‘Saadiyat Island is like Maldives of ME’

From discussing the importance of the travel trade to exploring tier IV & V markets in India, Liam Findlay, Chief Executive Officer, Miral Destinations, highlights the popularity of Yas Island and introduces Saadiyat Island, a hidden gem in Abu Dhabi.

TT Bureau

Saadiyat Island, located in Abu Dhabi, is a hidden gem that offers a unique blend of history, culture, relaxation, and opulence. Situated amid the sparkling turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf, Saadiyat Island provides an exceptional escape. The island boasts of luxurious resorts, pristine white sandy beaches, and a wealth of museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Additionally, numerous upcoming museums on the island are set to further enhance its cultural offerings. “Miral is the destination management company for Saadiyat. The island is sort of your transformative beach destination, and it has been awarded for 11 years in a row as the best beach destination in the Middle East. We are confident that it will gain popularity among Indians as well,” says Liam Findlay, CEO, Miral Destinations.

Discussing the importance of India for Miral Destination’s Yas Island, Findlay emphasizes on the significance of the Indian market, noting its immense potential for economic growth and travel opportunities. “While the focus on first-tier cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore has been prevalent for years, there has been a notable shift towards exploring the untapped potential of tier-II, tier-III, and even tier-IV and tier-V cities. Miral Destinations has recognized this trend and invested heavily in India, making it its primary market for growth,” he says.

The CEO highlights the success of their strategic partnership with Indian actor Ranveer Singh, who was appointed as their brand ambassador. Singh’s visits to Yas Island for various events, such as UFC and F1 races, have strengthened the relationship between Yas Island and the Indian market. With extensive data analysis and market research, Miral Destinations has identified India as its number one market, leading to significant investments in the country. “Miral Destinations has expanded its presence in India, we have tripled the size of our office strength and increased our sales force to focus on tier-II, tier-III, and now tier-IV and tier-V cities,” highlights Findlay. Interestingly, the length of stay is also increasing in Yas Island. Traditionally, Yas Island was a single-day destination or an add-on to Dubai. “What we are seeing now is that that the length of stay is increasing to that three, four, five-day visits,” he adds.

Findlay emphasises on building long-term relationships with trade partners and the importance of B2B partnerships. “India is our number one priority. We have invested. We said we were going to invest in it, and I think we have shown people that we were true to it.,” he says.