Abu Dhabi to stagger Louvre, Guggenheim opening dates
Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) has released the expected opening dates for the much-anticipated museums in the emirate’s Saadiyat Cultural District: Louvre Abu Dhabi will open in 2015, Zayed National Museum in 2016 and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi in 2017.
TDIC said by staggering the opening dates each museum would have sufficient time to establish its own identity on the local and international cultural stage.
Substantial work has already been completed on the museums. Detailed architectural designs have now been finalised, as well as all foundation and piling work.
Teams with regional expertise that will operate each institution are undergoing training, and the acquisition of the vast art and artifact collections for each museum is underway.
Abu Dhabi has also announced that it will spend an estimated US$6.8bn on a new terminal at Abu Dhabi International Airport, which will accommodate 27 million passengers a year when it opens in 2016.
The terminal is seen as integral to the growth of Etihad Airways and Abu Dhabi’s tourism.
The new development proposals come at a time when Abu Dhabi has recorded its most successful year for hotel guest arrivals with some 2.11m people staying in the emirate’s hotels and hotel apartments.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps