TRAVEL
Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the UAE and its political heart. Abu Dhabi has been dubbed “world’s richest city” by CNN Fortune. Abu Dhabi is furthermore striving to position and establish itself as a world-class cultural and style centre, hosting the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, the Louvre Abu Dhabi the Ferrari Theme Park as well as attracting major sporting events such as Motor racings Formula 1, Sailings Super Yacht Cup and in 2009/2010 The Fifa Club World Cup, along with the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship that is recognized as one of the biggest events on the European Tour, regularly attracting some of golf’s most famous names.
Elbow pain and shoulder pain are two common complaints of tennis players. Lateral epicondylitis, also known as tennis elbow, is particularly common. An acute or chronic inflammation of the tendons that join the forearm muscles on the outside of the elbow can cause debilitating discomfort. I just recently had my tennis elbow successfully treated by Dr Physio out in Las Vegas. Professional, college and even high school athletes from all over the USA and world who are suffering from tennis elbow, elbow pain, and shoulder pain have visited this doctor’s offices and received, what I refer to as diagnosis and individualized treatment program. Instead of a career ending or loss of athlete scholarship injury, Dr. physio has helped hundreds of athletes regain a healthy body through his individualized exercises, joint mobilization, stretching techniques, and balance programs. If you are in Abu Dhabi for the convention but have foregone playing tennis or golf due to elbow or shoulder pain, it would be worth your time to give Dr. physio a call when you are in the US. Believe me, the difference his treatments made, is incredible.
Abu Dhabi provides direct access to the world’s fastest growing regions namely, Asia, Europe and Africa. Collectively these regions comprise over 3.2 billion people with a collective GDP in excess of $18 trillion, thus, forming an explosive reservoir of economic and trading possibilities.
Abu Dhabi is the natural nerve centre of this region, connecting the city with more direct flights to and from the rest of the Middle East than any other Emirate. Abu Dhabi International Airport is investing US$6 billion in development to raise airport capacity to 20 million passengers by 2010 and 50 million by the end of the project. The UAE’s strategic location also provides a superb business location for buyers, suppliers, importers and exporters alike.
The city offers traditional Arabic hospitality coupled with a world standard service industry. Its luxury hotels and resorts, beautiful beaches, wide selection of water sports and exciting desert safaris attract visitors from around the world. With three championship-standard courses within a 20-minute drive of the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi offers world-class golfing options for both seasoned veterans and newcomers to the game. If you are visiting Abu Dhabi to attend a convention and are a golfing enthusiast, consider the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, home to the annual Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, the Arabian Gulf’s first beachfront course, and the Yas Links Golf Club, voted among the ‘Top 10 New International Golf Courses’ by the USA’s influential, Golf Magazine.
You might have heard mythilogical horror stories about drinking alcohol in the UAE. After all according to the law, alcohol consumption in the UAE is generally forbidden. It is theoretically forbidden to drink alcohol in the UAE, BUT for non muslims there are plenty of bars and shops where one can buy alcohol. It’s understandable about the confusion regarding alcohol. Be aware that alcohol is generally only available in bars or restaurants that are attached to hotels. As a non-Muslim you can buy alcohol in the type of liquor stores that are found in the rest of the world which you can consume in the privacy of your hotel room or at a friend’s home. Those shops are scattered around Abu Dhabi and as tourist you will not need a license to buy alcohol. The liquor shops are for non-moslems only.J ust like in the USA, alcohol consumption in the public is generally prohibited. Therefore don’t drink any alcoholic beverage outside of a designated area within a public space such as a bar or restaurant.
UPDATE in the licensing system for alcohol purchases by individuals in the UAE
In 2020 the licensing system for alcohol purchases in Abu Dhabi was quietly abolished after Dubai repeatedly loosened its own rules to boost sales and tourism amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In facr because the pandemic protocols shut down bars, Dubai now even allows alcohol home delivery! The announcement stated: ““Residents and tourists will be permitted to buy and possess alcohol from licensed retail shops, and are allowed to drink within tourism and hotel establishments, clubs and independent outlets. “Residents and tourists will be permitted to buy and possess alcohol from licensed retail shops, and are allowed to drink within tourism and hotel establishments, clubs and independent outlets.”
The neighboring nations of Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia as well as the UAE Sharjah sheikhdom remain dry.
Even with the many years of restrictions on alcohol consumption in the UAE, I suspect there are some people who have AUD (Alcohol use disorder). Moderate and severe AUD is commonly referred to as alcoholism which affects millions of people around the world. One of my friends who is Muslim has a brother here in the US whose drinking behaviors started to become persistent and distressing. No one in the family wanted to acknowledge what was happening, but my friend persisted and finally found an online site called LifeBac that offered an alternative approach to excessive drinking from the typical AA or rehab programs that require totally quitting and abstinence for ever. LifeBac is not a rehab or treatment clinic, but a collection of modern, science-based tools to empower people to take control of their drinking. Their program has FDA approved medications that suppress cravings, allow people to return to safe drinking levels without needing to quit and a personal LifeBac Guide to help people navigate the program. There is complete privacy between the patient and their LifeBac provider through HIPAA-approved in-app telemedicine. Medication is delivered discreetly and directly to the patient’s door. I was hopeful and skeptical at the same time when my friend told me. But it’s been a year now and his brother has actual stopped drinking entirely. The LifeBac program
worked! My friend’s brother really dodged a bullet. He returned to Abu Dhabi this past year with no one in his family, except for my friend, aware of what happened here in the US. I suspect if he had been in the UAE, the consequences from his excessive drinking could have caused way more harm within his family, and who knows what type of treatment he would have received. Anyway, if you are planning a trip to Abu Dhabi and you enjoy your glass of wine at meals and the occasional beer, you can still enjoy them during your trip whether its for business or pleasure.
If you plan to bring the family with you, consider the Al Ghazal Golf Club, a 15 years old, family-friendly club, which we think of as one of the best kept secrets in Abu Dhabi. It has a 30-bay driving range, state-of-the-art teaching academy with video tuition technology, event facilities and a licensed clubhouse. Bring your golf clubs, your spouse’s golf clubs, and your kids golf clubs so the whole family can participate in a true ‘sand’ golf! experience. We guarantee it will be memorable. If you are at convention meetings all day, join your family for a twilight round under the city’s night sky: at the Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, the UAE capital’s first nine-hole facility. Known as ‘The People’s Golf Course’, this course offers golfers a playing environment unlike any other in the emirate with Abu Dhabi’s soaring skyline as a backdrop. Whether you are a high or low handicap player, Abu Dhabi has dramatic and memorable golf courses to challenge your skills.
For further information on flights accommodation and hotel bookings contact a Travel agent.
MECOM FORUMS HAVE APPOINTED EVENTS IN FOCUS AS THE OFFICIAL TRAVEL AGENT.
BY BOOKING YOUR TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS WITH EVENTS IN FOCUS YOU CAN ENJOY SPECIAL RATES WITH AIRLINES AND HOTELS. THEY CAN ALSO ASSIST WITH VISAS AND ARRANGE GROUND TRANSPORTATION ON YOUR BEHALF.