How did Yas and Saadiyat Islands win over 190 global awards in 2024?

Abu Dhabi’s top destinations shine with world class attractions, luxury, and culture

Yas Island
Caption: Yas Island's iconic attractions, from world-class theme parks to luxurious resorts, have been honored with numerous international awards, reflecting its premier status in global tourism.
Source: Supplied

ABU DHABI: Miral, the visionary force behind Abu Dhabi’s most immersive destinations, has marked a historic milestone in 2024, with Yas Island and Saadiyat Island securing over 190 prestigious regional and international awards.

This record-breaking achievement surpasses their previous recognition in 2023, further solidifying Abu Dhabi’s global standing as a premier tourism hub.

Yas Island: An entertainment powerhouse

Yas Island, renowned for its world-class leisure attractions, achieved more than 175 accolades this year. It was named ‘World’s Leading Theme Park Destination’ at the World Travel Awards for the second consecutive year and secured ‘Best Integrated Leisure Destination’ at the MENALAC Awards.

Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, claimed the ‘World’s Leading Theme Park’ title for the fifth year at the World Travel Awards and ‘Best Indoor Theme Park’ at the International Travel Awards. Its cutting-edge Mission Ferrari ride won ‘Achievement in Product Innovation’ at the MENA Stevie Awards.

Yas Waterworld maintained its leadership as ‘Middle East’s Leading Water Park’, while Warner Bros. World™ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi was honoured as ‘Middle East’s Leading Tourist Attraction’ and ‘Favorite Attraction’ at the What’s On Awards. CLYMB™ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi continued its winning streak as ‘Middle East’s Leading Adventure Tourist Attraction’ and ‘Leading Adventure Tourist Attraction’ at the Global Brand Awards.

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi’s stellar debut

SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, the newest addition to Yas Island, made an extraordinary debut by winning over 20 accolades. It earned a Guinness World Record as the ‘Largest Marine-Life Theme Park in the World’ and was recognised for ‘Best PR Campaign Crisis Communication’ at the PRCA Awards.

Saadiyat Island's blend of cultural excellence and luxury leisure has earned global recognition, with accolades highlighting its artistic landmarks and exclusive resorts as top-tier destinations.

The marine-life park also won ‘Most New Unique Concept Attraction 2024’ and ‘Best Edutainment Centre 2024’ at the MENALAC Awards. At the International Business Awards, it secured dual Gold wins for its grand opening campaign.

Yas Island’s marketing triumphs

Yas Island’s award-winning campaigns continued to make waves, securing the ‘Best Regional PR Campaign of the Year’ at the PRCA Awards and ‘Best Arabic Language Campaign’ at the MEPRA Awards.

At the EFFIE Awards MENA, Yas Island won five awards, including Gold in Influencer Marketing for ‘Roll Like Ryan’ and Silver in Branded Content & Entertainment for ‘I’m Bored’. The island also celebrated 12 wins at the MENA Stevie Awards, including Gold for ‘Innovation in Branded Entertainment’.

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi added to the success, winning ‘Achievement in Product Innovation’ for Manta Coaster and Hypersphere 360° and a Bronze Stevie for ‘Innovation in the Use of Events’.

Lifestyle and dining excellence

Yas Island’s reputation as a lifestyle and dining destination was reinforced with multiple awards. Yas Bay Waterfront’s dining venues won six accolades at the What’s On Awards Abu Dhabi, including ‘Favorite Daycation’ for Café del Mar and ‘Favorite Asian Restaurant’ for Daikan Izakaya.

Yas Marina claimed six awards, including the Gold Award for Innovation at the Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards, while Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island secured 12 awards, including ‘Best Hotel in Abu Dhabi’ at the Business Traveller Awards. W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island was named ‘Middle East’s Leading Lifestyle Hotel’ at the World Travel Awards.

Yas Marina Circuit, home to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, earned 13 accolades, including ‘Favorite Sporting Event’ at the What’s On Awards and ‘Brand Experience in Sports’ for the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Eventex Awards.

Saadiyat Island: Luxury & culture

Saadiyat Island, a symbol of luxury and cultural excellence, garnered over 20 global awards in 2024. It was named ‘Best Luxury Beachfront Destination in the UAE’ by The Luxury Lifestyle Awards and ‘Middle East’s Leading Beach Destination’ at the World Travel Awards.

The island also secured ‘Best Beach Destination’ and ‘Best Tourism Destination’ at the International Travel Awards and was recognised by CEO Destinations as the ‘Best Beach Destination, Middle East’.

Saadiyat Island’s commitment to sustainability earned a Silver Stevie Award in ‘Innovative Achievement in Sustainability’ at the MENA Stevie Awards.

Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas won seven awards, including ‘Favorite Saturday Brunch – Casual Dining’ at the FACT Dining Awards Abu Dhabi and ‘Favorite Seafood Restaurant’ at the What’s On Awards. Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas was ranked #4 in ‘Resorts in the Middle East’ in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards 2024.

Saadiyat Beach Club was named ‘Abu Dhabi Outdoor Venue of the Year’ at the Weddingsonlin.ae Awards, while Nurai Island secured ‘Favorite Luxury Staycation’ at the What’s On Awards.

Cultural landmarks on Saadiyat Island received global recognition, with the Abrahamic Family House being featured in TIME’s ‘World’s Greatest Places’ list, underlining its significance in promoting cultural harmony.

Miral Destinations: A tourism powerhouse

Miral Destinations, the promotional arm of Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, earned six wins at the International CX Awards, including ‘Best CX Team of the Year’ and ‘Best Omni-Channel Experience’.

At the China Travel Trade Media Awards, Yas Island was crowned ‘Best Leisure and Entertainment Destination 2024’. Miral Destinations also secured the ‘Outstanding Strategic Partner of the Year’ at the Trip.com Awards, while Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi were listed among the ‘2024 Global Top 100 Family Attractions’.

Miral Destinations also achieved a double victory at the 2024 Tongcheng Awards, winning ‘Best Partner of the Year’, while Yas Island was named the ‘Most Popular Family Destination’.