VZCZCXRO2217
RR RUEHROV
DE RUEHAD #1312/01 3211305
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 161305Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1761
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE
RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI 8040

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 001312 
 
SIPDIS 
State please pass widely in the interagency 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AMGT PREL OVIP OTRA AE
SUBJECT: PLANNING A SUCCESSFUL VISIT TO THE UAE 
 
ABU DHABI 00001312  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1.  As the UAE hosts to an increasing number of USG travelers, the 
Mission offers the following perspective on how to plan for a 
successful visit, with a caution about overextended demands on the 
UAE leadership and a chronic lack of hotel capacity in Abu Dhabi, 
with periodic problems related to hotel space and cost in Dubai. 
 
Effective visit protocol 
------------------------ 
 
¶2.  For CY 2008 to date, the Mission has hosted almost 3000 official 
USG visitors.  Of those, 16 were at the POTUS, FLOTUS, or Cabinet 
level.  Amongst sub-cabinet senior officials, from Deputy Secretary 
to Deputy Assistant Secretary and military equivalents, we have 
hosted over 60 visitors, or about 6 per month.  In addition, we have 
welcomed more than 24 CODELS and STAFFDELS. 
 
¶3.  Post appreciates the value of well focused senior level visits. 
From a protocol perspective, here are the keys to success: 
 
--- TWO WEEKS ADVANCE NOTICE:  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a 
"two week notice" policy for facilitating official meetings. 
Adherence to the MFA policy is critical to our success in seeking 
appropriate host nation interaction.  For visits seeking Dubai 
senior appointments, the separate Dubai protocol structure creates 
yet another layer that requires significant early engagement to 
assure successful meetings.  Short notice visitors often do not get 
the appointments they seek. 
 
--- AIMING TOO HIGH MISSES THE TARGET:  A large number of visitors 
seek meetings with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, 
Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed, or in Dubai, Vice President, PM 
and Dubai Ruler Mohammed bin Rashid; these senior figures are 
increasingly unavailable.  In this protocol conscious environment, 
aiming too high wears out our welcome and diminishes our access. 
Visitors are more likely to be successful in arranging meetings at 
the counterpart level. 
 
--- TIMING IS KEY -- AVOID WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS:  Emiratis remain 
protective of personal time, especially now that the pace of 
visitors from all over the world has increased.  Family time, 
national holidays, vacations, and domestic (UAE-centered) duties 
often make senior Emiratis unavailable to meet foreign visitors. 
Official meetings are not scheduled on the weekend (Friday-Saturday) 
and from Thursday afternoon until Sunday mid-day senior Emiratis are 
often unavailable.  In addition, there are specific holidays to 
avoid.  On the immediate horizon, UAE National Day (December 2 but 
potentially extended for several days) and Eid al-Adha (the week of 
December 7 to 11) are blackout dates, for example, making it almost 
impossible to secure appointments for visits during the first half 
of December. 
 
Abu Dhabi hotels at a premium -- always high season 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
¶4.  Travelers must plan for the chronic shortage of hotel space in 
Abu Dhabi, which hosts an extraordinary number of international 
business and cultural events.  Prices rise with demand, which means 
astronomical (and shifting) rates often above the "actual lodging" 
limit of 300% of per diem.  Recently, some visitors have been 
charged between $750 and $1000 for a double room, if they were 
available.  When they were simply unavailable, we have sought 
booking in nearby cities, like Al-Ain, over an hour away.  The 
Mission requires that all USG travelers to Abu Dhabi carry orders 
covering "actual lodging" costs.  In view of these exceptionally 
high prices, USG officials should evaluate visits on a cost/benefit 
basis, and trim delegations where possible. 
 
¶5.  Beyond the high cost, hotels demand more advance notice, credit 
card guarantees on reservations, and strict cancellation charges 
(full cost).  Fluctuating travel plans for USG visitors are an 
expensive luxury (cancelled visits can still result in large hotel 
charges).  Travelers should plan ahead, book early (guaranteeing 
with a credit card), and be secure in their intentions well ahead of 
the trip.  Given that we operate in a seller's market, we are often 
unable to prevent charges for cancelled rooms. 
 
Transit Travel Coordination 
---------------------------- 
 
¶6.  Dubai International Airport (DXB), the region's largest and 
busiest (expected to crack 40 million passengers this year) is also 
the gateway to both Pakistan and Afghanistan for many official 
travelers.  DXB is a world class airport, with ultra-modern 
infrastructure, and one that emphasizes customer service.  Consulate 
General Dubai, with its limited staff and resources, is severely 
constrained in its ability to assist the many travelers transiting 
en route to these destinations.  The Mission will do all it can, but 
most travelers should neither expect, nor require our assistance to 
transit via DXB. 
 
¶7.  Media Services and Public Affairs:  Visitors desiring media 
 
ABU DHABI 00001312  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
services should, in their initial contact, inform post and provide 
contact information for the person responsible for the visitor's or 
the delegation's press and media relations, and provide any other 
information about media goals and requirements.  PA organizes events 
in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, but to be effective it must be involved 
from the start.  All media engagements, public statements and public 
releases must be approved by the Ambassador. 
 
OLSON