Al Dhafra Heritage Tour By Foreign Ambassadors Highlights UAE Culture And Innovation

A group of foreign ambassadors accredited to the UAE has toured major heritage, cultural and tourism destinations across the Al Dhafra Region, at the invitation of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with the programme highlighting sustainability projects, traditional festivals, crafts, and the region’s growing tourism appeal.

The visit underlined how Al Dhafra Region combines clean energy leadership with cultural preservation and modern tourism services. Delegates observed heritage festivals, women-led craft initiatives, desert sports events and digital visitor experiences, while also receiving briefings on how these activities align with national strategies in culture and sustainability.

One of the main stops was the Liwa International Festival, where the ambassadors were received by Hamdan Saif Al Mansoori, Chairman of Liwa Sports Club, along with several officials. The festival programme introduced visitors to desert sports, family activities and cultural performances, highlighting Liwa’s role as a key tourism destination in Al Dhafra Region.

At Liwa Village within the festival grounds, the delegation explored traditional markets and watched artisans present heritage crafts. They observed live demonstrations and inspected a range of recreational facilities designed for residents and visitors. The ambassadors also visited the ADNOC Oasis, which presents digital services alongside heritage-inspired design elements for festival participants.

The tour schedule included several well-known landmarks in Liwa, most notably the "Liwa Sign", registered as the world’s longest landmark sign. Officials explained that the structure highlights Liwa’s historical importance, its geographical position within the Al Dhafra Region and its growing tourism identity for visitors from the UAE and abroad.

The delegation then travelled to Khannour Fort, also known as Qasr Khinour, in Liwa, which hosts the Al Ghadeer Emirati Crafts project. Inside the fort, the ambassadors viewed traditional handicrafts and heritage products that illustrate the skills of Emirati women and their role in protecting knowledge and passing cultural practices to future generations.

Al Dhafra Region camel heritage, clean energy and tourism technology

Earlier in the itinerary, the ambassadors attended the Mezayen (Camel Beauty) Competition in Madinat Zayed, part of the 19th Al Dhafra Festival organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority. They toured camel enclosures and received explanations about camel categories, age groups, beauty standards, judging rules and efforts to maintain pure camel breeds.

Delegates were briefed on how such camel competitions help safeguard intangible cultural heritage, while also supporting tourism in the Al Dhafra Region. They heard how the events strengthen the long-standing connection between camels and owners across the Gulf, and how UAE leadership backs heritage festivals through institutional support and long-term planning.

The programme started at the Al Dhafra Innovation Centre at the Shams 1 Power Station, where the delegation learned about clean energy technologies. Officials explained the centre’s nine sections and its role in renewable electricity generation. Ambassadors also joined an interactive presentation on UAE sustainability initiatives and current renewable energy projects linked to wider development goals.

The tour ended with a visit to the main viewing platform at the Liwa International Festival, where the ambassadors watched dune shows featuring drone displays integrated with advanced sound, light and laser systems. Delegates expressed appreciation for the hospitality of the Al Dhafra Region and praised the UAE’s broad efforts to document, revive and protect heritage as a core element of national identity.

With inputs from WAM