Tourism Court set up at Abu Dhabi airport

A special court and a tourism prosecution have been launched at the Abu Dhabi International Airport to handle minor offences committed by tourists.
The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department on Saturday announced that the Tourism Court is intended to provide speedy judicial services to the tourists and complete their trials in the shortest time possible.
Counsellor Ali Mohammed Al Balushi, Attorney-General of Abu Dhabi, said the Tourism Prosecution will work in cooperation with the relevant authorities to provide "quality services in accordance with international best practices".
"The initiative will help in the creation of a clear database of legal issues that tourists may face during their stay in the country - in particular those resulting from differences in people's cultures and the laws applicable in different countries," he said.
The decision to set up the tourism prosecution and court was issued early this year by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Judicial Department.
Deemed the first of its kind in the world, the move is also part of efforts aimed at promoting the economic competitiveness of Abu Dhabi as a sustainable tourist destination.
Counsellor Yousef Saeed Al Abry, undersecretary of the department, stressed the importance of compliance of judicial services to the accelerating development in Abu Dhabi.
He quoted a statement of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, that the UAE would celebrate the export of last barrel of oil, as the country adopts the economic diversification policy.
He also referred to the importance of providing various sources of income to citizens without depending solely on oil, and building a sustainable economy, which requires establishing comprehensive infrastructure that matches these ambitions.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com

Ismail Sebugwaawo

ismail@khaleejtimes.com