One reason to follow international news is to see what the rest of the world thinks about you. And not just out of curiosity. What the world thinks affects investment, trade, tourism and a nation's influence in the global arena.
So what's the world think about Abu Dhabi? We had a glimpse this week in an IHT business article headlined (in the print edition) "With little bluster, Abu Dhabi takes the stage." Reporter Landon Thomas Jr. says Abu Dhabi "is looking for attention --just not the kind of flash-and-dash that Dubai is known for." The reporter suggests that "the suave aplomb" of Khaldoon al-Mubarak, the 32-year-old director of Mubadala, Abu Dhabi's development fund, makes him "the perfect representative of the emirate."
Dubai = flash-and-dash? Abu Dhabi = suave aplomb?
Based on what you see and read in the international media, what do you think the image of Abu Dhabi is?
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9 comments:
first thing I think about is Abu Dhabi wants to represent itself to the world as the Capital of UAE, Because most people think Dubai is the capital because of its advanced commercial all over the world, But Abu Dhabi is an advanced city but will show up advantages soon in a better way than Dubai.
I think that Abu Dhabi is representing itself in a different way, and Abu Dhabi's way of representing itself is totally different than Dubai. Abu Dhabi is looking for high class world tourists.
I agree with Hamda that Abu Dhabi is trying to present itself in a high class way!
As I am a sport news follower, I was surprised that Abu Dhabi bought the British soccer team Manchester City, and have Khaldoon al-Mubarak as the chairman of the club.
And now, the UAE, especially Abu Dhabi, will host the FIFA Club World Cup in 2009, 2010.
Here is the news:
http://www.uaeinteract.com/docs/UAE_will_host_the_FIFA_Club_World_Cup_in_2009,_2010/30300.htm
In my point of view, reaching international clubs and championships is another way to get attention to Abu Dhabi.
Its a good Advertisement for Abu Dhabi Salma and this is just part of the sport side.
I believe that even when Dubai is building so fast and getting more popular not only than the rest of the Emirates but even more than any country in the middle east however Abu Dhabi is going through long term planning with carefully dissensions that will give the same results of popularity with higher quality
As said before, Dubai is looking for quantity and Abu Dhabi is looking for quality.
Abu Dhabi need a representative who truly reflect on Abu Dhabi, a person who thinks right.
I remember when we had the Italian journalist guest in class, all he wanted to talk about is money! and how rich we are, how we spend our holidays, where we shop for clothes. I know that's very interesting for an outsider as a big jump from "Camels to Armani". But its really not what Abu Dhabi is all about.
I would love it if the media, represents Abu Dhabi in a different way. A way, that doesn't state that we are drowning in gold!
Athra > I agree with you, they are taking it slow here in Abu Dhabi, but after a while everything will change.
i agree on how international newspapers sometimes throw information that isn't accurate, for example, when i was in London for the BBC trip, Bush had is ME tour and came to AD, so one of the newspapers in the UK had summaries about the countries Bush visited and stated that "Bush gave a speech on democracy in the MOST UNdemocratic country" which was the UAE! That was quite wrong!
AD .,., has its own style maybe its more into culture and heritage while dubai may be the modern city of the gulf
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