Abu Dhabi - Designer Travel Conference 2025

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On the 15th of June 2025, I flew from Manchester to Abu Dhabi with Etihad airlines for our 2025 annual Designer Travel Company Conference, staying at the 5* Jumeriah Saadiyat Beach Resort for 3 nights! 

The Jumeriah Saadiyat Beach has gorgeous spacious rooms, stunning views and great facilities with impeccable service too

After arriving on the first evening, we had a welcome drink and food

The first full day we went to the Warner Brothers Theme Park (where I met Bugs Bunny!) and Ferrari World too, where I braved the “worlds fastest roller coaster, that evening we dined at the stunning Rixos Marina

As well as Warner Brothers and Ferrari World these parks, whilst in Abu Dhabi, you can take a take an F1 tour of the Yas Marina race circuit, take an Abu Dhabi city tour, visit the infamous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, plus much more, all of these I have done on my previous two visits to Abu Dhabi.

Early one evening, whilst getting ready back at the hotel we were fortunate to witness a truly special moment, the release of rehabilitated turtles back into the ocean!
This wildlife rescue organisation is committed to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing native wildlife across the Abu Dhabi emirate, helping to protect the region’s rich biodiversity.

Let me share a turtle fact with you: The UAE’s waters are home to two species of sea turtles -the endangered green turtle and the critically endangered hawksbill turtle. The UAE’s beaches, especially Saadiyat Island and Sir Bu Nair, are vital nesting sites for these magnificent creatures

On day three we had our Designer Travel conference day at the Hilton Yas Island Hotel, with presentations from the Experience Abu Dhabi tourist board and some of our tour operator hosts, Etihad holiday’s, TUI and Kuoni. We then had several “speed date” style meetings with around six chosen airlines, cruise lines or tour operators.

That evening we had our “gala” night at the stunning Emirates Palace hotel.

On our final day in the morning we visited Team LAB Phenomena this is a purpose-built art space located in the Saadiyat Cultural District (on Saadiyat Island). At Team LAB you can expect luminous projections, floating lights, interactive “butterflies,” shifting clouds, and digital landscapes described as “living art” these reacts to your movement, touch, and presence. It was definitely a very different attraction to anything I have previously experienced.

We had a few hours by the pool at the Jumeriah Saadiyat island, before our farewell dinner at the Rixos Saadiyat.

Abu Dhabi has an abundance of things to offer families, couples, singles and even just those seeking some guaranteed sunshine all year round.

This was my third visit to Abu Dhabi and I’m sure it won’t be my last!

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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Elementum sagittis vitae et leo duis ut.