According to a new survey commissioned by the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), nearly three-quarters of residents in the United Arab Emirates recommend lesser-known attractions in Abu Dhabi to friends and family. Personal recommendations proved more significant for discovering the emirate's hidden gems than social media.
The study revealed that 73 percent of residents are willing to share recommendations for places they consider hidden gems. Moreover, half of Abu Dhabi residents were able to name such a place instantly, which is the highest rate among residents across all UAE.
The survey also hinted at the tendency of many residents to keep these locations secret: about 64 percent stated they would prefer to enjoy these places in solitude rather than posting them on social media.
Food held a special place in residents' recommendations, as almost a third of spontaneous answers concerned local cafes and restaurants. Among the most popular hidden gems of the emirate is Art House Café, which nearly 78 percent of visitors named as such.
Second place was taken by Al Ain Archaeological Park (58.1 percent), followed by Jebel Hafeet camping (52.8 percent) and the Emirates National Museum of Automotive in Ad Dhafra (52.4 percent). The top 10 also included the Artisan House, Eastern Mangroves Promenade, Cultural Foundation, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi Date Market, and Nowhere Café.
The survey also examined the criteria by which residents define a hidden gem. The most important factor was a calm and peaceful atmosphere, noted by 22 percent of respondents. This was followed by the overall level of impression and food quality (19 percent), while 12 percent valued the cultural or historical significance of the site.
The study's findings emphasized that Al Ain is one of the most attractive destinations in the emirate for visiting lesser-known places, as Al Ain Archaeological Park and Jebel Hafeet camping were included in the list of most highly rated places.
Visitors to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are invited to participate in a number of events this coming weekend that could bring significant winnings, including prizes such as AirPods, Ray-Ban sunglasses, gold bars, gift vouchers, and even a new car.
If you prefer intellectual games, the Rowley's Yas Bay Key Hunt quest will take place in Abu Dhabi. It starts on July 17, and participants will search for one of 12 hidden keys in two secret locations in Yas Bay. At 6:00 PM, mysterious clues will be posted on the restaurant's Instagram Stories, and registered participants will receive search zone maps.
Those who find the key can win prizes with a total value exceeding 13,000 dirhams. These include AirPods, Ray-Ban sunglasses, Polaroid cameras, annual Yas Bay passes, free meals at Rowley's, Red Tail membership, and the desired Birthday Steak Pass. Participation is free after registration.
Families can visit Arabian Center, where beloved Cocomelon characters like JJ and Cody will appear throughout the weekend. Children can meet these popular characters, take photos, and participate in a special summer program that includes slime-making workshops, storytelling sessions, face painting, and applied arts classes. These activities run daily until August 2 and offer a convenient indoor option during school holidays.
Furthermore, by visiting Arabian Center, shoppers can keep their receipts and enter a digital giveaway as part of Dubai Summer Surprises to win one of 10 Exceed LX cars, enjoying seasonal promotions and entertainment at the mall.
Residents and visitors heading to Sharjah can take advantage of the Sharjah Summer Promotions 2026 campaign. This campaign offers discounts of up to 75 percent in participating stores, hotels, and restaurants. Shoppers who spend 200 dirhams or more can enter digital raffles with a chance to win gold bars and gift vouchers. A luxury car will also be raffled off later as part of the campaign. Over 700 prizes will be given out during the summer, and the next major draw is scheduled for August 1.
If you prefer not to spend money on shopping, Dubai Summer Surprises organizes various free entertainment events across the city. Visitors can enjoy live performances in malls, explore Modesh World at Dubai World Trade Centre, watch a live performance by K-Pop Demon Hunters at City Centre Mirdif, or take part in the Indoor Dubai Mallathon, which turns shopping centers into air-conditioned tracks for walking and running.
Music enthusiasts can end the weekend at Coca-Cola Arena, where Michael Lives Forever will perform on Saturday, July 18. This tribute show recreates some of Michael Jackson's most iconic performances, including classic songs like Beat It, Thriller, Smooth Criminal, and Dangerous. Ticket prices start from 125 dirhams.
The giant illuminated sphere rising over Yas Island could become one of Abu Dhabi's most prominent new landmarks. Its exterior, known as Exosphere, will be visible from large sections of Sheikh Zayed Road and from observation points on Abu Dhabi Island long before visitors reach the building.
This new $1.7 billion attraction will be located between Yas Mall and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. It will be the first sphere outside the United States and the second in the world. The first such sphere opened in Las Vegas in September 2023 and attracted global attention due to its massive LED facade, immersive shows, and next-generation concert experience.
According to the capital's tourism authority, Exosphere, which spans 54,000 square meters and features a fully programmable LED facade, possesses exceptional visibility. The Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) of Abu Dhabi noted that Abu Dhabi's topography and clean desert air create conditions for exceptional visibility similar to those in Las Vegas, where it is visible from aircraft approaching Harry Reid Airport.
The DCT emphasized that the exosphere is 'as much a medium as it is a facade.' In Las Vegas, it displayed diverse content—from hyper-realistic imagery, including a viral giant eye, to brand advertising, sports event scores, and real-time seasonal content.
However, in Abu Dhabi, the exterior shell will have a distinctly local character. Plans include showcasing works by UAE artists on the Exosphere, and opportunities for creativity beyond established names will be opened through competitions for schoolchildren and students. The DCT explained that the interior space, comprising 160,000 square feet of enveloping canvas, can provide pixel density and spatial sound unattainable elsewhere.
When discussing examples of Emirati storytelling, the DCT presented a scenario where viewers can immerse themselves in history, from pearl diving communities on the Trucial Coast to the discovery of oil, the unification of the seven emirates in 1971, and the vision of the future shaped by space exploration. In the department's view, at this level, the viewer is not just watching history but becoming a part of it.
Although content development is in its early stages, Abu Dhabi aims to offer experiences that cannot be replicated in a cinema, theme park, or traditional theater. The DCT stated that the goal is not merely to bring a global object to the region, but to create something fundamentally woven with Emirati identity, featuring local voices, stories, and talents alongside international programs.
Despite the technological foundation being similar to Las Vegas, the DCT believes that Sphere Abu Dhabi represents a distinct offering. Unlike the sphere in Las Vegas, which became a standalone landmark, the Abu Dhabi object will integrate into the Yas Island's ecosystem. The department noted that the emirate has a year-round cultural calendar and is strategically positioning itself as a global capital of culture and creativity.
The first phase of the project is intended to attract both international tourists and UAE residents to establish Sphere Abu Dhabi as an authoritative fixture in the regional entertainment calendar from day one. Ticket prices have not yet been announced, but they are expected to vary depending on the type of experience, seating category, and event to ensure accessibility for different audience groups.
Sphere Experiences will include either in-house created immersive productions or original content running on a repertoire, providing a reason to visit even without external events. Concert residencies will feature major artists for several weeks or months. Furthermore, the venue's flexibility will allow for marquee events such as boxing matches, car presentations, luxury brand showcases, and state summits.
Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2029, although the exact opening date has not been set. The DCT clarified that such a technologically complex object will require time for commissioning, technical calibration, staff training, and content preparation before it can welcome the public.
In 2020, an expat was arrested in Dubai who allegedly used another person's Emirates ID to obtain cheques as part of a fraudulent scheme amounting to 350,000 dirhams, involving accomplices and numerous transactions. This case highlighted how identification documents can be misused if people do not adhere to access and verification protocols.
The risk of fraud does not always begin with organized criminal schemes. More often, it arises in routine situations where residents are asked to provide or send copies of their Emirates ID at shops, delivery points, or service centers. However, such seemingly standard requests can lead to the leakage of confidential personal data if they are copied, stored, or distributed without proper protection.
Emirates ID cards contain extensive biometric and personal information, including residency number, passport details, fingerprints, and iris scans. If handled improperly, stored insecurely, or distributed uncontrollably, they can be used for impersonation, fraud, or account takeover.
Experts speaking with Khaleej Times noted that the problem lies not in the existence of the card itself, but in the uncontrolled duplication of its data in daily operations, which often occur outside regulated systems. UAE authorities advised residents to avoid sharing sensitive information and to be able to distinguish legitimate verification requirements from unnecessary data collection requests. Not every organization has the legal right to keep a copy of an Emirates ID.
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) warned that Emirates ID cards cannot be used for commercial incentives, such as discounts or bonuses, nor provided as collateral for services. The authority also stressed that private companies cannot store identification documents unless permitted by law, and prohibits their retention without judicial or official authorization.
According to Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on Personal Data Protection, any entity that collects, stores, copies, or uses Emirates ID data is processing personal data. Such processing must be lawful, fair, transparent, and limited to a specific purpose, with robust measures to protect against unauthorized access, misuse, or disclosure.
A legal expert believes the issue is not whether Emirates ID requests are valid in principle, but whether they are proportionate and properly controlled. Nikhat Sardar Khan, a litigation lawyer at DIFC, stated: 'The question is not that Emirates IDs can never be requested.' She clarified that some organizations may have a legal basis for such a request—for example, for KYC, banking compliance, telecom registration, or client onboarding. Nevertheless, the request must be proportionate. Copying or storing Emirates ID data without a legal purpose is unjustified, and the organization must ensure it will not be misused.
She added that individuals have legal recourse in case of misuse. Data subjects can file complaints against organizations violating the law in processing their data, and can also demand correction, deletion, restriction, or access to their information. In more serious cases involving violations, organizations also have obligations regarding notification and reporting.
Nikhat also cited a case from a Dubai court to demonstrate how the improper use of identification can lead to major fraud. A Dubai court was hearing a dispute related to an employee who allegedly used his employer's Emirates ID to open a corporate account and present himself as an authorized signatory. Before the employer left, the employee allegedly obtained a cheque for a small amount and then changed its denomination in their absence. He also disabled the employer's bank SMS alerts via the telecom channel, reducing transaction visibility. The situation escalated when a new corporate account was opened, and the employee became an authorized signatory, presumably because service providers did not verify everything properly. The cheque amount increased from approximately 96 dirhams to 1,000,000 dirhams, allowing about 350,000 dirhams to be withdrawn. Some funds were recovered. Nikhat noted: 'The case was only partially successful because the Court found that the employer was also negligent for leaving the Emirates ID accessible in the office.'
Cybersecurity expert Rayad Kamal Ayub from Rayad Group stated that Emirates ID-related fraud usually follows recognizable patterns rather than being isolated incidents. He listed common fraud scenarios: SIM-swap fraud, fake KYC applications, social engineering related to UAE PASS, and identity 'stitching'. SIM-swap fraud involves using personal data to take over telecom accounts and intercept bank OTPs. Fake KYC applications create mule accounts or fraudulent financial profiles. Identity 'stitching' combines fragments of data leaks, such as contact information, to create complete identity profiles for fraudulent purposes.
Rayad also pointed to the persistent operational weakness associated with informal document exchange. He noted: 'One of the most persistent weak points remains the informal exchange of documents. Residents are often asked to send copies of their Emirates ID via WhatsApp, email, or other unsecured channels for services like delivery verification, access control, or administrative processing. After the exchange, people often lose control over where the data is stored, who has access to it, and for how long it is retained.'
The Emirates ID system is designed to ensure secure identification. The card chip contains encrypted data accessible only to authorized systems. Furthermore, the card has several physical security features, and the main database stores identification records for official checks. Rayad explained: 'Most risks do not come from the system itself. Something as simple as scanning, photographing, emailing, or forwarding a copy of the Emirates ID is considered 'processing' of personal data under the Personal Data Protection Law. This entails legal obligations for organizations to apply principles of data minimization, purpose limitation, and secure storage.'
Regulators and cybersecurity experts agree on a simple set of steps that both individuals and organizations should follow. Key recommendations include: sharing Emirates ID data only when strictly necessary and for a defined purpose; preferring verification through UAE PASS whenever possible instead of exchanging documents; adding watermarks, dates, and purpose stamps to any provided copies; avoiding sending Emirates ID images via WhatsApp or unsecured channels; never providing Emirates ID copies along with bank credentials or OTPs; verifying the legitimacy of requests, especially in informal or spontaneous situations; and securely storing any collected copies using encryption and access control.
