UAE attractions and venues alert to security threats
In the wake of terrorist incidents in Europe and global concerns about security, managers of attractions and venues in the United Arab Emirates are assessing their own security preparations.
With the UAE aiming to attract 45 million visitors a year by 2021, and with Arabian Gulf nations hostiing a growing number of international sporting events, keeping guests and fans safe is a top priority.
According to Arab Tourism Organisation (ATO) President Bandar Al-Fuhaid over 200 officials from the security and tourism sectors in the Arab region participating in the recent Forum for Tourism Safety in the Saudi Arabian city of Taif.
The inaugural event focussed on best practices in safety and security inside and around tourism sites along with equipment and technologies used to enhance security.
However, with Gulf nations having strong internal security networks to deal with sedition attractions and venues are already overseen by a substantial security presence.
At cricket venues the Dubai Sports City and the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi spectators enter through airport-style metal detectors and pass their belongings through X-ray scanner, manned by armed Federal Police.
Andrew Haslam, General Manager (Security Services) of Dubai-based security firm ASK International, adds that at the Dubai Sports City "there are hundreds of CCTV cameras."
The Zayed Cricket Stadium is also fitted with a comprehensive surveillance system.
With UAE law enforcement concerned with both security and control at areas of mass gathering, Haslam adds “wherever there is going to be mass gatherings, there will be a robust CCTV system."
With no international cricket team willing to play in Pakistan since the Sri Lankan team bus was attacked in March 2009, the UAE has become Pakistan cricket's home away from home.
However, the UAE’s security appears unlikely to be enough stage a revival of cricket between Pakistan and India.
Planned to be played this month, the Pakistan Government has denied its cricket team the permission to play in India citing security concerns.
The two countries are also unlikely to play in the UAE as proposed by the Pakistan Government as the Indian Government is not expected to give permission for its team to play in the UAE due to its own security concerns.
This is notwithstanding the recent visit to the UAE by Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi, the UAE welcoming almost a million Indian visitors each year and India having historically been Dubai’s largest trading partner.
India last played Pakistan in Adelaide in February during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Image: Cricket at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
20th November 2015 - ISLAMIC STATE JIHADISTS TARGET MAJOR VENUES IN TERROR CAMPAIGN
18th November 2015 - SAFETY AND SECURITY CHALLENGES FOR PROTECTING STADIA AND SPORT VENUES
23rd June 2015 - UAE LEISURE SECTOR TO ATTRACT 45 MILLION VISITORS BY 2021
31st March 2015 - MASSIVE CROWD NUMBERS FOR CRICKET WORLD CUP
7th April 2010 - ABU DHABI TO HOST PAKISTAN TEST MATCHES
24th February 2010 - INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE WILL NOT MOVE
18th February 2010 - AL-QAEDA THREAT TO INDIAN EVENTS
