yachts arabia dec 2010
DESCRIPTION
Dec edition of Yachts Arabia by Kalimat GroupTRANSCRIPT
Inte
rnat
iona
l Med
ia P
rodu
ctio
n Zo
ne
January 2011, Volume 7, Issue 72
Face to Face
‘I am a Bavarian. The onlybike for me is a BMW.’--Sascha Bartz, Park Rotana Abu Dhabi
Viewpoints‘It’s a huge market.’Kingsgate Hotel GM Marwan Mseikeh on Halal
UK’s January Sales Outbound
Naqsh & RaqshCelebrating Islamic art’s unique style
Living Arabia
MELTING POT: Eat all you can, spa cuisine, food galore
THE NEXT GREAT DESTINATION
QATAR 2022MORE HOTELS TO COMEA H IGH TOURIST INFLUX IN FEW YEARS
135 cruise
shipscoming
2
MAKE GHANTOOT MARINAYOUR NEXT DESTINATION
300 BERTHS - 7 SUPERYACHT BERTHS (UP TO 55M)
The warm welcome you receive will make you feel like a friend and the relaxed atmosphere that surrounds you will make you feel as if you were at home. Located only 20 mins from Dubai and 40 mins from Abu Dhabi, Ghantoot Marina & Resort is a truly unique and welcoming marina environment. Members have access to all hotel facilities, including private beach, gym and swimming pool. The marina has 300 berths available, 7 of which will accomodate superyachts up to 55m. Contact us today for more information.
T. +971 2 562 9168 / M. +971 50 698 5367
www.ghantootmarina.com
GHANTOOTM A R I N A & R E S O R T
. .YOU’LL FIND IT REFRESHINGLY DIFFERENT
24 51’ 35 N 54 53’ 40 Eo o o o
DEVELOPER LOCATION MANAGED BY
MAKE GHANTOOT MARINAYOUR NEXT DESTINATION
300 BERTHS - 7 SUPERYACHT BERTHS (UP TO 55M)
The warm welcome you receive will make you feel like a friend and the relaxed atmosphere that surrounds you will make you feel as if you were at home. Located only 20 mins from Dubai and 40 mins from Abu Dhabi, Ghantoot Marina & Resort is a truly unique and welcoming marina environment. Members have access to all hotel facilities, including private beach, gym and swimming pool. The marina has 300 berths available, 7 of which will accomodate superyachts up to 55m. Contact us today for more information.
T. +971 2 562 9168 / M. +971 50 698 5367
www.ghantootmarina.com
GHANTOOTM A R I N A & R E S O R T
. .YOU’LL FIND IT REFRESHINGLY DIFFERENT
24 51’ 35 N 54 53’ 40 Eo o o o
DEVELOPER LOCATION MANAGED BY
2
US$100 billion in investments coming up in the next four years speaks so much about how World Cup 2022 will change Qatar’s place on the world stage of sports.
This early, a private and public sector conference has been organized to draw a roadmap of the projects needed. Speakers will include H.E. Abdulla Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Qatar’s deputy premier and minister of Energy & Industry; and Hassan Al Thawadi, CEO of the Qatar 2022 Bid Committee.
Dubbed, “Qatar Projects 2011,” the conference will define in detail all the key elements of the capital investment plan needed to support World Cup 2022, including sports facilities, transport infrastructure, utilities and hotel, and leisure projects.
Organizers said over 40 high-profile speakers, mostly senior repre-sentatives from the Middle East and North Africa will be attending the event scheduled for Feb. 7th to 9th, 2011 at Grand Hyatt, Doha.
* * * *Back here at home, an enterprising company has come up with an
idea whose time has come: A polar expedition for adventurous travel-ers craving for a change from the usual shopping and rollercoaster rides.
Al Tayyar Travel & Tourism, a member of the 30-year-old, 32-sub-sidiary, Riyadh-based Al Tayyar Travel Group has launched polar
expedition packages that allow for a closer look at bears, penguins and 8,000-year-old icebergs deep into the ice cap.
The polar packages were done in collaboration with Interserve Travel, one of India’s largest tour companies, which has facilitated the travel of over 65 adventurers to the Arctic and Antartica in the past 18 months.
Chahid Bouamrane, Al Tayyar general manager for International Business Development, said they came up with the expedition pack-ages as there has been a growing interest by local residents to travel to the Artic and Antartica.
Jojo Dass Editor
Editor’s Note
One of the items that went on display at “Naqsh & Raqsh,” an exhibition recently held at Sharjah Museum of Islamic civilization to celebrate to Islamic arts festival 2010.
2 I Travel Arabia
Burjuman Centre level 2 Dubai Outlet Mall Ground FloorTel: +971-4-35 25551, E-mail: [email protected]
4 Inte
rnat
iona
l Med
ia P
rodu
ctio
n Zo
ne
January 2011, Volume 7, Issue 72
Face to Face
‘I am a Bavarian. The onlybike for me is a BMW.’--Sascha Bartz, Park Rotana Abu Dhabi
Viewpoints‘It’s a huge market.’Kingsgate Hotel GM Marwan Mseikeh on Halal
UK’s January SalesOutbound
Naqsh & RaqshCelebrating Islamic art’s unique style
Living Arabia
MELTING POT: Eat all you can, spa cuisine, food galore
THE NEXT GREAT DESTINATION
QATAR 2022MORE HOTELS TO COMEA H IGH TOURIST INFLUX IN FEW YEARS
135 cruise
shipscoming
50
12
FIFA 2022Having won the right to host the FIFA World Cup 2022, Qatar is already calculating the tourism benefits it will bring to this side of the world.
Contributed photo
62
Starting it right in
January
Contents Jan. 2011
48
26
14
3656
EDITOR’S NOTE P.02WE HEAR YOU! P.06LET’S DO IT P.08COVER STORY P.10
LIVING ARABIA P.16FEATURE P.20SPECIAL FEATURE P.24HOMEFRONT P.34
OUTBOUND P.36ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT P.42MELTING POT P.48AROUND TOWN P.54
on the cover42
Among Qatar's attractions are fortresses like this. The country will be hosting FIFA 2022 and is expecting huge influx of tourists.
64
4 I Travel Arabia
64
MP0147_Deira Travel Arabia 28x22cm.indd 1 12/27/10 5:31:48 PM
6
We Hear You..www.travel-arabia.com
Address Travel Arabia Head Office Office G4, Building No.1 Phase One, P.O.Box 502408 Dubai Media City, UAE Tel +971 4 391 0410/1/2/3 Fax +971 4 391 6619 E-mail [email protected] Founder Hekmat el Zein
General Manager Shaza Sharaffdeen
Editor Jojo Dass [email protected]
Staff Writers Jane Canlas Jaganath
Contributors Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al ThaniMaryam JabbarHabeeb Salloum
Photographer Maher El Zein
Creative Manager Karen Haroon
Designer Najeeb Hamza
Sales & Marketing Manager Syed Muhammad Arif [email protected]
Sales & Marketing Executive Crisna De [email protected]
Circulation Manager Ihab Abdallah
Distributor Jashanmal National Co. LLC
Travel Arabia Lebanon Office Riad el solh 11072070 P.O.Box 11-1197 Beirut, Lebanon Tel +961 3 435 780 Fax +961 7 762 104
Travel Arabia disclaimer All text and layout remains the copyright of Kalimat Group International FZ LLC, unless stated otherwise. Travel Arabia is fully independent, and its views are not those of any company mentioned herein.
No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher.
All rights reserved.
© 2010 Kalimat Group International
THIS MONTH READERS TAKE A BREAK, RELAX AND SPEAK OUT
Dear editor,
Finally! Sometimes, it makes you wonder what
the big-shot, think tank policymakers in their swivel chairs up their penthouse offices in some hotels they manage have been thinking all this time trying to promote tourism and bring in as many visitors possible when all they have to do is look down the streets and see local families having a lazy stroll.
Halal—which means, “allowable” or “per-mitted” in Arabic, is a long time coming.
As you mentioned in your December 2010 edition, and citing a tourism journalist, “new hotel brands have started delivering all the traditional values and customs to accommo-date familiar authentic experiences for Muslims traveling alone or with their families. These new brands will address how Muslim needs are met and how they want to be treated.”
Moreover, the report stated that some hotels have also employed people of Arab origin to provide translation services and other assistance that may be needed by tourists.
Indeed, a long time coming.
Sandra CullbergJumeirah
Dear Ms. Cullberg,Who can even more agree?Editor.
Dear Editor,Kudos to the Dubai Department of Tourism and Com-
merce Marketing (DTCM) for having held the Concierge Competition last year—the ninth held consecutively so far.
Coming up with an activity such as this boosts the morale of hotel workers—from concierges to food and bev-erage staff, room cleaners and so on. It gives them just one more thing to work hard for—recognition. Never mind the material prizes; that plaque hanging on the wall with their pictures and names on it tells a thousand stories of how it has all been.
Frank DemetrioSatwa
Dear Mr. Demetrio,We hear you.I know someone who used to be a chef at a Manila five-star restaurant. To this day, he has this plaque recognizing him as Chef of the Year hanging by the wall of a small restaurant he has opened.Editor
Dear Editor,The beauty of Oman will come shin-
ing through in the coming months.The sultanate’s tourism ministry has
launched a comprehensive campaign that runs from Nov. 2010 to April 30th ,2011 and highlights an unprecedented international calendar of arts, sports and cultural events developed as part of Oman’s 40th anniversary celebrations.
Some of these events include Oman’s first Food Festival on Feb. 3rd to 17th, 2011; and Fashion Week from Feb. 22nd to 25th, 2011 as feature events of the upcoming Muscat Festival.
Others are the adventure-packed Extreme 40s World Sailing Champion-ships which will be held from Feb. 20th to the 24th, 2011; and the excitement-filled Tour of Oman cycle race featuring over 120 of the best names from the Tour de France which will be held Feb. 15th to the 20th, 2011.
Oman definitely is the place to be this time of the year.
Liton MizwahDeira
Dear Mr. MizwahThanks for the FYI.We actually ran a story about this in our December edition.Editor
6 I Travel Arabia
Located on an idyllic inlet of stunning turquoise water, The Cove Rotana Resort -Ras Al Khaimah offers discerning travellers the pleasures of graceful living and a
multitude of activities. With 204 rooms, 76 villas, private plunge pools in the 2 and3 bedroom villas, six outlets, seven massage rooms, infinity pools and a 600 metres of private sandy beach, along with a water sports centre, there's enough space here
to do as your heart desires.
Treasured Time. Our promise to you.
P.O. Box: 34429, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates T: +971 (0)7 206 6000, F: +971 (0)7 206 6200, [email protected]
Make time to celebrate life…
8
“New Look” - The 3rd Fashion & Beauty Exhibition10 - 15 January, 2011Al Ain Convention Center, Wedding Hall, Al Khubaisi, Al Ain City
“New Look” The 3rd Fashion & Beauty Exhibition in Al-Ain City will broaden the shows spectrum of visitors. An event dedicated to making people look good and feel great. The show aims to em-brace all aspects of the health and beauty and fashion markets, including prod-ucts and proce-dures, surgical and non-surgical treat-ments, lifestyle and image advice, well being and lifestyle products and services, it is a major gather-ing of suppliers and manufacturers in the cosmetics & toiletries industry and an opportunity to meet and develop long term business relationships.
Health & Wellness Bahrain Expo 201112 - 14 January, 2011Bahrain Exhibition & Convention Author-ity (BECA)
Your first step on the path to a healthier lifestyle. HWBE is an innovative exhibition which will be held annually at
the Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre (BIECC). HWBE aims to promote well-being and holistic lifestyle practices that will make a positive differ-ence in one’s day-to-day living. The goal of HWBE is to educate the residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council
(GCC) to live a good and healthy life.
The Agencies and Franchise Exhibition ATEX 201116 - 19 January, 2011
ATEX 2011 as the first of its kind will combine companies from more than 35 countries looking for Agents, franchisees, dealers and distributors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. ATEX Show 2011 provides an excellent platform for networking between producers, exporters, importers, traders, distributors and service providers to generate new business.
It will provide an unrivaled oppor-tunity to reinforce existing clients and make new successful business partner-ships. ATEX Show 2011, with a number of educational workshops, panel presenta-tions and exhibition, will be a must-attend
event for the traders seeking information about trading and investment options, listen to well-regard-ed market specialists, networking, and preview the newest trading products and services.
Dubai Shopping Festival 2011 Jan. 20th, 2011 to Feb. 20th, 2011.
The annual Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) has emerged as a mega tourist event since it started in 1996. The inaugural DSF attracted around
1.6 million people from across the world with the number of shoppers increasing to over 3.35 million in 2009, spending a staggering 9.8 billion dirhams, and making DSF the leading shopping event in the world.
Tourists can enjoy tax free shopping as well as heavy discounts during this 32-day event on a wide range of items including jewelry, cars, perfumes, textiles, handi-crafts and electronics items as shops and malls try to outdo each other in sales. DSF is also known for its colorful events rang-ing from jazz to cartoon shows and circus to dance shows offering wholesome family entertainment.
Let’s Do It thisWinterHere is a selection of a few proposed events around the region. Let us know your feedback.
8 I Travel Arabia
Cover Story
The‘Big Tree’
hosts the big eventFIFA World Cup 2022 secures the region’s coveted spot on the world tourism stage.
Travel Arabia10
Ad-Dawha, an Arabic reference to a prominent tree, must have stood at the site where a fishing village arose back in the 1800s. Today, Doha, that fishing village will host one of the world’s major sporting event.
Having won the right to host the FIFA World Cup 2022, Qatar is already calculating the tourism benefits it will bring to this side of the world, with none
other than bidding committee chief executive Hassan Al Thawadi saying that the entire Middle East would gain as the event could change people’s opinions with football “creating a bridge between the East and West.”
“Football helps people create a sense of belonging, and bypasses religious, cultural and political barri-ers,” local media have quoted Al Thawadi as saying. “It would help create a bridge between the East and the West.”
Qatar is an oil- and gas-rich nation, with the third largest gas reserves, and the first or second highest GDP per capita in the world. An absolute monarchy, Qatar has been ruled by the al-Thani family since the mid-19th century and has since transformed itself from a British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues.
Qatar has reportedly promised to spend $50 billion on infrastructure upgrades and $4 billion to build nine state-of-the-art stadiums and renovate three others. Qatar led in the 2022 ballot on each of the four rounds, obtaining 14 votes against eight to the US in the final round.
Qatar’s overall GDP growth has averaged 17% over the past decade. Even during the crisis in 2009 when most of the world economies retreated, Qatar posted an overall real GDP growth of 8.6%.
Travel Arabia 11
‘The Big Tree’FIFA World Cup 2022 will be
held in Doha, a name that came from the Arabic word, ad-dawha, “The Big Tree.” The reference is to a prominent tree that must have stood at the site where Doha, then a fishing village, arose on the eastern coast of the Qatar peninsula back in the 1800s.
Doha is Qatar’s largest city, with over 80% of the nation’s population residing there or in its surrounding suburbs, and is also the economic centre of the country.
Doha also serves as the seat of government of Qatar, which is ruled by Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Doha is home to the Education City, an area devoted to research and educa-tion. Doha was the site of the first ministerial-level meeting of the Doha Development Round of World Trade Organization negotiations. The city of Doha also held the 2006 Asian Games, which was the largest Asian Games ever held.
Given its location, 82 percent of
the world’s time zones will be able to receive Qatar 2022 games live in prime time, with a potential match day peak audience of 3.2 billion viewers; this has the potential to create an enhanced rights value for FIFA. Also, Middle East proximity to European and Asian mar-kets is likely to enhance the commer-cial value of tourism rights compared to South Africa 2010.
The hospitality and real estate sectors are expected to see a significant boost with the number of tourists expected to visit likely to increase, ne-cessitating a need for new hotels across class categories as well as serviced apartments and other short term resi-dential options. The food and beverage will also see a surge of investments ahead of the games.
A fully air-conditioned rapid mass transportation system is likely to be built, reports stated, even as a second international airport is due to open in 2012 with the capacity to handle 50 million passengers a year.
Travel Arabia12
Travel Arabia 13
TourismQatar is a country that abound in
tourism activities—from desert safaris to ice skating, seeing the Oryx, an ante-lope unique to Qatar; cruises and water sports; Doha Golf Club with its 18-hole, 7,181-yard, par 72 championship course designed by Peter Harradine; mammoth shopping complexes like the City Centre Doha; the souqs, a wonderful mixture of scents and sights where items are not marked with traditional price tags; and a stroll along the seven-kilometer Corniche
Also a must-see are Qatar’s towers, forts and castles among them, the Mar-roub Fort which was built during the Abbasside period on the foundations of an older fort, Marroub Fort is located on the
west coast of Qatar and bears the marks of Abbasside architectural style; and the Al-Ghuwair Castle which was built during the early 19th century and is now in ruins. It was constructed with thick walls of stone and mud in a rectangular shape.
Others include the Al Thughb Fort, which is approximately 110 kilometres from Doha, erected between the17th and 19th centuries; the Al-Rakiyat Fort whivh was restored in 1988, and was constructed also during the 17th and 19th centuries; the Barzan Tower
which was built in the 19th century as a watchtower around the Umm Salal Mohammed area; the Umm Salal Mo-hammed Fort, which is located about 20 kilometres north of Doha and built during
the late 19th and early 20th centuries; and the Al-Wajbah Fort which was the site of a famous battle and is considered the oldest fort in the country.
Important archaeological sites include Al-Zubarah, a town 100 kilometers west of Doha famous for its fort-turned-museum which was constructed in 1938; and Al-Jassasiya, which is composed of a number of rocky hills overlooking the northeastern coast of Qatar, the hills of Al-Jassasiya contain numerous stone carvings and engravings which are speculated to date back to pre-historic times. Known for its fine beaches, Al-Jassasiya and its neigh-bour, Fuwairet, are popular for weekend excursions.
Travel Arabia14
Daily
DEEP SEA FISHING & CRUISING
Experience the ultimate thrill & fun of
Cruise around the iconic Burj Al Arab, The Palm & The World Islands.
Proud to be Fishing & Cruising Pioneers
Tel: 04 2950516 Mob: 050 9266209Email: [email protected] www.cruiseindubai.com
24 Hrs. ReservationAsia Pacific
T R AV E L S & T O U R I S MISO 9001:2008 Certified
Fishing Boats and luxury Yachts are fully equipped and insured.Refreshments - Soft drinks - Chips - Nuts & Fishing equipment available on board.Pick-up & Drop-back facility included
Onboard Facilities:
Daily Fishing trip 4 hours
AED 2800/-Exclusive up to 8 Pax
Daily Fishing trip 4 hours Per Person. Min. 2 Pax.
AED 600/-CALL FOR TAILOR MADE PACKAGES TO SUIT YOUR REQUIREMENTS.
16
Living Arabia
Naqsh &RaqshCelebrating Islamic art’s unique style.
Written by Maryam Jabbar
Professor and a practicing interior designer.
16 I Travel Arabia
17Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civi-lization celebrated the achieve-ments of Islam, its civilization, its scientists and artists through an
exhibition held Dec. 5th to the 31st, 2010. The event served as an inspiration for visitors to explore the fascinating Islamic heritage.
Located in what is locally known as Souq-Al-Majarah, the museum beautifully sits in front of the picturesque Sharjah Creek. It opened in 1987, and has since transformed into a state-of-art cultural
venue.Sharjah Museum is devoted to
providing workshops, and other volun-teer activities around the year. Different exhibitions were being done, among which was “Naqsh and Raqsh.”
Naqsh means engraving; it stands for miniature and ornamenting of forms. Raqsh means good calligraphy, uniting punctuations and coloring of objects in contrasting colors.
“Naqsh and Raqsh” was the theme adopted for the Islamic Arts Festival 2010 to appreciate the two main exclusive tech-niques used by Islamic artists in creating
paintings, miniatures and ornamentations on holy scripts in copper, pot-tery and glass wares.
Sharjah held the 13th Festi-val of Islamic Art to appreciate and embrace the geniuses and serious work of Islamic and oriental arts.
The artists and creators were of various nationalities and
backgrounds like Simeen Farhat who is from Pakistan; Australian Peter Gould; Palestinian Leila Shawa. Iranians Jamshed Barmaid and Parastou Forohou; Finnish Mari Rantanem and Ahmed Al Haradi of UAE.
All art works stressed on the leading role of calligraphy and were committed to enhance the old and modern Islamic art from East to West.
Among the paintings and photograph-ic works that went on display was that of Farhat’s “Charmed, Frenzied and Mad.”
The art work grabbed attention as it
Travel Arabia I 17
18
All art works stressed on the leading role of calligraphy and were committed to enhance the old and modern Islamic art from East to West.
aimed towards portraying the real meaning of Islam by using Urdu and Persian poetries in her work and, interplaying with various media such as metal solids, structured
works in written texts where letters were intertwined with each other.
The most interesting instil-lation included a group of people figures whose presence created a dialogue that seeks to highlight the interrela-tion between the mind and the soul.
“Al Hajj’ by Jamshed Bayrami
an Iranian artist, exhibited his collection of photographs that he shot in the holy shrines of Mecca in 2006. Submission to the Almighty Merciful Allah can be seen in
his pictures, where there is a reflection of deep sense of faith.
Audio and visual exhibition also showed the transformation of Arabic cal-ligraphy to different mediums of expres-sion. Interactive workshops, lectures, and exhibitions were held throughout the month. Such an exhibition is one having various chairs which were ornamented with calligraphy by various students and artists, and were placed around the city. It aimed to create random social clusters by spreading chairs in an open space, with a single performer that served as an attrac-tion to the audience.
Photographic portraits by the Emirati Photographers Society, “Smile to life –gal-lery’ has a beautiful effect on the viewer as well. Its concept revolved around the Hadith of the Holy Prophet (May all Peace be Upon Him) “Your smiling to your companion is like alms.”
18 I Travel Arabia
For reservation & inquiries:
P.O. Box 119137, Dubai, UAE • T: +971 4 3555150 • F: +9714 3555157 • Email: [email protected] • www.belvederecourt.ae
Belvedere Court Hotel Apartments invites you….
You’re invited to experience a whole new world of convenience, luxury and comfort that only the best of hotels can offer. Enjoy the highest standards of hospitality in a unique and contemporary setting. Located in the centre of Dubai’s bustling shopping district with only 5 minutes walking distrance from Burjuman Shopping Centre. With 173 aesthetically designed and fully furnished rooms, including 89 Studios and 84 One Bedroom Apartments along with round-the-clock Room Service, provide just the right environment for both business and leisure.
20
Feature
DefinedS is for ‘Sustainable’
Sustainable tourism, one that establishes a suitable balance between the environ-mental, economic and socio-cultural aspects of tourism development, plays
an important role in conserving biodiversity. It attempts to minimize its impact on the environment and local culture so that it will be available for future generations, while contrib-uting to generate income, employment, and
the conservation of local ecosystems. – World Tourism Organization.
Sustainable tourism is an industry com-mitted to making a low impact on the envi-ronment and local culture, while helping to generate future employment for local people. The positive of sustainable tourism is to ensure that development is a positive experience for local people; tourism companies; and tourists
themselves. – WikipediaSustainable Tourism refers to a level of
tourism activity that can be maintained over the long term because it results in a net benefit for the social, economic, natural and cultural environments of the area in which it takes place. – ICOMOS
Sustainable tourism: Tourism that is eco-nomically, socioculturally and environmentally
20 I Travel Arabia
21
sustainable. With sustainable tourism, sociocultural and environmental impacts are neither permanent nor irreversible. – John Beech and Simon Chadwick
Breaking down these big words, sustainable tourism means caring for the environment. In other words, being a responsible tourist, and a responsible hospitality provider.
As one of the world’s largest and fastest grow-ing industries, tourism’s continuous growth is seen to place a great stress on the remaining biologically diverse habitats and indigenous cultures, which are often used to support mass tourism.
This is where responsible tourism plays an important role. Responsible tourists can reduce the adverse impact of tourism by simply informing themselves of the culture, politics, and economy of the communities visited; anticipating and respect-ing local cultures, expectations and assumptions; supporting local economies by purchasing local goods and participating with small, local businesses; conserving resources by seeking out businesses that are environmentally conscious; and by using the least possible amount of non-renewable resources.
The pillars of responsible tourism are the same as those of sustainable tourism – environmental integrity, social justice and economic development. The major difference between the two is that, in responsible tourism, individuals, organisations and businesses are asked to take responsibility for their actions and the impacts of their actions. This shift in emphasis has taken place because some stakehold-ers feel that insufficient progress towards realising
sustainable tourism has been made. This is partly because everyone has been expecting others to behave in a sustainable manner.
The emphasis on responsibility in responsible tourism means that everyone involved in tourism – government, product owners and operators, transport operators, community services, NGO’s and CBO’s, tourists, local communities, industry as-sociations – are responsible for achieving the goals of responsible tourism.
Responsible tourism can be regarded as a behaviour. It is more than a form of tourism as it represents an approach to engaging with tourism, be that as a tour-ist, a business, locals at a destination or any other tourism stakeholder. It empha-sises that all stakeholders are responsible for the kind of tourism they develop or engage in.
As with the view of responsible tour-ism, responsible hospitality is essentially about creating better places for people to live in, and better places for people to visit. This does not mean all forms of hospitality are also forms of tourism although hospitality is the largest sector of the tourism industry.
While it has been argued that the sole responsibility of business was to generate profit for shareholders, the idea that businesses’ responsibility extends beyond this has existed for
For all its worth, much has been said about what SUSTAINABLE TOURISM is…and we still keep missing the point.
Brazil’s Curitiba City has been awarded the Globe Sustainable City Award 2010
The Brazilian city of Curitiba last year won the Globe Sustainable City Award 2010 for excellent sustainable urban development. The competition was hard and the runners-up were sustainable cities like Malmoe in Sweden, Murcia in Spain, Songpa in South Korea, Stargard Szczecinski in Poland (the winner of the Globe Award Polish Edition 2009) and Sydney in Aus-tralia. Curitiba’s holistic approach to sustainable urban development impressed the jury and the city was unanimously selected as a winner.The jury’s motivation: “The City of Curitiba shows maturity in their understanding of sustain-able city development – both regarding policy and implementation. The holistic approach is well framed and managed in order to create a strong and healthy community, integrating the environ-mental dimension with other dimensions like intel-lectual, cultural, economic and social.” The Globe Sustainability Awards have been given out since 2007 in four categories: Sustainable research, innovation, reporting and cities. For more information about the other Globe Award winners see www.globeaward.org.
DID YOU KNOW?
Travel Arabia I 21
22
decades and is most frequently encountered in the concept of corporate social responsibili-ty—beach clean-ups, etc.
There are numerous things businesses can do to engage in responsible hospitality. How-ever, often acts of corporate social responsibility are undertaken because of the perceived benefit to business. Usually in hospitality this relates to the cost reductions associated with improved energy efficiency like lighting and water systems, but may also relate to, for example, the rise in ethical consumerism and the view that being seen to be a responsible business is beneficial to revenue growth.
As per the Cape Town Declaration on Re-sponsible Tourism (see www.icrtourism.org.) re-sponsible hospitality is culturally sensitive. Instead of then calling for the unachievable, responsible hospitality simply makes the case for more respon-sible forms of hospitality, hospitality that benefits locals first, and visitors second. Certainly, all forms of hospitality can be improved and managed so that negative impacts are minimised whilst striving for a maximisation of positive impacts.
Some stakeholders feel that insufficient progress towards realising sustainable tourism has been made partly because everyone has been expecting others to behave in a sustainable manner. But no one was actually doing it.
22 I Travel Arabia
32858 M1 Parents.pdf 1 9/23/10 4:52 PM
24
Special Feature
All it takes is a single step to pass from the Northern Hemisphere to the South-ern Hemisphere. Here, in the Middle of the World, at zero latitude, the shade
vanishes with the vertical midday sun. The first inhabitants carefully followed the
course of the stars. The Incas were so fascinated with this energy center that they incorporated it into their empire.
In 1736, the Frenchman Charles-Marie de la Condamine embarked on a scientific journey to Spanish America to prove the width of the earth in Ecuador. Today, the Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) is one of the most visited, and largest scientific, and cultural centers in the country.
Due to its prime loca-tion along the equator line, Ecuador is also the country of eternal springtime. The country’s great geographi-cal diversity has produced a variety of climates and microclimates, ideal environ-ments for the flourishing of flora and fauna.
Ecuador is a real sustain-able paradise. Its commit-ment on protecting natural, cultural, and human mega-diversity is the main goal of this country, which leads sustainable tourism in Latin America.
In fact, the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) together with National Geographic Traveler magazine gave Ecuador the Gold Odyssey Award in the category “Travel to a better World Awards” for Ecuador’s advertising focused on sustainable tourism.
While only the size of the state of Nevada, Ecuador is considered to be among the 17 most diverse countries in the world, and its geographi-
cal, biological, and cultural diversity is unparal-leled. Here, visitors can admire the snow-capped Andes mountains, explore the wonders of the Amazon rainforest, surf the waves along the sun soaked Pacific beaches, and visit the legendary Galapagos Islands—one of the most important national parks in the world.
Located in a privileged part of the planet, in the northwest of South America and on the Equa-tor, Ecuador shares borders with Colombia to the north, and Peru to the south and east. Ecuador is divided into four different worlds, including the Galapagos Islands, the Pacific Coast, the High-lands (Northern and Southern Andes), and the Amazon. It contains 33 natural state-protected
reserves and extensive tropi-cal forests that are home to approximately 1,640 species of birds; 4,500 species of butterflies, 345 species of reptiles, 358 species of am-phibians, and 258 species of mammals, amongst others. The Sangay and Galapagos National Parks, as well as the Galapagos Marine Reserve, have been declared UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites.
Ecuador is also home to a diverse assortment of people
hailing from 27 different ethnic backgrounds, including 13 indigenous groups, in addition to its majority mestizo population. Colorful fiestas, fine handi-crafts, and delicious traditional cuisine also attest to the rich diversity of the country.
A true example in sustainable tourism, Ecuador is committed to protecting its natural, cultural, and human mega-diversity. Through such initiatives as its “Best Management Practices” program, established in partnership with the Rainforest Alliance, the country as established a
Four worlds, diverse cultures, and the largest amount of flora and fauna per square kilometer in the world. Indeed, Ecuador must be the place to get back to nature.
24 I Travel Arabia
25EcuadorThe land at the middle of the world is where life is at its purest —a real sustainable paradise.
Travel Arabia I 25
26
sus-tainable tourism infra-structure that works to conserve its wildlife, en-vironment, and protect its native cultures.
In its wildly different landscapes, small and large, unique and color-ful cities have grown. Situated in an Andean Mountain valley, Quito, the capital of Ecuador, is two cities in one. Quito’s “old town” is the larg-est and best-preserved historic colonial center in Latin America, and its model “new city” is a bustling business and cultural center full of at-tractions. Cuenca, located in the Southern Andes, is home to beautiful colonial
architecture, and some of the country’s most impressive art museums. It is also situated in close proximity to a number of historical pre-Colombian archaeologi-cal sites.
Both Quito and Cuenca were declared UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites for their beautiful colonial centers. Meanwhile, Guayaquil, the country’s principal port, is a thriving metropolis in which the flavor of the coast, tropical attractions, beaches, his-
tory, and the archae-ology of the most an-cient peoples of the Americas combine with the best urban avant-garde designs. Guayaquil has been renowned by the UN as a model for urban development for its innovative urban renewal projects which have restored many of this city’s historical neighborhoods, parks, avenues, transportation systems, ports and squares.
Ecuador is the most diverse country in the world in proportion with its size. With four very different worlds: Galapa-gos, nature at its purest, the Pacific Coast, where the green beaches meet the sea; the Andes, the avenue of the volcanoes; and the Amazon, from the Andean peaks to the jungle.
Galapagos is where to find bird species such as the blue-footed, red-footed and masked boobies, flamingos, and penguins. The Islands are also home to finches, frig-ate birds, albatrosses, and pelicans. The is-lands are a living laboratory of animal spe-cies that do not exist anywhere else on the planet. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, where national and international scientists carry out biological research and conservation projects. Here, you can also see giant tortoises and their one-year-old offspringand an iguana nesting site.
At the Pacific Coast, alongside ports, fishing villages, and modern cities, dense protected forests grow with their gigantic and moist terracotta roots. The tallest mangroves in the world (64 meters / 194 feet high) are found in the Majagual forest in the Cayapas-Mataje Ecological. Andes, the “Avenue of the Volcanoes” is where volcanoes that are more than 16,400 feet/5,000 meters high and are perma-nently covered with
26 I Travel Arabia
27
snow and glaciers dating back to ancient times can be found. The tallest active volcano in the world, Cotopaxi (19,350 feet/5,897 meters above sea level), is the perfect setting for charming villages and fertile valleys.
Throughout the Andes mountain range, you will find impressive plateaus, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, hot springs, cloud forests, valleys, indigenous markets and picturesque villages, and historical as well as modern colonial cities. In addition to this enchanting panorama, a number of haciendas dating back to colonial times can be found along the “Avenue of the Volcanoes”.
Ecuador has a large protected area (18% of the country); is second in the world for endemic vertebrates; third in the world for amphibians; fourth in the world for bird species; fifth in the world for butterflies; home to 10% of the world’s plant species; home to 10.7% of all vertebrate animals on the planet, and 35% of all species of humming birds...all this in 0.19% of the earth’s surface.
Quito, with its exceptional location on the Equator and at some 9,000 feet above sea level, was the first city in the world to be declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1978. The Historical Center of Quito, the largest and best conserved in the whole of Latin America, is a true museum stretched out over 320 hectares (791 acres), and is con-sidered a “Shrine of Art in America.”
The beauty of Cuenca’s histori-cal center, also declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, presents a particular type of republican architecture that blends in with stunning geographi-cal surroundings. Cuenca also has a rich cultural history, and is the site of numerous traditional festivals through-out the year. Riobamba and Loja are two other cities rich in history and which contain well preserved colonial centers. The pre-Colombian archaeologicalruins of Ingapirca, the Temple of the Sun, was used for the ceremonies and rituals of the Cañari and Inca cultures. This elliptical structure with carved stones is one of the most important archaeological sites in the country.
The 13 indigenous groups that inhab-it Ecuador have conserved many of their ancient customs, including their languag-es, myths, legends, rituals, and celebra-tions. The vibrant Afro-Ecuadorian cul-ture living in the province of Esmeraldas inthe northwest of Ecuador, has origins
Travel Arabia I 27
28dat-
ing back to the sixteenth century when African slaves were brought by the Spanish to work in the gold mines of Colombia. Many managed to escape and fled to Ecua-dor, where they formed a populatation of approximately 500,000 Afro-Ecuadorians. This coastal group is famous for their-dance and music, which they play from native instruments like the marimba, bombo, and the guasa.
The indigenous groups of the Amazon are renowned for their skill and ances-tral knowledge in terms of traditional medicine. For the Amazonian people, the
rainforest provides shelter, food, medicinal plants, and spiritual wealth. They are ex-tremely respectful and careful to preserve its ecological balance, and live in harmony with nature, taking only what they need for survival. Musical works, traditional folkloric ballets, and magnificent plays portraying life in Ecuador can also be enjoyed in a variety of venues throughout the country.
Ecuadorians are honest, warm and service-oriented people who truly enjoy welcoming foreign visi-tors to their coun-try. Their friendly nature makes travelers feel safe and well looked after, as they are treated like guests rather than tourists. Ecuadorians are proud of their culture, passionate about conserving their way of life and keen to sharing their traditions and rituals with foreigners. Very close to lakes and lagoons, old colonial haciendas conserve the atmosphere of the past and allow visitors to delight in discovering the country’s mestizo roots. Visitors enjoy the aroma of the flowers and delight in
the aromas and flavors of cocoa, coffee, banana, and sugarcane in the modern plantations.
Some indigenous communities in the Andes, and along the Pacific coast, invite visitors into their homes to share their customs and beliefs. In the Amazon region, there are as many as 40 ecotourism projects, lead by local groups, designed to provide travelers a unique and educational experience in the Amazon. Perhaps most rewarding for a visitor is the opportunity to be a participant, rather than just an observer.
Due to its small size, visitors can easily travel to each of Ecuador’s four worlds. Only in Ecuador can a traveler climb the tallest active volcano in the world, kayak the rapids of the Amazon rainforest, criss-cross the Equatorial line on horseback, surf tropical Pacific swells along a Pre-Incan archaeological site, and swim with penguins, marine iguanas, sea lions and harmless whale sharks – all in one trip!
28 I Travel Arabia
29
Ideally located on Sheikh Zayed Road, Media City, Fraser Suites Dubai is close to famous landmarks such as the Palm Jumeirah, Ski Dubai, Souk Madinat and vast stretches of golden sand beaches lining the Dubai coastline are also nearby. Golfers are spoilt for choice with the award-winning Montgomerie Dubai, Emirates Golf Club and Arabian Ranches Golf Club within easy reach. A compli-mentary shuttle bus links Fraser Suites Dubai with Internet City, Media City and Mall of the Emirates throughout the day.
Each of the stylish one, two and three bedroom suites and penthouses enjoy breathtaking views and are furnished to a 5 star deluxe standard with open plan living spaces, a full kitchen, luxurious bedding and designer amenities. The business centre and executive board-rooms are perfect for small meetings and private gatherings. Our extensive lifestyle facilities include outdoor swimming and wading pools, a state-of-the-art gymna-sium, steam and sauna, Kid’s Club, tennis court and squash court. Or perhaps choose to relax and unwind in Aqua Café or balance the body, mind and soul at Awazen Spa.
Services & Offerings:• 24 hour reception, concierge and secu rity• Daily housekeeping services• Daily newspaper• 24 hour in-suite dining• All suites are fully equipped with kitchen facilities• CCTV surveillance• Aqua Café – Situated at the poolside, Aqua Café offers all day alfresco dining with sparkling service in a relaxed breezy environment. The menu features a selec-tion of fresh salads, pasta dishes, gourmet burgers and tantalizing desserts comple-mented by daily specials. • Resident’s Lounge• DVD library* • Airport limousine transfers on re quest*• Guest laundry and dry-cleaning ser vice*• Baby sitting*• Foreign Exchange• Guest parking facilities – secure un dercover car parking• Travel Desk• WIFI Internet connection*
*Fees apply
Lifestyle facilites:• Swimming Pool
• Children’s Wading Pool
• Gymnasium
• Awazen Spa*
• Kid’s Club
• Tennis Court
• Squash Court
• Aerobics
• Steam & Sauna with Changing Rooms
Fraser Suites Dubai
Website: dubai.frasershospitality.com
Travel Arabia I 29
30
Medical Tourism
Arabian Travel Market 2011 focuses on medical tourism
Arabian Travel Market, the lead-ing travel exhibition in the Middle East, plans to dedicate pavilion for the medical tourism sector at the 2011 show which is scheduled for May 2nd to the 5th, 2011.
According to consultants McKinsey and Company, global healthcare tour-ism will be worth $100 billion by 2012. A recent survey has shown that 35 countries were recognised as healthcare tour-ism providers of which the UAE came eleventh, India came out on top with Thailand and Singapore second and third respectively.
Services typically sought by travel-ers include elective procedures as well as complex specialised surgeries such as joint replacement, cardiac surgery, dental surgery and cosmetic surgery. However, virtually every type of health care, includ-ing psychiatry, alternative treatments, convalescent care are available.
Many healthcare professionals have agreed that price is driving much of this fledgling industry sector. According to the University of Delaware in the US, the cost
of surgery in India, Thailand or South Africa can be one-tenth of what it is in the United States or Western Europe. For
example a heart-valve replacement that would cost $200,000 or more in the US, costs around $10,000 in India, including a round-trip airfare and hotel accommoda-tion.
The UAE has developed the 435-acre Dubai Healthcare City to position itself as the regional centre of excellence in medi-cal tourism.
“The UAE is clearly promoting itself as a quality destination for medical tour-ism,” said Mark Walsh, Group Exhibition Director, Arabian travel Market. Dubai in particular has invested wisely in health-care infrastructure. Over the last few years 14 hospitals have been accredited to Joint Commissions International standards in the US, the world’s leading accreditation organisation.
For more information on Arabian Travel Market 2011, please log on to www.arabiantravelmarket.com
Mark Walsh, Arabian Travel Market
Study says global healthcare tourism will be worth US$ 100 billion by 2012.
The cost of surgery in
India, Thailand or South
Africa can be on-tenth
of what it is in the US or
Western Europe
30 I Travel Arabia
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
AUS-English-Yacht 11-09 .pdf 11/15/09 3:40:47 PM
32
ViewpointsWhat lies ahead for Halal-friendly tourism? They’re saying…
Halal-friendly hotels. Has the time come? Halal is an Arabic word meaning lawful or permitted. The opposite of halal is Haram, which means unlawful or prohibit-ed. Halal and Haram are universal terms that apply to all facets of life. However, we use these terms only in relation to food products, meat products, food ingredients, and food contact materials. Hotels worldwide have recognized the need to be compliant and even traditional fast food chains have done so.Taj Palace is 100 % compliant and is the first hotel in Deira with a No Alcohol policy, and no Haram products are served or sold.
Halal-friendly tourism. What is your view? It’s no longer a niché market, and the number of people choosing Halal is growing. Not only in the Arab or Middle Eastern region, but in countries with a large Muslim popula-tion.
Is there a big market out there?The market is huge and growing! The economy in those countries is growing and as result of increased spending power the number of travelers increases.
What are your plans to corner the market?Taj Palace is already well established; however competi-tion is growing as other hotel operators have recognized this potential. Focused marketing and sales in new and secondary markets such as Malaysia, Indonesia, parts of India as well as the former Soviet Union states such as Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan will certainly be included in our marketing plan.
Halal-friendly hotels. Has the time come? Very much so – about 25% of the global population is Muslim and so this makes up a huge potential market.Halal-friendly tourism. What is your view? With travel easier and more affordable these days as many low-cost carriers are now in existence promoting increased travel; and with a substantial
increase in tourism from and to the Middle East and Asia (the re-gions requiring Halal-friendly hotels), promoting yourself as somewhere that is Halal-friendly is a must.
Is there a big market out there? Absolutely – with about 25% of the global population being Muslim, we have seen a huge increase in the de-mand for a place that is alcohol free and Halal-friendly—from the GCC (primarily UAE and Saudi) and also some parts of Asia such as Malaysia and Indonesia.What are your plans to corner the market? We have no plans to corner the market but are keen to promote ourselves as the ideal venue—location-wise, product-wise and service-wise to those seeking a Halal-friendly experience.
Andreas Mueller, General Manager, Taj Palace Hotel Dubai
Mark Deere, Arjaan by Rotana, Dubai
32 I Travel Arabia
33
Halal-friendly hotels. Has the time come? Yes, very much the demand is increasing tremendous-ly. We receive no complaints at all from our customers—sometimes they learn about it only at the counter while checking in. It is very well received by all clients, even European guests who respect the concept.
Halal-friendly tourism. What is your view? I think higher authorities should start marketing this type of tourism specially in the Muslim countries and in the Gulf area—more road shows might give better outcome. We have a huge number of Muslims who are not aware of what Halal hotels are. On the other hand it will be more curious for Non-Muslims visitors to learn and know more about Islam.
Is there a big market out there?Of course. With almost three billion Muslims around the globe, it is a huge market to run after and tackle. The concept is new and people normally like new ideas and would love to discover its secrets so they can share it when they are back to their home origins.
What are your plans to corner the market?Best easy way is to advertise the hotel as Halal friendly and participate in GCC road shows in the region.
Halal-friendly hotels. Has the time come? Halal friendly hotels and hotel apartments like us have always been in the market offering accommodation and the Sharia compliance food and beverage options for all seg-ments. The demand for such hotels has grown dramatically over the past eight years due to the huge and growing number of travelers from GCC and other Islamic countries. Halal-friendly tourism. What is your view? The increased demand
from GCC countries has played a big role in alerting hotel operators on the importance of operating such hotels in the region. The different categories of Halal friendly hotels and hotel apartments have served various needs of market visitors. Families prefer larger apart-ment with family atmosphere, business travelers look for quite place after their hectic day ….etc. Is there a big market out there?
Dry hotels attract a large number of visitors from Middle Eastern countries such as GCC and other Asian courtiers such as India, Indonesia, Malaysia where visitors prefer and feel more comfortable to stay in Halal hotels, which is really a huge market.
Chadi Samaan, Al Faris Group of Hotel Apartments, Dubai
Marwan Mseikeh, General Manager, Kingsgate Hotel
‘Of course. With almost three billion Muslims around the globe, it is a huge market to run after and tackle.’ —Marwan Mseikeh, General Manager, Kingsgate Hotel
Travel Arabia I 33
34
The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has revealed that during the new marine tour-ism season in Dubai that is expected to last until June 2011, the emirate will receive as many as 135 cruise ships bringing in a total of around 375,000 passengers. The upcoming season is the strongest marine tourism seasons in terms of the number of ships and passengers received.
Meanwhile, DTCM recently organised a ceremony at the new cruise terminal at Port Rashid where DTCM Direc-tor General H.E. Khalid Bin Sulayem honoured partners from the public and private sectors who have contributed in the opening of the new cruise terminal and also facilitated the inaugural cruise of the ship Costa Deliziosa, a 958-foot liner.
Costa Del-iziosa and Costa Luminosa are two cruise liners deployed by Europe’s leading cruise operator and Italy’s largest travel group, Costa Cruises, which has made Dubai its regional cruise hub for the fifth consecutive year.
Costa Deliziosa and Costa Luminosa offer 7-day cruises, which include two-night stay in Dubai, in addition to one night each in Muscat, Fujairah, Abu Dha-bi, and Bahrain, culminating in Dubai.
This year Costa Cruises will begin its season and expects to bring in 150,000 passengers to Dubai.
In related developments, recently re-ceived the German cruise liner Aida Diva carrying 2,616 passengers and 611 crew members.
H.E. Khalid A. Bin Sulayem, DTCM director general commended the German ship that is beginning its regional voyage this season from Dubai and will eventually include 22 trips to the ports of Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Oman and Bahrain, bringing in
more than 90,000 tourists. Aida Diva has taken Dubai as the starting point for its regional voyage since 2006, and achieved around 19 trips to the ports in the region during the last cruise season. The cruise liner has 1,025 rooms spread over 9 floors and can accommodate 2,050 passengers in addition to 650 crew members.
Last year a total of 100 cruise ships visited Dubai, bringing in 260,000 passen-
gers and by the end of this year a total of 120 cruise ships would have visited Dubai, bringing in 325,000 passengers. Over the coming years, DTCM expects these figures to increase as follows: 135 cruise ships with 375,000 passengers in 2011; 150 ships with 425,000 passengers in 2012; 165 ships with 475,000 passengers in 2013; 180 ships with 525,000 passengers in 2014; and 195 ships with 575,000 passengers in 2015.
DTCM has been promoting Dubai’s cruise tourism sector by participating in specialised trade shows, exhibitions and conventions, and by hosting specialised tourism industry delegations, with the underlining objective of highlighting
Dubai’s position as a regional hub for ma-rine tourism related activities.
DTCM’s efforts in this regard have contributed to a steady increase in the number of cruise ships visiting Dubai year on year. Last year a total of 100 cruise ships visited Dubai, bringing in 260,000 passengers and by the end of this year a total of 120 cruise ships
would have visited Dubai, bringing in 325,000 passengers. Over the coming years, DTCM expects these figures to increase as follows: 135 cruise ships with 375,000 passengers in 2011; 150 ships with 425,000 passengers in 2012; 165 ships with 475,000 passengers in 2013; 180 ships with 525,000 passengers in 2014; and 195 ships with 575,000 passengers in 2015.
Homefront135 cruise ships coming
DTCM and cruise officials pose for posterity.
The Aida Diva
34 I Travel Arabia
35
The Dubai Government Depart-ment of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has entered into an agreement with dmg::events, organisers of The Hotel Show, to become strategic partners for the 2011 hospitality showcase which takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre on 17-19 May.
“The objective of the partner-ship is primarily to promote Dubai as a key destination hub and pool resources in a joint effort to sup-port the local hospitality industry as well as regional and interna-tional participants,” said Jerad Bachar, director, Dubai Convention Bureau, the congress and exhibi-tion section of the DTCM.
According to the agreement the DTCM will offer its consider-able expertise, suggesting topics and providing expert speakers for the Seven Star Conference which runs alongside
The Hotel Show exhibition. Further-more, a DTCM executive will sit on
an advisory board to help shape the content for the event. In ad-dition, the DTCM will also promote the
event to its industry partners, through its website and on relevant marketing material.
“The DTCM has an enviable profile around the world and provides consid-erable support for all stakeholders in Dubai’s hospitality sector. Their support will be invaluable to us, especially their experience of not only attending and participating in many international events, but their expertise in marketing Dubai as a business and leisure destina-tion,” said, Frederique Maurell, event director, The Hotel Show.
The accord comes at a time when a report by industry analyst Deloitte, suggested that Dubai’s hotel room inventory will increase by an estimated 60% or 30,000 taking the total to 80,000 hotel rooms by 2015. Regionally, To-photelprojects.com, meanwhile, reports that the Middle East and East Asia has EUROS 58.9 billion earmarked for first class and luxury hotel projects.
The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing has organized an exhibition by Abaporu Art’s Gallery dubbed, “Brazilian Art between Oc-cidental and Oriental Civilization” held between the 22nd and 31st of December 2010 in Dubai.
Among the works selected for ex-positions are paintings of the renowned Brazilian artists, Di Cavalcanti, Tarsila do Amaral, Candido Portinari, Anita Malfatti, and Aldemir Martins.
The event, held at Sultan Bin Al Owais Cultural Foundation on Al Rigga Road, was one of the largest Brazilian art exhibitions in the UAE. “It was a major exhibition of Brazilian works in
the UAE, and our aim is to bring part of Brazilian culture through art, colors, scents and music, once the proposal is to hold an event not only visual but also sensory”, said Pamela Ricci Justino, Direc-tor of marketing Abaporu Gallery.
Some 245 art works by 56 artists between modern-ist and contemporary went on display. The selection of art works was carefully made by Marly Cruz, curator. The event
included a project developed by the Abaporu Art Gallery called “Art to Every World,” which was visited by local needy children for them to have a first contact with art.
Brazilian Gallery presents art work
DTCM, Hotel Show sign deal
Officials announcing the event.
Frederique Maurell
Travel Arabia I 35
36
Outbound
Rich tourists still have an appe-tite for the exclusive luxury experi-ences that Britain offers, according to a new VisitBritain report. And with the winter holiday season over, Middle East shoppaholics can look forward to more retail therapy with the launch of the infamous January Sales.
At this time of year, shops across the country offer extraor-dinary discounts on clothes, jewellery, electronics, items for the home... and just about everything else one can think of.
There are numerous fantastic shopping areas across Britain. In London, Carnaby Street, Covent Garden, Camden Market, Oxford Street, Regent Street, Kensing-ton High Street, Brick Lane and Spitalfields are sure to keep even
the most ardent shopper entertained for days on end.
Westfield London, a shopping mall located in Shepherd’s Bush that is now in its second year of operation, is expected to bring in over 800 million pounds this year. The shopping palace which has no less than five department stores, including Marks and Spencer, House of Frazer, as well as 256 world-famous designer and high-street shops.
Meantime, VisitBritain’s report, ‘’Luxury Travel: Understanding the Luxury Consumer’’ identifies seven new trends in luxury travel that are capturing the imaginations of the world’s wealthy elite.
The report identifies three tiers of luxury: the ‘’gold’’ for the wealthy who love bling and showing off, ‘’platinum’’ for the rich who are less overt while ‘’black’’ luxury is for those who love understated wealth but revel in utter exclusivity and the feeling of total freedom money brings.
Middle East residents in need of a holiday with a difference would do well to head to China’s vibrant cities of Beijing and Shanghai to join the celebrations and festivities of bringing in the Chinese New Year.
Chinese New Year, one of the most important dates on the Chinese calendar, always proves a hit with tourists that are eager to experience the nation’s rich cul-ture and wondrous historic sites, and there is no better time to do this than during the Chinese New Year holidays in February which this year sees the arrival of the Year of the Rabbit.
“Cities in China come to life dur-ing Chinese New Year and we are seeing more travelers from the region visiting
the great nation to experience its rich cultural tourist offerings and to embark on an alternative kind of holiday,” said Thierry Bertin, VP Sales and Market-ing, Hyatt International, South West Asia.
“There are so many amaz-ing things to experience during a trip to China and a stay at one of our numerous luxury proper-ties – Grand Hyatt Beijing, Park Hyatt Beijing, Park Hyatt Shanghai, Grand Hyatt Shanghai and Hyatt on the Bund – all ideally located in two of China’s major cities - are perfect for tourists wanting comfort, luxury and personalized service during their Asia adventure,” Bertin added.
UK shopping therapy
China spring holiday
36 I Travel Arabia
37
As the UK gears up for the popular London Fashion Week (LFW), visitors from the Gulf are expected to take up residence in the capital for a spectacular event that will see high profile design-ers and influential catwalk shows take center stage.
Running from February 18-23, 2011, LFW places London and British Fashion on the global stage and rakes in over 20 million pounds to the London economy in terms of direct spending. The event also attracts visitors from over 25 countries including the UAE, China, Russia, Italy, France and the United States who come together to celebrate a diverse mix of new trends and designs.
“LFW attracts visitors from across the globe to the UK capital every year. High-profile international designers de-scend on the city making London even
more of a vibrant, trendy place to be for both residents and tourists. Andaz Liverpool Street and Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, are two of our most popular UK properties that see international visitors return year after year,” said Thierry Bertin, VP Sales and Marketing, Hyatt International, South West Asia.
Ideally located in the heart of London close to all major transport connections, Andaz Liverpool Street is the first property of Hyatt Hotels’ Andaz brand and is housed in a beautiful red brick Victorian building dating back to 1884. Once inside, guests are eased into their stay through a high level of per-sonal and uncomplicated service with no check-in queues and no reception desk – staff use portable PC’s and take the check-in directly to guests.
Singapore’s dazzling Chinese New Year Celebrations are attracting a growing number of regional visitors every year, with 2010 seeing an increase of more than 100 percent in Middle East tourists. The Garden City is gearing up to welcome even more travellers in 2011 - the Lunar Year of the Rabbit.
Figures show that 2,720 visitors ar-rived from the region during the 1st week of the Lunar New Year in 2010, which fell between 14 and 20 of February. This is more than double the number who visited in 2009 according to data from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).
On the back of 2010’s growth, Sin-gapore is anticipating even more people from the Gulf will decide to visit for the 2011 festivities, which run from 15 Janu-ary to 28 February, in celebration of the Garden City’s cultural diversity and rich history.
Celebrations for the Year of the Rabbit will run under the banner of “Spring Festival Singapore” with the overarching theme of ‘Light’ which signifies the passing of knowledge from generation to genera-tion. The celebrations include three key events; kicking off with Chinatown’s Chinese New Year Celebra-tions where the annual dazzling street light-up and array of buzzing street bazaars attract thousands of foreign visitors and locals alike.
London Fashion Week
Singapore’s Chinese New Year
Travel Arabia I 37
38
Dusit Thani Dubai has outdone itself in its aspiration to promote a greener Dubai. Earlier last year, the iconic 5-star hotel won its EarthCheck Bronze Benchmarked Status, making it one of the four hotels in the Middle East to attain such recogni-tion. It is likewise the first Dusit Interna-tional property to ever be awarded with the same.
Last December, Dusit Thani Dubai received the EarthCheck Silver Bench-marked Status—thus becoming the first hotel recipient in the Middle East and again, needless to say, the first Dusit Inter-national property to gain this honour.
“We continuously improve strate-gies that are already present since time of inception. These are ‘back-to-basics’ practices more than anything else,” said Johnny Ding, director of engineering.
He said implementing more detailed actions to address concerns about global warming and other environmental prob-lems is one of the main reasons why the hotel reached its esteemed status.
These initiatives are then divided into 3 categories namely: Energy Conservation, Waste Disposal Man-agement and Community Services.
Several action plans have been
laid out for the conservation of water and electricity. These include the installation of dual flush system in all toilets, monitoring pressure of water in all guest rooms, as well as utilizing water-saving device on showers which preserves a signifi-
cant amount of water. LED lighting and implementing dimmers especially in public areas has reduced the consumption of electricity where it is feasible. “We’ve been doing most of these things from Day 1. As we progress, we aim to emphasize on these procedures even more,” Ding adds.
Dusit Thani Dubai takes waste disposal management very seriously. So serious that it employed individu-als whose primary duty is to segregate recyclable materials and wastes. Discarded dry materials that may be sanitized and reused or recycled are delicately handled by the team. Towels or bed sheets that are no longer reusable in the same state are converted into cleaning cloths. Non-bio-degradable bottles are not thrown out, but instead being reused after being disin-fected. The latter is not only cost-effective but also environment friendly. Plastic products, electronic gadgets and papers that are no longer usable are sent to third party recycling partners.
In addition to the structural schemes implemented by the hotel, Dusit Thani
Dubai believes that involving its people and guests to the cause is the driving force of its aim.
During the 50th Earth Day last April, employees planted 80 trees at their
staff accommodation Baan Dusit located in Al Quoz. The hotel strongly supports Dubai government’s programs that pro-mote environmental awareness and social responsibility.
Recently, Dusit Thani Dubai was among the delegates during the best practices symposium for the Dubai Green Tourism Award 2010 organized by Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM). One of the most notable contribution of Dusit Thani Dubai in this field has been its major sponsorship during Dubai Municipality’s Clean Up The World project participated by thousands of residents of the emirate. Dusit International whose headquarters is located Thailand is highly inspired by these accolades that during the half of 2010, it has launched firmer green initia-tives to be rolled out to all its properties.
Dusit Thani Dubai’s incessant effort to protect the local environment is not only part of a corporate social respon-sibility, but is a part of its way of life. “We constantly look for opportunities to sup-port our nature. We look into the market for eco-friendly amenities and products,” Ding said. Although keeping up with the technology may be one way to embrace modernization, Ding said that a concrete and enhanced basic structure is key to the hotel’s strong ecological foundation.
Going GreenDusit Thani Dubai achieves EarthCheck Silver Benchmarked StatusHotel hits two accolades in less than a year.
“We continuously improve strategies that are already present since time of inception. These are ‘back-to-basics’ practices more than anything else,” Johnny Ding, engineering director.
38 I Travel Arabia
39
What lies ahead for Park Rotana Abu Dhabi?
Expanding in the market by attracting the corporate business while keeping the high level of service we already have.
How is the property different from other hotels in the UAE’s capital?
It is a mixed use development having a hotel, serviced apartments, residential and office buildings all situated within a complex.
Please describe your rooms and the amenities offered.
At Park Arjaan by Rotana, guests can select from 172 luxurious loft-style studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 3-bedroom apartments. Ranging in size from 45 to 170 square metres, this hotel apartment, has 32” LCD TV, high-speed internet connection, kitchen, compli-mentary tea and coffee facility, and daily local newspapers, multi-channel satellite television, IDD telephone with voice mail, and a mini bar.
Park Arjaan by Rotana has 66 Classic Studio rooms, 78 One-Bed Room Suites; 16 Two-Bedroom Suites; 12 Three-Bed-room Suites
Park Rotana Hotel has 318 luxurious rooms and suites, of which three floors are wholly dedicated to Club Rotana members. Nearby Khalifa Park affords many of the guest rooms and suites stun-ning panoramic views. It also has high speed wireless, connection, complimen-tary tea and coffee making facility, daily local newspapers, multi-channel satellite television, IDD telephone with voice mail, mini bar, in-room safe, dining room, and entrance to the Bodylines Gym & Spa with an easy access to Khalifa Park.
Park Rotana Hotel has 158 Clas-sic Rooms with each having a walk-in shower, tea and coffee facilities. All rooms are equipped with multi satellite 32 LCD TV, high speed wireless internet access, 2 IP Phone in the bedroom and in the
bathroom, hair dryer, in room sate, and entrance to the Bodylines Gym & Spa with an easy access to Khalifa Park.
Park Rotana Hotel also has two Clas-sic Rooms for persons with disability. Moreover, it has 32 Premium Rooms with similar amenities
For its part, Club Rotana has 90 rooms of which 18 are Classic Suites, and another 18 being Premium Suites, all with similar amenities. Booking in these rooms entitle the guests to complementary ac-cess to the Club Rotana Lounge express check in and checkout, buffet breakfast, afternoon tea and coffee, evening canapés free internet use at the lounge.
What is there for guests to come back to and look forward to?
A selection of restaurants serving a variety of palatable cuisines as well as a choice of warm and inviting rooms backed up with personalized care and service by our exceptionally friendly staff.
Please provide us with a brief assess-ment of Abu Dhabi’s hotel sector from your standpoint.
It is refreshing to see the all new openings in Abu Dhabi which will en-hance the variety and quality of hotels in the capital and create additional demand for both corporate and leisure travelers visiting the emirate since all the hotels would obviously promote Abu Dhabi as a destination too. Abu Dhabi hotels are very competitive and certainly able to compete in an international level with great confidence.
What promotional activities are in the works?
We are offering a very special Week-end Promotion for only AED 399++/Room. We also have the Special Suite Weekend promotion at AED 999++ inclusive of Thursday seafood Night Dinner, Friday Family Brunch and 30 minutes massage.
Face to FaceSeasoned hospitality professional, Sascha Bartz is general manager of Park Rotana’s Abu Dhabi complex. Hailing from Germany, he has over 20 years of diverse experience within the industry, holding a diploma in Hotel Management.
Sascha Bartz
‘The only choice of a motorbike for me is a BMW.’ Being in the hotel industry lets you experience new things and a great lifestyle where you get to have a lot interesting encounters, says Sascha Bartz, general manager of the recently opened Park Rotana complex in Abu Dhabi. Interesting encounters indeed, among them, he says, is “dealing often with the Rulers’ family which means organizing events of great scale with high quality and in such short notice.” Also among them was a chit-chat with Nelson Mandela; and an incident where one of the exhibi-tors at a diamond expo in the hotel placed an US$18-million, 106-carat diamond on his hand and quipped, “Do you think your wife would be interested?” Asked if his motorbike is a Harley, Bartz, a diver and a biker whose first job was a front office trainee, replied: “Of course not! I am a Bavarian and the only choice of a motorbike for me is a BMW.”
Sidepocket
Travel Arabia I 39
40
AwardsTOP HONOURS
Etihad Airways, the country’s carrier, has picked top honours at the Arabian Sponsorship Awards 2010 for its partnership with English Premier League team, Manchester City Football Club. The Abu Dhabi-based airline won the award in the International Sponsorship category at a gala ceremony which took place on Dec. 8, 2010 at Yas Hotel which is also in Abu Dhabi.
The award covers sponsorship projects based in the Middle East which reach a minimum of three different countries in the region and have a global media foot-print. Etihad was credited for its activation of the partnership in areas that included competitions and promotions in the local market as well as the highly popular Etihad Manchester City Soccer Schools during the winter months.
Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said: “When the ownership of Manchester City came to Abu Dhabi, it made perfect sense for the airline to become the club’s lead sponsor. “It provides us with a great opportu-nity to increase awareness of the airline and our daily services between Abu Dhabi and Manchester, a key route for us, as well as the UK market and our network in general. With a huge fan following around the world, Manchester City is a truly international sponsorship.”
PIONEERING Oman Air won in the “Technology
Implementation of the Year” category at the 4th Annual Aviation Business Awards 2010 for its introduction of in-flight mobile phone and Wi-Fi connectivity, which utilises the Airbus ALNA V2 system and Honeywell’s SwiftBroadband (SBB) solution, via OnAir and Inmarsat.
The award was accepted by Oman Air’s Chief Officer for Management Affairs, Ab-dul Aziz Al Raisi, at a recent ceremony held at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. He said the airline “looks forward to announcing further innovations and initiatives which will offer even more choice and value for
our customers.”In addition to in-flight
connectivity, the airline has introduced a state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment system, featuring audio and video on demand and live satellite TV, as well as launching a new fleet of Airbus A330 aircraft and expanding its network to include a range of exciting new destina-tions across the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe.
The 4th Annual Aviation Business Awards included 15 categories in total.
Etihad’s head of Sponsorships Nick Cottage, and the airline’s Sponsorships
Manager Briony Trevethan receive the award at a recent ceremony at the Yas
Hotel in Abu Dhabi.
Oman Air and other Officials pose for posterity.
HOTEL OF THE YEAR Ramada Plaza Doha in Qatar as been named Hotel of the Year by Wyndham Hotel Group, part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies which recently hosted a stylish event in London to recognise its best Days Inn, Ramada and Ramada Encore hotels across Europe, the
Middle East and Africa. Newcomer of the Year went to Ramada Chelsea Al Barsha Dubai, UAE.“We’re delighted to be able to share these awards and spend time
with the people who, day after day, night after night, deliver exceptional experiences and value to the many loyal guests of our brands and their hotels,” said Belinda At-kins, Wyndham Hotel Group vice president of operations, select service brands. “As a company, we recognize the importance of celebrating those who help make us shine and we thank each of our winners for con-tinuing to be outstanding ambassadors of Wyndham Hotel Group and its brands.” Attendees of the event represented 140 hotels in six countries across the EMEA region.
Upper photo is that of Ian Lillie, Ramada Plaza Doha with Michael Poynter, Wyndham Hotel Group; while that below is of Karim Kassam Ramada Chelsea Al Barsha also with Poynter.
40 I Travel Arabia
GREEN GLOBE Iberotel Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort, a high-
end, Moroccan-style hotel in the heart of Fujairah, was recently honored with the prestigious Green Globe Certificate in recognition of its efforts in envi-ronmental best practices. Iberotel Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort is the first such establishment in the UAE’s East coast to receive the honor.
Ashraf Helmy, area general manager and business development manager said: “We are highly honored and extremely happy to receive this award. It adds another feather to the cap of Iberotel Group. We would like to share our experience…as we believe it will encourage other properties…to implement such procedures…to save the environment.”
Green Globe is an international environmental body founded in the UK.
Green Globe’s Lukas Ergenmand hands over the award to Ashraf Helmy, Iberotel official.
42
Arabian Courtyard celebrates art on National Day
‘The exhibition…(was an analysis of) individual human behaviour in the
backdrop of a complex reality. (T)hrough sensuous pieces of art…, the
painters brought to fore formal elements of local expressionism.’
-- Habib Khan, general manager
Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa, located in the heart of the art and cultural district of Dubai, celebrated the UAE National Day host-
ing an art show of seven leading local artists - Ashitha Dileep, Feroz Khan, Pari Sagar, Martina Dresler, Noopur Ahuja, Zareen Khan, and Komal Dembla.
The exhibition was appropriately entitled, “National Pride.” The unique art show was open to the public from Nov. 27th, 2010 to mid December, 2010. Daily schedule was 10am to 10pm.
The exhibition addressed various themes surrounding UAE’s history and culture. The intricate paintings can be characterised by bold colours revealed through the realm of art.
Habib Khan, Arabian Courtyard general manager, and CEO Hospitality Division of Planet Group, said guests admired the works of art that went on display; they likewise obtained an idea about how art evolved in the UAE.
“The exhibition was dominated by everyday life and (was an analysis of) individual human behaviour in the backdrop of a complex reality. It also depicted and celebrated achievements of locals. Thus, through sensuous pieces of art painted in intense colours, the
painters brought to fore formal elements of lo-cal expressionism,” he said.
The diverse and talented group of painters have worked in a variety of media, style, subject and techniques; and transported their ideas in a unique way.
Khan said Arabian Courtyard hosted the event to uphold a unique and supportive ap-proach to art and provide an opportunity for people to understand the importance of UAE’s culture, its values; as well as the revival of inter-est in art across the spectrum of the country’s art market.
Ashitha Mehta
Feroz Khan
Existentialexpressions
Pari Sagar
Arts & Entertainment
42 I Travel Arabia
43
A. Lange & Söhne takes India by stormRenowned German watchmaker throws three star-studded parties in key cities in a month.
Renowned German watchmakers A. Lange & Söhne recently took India by storm with three coveted events. The brand announced its highly anticipated presence in both Delhi and Hyderabad, and celebrated its existing success in Mumbai, with lavish star-studded receptions in all three cities in the past month.
Matthieu Dupont A. Lange & Söhne’s re-gional brand manager proudly announced new partnerships with retailers Johnson Watch Co. in
Delhi and The Helvetica, Taj Krishna, in Hydera-bad, during exclusive events in each city. He also hosted a private collectors’ event in Mumbai.
“We are very proud of our expansion within India and the great support we are shown there. The events were a huge success for us, our retailers—those who know and love the brand, and those who have come to love the brand.
“A. Lange & Söhne has always been received very well in India. We have many collectors who
truly understand our philosophy and what we
stand for: performance in precision watchmak-
ing and a constant quest for perfection. It is with
our collectors that we share this passion with
horology and our values for excellence,” sad
Dupont. Prominent personalities at the various
events included Sameera Reddy, Vivek Oberoi,
Manish Malhotra, Rahul Dev, Siddhartha Mallya
& JJ Walaya.
Guests, well-wishes and officials pose for posterity during the events.
Travel Arabia I 43
44
Tranquil Moments
Amara, the spa at the luxurious Park Hyatt Dubai, is a unique place where the senses are rejuvenated with calm settings, the scent of rare oils, captivating lush gardens and a tranquil swimming pool. Especially for the month of January, Am-ara proudly introduces Total Relaxation with Carita, which combines a luxurious
facial with reflexology and spa cuisine.
This exclusive spa
package commences with a Hand and Foot Rose Petal Bath (15 minutes) in one of the luxury suites. The 75-minute Ideal Carita Facial that follows uses “Pro-Lift” technology, recognised for fusing science with nature, and promoting the absorp-tion of active ingredients to firm facial contours and provide immediate lifting effects. The facial is followed by 45 minutes of reflexology. This ancient Chinese massage of the feet restores the flow of energy, or “qi”, through-out the body by targeting reflexology points that cor-respond to organs, systems and glands to promote a sense of well-being and balance. To complete the
experience, guests enjoy complimentary refreshments from a menu that includes the Amara signature Salad of Romaine Lettuce, Cucumber, Tomatoes, Olives, Peppers, Apple and Feta Cheese Tossed with a Honey-Lemon Dressing; Crisp Baguette with Isigny Brie, Tomato and
Apple; and Spicy Glass Noodle Salad with Minced Chicken and Lime, to name just a few. Guests with a sweet tooth can enjoy a choice of Seasonal Fruit and Berries or Haagen Dazs ice-creams.
The Total Relaxation with Carita
package is usually priced at AED958 per person, but throughout January, Amara spa is offering this package at the special price of AED810 per person for two hours of treatment time. Reservations are rec-ommended; please call 04 602 1660.
With facilities, treatments and indul-
gent elegance unrivalled in Dubai, Amara offers the ultimate luxury spa experience. It features eight spacious luxury suites, including three couples’ suites, each with its own private outdoor terrace, lounge area and indoor/outdoor rain showers. Amara also offers a stunning 25-metre swimming pool featuring a series of built-in palm islands. With its adjoining private courtyards and cascading water features, Amara is in perfect harmony with the sophisticated retreat atmosphere of Park Hyatt Dubai.
Park Hyatt Dubai is a luxury wa-
terfront retreat adjacent to the world-famous Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club. Located just minutes from the city centre, world-class shopping and prime business districts, Park Hyatt Dubai is a haven of tranquil elegance in the vibrant city of Dubai.
Thou awakened my senses with Carita.
Ohhhh Amara…
44 I Travel Arabia
Pick-up & drop-back facility included Timing: Pick up: 3:00 - 3:30pm - Drop off: 9:00 - 9:30pm
Proud to be SAFARI LEADERS
E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.opdubai.com
24 Hrs. Reservation
ISO 9001:2008 Certified
Dune Bashing Sand Boarding & Camel Riding BBQ Dinner - Arabic Tea & Coffee Soft Drinks & Refreshments Photograph in Local DressHenna Painting & TattoosEnchanting Belly Dancing ShowSheesha (Hubbly-Bubbly) & lots more entertainment throughout the evening
Per PersonDhs. 200/-
Dhs. 300/- Per PersonTiming: 8:00am to 2:30pmTransfers from all the hotels & residences in Dubai & Sharjah
Programme Includes: Red Dunes Safari & Sand Boarding - Sight Seeing to various scenic locations Visit to Carpet Market & Heritage Village - Hatta Mountain Safari - Chance to Dip or Dive in fresh water pools - Lunch at 5 Star Hatta Fort Hotel
Programme Includes:
Programme Includes: Continental dinner, Soft drinks, Tea and Coffee, Soft Music in cozy ambiance, Fully airconditioned lower deck, Open air upper deck,Pick-up and drop-back facility included (Deira & Bur Dubai Only)
Dhs. 150/- Per Person
SPECIALIZED IN ORGANIZING SOCIAL & CORPORATE GET TOGETHERS, BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES.
E n j o y t h e t h r i l l a n d f u n o f
DESERT SAFARIDESERT SAFARI
Cruising Time: From 8:30pm to 10:30pm
DHOW CRUISE DINNER
HATTA MOUNTAIN SAFARI
46
Taste TravelStrictly culinaryBritish TV chef James Martin at Gourmet Abu Dhabi 2011
Renowned British celebrity chef, James Martin will be host chef at Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island’s Celebrity Dinner for a night on Feb. 3rd, 2011 as part of celebrations for this year’s Gourmet Abu Dhabi.
Martin will prepare his specialty British fare which combines traditional ingredients and cooking techniques with a modern twist for up to 250 guests. Tickets are at Dhs750 (US$204) per seat.
The following day, the 37-year-old supercar enthusiast will conduct a one-off, free-to-the-public masterclass at the Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel also in Abu Dhabi where guests will have a cooking tutorial they can recreate in their home kitchens.
Martin is the pin-up star of popu-lar UK television shows “Strictly Come Dancing”—where he reached the semi-final in the hit series; “Ready, Steady, Cook,” “Saturday Kitchen,” and “Kitchen Invaders.”
“Over the years, I’ve learned a lot from my travels and other chefs,” said Martin, who has appeared in scores of TV shows and published a series of diverse cook-ery books. “Although my style of food is changing all the time, one thing people need to remember when demonstrat-ing cooking is to cook things people can achieve at home – this is exactly what I intend to do in my Gourmet Abu Dhabi
masterclass.”Martin burst on to the British
cuisine scene when famous British chef, Antony Worrall Thompson, no-
ticed the talented youngster’s work at Scarborough
Technical College—where Martin was named Student of the Year three years running—and brought the graduate to his 190 Queensgate Restau-
rant in London.From there, Mar-
tin’s career has gone in one direction—up.
After opening the Hotel and Bistro du Vin, the 21-year-old head
chef made national headlines by daringly changing the menu everyday. In 1994, Martin had established an adoring British and international fan-base through his varied television work for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, UKTV and Sky Television.
Having bought his first Ferrari nine years ago, Martin—whose only previous glimpse of Abu Dhabi was a flying visit to Yas Marina Circuit construction site in 2008—has trips to the circuit and the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi topping his schedule.
“I visited the circuit on Yas Island as it was being built, so I would love to see it now that it has been completed. I imagine, much like Abu Dhabi in general, it is a very exciting and a dynamic place with a great deal to see and do,” said Martin.
Martin will headline this third Gour-met Abu Dhabi outing which boasts a range of new features as a hallmark stellar cast of 13 master chefs—with 22 Mi-chelin-stars and three Chefs Hats between them—four special guest chefs, six master pâtissiers and a horde of celebrity guests have been lined up for programmes that
include Epicurean Promotions, Culi-nary Masterclasses, Château Dinners, an Emirati Royal Dinner, Gourmet Golf Ex-perience, Charity Dinner, Feast of Middle Eastern Cuisine and the Abu Dhabi Gour-met Stars Awards Gala Dinner.
“With so many British expatriates working and living in the UAE, and many other nationalities now well acquainted with James through his television appear-ances, we anticipate strong booking for his Celebrity Dinner and masterclass session,” said Noura Al Dhaheri, acting manager, Leisure Product Development, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which organ-ises Gourmet Abu Dhabi.
“James’ lust for life and adventure has ensured that his popularity extends far beyond his television work and public appearances. He represents a new breed of celebrity chef – one whose style of cook-ing is transferable to a mass audience and he is someone who devises menus that are easily transferred to the home,” she added.
Gourmet Abu Dhabi is the much awaited 16-day culinary festival that will run across a dozen of the emirate’s premium fine dining restaurants from February 2nd to the 17th, 2011.
Bookings can be made by emailing [email protected].
Gourmet Abu Dhabi 2011 is spon-sored by Abu Dhabi National Hotels as premium corporate partner; Etihad Airways as airline partner; RAK Porcelain as fine porcelain tableware partner; Acqua Panna & S. Pellegrino as the official still and sparkling mineral waters partner; Gaggenau as the premium kitchen ap-pliances partner; Classic Fine Foods as premium gourmet products partner; Spinneys, High Spirits and African + Eastern as beverage partners; Nespresso as coffee partner; Valrhona as chocolate partner and Donate a Brick as the charity partner.
46 I Travel Arabia
Oman Visa not required for Dibba TourOman Visa on arrival provided for Khasab Tour, Call us for details...
Dramatic coastline, stunning mountain scenery, attractive beaches, exotic marine life, colourful corals, all this and more for you to experience and take back memories to last a lifetime. Welcome to ‘Amazing Musandam’.
Scenic Drive - Dhow Cruise - Diving - Snorkelling – Swimming - Fishing - Round trip transfers - Refreshments & Arabic Buffet Lunch
Wholesome fun-filled family and friendsday out, ideal for Sea & Nature lovers
TOURS TODIBBA-KHASAB
AMAZING MUSANDAMA “Truly Fascinating” Experience
Package includes:
Per Person(For Dibba) AED 380/-
Pick-up 08:00 hours (approx.), Drop-off 20:00 hours
Tel: 04 2950516 Mob: 050 9266209Email: [email protected] www.cruiseindubai.com
24 Hrs. ReservationAsia Pacific
T R AV E L S & T O U R I S MISO 9001:2008 Certified
48
Melting Pot
Amwaj Rotana Jumeirah Beach Dubai Benihana Restaurant
Origami – the art of precise creasing;
Benihana - the art of precise feasting
Every Saturday & Monday night from
20:00pm till 23:30pm all you can eat at
Benihana - Amwaj Rotana JBR for AED
179* inclusive of soft drinks and AED
229* inclusive of selected regular bever-
ages and AED 279* inclusive of premium beverages. Inquiries: +971(0)4 428 3089 or [email protected]
(*Prices are inclusive of 10% service charge and 10% municipality fees.)Rosso
Friday Fiesta features Italian delights. Savour Italian antipasti, salads, cured meats, pastas, pizzas, grilled Italian de-lights, and desserts.
Inquiries: +971(0)4 428 3088 or
[email protected] – Bar, Enoteca and Ristorante
Fresh homemade pastas and Risottos, and a selection of wines from around the world match your Tapas at the Enoteca. Dining indoors overlooking the energy of an open kitchen with wood fired pizza oven, or al fresco as you gaze at the sunset overlooking the Arabian Gulf. Also, avail of a 25% lumch discount on all food and beverages; as well, enjoy special daily
Starting it right inJanuary
48 I Travel Arabia
beverage promotions from 6:00pm and 9:00pm on selected beverages.
Inquiries: 04-428 3088 or [email protected]
Banyan Tree Ho-tels and ResortsSaffron RestaurantTamarind
From contem-porary Thai cuisine at Banyan Tree’s signature Saffron restaurant to healthy and tasty spa cuisine at Tamarind, there is something to suit every palate. A must try are the destination dining experiences that are unique to
selected Banyan Tree resorts including Champagne on the Rocks at Banyan Tree Seychelles and Legend of Luhuitou in Banyan Tree Sanya. With their stunning ocean views, restaurants such as Jumana at Banyan Tree Ungasan, Bali, and Tree Tops at Banyan Tree Bintan set the stage for romantic moments. Early Bird
This winter season, guests will enjoy savings off best available rates at banyant-ree.com and angsana.com when they take advantage of the resorts’ early bird pro-motions where guests stand to enjoy up to twenty five per cent off best available rates.
The Early Bird promotions are valid only on banyantree.com and angsana.com and bookings start from Dec. 15th
, 2010. Best available rates, inclusive of daily breakfast, range from US$200++ for a Deluxe Room at Banyan Tree Bangkok in Thailand and from AED 3,132 per night for an Al Rimal Deluxe Pool Villa at Banyan Tree Al Wadi.
Inquiries: www.banyantree.com or www.angsana.com.
Dusit Thani DubaiPax Italian Restau-rant
Try delicacies whose origins date far back to 2500 BC Egypt and 5th Century
Greece. Scrump-tious goose dishes recapturing the flavor of the past are served for modern-day diners.
The CalifornianDine 3, Pay 2
Dubai’s newest weekend tradition just got better. For every trio in a group, the third person is entitled to buffet meals on the house (food only). Dive into Seafood Thursdays. Or lounge during Fri-day Brunch. Or enjoy regional favorites from Thailand, Japan, China, India and Sri
Lanka.Benjarong
Savory presentations of the popular
Start the year right! Cliché as it may sound, starting the year right actually has different strokes for different folks. In this edition, which features the first of Melting Pot, Travel Arabia went way out yonder to come up with what could yet be the best listing of the good times in town.
50
P . P
crustacean are no to be missed. Dusit Thani’s signature restaurant has gone all out to cover from appetizer to main course featuring crabs and its delectable meat. Start off with Green Papaya Salad with Crispy Soft Shell Crab. Friend Alaska King Crab with Garlic and Pepper Sauce is reason enough to momentarily indulge.
Inquiries: +971 4 317 4212-4215/4520 or E-mail: [email protected].
Emaar Hospitality GroupMadeleine Café & Boulangerie
The Centre of now, Downtown Dubai, will come alive with fireworks on Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Fountain Fire & Water show, and you can have a prime seat to what will be the most spectacular show to be broadcasted across the globe.
AED 200 per person, inclusive of a festive welcome drink, main course, des-sert, coffee and soft beverages.
Inquiries: Kevin Graham on [email protected] or +971 4 438 4335
Mövenpick Hotel & Apartment Bur DubaiFountain
Let the celebra-tions continue or just simply recover from the night before with the first ever Full Mon-ty in Dubai from 11:30 am to 3:00 pm for only AED 145 inclusive of soft drinks or AED 195 inclusive of selection of wines. Discover the true indulgence of British cuisine, more than a brunch and was beyond lunch! The Full Monty presents a “labor of love” from
the kitchen team. Inquiries: 04 3104320 or book your
table for dining experience through www.moevenpick-burdubai.com.
Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira CreekBoulvar
Every Sunday and Wednesday, indulge in the very special Seafood Buffet Night from 7:00 pm until midnight, featuring a wide variety of seafood and fish includ-ing a raw bar with the finest selection of mixed seafood and fish where diners can choose to steam, deep-fry and more, a spread of lobster and shrimps, as well as fish curry, rice, cooked and raw vegetables, 9 types of fresh salads, with a choice of 10 different dressings, a variety of 8 different types of fish, the famous Lobster Bisque and a dessert station featuring Arabic and international desserts with fruits and ice-cream to suit all taste buds. Diners can savour the fresh treasures of the sea for only Dhs 175 per person!
Inquiries: 04/205 7333 or 7444.Palm Grill
Starting Jan. 1st and throughout the entire month, Palm Grill will offer all diners a delicious set menu option at a great value deal of AED 99 per person for orders taken before 8 pm.
Inquiries: 04/205 7333 or 7444.The China Club
From Jan. 20th until Feb. 5th 201, enjoy a unique culinary experience in celebration of the Year of the Rabbit with
50 I Travel Arabia
For Reservation, please contact us at: Tel: 00 971 4 258 9888, Fax: 00 971 4 258 9998, Email: [email protected]
A brand new serviced hotel apartment, welcomes business and leisure travelers to an enchanting experience.
Located in the heart of Al Qusais comes a new haven: Comfortable welcome living /dining areas ideal for relaxing and entertaining.
Elegant bedrooms with spacious wardrobes and superior linens.
State of the art fully equipped kitchen.
Luxury attached bathrooms.
Friendly and professional staff that’s always ready to serve.
Regular room promo and long stays special rate available.
Garhoud
Bridge
Emirates Tower
Festival CityRashidiya
Meydan
Burj Al Khalifa
Dubai Mall
Sheikh
Zayed
Road
Businessbay
Bridge
52
P . P
an exquisite festive set menu available for lunch and dinner tailored by our very own Chinese Master Chef Fu for only AED 218 per person.
Inquiries: 04/205 7333 or 7444.
Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City
Chef ’s House Enjoy a New Year’s Day the-morning-
after brunch prepared by a brigade of Chefs. Brunch is up from 12:30 – 16:00 hours on January 1 2011 with selected beverages @ AED 249 per personCerto Italian Restaurant
Certo is now open for lunch on Satur-
days, and on Fridays indulge in an Italian-style meal with a selection of dishes served at your table, ranging from homemade pasta, pizzas to fish and meat recipes, all accompanied by salads and risotto.
Inquiries: 04 366 9111. Reservations recommended [email protected]
52 I Travel Arabia
Conveniently located in the heart of metropolitan Dubai.
Deluxe Studio, One & Two Bed Room Apartments24 hour Housekeeping, Security and Laundry Services Fully equipped kitchen with washer and dryer
Digital safe deposit box in all rooms Wireless internet access in all rooms
24 hour Coffee Shop Valet and Covered parking facility Airport transfers and visas available on request
Tour Packages and car rental services on request
Gymnasium, Rooftop Swimming Pool, Jacuzzi, Sauna and Steam
54
Around TownYOU DON,T MISS ANYTHING, THE EVENTS AT YOUR DOORSTEPS
DTCM does it at Burj Khalifa and The WalkThe Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM)
organized a series of events at Burj Khalifa and The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Resi-
dences to commemorate the UAE’s 39th National Day. DTCM’s activities attracted
hundreds of visitors representing various nationalities, who joined Emiratis in
celebrating the country’s National Day.
This year’s event agenda included a presentation about UAE’s culture and
Arab hospitality, in addition to a dedicated calligraphy corner. Mockup traditional
houses were displayed along The Walk, which also hosted Yola dances and national
dance performances. Further, visitors enjoyed henna painting and calligraphy,
while there was also a “Ask about my Cultural Heritage” event where visitors could
find out more about the country’s culture and traditions.
Al Bustan Centre & Residence’s great fervourAl Bustan Centre and
Residence—a deluxe property
which offers world-class ser-
vices and facilities in the city,
celebrated the 39th National
Day of UAE with great fer-
vour. The management along
with the center’s tenants and
guests who were invited by
the property gathered at the
centre’s court for cutting the
huge cake prepared especially
for the event. The property
distributed UAE national flags
to everyone inside and outside
the mall. A cartoon charac-
ter from Fantasy Kingdom
roamed around the shopping
mall distributing flags to
children which spread a lot of
cheer. Moussa El Hayek, Chief
Operating Officer of Al
Bustan Centre & Residence
said: “Every year the event
is celebrated with much
fervour and this year was no
exception. The celebration at
the centre underscored the
property’s wish to salute the
country’s visionary leaders.”
The property wore a festive
look which reflected the sig-
nificance of the occasion.
University of Dubai’s great national sentiment
University of Dubai (UD), a prestigious university in the UAE, es-
tablished by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, celebrated the
39th UAE National Day with great enthusiasm. In a bid to show solidarity
with the government of the UAE, the Emarati Club of UD organised a
number of activities
expressing their love
for the country which
evoked a multitude
of emotions. Speak-
ing at the event Dr
M. Omar Hefni,
President of UD, said:
“We wish to extend
our warmest wishes
to the Government
and people of the UAE
on this memorable
occasion. The wisdom
of its leaders and the determination of its people have put the UAE at the
forefront of global trade and culture. And by organising these activities at
the university we want to show how much we admire the steady growth
this country has shown over the years.”
The University of Dubai was established in 1997 by the Dubai Cham-
ber of Commerce & Industry to address skill and qualification gaps in the
workforce and to support the government’s human resources development
programs in the private and public sectors. Degree programs offered by
the University of Dubai are recognized by the Ministry of Higher Educa-
tion & Scientific Research in the UAE.
39th National DayCelebrating UAE’s
54 I Travel Arabia
55
Welcomed by crowds of excited chil-dren and their families, Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived in great fanfare at Mall of the Emir-ates, their “home away from home” to celebrate the onset of the festive season. Parading through the mall, which has been decked out in holiday cheer, Santa and Mrs. Claus were en-route to Ski Dubai, where they stayed till Dec. 24th ,2010.
Sharing the spirit of the seasons with residents of the UAE, families were welcomed to come by and spend time with Santa, take pictures and enjoy the spirit of Christmas with their loved ones. Santa was at Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates Sezzam restaurant daily from 12-2 p.m., Aspen coffee shop
from 3-5 p.m. and Ski Dubai’s Winter Wonderland from 5-10 p.m. Visitors were also awed by the stunning 13-meter Christmas tree which has been vibrantly adorned with Christmas bau-bles, tinsel and frosted lights.
“We highly enjoyed the fact that residents and tourists alike could experience the merry atmosphere of this special sea-son in Dubai,” said Alejandro Bernabé, Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates general manager.
Mall of the Emirates also gave all its customers a chance to delight their loved ones with its very special Gift Card, which is ideal for every occasion during the festive month. On purchase of each gift card worth AED 500 or above, customers received a
free eco-friendly bag from the mall.
Santa Claus came to the Mall
Grand Millennium Dubai hosts evening of carols
Grand Millennium Dubai hosted an evening of Christmas carols on Dec. 13th, 2010 with invited guests, visitors and staff joining singers from the Wellington School International in a med-ley of traditional favourites.
Starting at 6pm, the event accompanied a tree-lighting ceremony as general manager Alex Kassatly pressed the switch to illuminate the magnificent Christmas decorations that
festooned the lobby and public areas.
“With a host of options for Christmas and New Year to suit all tastes, we aimed to cater to every requirement, but the lighting of the tree is a par-ticularly significant occasion in which everyone can partici-pate—and we are delighted to have the excellent choir from the Wellington School Interna-tional to lead our carol concert,” Kassatly said.
The Grand Millennium Dubai Christmas choir group joined the occasion, ensuring a musical treat for the audience.
For more information about the Grand Millennium Dubai visit www.millennium-hotels.com
Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya launched the city’s first ever Chinese Food Festival, offering guests a feast of culinary delights from all over China. The festival, which was inaugurated by Lin Yang Hong, Chinese ambassador to the Kingdom of the Saudi Arabia, was held from Dec. 4th to the 16th ,2010.
Visiting chef, Chia Chen Long from Hilton Kuala Lumpur supervised culinary activities from expansive buffets, specialty tea tasting and cooking classes that showcased over 60 authentic Chinese dishes.
“The Middle East has a strong Chinese food culture and we thought it was time to introduce the concept in Riyadh. For the first time our guests will have the chance to learn more about the his-tory, regional significance and methods of preparation of authentic Chinese food while enjoying the sumptuous fare,” said Haakon Gaarder-Larsen, hotel general manager.
Chef Chen Lon highlighted the variety in Chinese cuisine, taking samples from the great traditions of Cantonese, Szechuan, Shandong and Jiangsu cooking. International favourites like dim sum will be available along with lesser-known regional dishes. The festival also explored China’s strong “Yum Cha” culture, with tea and juice tasting, every night.
Chinese food fest at Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya
Travel Arabia I 55
56
LimelightINSIDE THE TOURISM WORLD
$100B investment in 2011-15 alone expectedThe enormous task of sponsoring World
Cup 2022 apparently sinking in—finally—Qatar will be holding a conference in early February aimed at drawing up a plan with a thought that FIFA’s decision to name the country as the host nation for the major event will open the door to an unprecedented wave of investment expected to involve around $100 billion in 2011-15 alone, officials said.
Qatar Projects 2011 will define in detail all the key elements of the capital investment plan needed to support the world’s greatest sporting event; including sports facilities, transport infrastructure, utilities and hotel and leisure projects, according to organizers.
Speakers at Qatar Projects 2011 will include H.E. Abdulla Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Qatar’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy & Industry, and Hassan Al Thawadi, Chief Executive Officer of the Qatar 2022 Bid Committee. Businesses are expected to gravitate to Qatar Projects 2011 which is seen as the best opportunity to meet and network with all those behind the next phase of Qa-tar’s capital investment programme and the World Cup 2022 Final Plan.
Officials said this event is the business platform for networking and information-sharing for those interested in learning about, and developing contacts with, the key players
in the fast expanding Qatar project market, adding that this unique event will provide an essential and crucial guide to the latest proj-ects in the energy and non-energy sectors.
With over 40 high-profile speakers, mostly senior representatives from the Middle East and North Africa attending to share their experiences and discuss new opportunities—more relevant content and more specially tailored networking opportunities—officials said no other industry event can provide access to such key decision makers and stake-holders in Qatar’s thriving project market.
The event is scheduled for Feb. 7th to 9th, 2011 at Grand Hyatt, Doha.
56 I Travel Arabia
57
L . Lflydubai acquires 4 new Boeings
flydubai has expanded its fleet to a total of 13 with the acquisition of four new Boeing 737-800 NGs to ar-rive in a number of weeks.
“These new additions show flydubai’s continued growth, with 13 planes now servicing 28 routes. These numbers show phenomenal growth and we show no sign of slowing down, with ambitious growth plans that see us expanding still over the coming months.
“Our four new aircraft are at the cutting edge of air travel and we are certain our customers will enjoy the added comforts that these new planes have to offer,” said flydubai CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith.
The four new aircraft additions come complete with flydubai’s revolutionary ‘Fiber To The Screen’ (FTTS) In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) system from Lumexis. This fibre optic based system is lighter and thinner than previous models, enabling it to fit comfortably into the airline’s special Recaro seats. This reduction in weight allows flydubai to offer their cus-tomers the best in-flight entertainment on the market,
while significantly reducing the associated costs, mean-ing flydubai can keep its ticket prices low.
In line with flydubai’s culture of only charging travellers for the services they use, the new IFE will be available as an optional extra in the way that baggage and meals are. Passengers travelling on these new fly-dubai aircraft, will have the ability to choose what they want to watch depending on their preference and how much they want to spend.
In addition to state-of-the-art entertainment sys-tem, the new planes are also among the first to be fitted with the new Boeing Sky Interior. The spacious new interior aims to improve passenger comfort onboard the new flydubai planes, and has subtle mood lighting to simulate night time, day time and sunrise/sunset, as well as redesigned overhead bins to give more cabin space and increased storage.
flydubai, Dubai’s first low cost airline, was estab-lished by the Government of Dubai in March 2008 and began commercial flights on June 1st, 2009
Bookings can be made on www.flydubai.com, through the call centre (+9714 3010800) and with travel partners.
UAE travelers in the UK.
UAE travellers visit UK almost every yearSurvey notes average of nine visits in the last 10 years.
Travellers from the United Arab Emirates visited the United Kingdom an average of nine times in the last 10 years, according to UK’s national tourism agency, VisitBritain, citing informa-tion from the International Passenger Survey made available by the Office for National Statistics. The data was from a survey of 50,000 overseas visitors.
The numbers make the UAE the third most loyal group of UK visitors in the world behind Luxembourg and Ireland, of which 99 percent and 96 percent respectively had visited the UK in the past decade.
Ninety-one percent of UAE travellers have gone on a repeat visit during the period, according to VisitBritain. The find-ings have increased hopes that the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympic Games will further boost travel to the UK from the region, especially among younger travellers who the agency hopes will become repeat visitors. “The data shows that people from the UAE revisit the UK time and time again proving just how appealing Britain’s culture, architecture, attractions and events are to regional travellers,” said Carol Maddison, UAE Manager at VisitBritain.
“With the Olympic Games being hosted by London in 2012 we are hoping that visitors from the UAE and across the Middle East will be further inspired to visit Britain either before or during the Games, and we are particularly looking forward to welcoming younger visitors, who once they experience the UK, will return again and again,” added Maddison.
The loyalty survey of 50,000 overseas visitors was carried out as part of the UK Government’s International Passenger Survey. Overall, it revealed that 77 per cent had been to the UK at least once in the previous 10 years - and often many times.
Travel Arabia I 57
58
L . L
Rani Resorts, the hospitality group owned by Saudi-based Aujan Group and the largest investor in Mozambique’s tourism industry, is to commence work on a US$100 million flagship resort on Paradise Island in the country’s Bazaruto Archipelago.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Gulf
Africa Invest-ment Confer-ence being held in Riyadh, Adel Aujan, Chairman of Aujan Group said occupancy is picking up in the company’s existing resorts, “and we are convinced that Mozambique is on track to be one of world’s leading luxury
tourism destinations.“Mozambique is shaping up to be
Africa’s brightest rising star, with rich resources and outstanding potential for tourism.” Through a subsidiary, Rani Resorts, the Aujan Group operates five luxury hotel destinations in Mozam-
bique, including the flagship Indigo Bay Resort & Spa.
Construction on Paradise Island will begin in 2011; the resort will open to guests in 2013. “The architectural concept for the new hotel is retro, in keeping with the original establishment on the island that was so popular with glamourous jet-set of the 50s and 60s”, said Kamel Abdallah, Chief Executive Officer of Rani Investment.
With an airstrip for easy access to the mainland, Paradise Island will consist of an 80-room hotel and 50 holiday villas and apartments, restaurants, a Clube Naval, kids club, spa, shops, a dive and fishing centre, flood-lit tennis courts and an innovative Qolf chipping course.
Only two hour’s flying time from Johannesburg and less from Maputo, the Bazaruto Archipelago is increasingly becoming a sought-after destination for international tourists.
Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi appoints Carmelo Rosselli as Italian Executive Sous Chef
Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi has appointed Car-melo Rosselli as Italian Executive Sous Chef in charge of Prego’s kitchen. Car-melo, an Italian national, brings with him more than 15 years experience in the food industry.
Before mov-ing to the Abu Dhabi, Car-melo worked at
Meridian Airport Dubai, Meridian Mina Seyahi as well as Grand Millenium Dubai. Rotana currently manages a portfolio of over 70 properties throughout the MENA region with an aggressive expansion plan in place.
Aujan Group starts work on US$100 M Mozambique resort
Officials upbeat about the project.
Corniche Al Buharia Hotel Sharjah
celebrates holidays with Christmas Tree Lighting
and CarolsSherif Ezzat, acting general manager welcomed an en-
thusiastic crowd for the traditional Christmas Tree lighting
which started a season of long activities at Corniche Al Bu-
haira Hotel Sharjah (formerly, Millennium hotel Sharjah).
The event was held in the hotel lobby on Dec. 23rd 2010. Ev-
erybody enjoyed the Christmas carols that were performed
by the lovely team of Sharjah English School while enjoying
the Christmas candies and cakes in a warm atmosphere.
To capture the childish delight, passions and traditional
ritual of the Christmas season, Santa Clause offered gifts to
everybody with a special joyful entertainment that spread
the joy among the families and friends..
Not only the children enjoyed their gifts, the parents got
a joyful part as well.
58 I Travel Arabia
59
The second of RAK Airways three weekly flight to Cairo arrived at Cairo International Airport to a VIP welcome by dignitaries and officials.
RAK Airways, a national carrier of the UAE, recently added Cairo as its fifth destination to its growing route network, offering three flights a week from Ras Al Khaimah Inter-national Airport. The flight arrived on Dec. 21st, 2010.
Onboard RAK Airways second flight to Cairo were Sheikh Salem Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Vice Chair-man, RAK Airways and Omar Jahameh, CEO, RAK Airways, who were met by a VIP delegation led by the UAE Consul General in Egypt Dr. Rashid Hamad Al Affari who attended on behalf of the UAE Am-bassador to Egypt H.E. Mohammed bin Nakhera Al Dhaheri, upon ar-rival at Cairo International Airport.
Sheikh Salem Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Vice Chairman, RAK Air-ways, said, “The launch of RAK Air-ways Cairo flights is in keeping with our commitment to expand our route network and further enhance our high-value offering to our cus-tomers. On behalf of RAK Airways I would like to extend my apprecia-tion to the Egyptian authorities and Cairo International Airport officials for warmly welcoming the launch of RAK Airways Cairo route.”
“We look forward to introduc-ing Egyptian travellers to our ‘Small
Fares, Big Deals’ offering and sup-porting greater trade and tourism exchange between the UAE and Egypt,” Al Qassimi added.
Included in the price of each RAK Airways flight is a full hot meal and bever-ages on-board all flights, a baggage allowance of 40kg per passenger as well as the normal hand baggage allowance and free shuttle service between other emir-ates and RAK International Airport for each flight.
RAK Airways offers free parking for passengers who wish to drive to RAK International Airport which is 40 minutes away from Sharjah and 50 minutes away from Dubai.
Flights to Cairo are on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday leaving RAK International Airport at 0700 and arriving in Cairo at 0850. Return flights from Cairo are on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday leaving at 0950 and arriving at RAK International Airport at 1520.
Bookings can be made online at www.rakairways.com; through phoning a 24-hour call centre on 971-7-2075000; through sales of-fices in Ras Al Khaimah, Dubai, Abu
Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al-Quwain as well as Calicut and Jeddah; and through appointed travel agents.
VIP ceremony marks RAK’sarrival to Cairo
L . L
RAK Airways was established under Emiri Decree No: 3/2006 issued in January 2006. The airline is a private joint stock company incorporated in the RAK Investment Authority Free Zone with an authorized capital of AED 1.5 billion.
RAK Airways chairman is Sheikh Omar Bin Saqr Al Qas-simi; Engr. Sheikh Salem Bin Sul-tan Al Qassimi is the airline’s Vice Chairman and Omar Jahameh is RAK Airways Chief Executive Officer.
About RAK Airways:
Travel Arabia I 59
60
Dusit Thani Dubai Hotel, Dusit Princess City Centre and Pearl Coast Premier Hotel Apart-ments are offering a shopping festival package until end February 2011 to coincide with Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) 2011 which will run from Jan. 20th, 2011 to Feb. 20th, 2011.
The 2-day package consists of accommoda-tion in a double room for two people for two nights; daily breakfast; two-day metro passes for two; complimentary internet access (Dusit Thani Dubai only); complimentary shuttle services to Dubai Mall (Dusit Thani Dubai only); upgrade subject to availability (Dusit Thani Dubai only); 10% discount on food and beverages, not in con-junc-
tion with other promotions; complimentary airport pick-up and drop off; 10% discount on laundry services; and complimentary extra bed (01) provided on room only basis, subject to availability.
For Dusit Thani Dubai, price starts at AED 898 per person; Dusit Princess City Centre, AED 660 per person; and Pearl Coast Premier Hotel Apartments AED 480 per person Reservations should be made via www.dusit.com or directly with the hotel. Alternatively, visit www.dusit.com for the Click It’s Magic promotion valid until Feb. 28th, 2011.
All three hotels are located within 5 minutes of a metro station, linking them to each other, the city’s shopping malls and the international airport
L . L
Polar tour, anyone?Al Tayyar comes up with adventure-packed expeditions.
In a bid to offer a more exciting, adventure-packed holiday, Al Tayyar Travel & Tourism has launched polar expedition packages that allow for a closer look at bears, penguins and 8,000-year-old icebergs deep into the ice cap.
Chahid Bouamrane, Al Tayyar general manager for International Business Development, said the polar packages were done in collabo-ration with Interserve Travel, one of India’s largest tour companies, which has facilitated the travel of over 65 adventurers to the Arctic and Antartica in the past 18 months.
Bouamrane said the packages will enable GCC travellers to have new adventure options; he noted that there has been a growing interest by local residents to travel to the Artic and Antartica.
“Recent studies undertaken by our agency… found that a signifi-cant number of local residents is interested in an expedition to the polar regions if it is properly executed by professional tour operators,” Bouamrane said.
K.C. Chandrahasan, Interserve managing director said 60% of the customers were repeat-travellers. “They want to visit an 8,000-year-old iceberg and see penguins and polar bears. This is an unforgettable adventure that is why 60% of them repeat the tour,” he said.
Tours of the Arctic and Antarctica usually take place between October and March; an expedition could last up to 18 days. The tour-ists would travel by air up to Oslo for the Arctic and Buenos Aires for Antartica.
The tourists will journey in small teams accompanied by highly skilled guides, physicians, safety experts, and storytellers. By traveling in smaller sized vessels, it becomes possible to go deeper into frozen waters, allowing the travelers to discover and visit the exotic inner areas near the polar cap.
For inquiries and reservations, call 009715 6606 3242. Al Tayyar said in a press release that it will offer a discount to the first 20 callers.
Al Tayyar Travel Group (a closed joint stock company), is a Riyadh-based company established 30 years ago and now comprises 12 subsidiary companies under its umbrella that specialize in travel and tourism services within the Kingdom, and about 20 companies outside the Kingdom that create an integrated tourism service.
Officials announcing the exciting adventure package.
Dusit International Dubai holds month-long shopping bonanza
60 I Travel Arabia
61
L . LMarriott International has
signed a management agreement with Sanding Holding Group Co., Ltd. for a 281-room deluxe Marriott-branded hotel in Yiwu that is planned to open in 2014.
The Yiwu Marriott Hotel will be situated at the juncture of Shangcheng and Futian Roads in close proximity of the International Trade City. It will be the first Mar-riott International-branded hotel in the city and will offer the largest guest rooms, the largest ballroom and the largest function space in the city. The European Union, United States, the United Arab Emirates and Russia are the top travel genera-tors to Yiwu.
“After establishing a solid presence in China’s major coastal
cities, we’re excited by our contin-ued expansion into the country’s secondary and tertiary cities,” said Simon Cooper, Marriott Interna-tional’s president and managing director for the Asia-Pacific Region. “We’re confident that the hotel’s su-perb location and quality of design coupled with the local government’s active promotion of the city as the top MICE destination in Zhejiang Province, will contribute strongly to the Yiwu Marriott quickly becoming the hotel of choice for domestic and international visitors to the city.”
Marriott International currently operates more than 50 hotels in China across six lodging brands: JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance Hotels &
Resorts, Courtyard by Marriott and Marriott Executive Apartments.
Marriott signs deal in China
One of the most visited beach resorts on the East coast of the UAE, Le Méridien Al Aqah is all set to usher in yet another year of tremendous business potential on completion of eight successful years, even as it sees the need for ongoing improvements and has continued to allocate budgets towards launching and upgrading its amenities.
Some AED 1 million has been spent to install high speed wireless internet around the entire property.
This allows guests to utilize the in-ternet not only within the building, but permits the use of the service even on the vast expanse of the beach surrounding the property.
Speaking on the 8th anniversary of the hotel, Patrick Antaki, general manager, said: “With the upgrading of our current internet facility, our guests are assured of the added ben-efits during their stay at the resort.”
Le Méridien Al Aqah’s forte lies in being able to consistently create
the right opportunities through well
designed activities and promo-
tions throughout the year. This has
helped it become one of the most
preferred destinations not only by
the international traveler, but a very
strong contender for local UAE and
regional tourists. Given the high
service quality and facilities, the
resort has seen an upward trend in
loyal guest lists and does their best
to ensure that they retain their trust.
Le Méridien Al Aqah turns 8, spends AED1 million in wireless upgrades
Travel Arabia I 61
62Hilton Worldwide has signed a
management agreement with Afak Co. for Touristic Development Co., one of the Egyptian Engineers Companies (Zaghloul Holdings), for the newly built 676-room Hilton Makadi Resort, the fourth Hilton Hotels & Resorts property in Hurghada, Egypt.
The hotel is expected to open its doors as a Hilton Hotels & Resort in the second quarter of 2012. Situated in the new area of Makadi Bay, about 30km south of Hurghada and 35km from Hurghada International Airport, the hotel overlooks the Red Sea with a
400-meter, private sandy beach. “Our brand’s global growth, partic-
ularly in the resort and leisure segment, continues at a rapid pace as we mark the signing of another Hilton property in Egypt. Hilton Makadi Resort will be a great addition to the market – offering guests our very own Hilton-style, world-class service and forward-thinking approach in a spectacular setting with beautiful Red Sea views,” said Dave Horton, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand.
Hurghada, Egypt is also home to Hilton Hurghada Resort, Hilton
Hurghada Plaza and Hilton Hurghada Long Beach Resort. The newest Hilton Hotels & Resorts property, the Hilton Makadi Resort, will feature two meeting rooms, three lounges, an all-day dining and two speciality restaurants and will offer three swimming pools, a health club, spa, and diving center for leisure in addition to a private beach; it will be the 17th Hilton Worldwide property in the country.
Hilton Worldwide has 44 hotels across 14 countries in the Middle East & Africa, with another 29 hotels under development.
Hilton Hotels & Resorts to open its fourth property in Hurghada, Egypt
Hilton Worldwide has signed an agreement with Silhouette Island Resort Limited for its second property in the Seychelles, the 111-villa Hilton Seychelles LaBriz Resort & Spa, scheduled to open in March 2011.
This, even as the company announced appointment of a new vice president of
operations for Egypt and Levant.“The resort and leisure segment of
our global portfolio continues to grow with the signing of a second Hilton brand property in Seychelles,” said Dave Horton, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand.
The new hotel joins Hilton Sey-
chelles Northolme Resort & Spa. It is on Silhouette, the third largest island which is also close to the airport and home to the Grand Tortoise Sanctuary where 120-year-old tortoises live.
Seychelles is an important leisure destination and an emerging market for Hilton Worldwide, according to Essam Abouda, vice president, operations, Ara-bian Peninsula & Indian Ocean. Mohamed Umar Maniku, chairman, Silhouette Island Resort Limited said the agreement will help manage the demand and meet travelers’ high expectations.
Meantime, Hilton Worldwide said Christian Grage has joined as vice presi-dent of operations, Egypt and Levant to oversee 16 hotels. He will also focus on powering the growth strategy for Hilton Worldwide in the region.
German-born Grage was from Möv-enpick Hotels & Resorts where he started as an apprentice. He brings with him 25 years of experience, including general manager roles for Mövenpick hotels in the Czech Republic, Saudi Arabia and China. Hilton Worldwide has 44 hotels across 14 countries in the Middle East & Africa with another 30 properties in the pipeline.
Hilton Worldwide signs second Seychelles hotel, appoints new VP
Openings
62 I Travel Arabia
63
The Iberotel Emirates Grand Hotel, situated in the vibrant business district of Dubai on Sheikh Zayed Road, has of-ficially opened its state-of-the-art Adam & Eve spa for its leisure guests and corporate travellers. The spa is home to a splendid range of treatments and consists of 13 luxurious treatment rooms, imbued with contemporary splendour and serenity to complement the authentic spa experience!
Eyad Hamad, hotel resident manager said the spa has a professional team of estheticians and body therapists who offer a complete spa experience and provide authentic treatments ranging from the Thai therapies to ancient traditional treat-ments of the East.
“Thus we are sure that our treatments will leave you relaxed and refreshed. The best part is that our spa does not only ca-ter for the female audience but males also as there are separate treatment rooms. So now you can bust your stress and reward yourself in the company of your husband, family or friends,” Hamad sad.
The ambiance and the violet décor of the spa sooth your nerves and provides a quiet sanctuary to relax and rejuvenate. The sounds of chirping birds and entic-ing aromas invite one to relax and forget about one’s stressful life. It offers holistic treatments designed to create harmony of body and mind and spirit offering you an invigorating experience to detox your body to feel refreshed, renewed and recharged. All the treatments are specific to the Adam & Eve spa and the certified
spa staff helps you select a treatment that helps.
Additional to the spa’s wellness experience one can be pampered in the adjacent full service beauty salon that is offering cool menus. There is a wide range of treatments from waxing, nails designs, hair cutting and dying. All treatments
are carried out to the highest standards in a relaxing calming atmosphere. The treatments are offered to both men and women for the face, nails and body and are carried out in private rooms by quali-fied beauticians. All products used in the salon are non-animal tested, environmen-tally friendly and hypoallergenic. Thus escape from your tiring daily routine and indulge in the remarkable amenities that await you at the Adam & Eve spa of Iberotel Emirates Grand Hotel.
Iberotel Emirates Grand Hotel launches Adam & Eve
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for Adam & Eve.
Travel Arabia I 63
64
BackpackerBEEN THERE DONE THAT
It was six in the morning and unlike in the previous days, Ziad had to literally shake us out of our sleeping bags on day five, as we tried to catch that extra wink of sleep, having been exhausted from the previous day’s climb. The great Barranco wall which stood before us was quite an imposing sight, but seemed trivial compared to the challenge which lay before us at midnight – our ascent to Uhuru peak, the
summit of Mt Kilimanjaro. We were keen to make a head start because we knew that there wouldn’t be much time to rest after we climbed up to Barafu camp.
Baranco wall was fairly similar to Lava Tower, though much steeper, and we soon found ourselves climbing with both our hands and feet, as there was no special equipment to
help. There were no glaciers in visible sight, but the climb up was very slippery from the continuous stream of cold glacial water mak-ing its way down the wall. Most people don’t know of this, but Mt Kilimanjaro is actually an inactive volcano with two extinct cones and one dormant volcanic cone. Our entire landscape on day five was scattered with igne-ous rocks in all different shapes and sizes. In
fact, it is said that molten magma lies just a few hundred meters beneath the dormant cone, Kibo, on whose rim we’d find the mountain’s summit, Uhuru peak.
We began our descent down Barranco wall after a short break, jumping from rock to rock. Our knees hurt more today than the day before, but Ziad motivated us to continue
on. The track ahead would take us over the ridges below the Heim glacier and on through Karanga valley. Karanga would not only be our last water stop of the day, but would also be the last chance for anyone who had second thoughts to change their mind. A turn to the left would lead up the ridge to Barafu and a turn right, down to the Mweka descent camp. Although we were weary and our hearts were
racing, there was no about which turn we were going to take.
We soon found our-selves climbing up the ridge to Barafu camp. At 4,550 meters, the camp itself was higher than most moun-tains and we soon learnt that it had been named Barafu for a reason: the word meant ice in Swahili, which is about all there was to see. It was five in the evening and we were all exhausted by the time we reached the camp after the 13 kilometer hike. At seven degrees below freezing and with gusty winds, the area was inhospitable to say the least. We put on our ther-mals as the porters went about pitching our tents on a narrow and icy ridge. Even under a clear moonlit sky, the area was prone to being blanketed by clouds and one step in the wrong direction could mean a fall to certain death.
We had an early dinner and quickly prepared the equipment for our 1,345m climb to the summit at midnight. I double-checked my flashlight and made sure that I had enough water in my thermal flask for the day head. We made one last trip around the area to familiarize ourselves with the ter-rain before nightfall and retired to our sleeping bags for the day.
The Kilimanjaro DiariesDay 5, The decision at Karanga Valley
The pain from the climb soon gave way to tears of joy as we were overcome by the thrill of having reached the summit.
64 I Travel Arabia
