vice president of operations at Farah Experiences, which operates Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld and Warner Bros World in Abu Dhabi, described the move as “pivotal”. Since it will align with several of the key source markets’ weekends, the industry also anticipates that the new shift will serve to boost tourism to the UAE. The industry stakeholders hope this will have a positive domino effect on theme parks and attractions and encourage greater visitation in the years to come. Retail bosses also foresee increased footfall in malls because the new weekend will make the UAE more attractive to tourists looking for a short break. Source : The National