Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi is the Group CEO of Miral
After the tremendous success of the Yas Island destinations, what new projects do you have in mind in the UAE?
2023 was a phenomenal year of growth for Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, with both boasting record-breaking achievements. Yas Island recorded over 34 million visits in 2023, a 38 percent increase compared to 2022, while Saadiyat Island saw a 44 percent visitation growth compared to the previous year.
In addition, both destinations collectively earned more than 170 regional and international accolades throughout 2023, strengthening their standing as premier hubs of excellence and innovation.
Will we see Miral offer their experiences in other countries in the MENA region as well?
For nearly 13 years now, Miral has been transforming the entertainment and leisure sector in the region. It has been pivotal in enhancing Abu Dhabi’s global appeal as a leading tourism hub with unique and world-class offerings. Aligned with Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision 2030, our core vision is driven by a commitment to Abu Dhabi’s growth.
Apart from destinations, events form a major part of Miral’s offering. What challenges do you face when organizing such a rich roster of year-long events that includes the best performers from all over the world?
It is no secret that organizing mega events throughout the year is a complex undertaking. It involves meticulous planning, coordination, and execution. We work hard with our partner DCT Abu Dhabi and event organizers to ensure the production of a world-class show.
Conducting events of the size and scale that we undertake involves diverse stakeholders and key partnerships. These are critical to ensuring success while realizing our vision of positioning Yas Island as a leading leisure and entertainment destination. These long-standing partnerships with global intellectual property holders enable us to bring world-class events like The Lion King, Hamilton, Disney on Ice and other globally renowned events to Yas Island.
Abu Dhabi hosts the season-ending Formula 1 Grand Prix. It’s also home to UFC. What other global sports events can we expect in Abu Dhabi?
The sports industry in the Middle East is set to grow 8.7 percent by 2026, compared with 3.3 percent globally. And sporting events are key to driving Abu Dhabi’s ambitious tourism strategy.
We are committed to working with our partners, the DCT Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Ethara and others to host an impressive line-up of world-class sporting events throughout the year on Yas Island as we continue to position it as a global sporting hub. These include F1® Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, UFC Abu Dhabi, as well as the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, World Triathlon Championship Series, World Tennis League and FINA World Swimming Championship, among others.