Tourism & Hospitality | Tuesday 6 January, 2015 2:35 pm |

Since opening its doors in November 2014, Yas Mall, Aldar’s flagship retail development has been making waves, bringing a brand new shopping, dining and entertainment experience to the region. Within close proximity to the airport and seven luxury hotels, Yas Mall has fast establishing itself as one of the most popular malls in the region, serving as an exciting leisure break destination for tourists from all over the GCC. Its vibrant, first-of-a-kind offering allows all ages and interests to be where it’s all happening, adding to the existing iconic attractions on Yas Island, including Ferrari World, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Links and Yas Waterworld.

In just over one month since opening, the mall has welcomed an array of visitors over the 2014 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend, followed by landmark celebrations such as the UAE’s 43rd National Day. It is now firmly positioned as an integral part of the capital’s tourist map, representative of the intrinsic role shopping and leisure plays in the UAE’s vibrant lifestyle. Yas Mall hopes to attract over 20 million visitors in its first full year of operating.

Talal Al Dhiyebi, Executive Director of Asset Management at Aldar, commented: “It is with immense pride that we see Yas Mall operating successfully today, transforming the Abu Dhabi retail landscape and putting the capital firmly on the international retail map. Retail remains an important growth sector in the UAE and particularly Abu Dhabi. Yas Mall answers the demand for better designed malls offering a distinctive lifestyle experience beyond shopping. We look forward to welcoming shoppers from across the region as we gear up towards the New Year.”

Yas Mall offers a spacious design filled with natural light, an abundance of open spaces and an easy to navigate layout. It is a mall of firsts, offering the UAE’s first Lego Store, and the first 4Dx Vox Cinemas, Geant Hypermarket and Cheese Cake Factory in Abu Dhabi. It also houses the largest Debenhams department store outside of the UK. Visitors can spend a day exploring 370 of the most desirable retail, F&B brands and entertainment offerings, the majority of which are open, or will open in early 2015, all within easy reach of the Capital and the Abu Dhabi International Airport. Highlights include Zara, Nike, Adidas, Fun Works, Hamleys, Go Sport, Jamba Juice and Angelina Café.

Families will especially enjoy the mall’s family friendly approach, including a two-storey wide FunWorks with a focus on educational play, a Build-A-Bear Workshop and even a children’s cinema and play area that can be rented for private parties. A regular programme of vibrant, interactive events will ensure that each visit is as unique as the last. When it comes to dining, there is an endless selection to choose from, including Abu Dhabi’s first Cheese Cake Factory, P.F. Chang’s, Rogo’s Rollercoaster Restaurant, Carluccio’s Restaurant, Angelina, and Pie Face. For relaxation, visitors can catch the latest blockbuster at the 20 screen VOX Cinemas which will boast Abu Dhabi’s biggest MAX screen at 24.5 metres wide, or visit Ferrari World that is directly connected to the mall.

Yas Mall has already attracted a loyal social media following, boasting a combined total of more than 150,000 fans on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.