Digital initiative to explore Capital's culture, heritage

Abu Dhabi - The mobile app contains regulations and policies related to the tourism sector.

Finding information, locations and other features about libraries, museums, galleries and attractions and other cultural and heritage sites in Abu Dhabi is now just a click away.
The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT - Abu Dhabi) on Tuesday launched a comprehensive digital initiative, which will act as a 'one-stop' reference point for all information relating to culture in the emirate.
The initiative, launched as part of the UAE Innovation Month, is called 'Abu Dhabi Culture' and will allow users to gain instant access to information on all aspects of cultural life and heritage in the emirate.
'Abu Dhabi Culture', which features a website, a mobile app and supporting social media presence, will educate culture-seeking locals, expats and tourists on one level, at the same time as becoming a reference point for researchers and academics in search of more detailed information.
The mobile app contains information on cultural projects, museums and galleries, traditions, arts and traditional handicrafts, historic sites, natural attractions and events and festivals in Abu Dhabi, along with regulations and policies related to the tourism sector.
The app reveals the ancient and modern stories, experiences and inspirations of Abu Dhabi in a user-friendly platform containing informative content, useful features and personalisation tools.
The initiative brings together every aspect and feature of Abu Dhabi's culture and will make full use of the latest technologies and functionality, with features such as personalised content, 360 degree visuals, interactive floor plans, pod casts from culture experts as well as featuring a centralised profiling database across all culture locations and events.
Saif Saeed Ghobash, director-general of DCT - Abu Dhabi, said: "This is a brilliant initiative for Abu Dhabi. It's aimed at promoting cultural sites and tourism in the emirate.
"Technology is no longer a recreational tool, but a means to save time and energy. The mobile app will allow residents and visitors to reach information in a very short time," said Gobash.
He added that this product has been designed to maximise accessibility to Abu Dhabi's highly rich cultural landscape, both historical and contemporary.
"The 'Abu Dhabi Culture' digital experience will be a truly connected hub, immersing users and inspiring them to experience our culture for themselves," he said.
"We have made sure all digital touch points are as user-friendly as possible, and our aim is to make this a trusted source of information for anyone seeking cultural information about the emirate - basically we want this to be considered a 'cultural oracle'."
'Abu Dhabi Culture' App is available in three languages; Arabic, English and French. It features on iOS and Android platforms and can be accessed online at abudhabiculture.ae.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com

Abu Dhabi Culture app's features 
> User interest-based content recommendations
> Content search by category and location.
> 360° virtual tours and image galleries of famous cultural attractions and sites.
> Bookmarking for favourite articles.
> Integrated TripAdvisor reviews.
> Facility to buy ticket and book visit.
> Directions, address and visiting time information on attractions and historic sites.
> Personalised calendar, content, nearby events and attractions, and trip plan.

• Abu Dhabi