Category Archives: Exhibitions

Sharjah international book fair has opened under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member, Supreme Council and Ruler, Sharjah. Guests were quite intrigued with an emotional message of heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to recognise the towering contributions of his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson, Supreme Council of Family Affairs (SCFA), and presented her the ‘Sharjah Coronet’ for dedicated services to society. Now in its 37th year, the fair has attracted visitors from across the globe and is considered as the second largest book fair in the world. This edition will be hosting more than 20 million books from 1.6 million titles, 80,000 of which are new titles, along with 1,874 publishing houses from 77 countries. The event will be curating 1800 events and featuring 472 guests from around the world with 200 book-signing ceremonies for authors from 19 countries. Japan is the Guest of Honour at this year’s edition in celebration of its cultural and creative achievements. On the occasion, His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member, Supreme Council and Ruler, Sharjah, said, “I extend a special welcome to Japan, our guest of honour. In 1979, I launched an appeal to stop building concrete structures and build knowledge and culture. In 2019, it’ll be 40 years since the appeal. When we look back, we can see that we have built a 40-year legacy of giving and exceptional cultural achievements. I can never take the sole credit for this; I say ‘we’ have achieved everything together, and I would like to once again thank you all for your contribution to the fair’s 40-year journey and success in …

Global Village has opened its 23rd season in Dubai on October 30, 2018 under the theme ‘Explore, Experience, Enjoy. This Way!’ and runs until April 6, 2019. It has also unveiled an expansive programme of entertainment, events and cultural activities. Global Village provides world-class shopping, unlimited entertainment, tantalising international cuisine, and features a newly-expanded Carnaval funfair area during the 159-day long season that runs from October 30, 2018 to April 6, 2019. Commenting on the occasion, Bader Anwahi, CEO, Global Village, said, “Global Village brings on its 23rd season with a wide range of exciting shows and special features to impress guests. This time, we have enhanced the entire park for greater thrills and a refreshed experience. We enter a world of exploration filled with adventures and fun for families as we host even more exciting events and huge international shows to entertain our guests.” Anwahi added that Global Village has become the most important tourist destination for visitors to the UAE and is a popular destination with residents from all walks of life. Global Village returns this season with 27 new pavilions representing 78 countries with stunning exteriors reflecting the world’s most beautiful landmarks whilst bringing global cultures to guests. The lively atmosphere is enhanced by music, markets, street food and local handicrafts as well as vendors dressed in authentic costumes. Each pavilion showcases its country’s or region’s most beautiful monuments and landmarks with popular markets, authentic products, heritage corners and cultural performances.

Ghaya Grand has announced its participation at WTM in London with a host of new activities to entice the UK market. Speaking about the event, Olwin De Souza, General Manager, Ghaya Grand, stated that a record-breaking number of travellers, totaling 15.79 million flew to Dubai last year, with the UK being the third-largest source of tourists. At Ghaya Grand Hotel, UK guests attract the largest number for our luxury serviced apartments, with numbers steadily increasing for short stay guests, checking into our hotel rooms. The UK market, along with other strong European markets, such as the German and Dutch market, contributed to an increase of 15 per cent growth over last year at Ghaya Grand Hotel. While there have been higher visitors from other top source markets such as China and the Middle East, the UK remains one of the most important feeder markets to the hotels in Dubai. De Souza reiterated that at this year’s WTM participation, they hope to meet with their existing and new travel partners to showcase their five-star model at Ghaya Grand Hotel and share their success story. We would like to reach out to partners on our journey of creating memorable experiences for guests; which they like to share with family, friends and other global travellers to Dubai. Our aim is to consolidate relations built with existing agents and interact with new agents and suppliers, to improve the number of visitors coming to Dubai and especially to Ghaya Grand Hotel.”

The United Arab Emirates witnesses UAE Flag Day  celebrations on November 1. Bryan Thompson, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Abu Dhabi Airport’, said, “The celebrations taking place across the nation this Flag Day on November 1 are a manifestation of the unity and cohesion among citizens and residents alike. The flag is a part of the national identity of the UAE; it represents tolerance, belonging, sacrifices made and sovereignty. “Coinciding with the anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President, UAE, Flag Day marks an important date for the country. It is an opportunity to reflect on the achievements and successes of the nation and express our gratitude to the UAE’s visionary leaders.” He added, “By raising the national flag at all of Abu Dhabi Airports’ premises, we are renewing our commitment to national initiatives and implementing the nation’s values on a daily basis. Abu Dhabi Airports has taken our commitment one step further as last month we adopted the values of the nation’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as our corporate values. The values of wisdom, respect, sustainability and human development have become our compass in everything we do.” Commenting on the occasion, HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), said, “We extend our warmest congratulations and appreciation to HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President, UAE; HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister, UAE and Ruler, Dubai; HH Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member, Supreme Council and Ruler, Sharjah, and their highnesses the Supreme Council members and rulers of the emirates. The UAE Flag Day embodies the sovereignty …

Seatrade Maritime Middle East (SMME) 2018 is being organised from October 29-31, 2018 at Dubai World Trade Centre. The event brings together ship owners and managers, port operators and cargo owners, C-Suite stakeholders, financiers, and other maritime professionals for a three-day international exhibition and conference programme. Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the event is the official maritime exhibition to take place during the UAE Maritime Week 2018. Nearly 300 exhibitors from leading international maritime companies and over 8,000 attendees, including renowned local, regional and global maritime experts and specialists, are expected to join the trade show and its associated events. During the three days, participants are going to network, do business, strengthen and nurture new relationships, while hearing about industry topics within relevant and comprehensive conference sessions, seminars and panel discussions, among others. The topics to be discussed in the scheduled forums will revolve around autonomous shipping and automation, fuels of the future, digital and cyber technologies and environmental challenges within the shipping industry. Participants will also have an opportunity to meet the world’s leading suppliers covering supply, construction, and maintenance of vessels.

The International Government Communication Centre (IGCC) has announced March 20–21, 2019 as the dates for the 8th edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) to be held under the theme ‘Behavioural Change Towards Human Development’. Organised by Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), IGCF 2019 will host prominent figures and top officials from around the world, including heads of state and governments, thought leaders, directors of regional and international organisations, representatives of civil society and study and research centres, media personnel and students of mass communication and media. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman, Sharjah Media Council (SMC), highlighted the unique focus of IGCF 2019, saying, “IGCF’s previous editions have successfully strengthened communication structures and tools by shedding light on several issues of importance in the field across nations and governments. The 2019 edition is set to be one of the IGCF’s most specialised. It will be tailor-made to assess the role of government communication in promoting positive behaviour around issues of national interest. Government communication’s mission is to enhance people’s awareness and seeing the larger public interest as part of their own. This can only be achieved when governments use communication to influence personal and social practices in a way that will enable individuals to fully understand their role in the success of national plans.” Local and international communication experts, together with behavioural specialists will come together at IGCF 2019 to deliberate on how to realistically incorporate sociology and human sciences into the development and implementation of successful government communication campaigns.

The 5th World Green Economy Summit 2018 has begun on October 24 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, UAE; Prime Minister and Ruler, Dubai, Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre with the theme ‘Driving innovation, leading change.’ His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler, Dubai, also attended the inauguration ceremony’. During the opening ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum honoured delegations and representatives of countries participating in the Preparatory Conference on the Establishment of World Green Economy Organization (WGEO). HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman, Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Dubai; Managing Director and CEO, DEWA; and Chairman, WGES, delivered his keynotes at the summit, extending thanks and gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for inaugurating the summit. HE Al Tayer reaffirmed that the summit comes in line with the vision of the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President, UAE, and the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister, UAE and Ruler, Dubai and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince, Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander, UAE Armed Forces, for the United Arab Emirates to be the best country in the world, by the UAE Centennial 2071. It also witnessed a speech by HE Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister, Climate Change and Environment, highlighting the UAE’s transformation progress into green economy. Christina Figueres – Former Secretary General, UNFCCC, also gave a speech, reviewing leading efforts being made by the United Nations and Member States to …

The 37th edition of Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) 2018 will see more than 200 authors from 19 countries, who will be present at the fair’s book-signing corner to meet and interact with book lovers as well as sign their works personally. Books written by them will also be on display, and include genres of classic and folk poetry, novels, historical studies, literary criticism and translations, cookbooks, children’s literature, arts, legal research, archaeology and others. The signing corner will bring together Sheikha Fatima bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Dr Abdul Aziz Al Nuaimi, Obaid bin Sandal, Dr Abdul Khaleq Abdullah, Dr Hamad Ben Saray, Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Rashid Sharar, Karim Matouq, Dr Talal Al Junaibi, Dr Yousef Al Hassan, Fahad bin Ghorab Al Marri and other acclaimed emirati writers. Many other emirati writers like Salem Obaid Al Alili, Fatat Tihama, Mariam Al Naqbi, Ghaleb Jazilan, Dr Mariam Al Hashemi, Saleha Obaid, Dr Shehab Ghanem, Fathia Al Nimr, Dr Abdel Hakim Al Anis, Mohammed Jowkar, Naema Al Suwaidi, Moza Haji, Aisha Saeed Al Qaidi, Dr Ibrahim Al Naqbi, Aisha Al Ajel, Abdullah Saif Al Shuwahei, Adel Khuzam, Ali Al Abdan, and Dr Issa Al Hammadi will also be signing their works. The signing corner will also see the participation from Dr Salah Fadl, Dr Abeer Sharara, Nabil Suleiman, Karim Al Iraqi, Dr Ali Jaafar Al Alaq, Sharbel Dagher, Sharbel Qattan, Dr Medhat Al Adl, Amer Tahboub, Hamza Qenaoui, Dr Mohammed Jaradat, Darine Shubair, Dr Mania Suwaid, Shaker Nuri, Mohammed Abu Arab, Dr Omar Abdul Aziz, Abdul Fattah Sabri, Dr Farouq Majdalawi, Samiha Al Masri, Raed Aman, Abdul Karim Al Jalasi, Dr Omar Munir Dahab, Dr Mona Bounaama, Dr Abdul Sattar Al …

A show at The Dubai Fountain and a three-minute projection on Burj Khalifa began the countdown for Expo 2020 Dubai that will run from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021 in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region. The event is expected to attract 25 million visits, with 70 per cent of visitors projected to come from outside the UAE – the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.The milestone moment in the countdown to the biggest event ever to be held in the Arab world attracted thousands of people to a free public celebration at Burj Park, Downtown Dubai. The community event included five hours of interactive live music performances, illuminations, lessons in dance from around the world, stellar artistic exhibitions and activities, global cuisines and more. Three energetic flash-mob routines, synchronised to music inspired by the international cuisines created during an entertaining cooking show were a surprise feature. Visitors also had the opportunity to sign up as an Expo 2020 volunteer, joining more than 15,000 UAE nationals and expats who have already registered their interest in joining the Expo family.

The Health Tourism Department at the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and Emirates Holidays recently held a roadshow in Kuwait as part of its efforts to promote Dubai’s leading hospitality and healthcare services and offer a wholesome new experience to many travellers in the country planning their health rejuvenation and wellness treatments abroad. The roadshow was aimed at raising awareness within the travel sector on Dubai’s wide range of carefully-curated wellness holiday packages which include return flights on Emirates – a three-to-four-day stay at a hotel property renowned for its health and wellness facilities; a selection of spa and wellness treatments, including a health and wellness programme tailored to the client’s specific needs and daily meals. The group showcased during the roadshow the luxurious health and wellness facilities available in Dubai, including the DNA Health Center and the The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel. The DNA Health Center is luxurious health clinic independently located within the Talise Spa at Madinat Jumeirah which provides a range of lifestyle medicine for wellness, healthy aging, beauty and a serene environment under one roof.