Five years ago, I shared my thoughts on finding opportunities in times of adversity. In the aftermath of the pandemic, I described what I called a resilient mindset: one that seeks solutions, adapts quickly, and holds curiosity and creativity at its core.
This year, we were tested again. And what I learned is that resilience, while essential, is only part of a larger leadership equation. Resilience describes how well you withstand what is happening to you. It says nothing about what you are building for what comes next. The organizations; and the nations, that emerge from difficulty stronger than they entered it are not simply the ones that held their nerve. They are the ones that used the moment to design a better version of themselves. That requires three things resilience alone does not provide: conviction about where you are going, agility in how you get there, and a purpose clear enough to navigate by when the map stops working.
Despite regional challenges, Abu Dhabi remained dedicated to building on last year’s tourism success. In 2025, Abu Dhabi welcomed a record 26.6 million visitors, with hotel revenues reaching AED 9.1 billion and tourism’s contribution to GDP reaching 15 per cent; more than double what it was five years ago. This exceptional performance was delivered through visionary leadership focused on economic diversification.
And Abu Dhabi’s tourism shows no signs of slowing down.
On 11 December, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi opens in the Saadiyat Cultural District, Frank Gehry’s largest museum, and the culmination of one of the most ambitious cultural districts anywhere in the world.
On Yas Island, the magic of Harry Potter is on its way. Developed with Warner Bros. Discovery, it form the centerpiece of the Warner Bros. World™ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi expansion, inviting guests to step inside one of the most beloved stories ever told.
Sphere Abu Dhabi is also coming to Yas Island. A 20,000-capacity venue and the first Sphere anywhere outside the United States, it represents a USD 1.7 billion investment in an entirely new category of immersive entertainment and will open on Yas Island by late 2029.
And all of this builds toward last year’s landmark announcement: our collaboration with Disney to create the brand’s first theme park resort in the Middle East.
Together, these are not isolated projects. They are the deliberate assembly of a destination unlike any other in the region.
Advancing these ambitious projects through a period of regional volatility reflects bold leadership defined by continuous innovation and relentless forward momentum. That is not optimism as a mood. It is optimism as a capital allocation strategy; proof of confidence that comes only from national alignment and long-term thinking.
THE STRENGTH OF A NATION
I have often said that what we build at Miral is possible only because of the foresight of the UAE’s leadership. Defined by ambition, perseverance, humanity and coexistence, the UAE showcased incredible resolve throughout the course of this year, bringing citizens, residents and the business community closer together.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, extended a message of strength and reassurance to maintain stability, confidence, and the quality of life of its people, reminding us that “in the UAE, everyone is Emirati through their love for this land and their contributions to it,” and that this country “will remain strong in its unity, steadfast in defending its sovereignty, and steadily advancing towards the future.” I believe the path set by the UAE’s leadership provided the sense of hope needed to emerge stronger.
That national conviction extended to Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry. Our Chairman, H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, affirmed that Abu Dhabi’s long-term trajectory “remains the same” towards achieving its Tourism Strategy 2030. This sentiment was reinforced as he visited our destinations in person to ensure every guest and colleague felt the same safety, warmth and care as on any other day.
I watched senior leaders across Abu Dhabi do the same across the Emirate, in weeks when it would have been entirely understandable to stay in the office or at home.
Presence, in difficult moments, is a form of communication no statement can replicate. These examples steered our actions and anchored everything we do.
THE VALUES THAT GUIDE US
During times of uncertainty, the best-laid plans can derail, forcing organisations to pivot overnight. In those moments, a leader needs a clear North Star.
For our industry, delivering on Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030 is fundamentally an ecosystem effort. Since its announcement in 2024, our collective target — to attract 39.3 million visitors, create 178,000 new jobs and contribute AED 90 billion to the economy, has depended on close collaboration and execution across multiple sectors. Now more than ever, this vision guided all of us at Miral to stay the course, our purpose simple enough to say in one line: to create memorable and joyful moments.
It was remarkable to see the persistence of our teams, who continued to deliver unforgettable experiences safely. They kept our theme parks operating, bringing smiles to our guests at a time when people needed positivity the most. This relentless dedication translated into a historic performance on Yas Island. During the Eid holiday in May, our theme parks and CLYMB Abu Dhabi recorded their highest visitation ever; a 32 per cent increase compared to last year, with our hotels operating near full capacity at a 92 per cent occupancy rate. When families choose to celebrate in your destinations during an uncertain period, that is not a commercial metric. It is an expression of trust; in the destination, and in the nation that stands behind it.
ADVANCING WITH OPTIMISM
At Miral, perseverance was key to ensuring business continuity and the steady progress of our developments. As our teams continued to show up with unwavering dedication, they delivered three openings in the span of a few months.
- They welcomed families to Yas Bay East Beach, a new 290-metre stretch of shoreline, in time for Eid Al Fitr.
- They completed the latest phase of Yas Waterworld’s expansion in April, adding eleven new attractions and taking the park to 70 in-park experiences.
- Just weeks later, in July, they launched Kryptonite Collider at Warner Bros. World™ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; its first new ride since 2018.
Delivering one project in such a period would have been commendable. Delivering three, on schedule, is a testament to who our teams are, and every one of those milestones landed on its promised date.
In uncertain periods, delivering on time is not an operational detail; it is a statement of confidence, and confidence is contagious.
Our commitment to staying the course was rewarded again in June, when we welcomed Kaya, a Pacific walrus calf born at SeaWorld® Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, the first birth of her kind in the region. She is a tribute to the dedication of our veterinarians and animal care specialists, and a reminder that some of the most meaningful work we do is measured in years of patient commitment, not quarters.
Beyond the operational success, these accomplishments represent the trust placed in our destinations, our people, and, above all, in a nation whose leadership has made the wellbeing of everyone who calls the UAE home an unwavering priority.
AS WE LOOK AHEAD
Disruption will always test the resolve of a nation, an organisation and its leadership. But it also reveals the ability to unite, adapt, and decisively move forward. This year has taught me that uncertainty calls for collective action, ambition, and untiring optimism that bolster our fortitude.
The true test of leadership is ensuring that people remember the conviction that transformed today’s challenges into catalysts for innovation. Do not spend a difficult period waiting for it to end, interrogate your purpose and let it steer you, build the partnerships you will need, and keep your promises on time, because your teams and your guests are reading your behaviour far more closely than your statements.
Abu Dhabi’s story this year is not one of recovery. Recovery implies something was lost and regained.
What happened here was continuity; of vision, of ambition, and of belief in what we are building together. The milestones we realised this year were the intentional results of trust, character, and the long-term vision of a nation. Foundations, I am certain, for our greatest chapters ahead.
