It was not all that bad for some of the 2,500 passengers stranded in Abu Dhabi because of the volcanic ash crisis as emirate's tourism officials had a pleasant surprise in store for them - a complementary tour of the emirate’s top attractions.

Under a initiative spearheaded by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), the group's hotels and Etihad – the award-winning national airline of the UAE pulled together to stage guided tours of including Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque for over 200 people who were staying in hotels on Yas Island.

ADTA also provided buses to pick up the passengers. Other tours took families to the expansive Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort.

In addition, working closely with its industry stakeholders, ADTA provided the passengers with discounted tours to ‘explore, experience and engage’ with the destination, including kayaking tours through mangroves, Big Bus and helicopter tours, hot air balloon expeditions and reduced green fees at four of the UAE capital’s golf courses.

The guests also received Abu Dhabi information packs including complimentary destination fridge magnets and postcards.

Martin Duffy was on his way from Melbourne to Ireland when his transit flight was cancelled last Friday. 'This is my first time in Abu Dhabi and I am enjoying my stay so much that I am thinking of coming back and spending a full week to thoroughly visit the place.'

“The Grand Mosque was a truly beautiful place, it is very serene and relaxing and the architecture is great. I have never seen a building like it before,” he remarked.

Irishman Mathew Kelly who was stranded on Saturday morning said the delay was a “blessing in disguise” and it gave him the chance to get to know more about Abu Dhabi.

“I have never been here before and the visit to the mosque has encouraged me to reconsider another visit, more at my leisure, as it is obvious there is plenty to see and enjoy,” he said.

“Etihad staff have been very professional throughout all this and the people in Abu Dhabi are very welcoming and generous and this magnificent treatment encourages me to return.”

Teacher Mark Wilson from the UK, who was flying Etihad from Kuala Lumpur before being grounded on Saturday said the industry’s gesture had helped many passengers relax.

“I am really grateful for the tour to the mosque which is very impressive. It is my first time in Abu Dhabi and we got to see a very beautiful place of worship where the use of colours and various materials, not to mention the structure’s sheer size, were all striking.”

ADTA said the initiative put its 'Traveller’s Welcome' promise into action.

“We are currently working with partners on creating stop-over programmes for the very healthy numbers of passengers transiting Abu Dhabi International Airport,” said Ahmed Hussein, deputy director general, ADTA.
 
“This has been an unexpected trial run but the response has been highly encouraging and demonstrates the potential. We pride ourselves on our hospitality here and this was a chance to make the stay of many of the grounded passengers much more rewarding and enjoyable,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service