Picture a network of railways akin to the European Railway Network, coupled with the ease of a unified GCC visa, and you have a recipe for enhanced connectivity and growth
Author Archives: Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi
Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, the visionary leader and the Group Chief Executive Officer of Miral, has been a driving force in transforming the company into a powerhouse within the leisure, entertainment and tourism sector. Joining Miral in 2015, Al Zaabi’s strategic insight and unwavering dedication have propelled Miral to the forefront of the industry.
Under his leadership, Miral’s portfolio on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, has thrived into a global renowned entertainment, leisure, and business destination. For over 13 years, Miral has conceived, created, developed, operated, and managed immersive destinations and experiences that attract worldwide visitors from across the world to create unforgettable memories, accelerating the realization of the Emirate’s economic diversification.
Miral has invested in multiple mega projects on Yas Island and Abu Dhabi, successfully forging key business partnerships with some of the world’s most recognizable leisure and entertainment brands, including Ferrari, SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. and Warner Bros.
Al Zaabi’s leadership played a key role in shaping Yas Island’s destination strategy that has contributed to the emirate’s consistent growth. By introducing new attractions and experiences, Yas Island has seen a constant growth in visitation. In 2023, the destination recorded 34 million visits, reflecting a 38% growth from 2022.
Building on Yas Island’s successful destination management, Miral was appointed to oversee destination management for Saadiyat Island in 2022 and has since then elevated the destination’s awareness. In 2023 visitation grew by 44% compared to 2022.
Underscoring Al Zaabi’s success, Yas Island is now home to several world-class and award-winning experiences, and in 2023, whichit recorded 34 million visits in 2023, reflecting a 38% increase from 2022’s visitation. Building on this success, Miral was appointed in 2022 to oversee the Destination Management Strategy of Saadiyat Island, where visitation increased in 2023 by 44% in compared to 2022.
Before joining Miral, Al Zaabi made his first venture into project and construction development in 2008 when he joined Aldar Properties PJSC. He worked across various business units, including the Head of Integrated Technologies, Director of Estates, and Director of Strategic Investments. Before that, he joined a subsidiary of Emirates Advanced Investment as Head of Integrated Technologies.
His current board positions include Chairman of Miral Destinations, Miral’s trade and promotion subsidiary for Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, and Member of the Board of Directors at Miral Experiences, which operates a diverse portfolio of world-class and award-winning immersive experiences and attractions in Abu Dhabi. As one of the most influential people in his industry, he was recognized in the top ten of Forbes Middle East’s Top 100 Travel & Tourism Leaders for 2024.
He was the first Emirati to receive the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certificate, one of the IT industry’s most prestigious certifications. He also holds an Executive MBA from INSEAD, an MSc in Strategic Project Planning from Heriot-Watt University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from UAE University.
Under his leadership, Miral’s portfolio continues to evolve, reimagining visitor experiences and pushing the boundaries of unforgettable experiences.
All Articles