Finding opportunity in adversity: A comment on resilience in 2021 (Part 2/2)

……..Last week I shared my thoughts on finding opportunity in adversity, through a ‘resilient mindset’: A mindset that seeks solutions, adapts quickly - with curiosity and creativity at its core. As a company, we learned great lessons in resilience last year, which will continue to guide us as we navigate what is being called the ‘new normal’. 

Putting this into practice, we led the charge by kicking off Abu Dhabi’s live-events calendar for 2021 with the iconic new Etihad Arena hosting its inaugural event; the third of UFC’s Fight Island, with 2,000 guests in attendance and more than 1.2 million tuning in to watch from all around the world.  

We have also made great progress across key developments that will further bolster our guest experience and access to our award-winning attractions on Yas Island. It is our resilience that enabled us to do this, and the amazing teamwork and dedication our teams exhibited, and continue to do so.  

We have many exciting experiences that we are creating for our guests on Yas Island and we can’t wait to share them with the world. 

Our promise for Yas Bay is to create a unique contemporary community with a myriad of offerings; a place where people can work, live and play.  A new vibrant waterfront destination in Abu Dhabi, where you have the iconic Etihad Arena, the Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, and a world-class pier that is almost complete and will feature globally renowned F&B outlets and leisure attractions.  We are also bringing some exceptional outdoor artists to curate and re-imagine the spaces within Yas Bay through murals, paintings and sculptures, supporting creatives across Abu Dhabi and the globe.  

Growing our partnerships and forging new ones has always been a priority for us, and last year was even more important.  We continued to work very closely with our partners, using the time we had to plan and prepare for new and enhanced experiences.  

With these partnerships, we have so much coming up this year and beyond; from the world’s first Warner Bros. branded hotel, The WB Abu Dhabi, managed by Hilton’s Curio Collection brand, and the first DoubleTree in Abu Dhabi here at Yas Island, to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, the next generation marine-life them park and home to the UAE’s first dedicated marine research center. 

Investing in digital technology was key to our growth, especially last year, enabling us to deliver transformational solutions to our business and experiences, setting us in good stead for the challenges brought by the pandemic. As part of delivering a seamless guest experience, Yas Theme Parks are leading the way as the first theme parks in the region to adopt cutting-edge contactless technology using FacePass very soon.  This kind of contactless technology is the future for all consumer-facing businesses and largely enhances guest safety and wellbeing.  

Without a doubt, it is this ‘resilient mindset’ that we have cultivated at Miral that sees us pushing forward and exploring new and exciting territory, to continue to provide unforgettable experiences for every guest on Yas Island, as part of our vision to position it amongst the top global destinations for entertainment, leisure and business.