DUBAI // Local and international race enthusiasts, hiding from the sun under conventional kaffiyehs and hyperbolic hats, praised the event planning that allowed them inside the new course without a hitch.
In stark contrast to previous years, when the event was held at Nad al Sheba and resulted in mayhem for motorists, they said Meydan proved that it could provide fluent organisation, as well as a carnival-like racing atmosphere.
Men on stilts, juggling clowns and dancers in shiny, silver sequinned leotards greeted guests as they were shuttled from the external car parks to the 60,000-capacity venue.
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), which opened new access roads last week, eased traffic further by providing more than 2,500 taxis, as well as a fleet of 30 double-decker buses - although massive queues erupted to board them after the race festivities.
"Hassle-free," 19-year-old Hayzoom Maghool, from Ajman, said of his experience travelling to the US$2 billion (Dh7.3bn) racecourse.
"We got the shuttle bus here after driving to the car park and everything seemed to go as planned. It didn't take long and everyone was very helpful in making sure we knew where to go."
Lavinia Hansen, 24, from Germany, said she was "surprised and pleased" by the efficiency with which she was transferred to the stands.
"Normally, we would be queuing for an hour, but they have got it spot on here," she said. "I got a cab straight here and the queue moved quickly."
An RTA representative said the success of the operation was down to three key factors.
"Firstly, the key to the smoothness is primarily down to the Dh1 billion investments in the infrastructure that we have made recently," he said.
"The new bridges and roads have totally changed the landscape around the Meydan area.
"Secondly, we have been co-ordinating with Dubai Police for some time now, and by them setting up stations to ease the traffic flow across the city that is a massive help.
"And thirdly, we were very keen to have clear signage around Meydan and plenty of taxis and buses available to those wanting to attend. We believe that is why it has been such a success."
But although getting inside appeared elementary, not everybody was able to easily witness the racing action. Several media outlets struggled to cover the event after a production error forced long waits for accreditation, which denied correspondents access to the press centre until midway through the evening's action.
Meanwhile, Dubai Police enforced strict security measures. Airport-like scanners and policemen were all in evidence.
A Dubai Police representative said that safety, as always, was the priority.
@Email:gmeenaghan@thenational.ae
How to get there
Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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Business Insights
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Scoreline:
Cardiff City 0
Liverpool 2
Wijnaldum 57', Milner 81' (pen)
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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
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Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.