Miral Destinations’ Senior Vice President Sales, Lisa Goswell, brought over 20 years’ experience with brands like Atlantis The Palm and SeaWorld to Yas Island’s leadership—she sat down in the Travel Bulletin hot seat to unpack the agent opportunity the destination presents
Why should travel agents be selling Yas Island Abu Dhabi?
Yas Island Abu Dhabi is one of the world’s fastest growing entertainment destinations and future home of Disney’s latest theme park destination.
The UK market is growing fast for Yas Island; guest favourites are Ferrari Worldâ„¢, Yas Waterworld, and Warner Bros. Worldâ„¢ Yas Island Abu Dhabi.
Beyond the parks, Yas Island offers pristine beaches, Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi’s largest shopping mall, and Yas Marina Circuit. The circuit is the home of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix where Lando Norris just brought home the F1 World Championship!
The island features Etihad Arena, a leading venue for global events and world class concerts—travel at the right time and your guests can even take in a concert or a musical.
Everything is minutes apart, connected by complimentary shuttles and simple walkways that make navigating the Island effortless.
How accessible is Yas Island for Brits?
For UK travellers, Yas Island is a strong destination proposition due to its convenience and connectivity. Direct flights from major UK airports to Zayed International Airport Abu Dhabi take approximately seven hours, and British passport holders enjoy visa-free entry.
Distance to other world-class offerings is also key: Yas Island is 20 minutes from Downtown Abu Dhabi and 50 minutes from Dubai, giving the option to combine a stay with Dubai attractions or a split holiday between the two.
What resources can travel agents use to boost sales?
For travel agents, Yas Island is exceptionally easy to sell. Its compact layout, wide variety of attractions, and year-round appeal from winter sun for UK travellers to indoor, climate-controlled experiences during the UAE summer, make it suitable for families, couples, thrill-seekers, and relaxation focused travellers alike. 10 hotels across different price points, including the iconic W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, and The WB™ Abu Dhabi, allow agents to match guests to the perfect stay.
Agents can access YasInsiders.com, the island’s dedicated training platform designed to enhance product knowledge, highlight key selling points, and provide up-to-date information, tools, and sales advice. To ensure hassle-free booking, Yas Island’s Stay & Play packages bundle hotel stays with theme park access offering the best value.
With its broad appeal, seamless design, and high conversion potential, Yas Island is a destination that travel agents can confidently recommend and easily sell.
What’s on the horizon for Yas Island?
Yas Island continues to grow with exciting new developments that enhance its appeal for every type of traveller.
The biggest recent milestone is the second phase of Yas Waterworld’s massive expansion, which officially opened to the public on July 1st, 2025 with a third phase planned for next year. The expansion builds on the park’s original story and offers even more aquatic adventures for guests of all ages.
Most recently, Yas Island launched Stranger Things: The Experience, giving guests the chance to step into Hawkins Lab for an immersive, tech-driven adventure running until February 15th, 2026.
One of the most anticipated additions is the new beach at Yas Bay, which will introduce fresh dining, entertainment, and waterfront experiences—it will offer a lively atmosphere for couples, groups, and adults.
Looking ahead, a key highlight on the horizon is the Harry Potter–themed land coming to Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi, set to introduce a deeply immersive new world and further elevate Yas Island’s global draw.
With these expansions along with a strong calendar of year-round events, Yas Island continues to evolve, ensuring that every visit feels new. This creates powerful selling opportunities for travel agents and compelling reasons for guests, including repeat travellers, to return.
Lisa Goswell is Senior Vice President of Sales at Miral Destinations.
Partner content in partnership with Yas Island Abu Dhabi/Miral Destinations. Image Credits: Miral Destinations
