Tag Archives: Dubai

Dubai’s successful tourism rebound continues to inspire global tourism recovery with the city welcoming 6.17 million international overnight visitors from January to May 2022, a 197 per cent year-on-year (YoY) increase from the same five-month period in 2021, which saw the destination attracting just over two million international travellers. The latest tourism data was revealed by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) at its first ‘City Briefing’ for 2022, a bi-annual event that provides an in-depth industry outlook to stakeholders and partners, and discusses future strategies to further reinforce the city’s position as a global hub for business, investment, talent and tourism. The event was attended by more than 1,200 key executives from across the tourism ecosystem including aviation, travel, hospitality and retail sectors. His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) commented: “The remarkable vision and leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, have always been an inspiration to us all, and this is reflected in the city’s continued success, as we focus on enhancing its position as a global hub for economy and tourism. We are building on the massive momentum generated by the hugely successful Expo 2020 to drive growth across all our tourism pillars from cultural to culinary experiences, while working towards achieving the ambitious goal of making Dubai the most visited destination and the city of the future that will be the best place in the world to live and work. “As we look ahead to the remainder of 2022 and beyond, we will harness the key elements that have ensured the industry’s …

Residence Inn by Marriott Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai announced the completion of the hotel’s rebranding as Residence Inn by Marriott following its renovation.  Enjoying a prime location on Sheikh Zayed Road near the city’s key business and leisure attraction such as the Dubai International Financial Centre, Museum of the Future, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Emirates Towers, and World Trade Centre, it is the world’s largest and tallest hotel to join the Residence Inn by Marriott brand. With a global presence of over 870 hotels in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East and Central America, Residence Inn is the world leader of the longer stay lodging segment. The Residence Inn experience is designed for guests to travel the way they love to live by blending comfort with style in flexible and intuitive spaces. “I am proud to welcome guests to experience the world’s largest and tallest Residence Inn by Marriott and enjoy exceptional comfort and freedom that the brand is renowned for around the world,” said Khaled Saab, General Manager for Residence Inn by Marriott Sheikh Zayed Road. “Conveniently located merely 11 kilometres away from the Dubai International Airport, the Residence Inn by Marriott Sheikh Zayed Road offers guests more possibilities to live their way or wind down with redesigned spaces. In addition, being part of the Marriott Bonvoy Rewards Program unlocks for our guests a world of exclusive member benefits and extraordinary experiences including complimentary Wi-Fi, member-only rates, and points that take you places.” Featuring 430 modern residential rooms and suites, many of which boast impressive views of the Sheikh Zayed Road and Jumeirah coastline, Residence Inn by Marriott Sheikh Zayed Road offers travellers a ‘home-away-from-home’ experience with …

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has collaborated with acclaimed British artist Claire Luxton to unveil a series of fully immersive experiences at InterContinental London Park Lane, InterContinental New York Barclay and InterContinental Dubai Festival City. Bookable now through to mid-July, the experiences celebrate the joy of worldliness and the beauty of global travel as told through a Claire Luxton lens. The Claire Luxton Experience at InterContinental Dubai Festival City heroes a limited-edition suite which have been designed and curated by the artist and depict her interpretation of InterContinental Hotels & Resorts. Taking cues from her personal travels and inspirations, Luxton brings the brand to life through the natural flora and fauna signature to her artwork in combination with an array of sensory experiences, including a drawn bath and soundscape. Every detail and room accent across the suite has been transformed to reflect the artist’s style with features including bespoke artwork, lighting and soft furnishings, that represent InterContinental hotels in Japan and Southeast Asia, respectively. A drawn bath experience with a curated soundscape, aromas and florals enhances the stay for guests. Additional discoveries in the suite include a special playlist and coffee table books reflecting Luxton’s travels. Guests booking the suite at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City will also be offered a massage for two in the hotel’s luxury spa. Claire Luxton said: “I’m thrilled to partner with InterContinental Hotels & Resorts again, interpreting the brand’s story of worldliness. Global travel inspires my work, and I hope it shines through in every detail of the collaboration, from the foyer florals and the hotel team’s custom scarves to the drawn bath experience and the artworks themselves. Each flower and animal within my work …

Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, the #DubaiDestinations initiative is continuing its campaign with a focus on highlighting the city’s exceptional experiences, and exciting events and activities during the summer. The campaign encourages Dubai’s diverse community to discover the city’s unique destinations in the summer and enjoy its distinctive offerings ranging from beach activities, dining and family-friendly activities at hotels, to waterparks, water sports adventures and indoor entertainment that capture the essence of Dubai’s summer experience. The initiative aims to create and disseminate to local, regional and global audiences engaging content that highlights Dubai’s unique character and identity as well as its emergence as the world’s best place to live and visit. The current season of the #DubaiDestinations campaign, running until the end of August, brings together a wide range of public and private sector stakeholders to showcase the emirate’s various exciting experiences. Key partners in the campaign include: the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai; Dubai Municipality; the Roads and Transport Authority; the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority; Dubai Sports Council; Dubai Ladies Club; Emaar; Dubai Holding; Nakheel Properties; Majid Al Futtaim Group; and Merex Investment Office. Her Excellency Mona Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council and Director General of the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO), said: “Since its launch, the #DubaiDestinations campaign has focused on highlighting the quintessential Dubai experience and its uniqueness as a destination that offers a range of experiences that meet the tastes and interests of people across ages and nationalities. With the focus now on Dubai’s various summer destinations, the campaign will …

Tomorrowland is set to open Terra Solis, a brand-new unique desert destination in Dubai. Nestled between the Arabian dunes and inspired by the most beautiful star constellations, Terra Solis will open in September in Dubailand, Al Yufra, welcoming people from around the globe to a magical oasis of relaxation in the Arabian desert. Guests will be encouraged to celebrate life by the pool during the day and stargaze into their dreams at night. Bookings are now open on terrasolisdubai.com. Featuring a collection of three stunning accommodation options, all named after stars, meteor showers and constellations, the stunning Polaris bell tents, the marvelous Perseid lodges, and the spectacular Orion pool lodges will provide a unique stay in the Arabian dunes. Guests will also have access to a picturesque swimming pool at the heart of the destination, some of the most iconic Tomorrowland elements, a restaurant, a bar and a shisha lounge. Nicolas Vandenabeele, Founder and CEO, Terra Solis: “Terra Solis is a one-of-a-kind desert destination away from all the noise. It is inspired by the magic of Tomorrowland and the most beautiful star constellations, where you can wake up from a night under the stars and live to the rhythm of the sun. Guests will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a memorable world of wonder with the finest music, a vibrant yet relaxing pool scene, incredible tastes and aromas and a unique glamping experience in the Arabian dunes while relaxing in style under the Dubai sun.” The oriental-chic desert oasis is spread over 371,000 square meters. Terra Solis will combine outstanding music and entertainment, a fun party atmosphere, and an exceptional food and beverage offering in one refreshing and …

Dubai is to host the next edition of the International Federation of Otorhinolaryngological Societies (IFOS) World Congress, providing its members with the opportunity to finally meet face-to-face at the first in-person edition of their flagship global gathering since 2017. The 22nd edition of the congress will be the first to take place in the Gulf region in cooperation with the GCC ORL Head and Neck Society, Emirates ORL Head and Neck Society, and will be held 17-21 January 2023 at Dubai World Trade Centre. Arrangements are being made after the Emirates ORL Society, offered to relocate the event to Dubai from its originally planned host city.   Led by the UAE ORL Society and with support from Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism and Dubai Health Authority, the city has shown a strong commitment to providing the IFOS with a platform for the hosting of its flagship congress, maintaining fruitful dialogue with the international organisation in recent years.   As a member of the Al Safeer Congress Ambassador Programme, which brings together sector leaders and members of global organisations to position Dubai as a hub for international business events, the UAE ORL Society has been able to leverage support from Dubai Business Events, part of DET and the city’s official convention bureau, to ensure it can present optimised propositions to IFOS.   His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism said: “The decision by IFOS to bring its next congress to Dubai is a testament to the city’s positioning as a world-class business events destination and knowledge hub. It is also a demonstration of the confidence that continues to be shown in Dubai’s handling of …

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, launched the Marmoom Reserve project, the first unfenced desert conservation reserve in the country. The Marmoom Reserve is an environmental, touristic and sporting addition to the UAE. It aims to provide a fertile and robust environment for plants, a natural reserve for animals, and an important destination for tourists and families. Al Marmoom is located 40 kilometres from the heart of Dubai, and is regarded as one of the promising areas, as it is an environmental centre and a tourist attraction in a unique natural setting. The activities in Al Marmoom include driving cars on the desert sand, cycling, falconry, camel riding, relaxing in a Bedouin environment, traditional camel races in the Al Marmoom Camel Race Track and others. Al Qudra lakes, a network of man-made lakes in the desert, is popular among visitors and residents. The area is home to over 170 species of birds, some of which are endangered, such as the steppe eagle and the Asian Houbara. Bird watching is a popular activity in this area. Based at the Dubai Camel Race Club, which hosts traditional camel races, the Dubai Camel Racetrack is located right next to Al Marmoom Heritage Village. There is also the cycling track on Al Qudra road that attracts professional and amateur cyclists. Work is constantly being undertaken to drive a sustainable planning approach to create human-friendly urban environments, focusing on improving the economy, energy, housing, health, quality of life, entertainment and digital technology that suit the needs and aspirations of individuals and families. A report issued by the Business Registration and Licensing (BRL) sector …

Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) in collaboration with New Dimension Productions (NDP), a leading motion picture and hologram entertainment production agency, will launch the world’s first ‘Dubai Hologram Universe’ at Al Habtoor City Theatre, home to its resident production, the famous long-running ‘La Perle’. The joint initiative by DFRE and NDP will feature state-of-the-art hologram concerts for legendary singers and musicians twice a week, complemented by spectacular live entertainment performances brought to life by Al Habtoor City Theatre awe-inspiring special effects, and will cater to various music genres of all ages throughout the year. Produced by NDP, the first show will kick off during the last week of Dubai Shopping Festival on 30 January with an exquisite ‘Sawwah’ dubbed evening, in which hologram technology will bring Abdel Halim Hafez back to perform on stage accompanied by performers and musicians, with some of his most famous romantic songs, all set to dazzle the audience for 90 minutes. Commenting on the launch, Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals & Retail Establishment (DFRE) said: “We are delighted to partner with NDP in launching such an innovative initiative as the ‘Dubai Hologram Universe’ that will turn the spotlight on legendary music icons through hologram technology. Across our annual line-up of festivals and events, we have always created stimulating activations and experiences for residents and visitors to enjoy, and we are excited that the launch of the first ever ‘Dubai Hologram Universe’ series, is taking place just as the latest edition of Dubai Shopping Festival draws to a close, reaffirming Dubai’s position as a year-round international entertainment hub”. Hasan M. Hina, Founder and Executive Producer & Director of NDP, said: “We are proud …

In alignment with the UAE Government’s decision to adopt a new working week schedule, and in accordance with the directives received from the client governments, VFS Global’s Visa Application Centres (VACs) in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have announced new operational hours for customers. The VACs operate from Monday to Thursday, 09.00 AM to 05.00 PM, except for public holidays and on Friday, 09.00 AM to 05.00 PM, with a prayer break between 01.00 PM and 02.30 PM. The centres will remain closed on Saturday and Sunday. VFS Global helpline for customers will also transition to the new working week schedule. The announcement reflects the organisation’s commitment to supporting its people and responding to changing working patterns. Atul Marwah, Head–Middle East & North Africa, VFS Global said, “Operational hours of our VACs in the UAE are revised as per the instructions received from the concerned Embassy/Consulate. We look forward to colleagues reaping the personal and professional rewards from the UAE government’s visionary and historical course of action. The future of work is changing at such a pace we have to evolve continually how we do things to meet the needs of our people and our customers.” Customers wanting to save travel time and seek greater convenience can opt for Visa At Your Doorstep service. This service gives customers the flexibility of submitting visa applications and enrolling biometrics from a location of choice, be it home, office or school campus. VFS Global staff ensures all applications are complete and ready for processing. The service is ideal for large groups travelling together, as all applications can be submitted on the same date and location. In addition to the VACs, VFS Global Philippine ePassport …

The Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management in Dubai, headed by HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, announced updates to Dubai’s travel protocols for inbound passengers from South Africa, Nigeria and India, effective from Wednesday 23 June 2021. The updates are part of the Committee’s keenness to protect passengers and ease hassles for them without compromising on COVID-19 precautionary measures put in place to safeguard everyone’s health and wellbeing. The new protocols allow travellers from South Africa, who have received two doses of a UAE-approved vaccine to enter Dubai. Passengers must present a negative result from a PCR test taken within 48 hours before departure to Dubai; UAE nationals are exempted from this PCR test requirement. Passengers must also undergo a PCR test on arrival in Dubai. Transit passengers should comply with entry protocols of final destinations. For travelers from Nigeria, passengers must present a negative test result for a PCR test taken 48 hours prior to departure; UAE citizens are exempted from this requirement. The negative PCR test certificate should carry a QR Code and the test must have been conducted by labs approved by the Nigerian Government. Passengers must also undergo a PCR test on arrival in Dubai. Transit passengers should comply with entry protocols of final destinations. With regard to travel from India, only passengers with a valid residence visa who have received two doses of a UAE-approved vaccine, are allowed to travel to Dubai. They should also present a negative test certificate from a PCR test taken 48 hours before departure; UAE nationals are exempted from this requirement. Only QR-coded negative PCR test certificates are accepted. Furthermore, passengers from India are required …