Nine years, 30 holidays, one destination for mum and daughter who love UAE

Many holidaymakers express a wish to revisit the site of a happy vacation, but not many take it as literally as two German women who in nine years have visited the UAE 30 times.

Monika, centre, and Stephanie Wawrzinek with Hanns Wawrzinek at the Abu Dhabi corniche in January 2012. Courtesy Stephanie Wawrzinek

DUBAI // Stephanie and Monika Wawrzinek enjoy going on holiday, and they enjoy visiting one destination more than any other.

In just nine years, the school teachers from Germany have visited the UAE 30 times, with 20 trips to Dubai and 10 to Abu Dhabi.

“From the first visit my mum and I were fascinated by Dubai,” said Stephanie, 38.

“Since 2006 we come to Dubai and Abu Dhabi several times a year and love to spend our vacations in the amazing five-star hotels and relax at the pool and beach.”

The mother and daughter are well accquainted with all of the attractions both emirates have to offer, including old Dubai, abra rides across the creek, water parks, Lulu Island in Abu Dhabi and the world famous malls, and have also enjoyed watching some of the contry’s landmarks grow each year.

The Walk, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Residence and Downtown Dubai were all construction sites when they first visited, said Monika, 69. “We could see the Burj Khalifa rising more and more from one visit to another.”

They have had more than their fair share of luxury hotel stays too, enjoying the glamourous surroundings of Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi and Fairmont The Palm in Dubai.

“Our favourite thing about Dubai is the year-round sunshine guarantee because we are coming from mostly cold Germany,” said Stephanie.

However, it is not just the weather that brings them back time after time. “As two ladies travelling alone, we love the safety in the UAE,” said Monika.

Having begun travelling outside Germany only in 2006, the pair have collected passport stamps from all over Europe, the Caribbean and Asia, squeezed in between regular jaunts to the Emirates.

This month’s visit, which includes stays at Grosvenor House and the Westin hotels in Dubai, will be followed by another holiday for two weeks in October/November in Abu Dhabi, a nine-day visit in December / January in Abu Dhabi and 10 days in March next year in Dubai.

Issam Kazim, chief executive of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said repeat visits were important for the Emirates’ tourism plans, atlhough few were such regulars as the Wawrzineks.

“We have a lot of repeat visitors from Germany, and we are delighted to welcome the Wawrzineks to Dubai – remarkably for the 30th time.

“Their evident enduring fondness for the UAE reflects the lasting appeal as a tourism destination and the success of our ongoing efforts to enhance attractions and offerings.”

Germany has consistently been among the top 10 markets for tourists to the UAE over the past 10 years, with approximately 396,000 visitors last year, said Mr Kazim.

“Not only do we want to attract more visitors, but we also want to keep them coming back. To do this we must continue to develop and diversify offerings across the board, from theme parks and family attractions to hotels and resorts, from shopping, adventure and cultural activities to events and festivals.

“Doing so will encourage visitors to return again and again, just like the Wawrzineks do year after year, and we very much look forward to welcoming them for many more years to come.”