ABU DHABI // Tourism chiefs are celebrating the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque's status as the world's second most popular landmark.
This week, the travel website TripAdvisor released its list of the world's top 25 landmarks, with the capital's Grand Mosque beaten only by the ancient Incan site of Machu Picchu in Peru.
"This is excellent and deserving news for both the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre and Abu Dhabi as a destination," said Sultan Al Dhaheri, the acting executive director at the emirate's Tourism and Culture Authority.
"The mosque regularly comes out among our top attractions in visitor surveys undertaken by us, and I think all who do visit, particularly on the complimentary tours conducted by Emirati guides, leave impressed and with a better understanding of our culture.
"It is an attraction for all ages and nationalities."
The mosque's high position in the list reflected the 4,462 reviews it received in this year's Travelers' Choice Attractions Awards, with 3,844 rating it "excellent" and 543 "very good".
It scored higher than famous historic sites such as Petra in Jordan, India's Taj Mahal and St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.
It was the number one attraction in Abu Dhabi, seeing off competition from Yas Marina Circuit and Emirates Palace.
Holger Schroth, the general manager of the Emirates Palace, said the mosque was the most popular attraction with hotel guests, and one the concierge team actively promoted.
"I am happy to see that it has risen to this latest ranking and I believe this is a testament to the fact that our guests appreciate the preservation of Arabic culture and traditions in Abu Dhabi," he said.
The high rating was also a good omen for the emirate as a tourist destination, he added. "This prominent position on TripAdvisor's landmark list will entice more visitors, from the region and abroad, to explore all that Abu Dhabi has to offer," Mr Schroth said.
Philipp Economou, general manager of the Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi, said the mosque's ranking was good news for the hotel, which has stunning views of the landmark.
"Given that one could wake up to a view of the Grand Mosque from our rooms, coupled with this ranking, curiosity levels among travellers will definitely rise and we think it will increase our reservations," he said. Like many hotels in the city, the Holiday Inn provides a shuttle-bus service to the mosque.
Doris Greif, the general manager of Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, said many repeat guests returned to the mosque time and again.
"It is perceived as a unique opportunity to learn more about Islam and get to see this incredible architecture," she said. "What we notice here is that our repeat guests are also going repeatedly to see the mosque. Some say that it is so much to take in, that in one tour it is not possible."
William Moujaes, the executive assistant manager for Park Rotana Complex, was optimistic that the ranking would help to boost tourism in Abu Dhabi.
"Being recognised by TripAdvisor comes as no surprise," he said. "However, it will certainly raise the awareness globally."
Shaun Parsons, the general manager of Le Royal Meridien, said TripAdvisor was an important tool for helping to build a destination's reputation. "It is definitely important for the destination from a tourism perspective," he said.
This is the second year of TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Attractions Awards, with 929 winners identified. As well as the overall top 25, there were lists for countries and regions around the world, including Asia, Australia, China, Europe, India, South America, the South Pacific, the UK and the US.
mswan@thenational.ae
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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The biog
Favourite book: Men are from Mars Women are from Venus
Favourite travel destination: Ooty, a hill station in South India
Hobbies: Cooking. Biryani, pepper crab are her signature dishes
Favourite place in UAE: Marjan Island
Young women have more “financial grit”, but fall behind on investing
In an October survey of young adults aged 16 to 25, Charles Schwab found young women are more driven to reach financial independence than young men (67 per cent versus. 58 per cent). They are more likely to take on extra work to make ends meet and see more value than men in creating a plan to achieve their financial goals. Yet, despite all these good ‘first’ measures, they are investing and saving less than young men – falling early into the financial gender gap.
While the women surveyed report spending 36 per cent less than men, they have far less savings than men ($1,267 versus $2,000) – a nearly 60 per cent difference.
In addition, twice as many young men as women say they would invest spare cash, and almost twice as many young men as women report having investment accounts (though most young adults do not invest at all).
“Despite their good intentions, young women start to fall behind their male counterparts in savings and investing early on in life,” said Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, senior vice president, Charles Schwab. “They start off showing a strong financial planning mindset, but there is still room for further education when it comes to managing their day-to-day finances.”
Ms Schwab-Pomerantz says parents should be conveying the same messages to boys and girls about money, but should tailor those conversations based on the individual and gender.
"Our study shows that while boys are spending more than girls, they also are saving more. Have open and honest conversations with your daughters about the wage and savings gap," she said. "Teach kids about the importance of investing – especially girls, who as we see in this study, aren’t investing as much. Part of being financially prepared is learning to make the most of your money, and that means investing early and consistently."
Zimbabwe v UAE, ODI series
All matches at the Harare Sports Club:
1st ODI, Wednesday, April 10
2nd ODI, Friday, April 12
3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14
4th ODI, Tuesday, April 16
UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Scoreline
Germany 2
Werner 9', Sane 19'
Netherlands 2
Promes 85', Van Dijk 90'
What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
