Andrew Dickson has over 15 years’ experience in the hospitality industry and joined Marriott in 2008, where he was appointed Director of Operations at Wailea Beach Resort & Spa in Maui, Hawaii. His previous appointments include the role of Resident Manager in 2009 at JW Marriott in Phuket, followed by Director of Operations at the London Marriott Grosvenor Square and then appointed to General Manager in 2013 at Sprowston Manor Marriott Hotel & Country Club in the UK. In his new role as Director of Operations, Dickson will be overseeing the entire operational team to ensure a successful opening of the first Marriott Hotel in the capital.

David Lance has been appointed General Manager of the Marriott Hotel and Marriott Executive Apartments Downtown Abu Dhabi. Lance has over two decades of international experience. Prior to this role, Lance was General Manager of Marriott Executive Apartments, Sukhumvit Park in Bangkok, Thailand. Since joining, he has been focused on pulling together a highly skilled and experienced management team to launch and eventually operate these new properties.

In keeping with Dubai’s retail tourism strategy; India’s leading design house Ritu Kumar will be opening her second store at the Dubai festival city mall. The outlet will cater to a mix of luxury and high-street fashion clientele with the latest collections of LABEL Ritu Kumar. It is the brand’s second outlet in the emirate having begun operations in the UAE with a flagship store at BurJuman Centre in January, 2014. Spread over 1600 sq ft in Dubai Festival City mall with a spectacular triple height shop-front the new store will showcase the SS’16 and the AW’16 collection from the brands’ pret line – LABEL Ritu Kumar. Ritu Kumar is credited for introducing haute couture in India as well as the revival of the country’s traditional fabrics and crafts over the last 45 years. The celebrated fashion designer will be in Dubai for the official inauguration of the store at Dubai Festival City mall on September 20, 2016.  

Insignia Worldwide Group has introduced Traverger – the region’s first digital brand engagement agency dedicated to the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. Traverger launches to propel travel and destination brands to the forefront of online conversations in the age of hyper-competition and fragmented attention. Traverger equips clients to engage with increasingly elusive guests and time-poor travellers with powerful solutions born at the convergence of technology, public relations, social media and online advertising. “Travel and hospitality brands have complex and unique marketing needs that are different from traditional FMCG products. Online visibility and engagement is at the heart of driving innovation in brand communication and marketing. Our expertise in strategic planning and understanding of key feeder market dynamics is complimented by our insights on how potential guests or customers interact with online brand messages,” said Gaurav Sinha, Founder & CEO, Insignia Worldwide Group, the parent company that owns and operates Traverger.

Travellers from Jordan can apply for visas to Cyprus at the new Cyprus Visa Application Centre launched in the city of Amman. With Cyprus emerging as a preferred outbound destination, applicants will find this centre, located in the heart of the city, an easily accessible and convenient option. The newly launched centre is located at Galleria Mall, 4th Floor, Sweifieh Street, Amman, and joins 9 other client governments also served from the same premise. Services at the new Cyprus Visa Application Centre commenced from 04 September 2016. VFS Global has partnered with the Government of the Republic of Cyprus to handle visa processing services since 2010. The company now serves the client government through 18 Visa Application Centres globally in 5 countries. Commenting on the launch of the new centre, H.E. Ms Nafsika Krousti, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus in Amman, said, “It is indeed important that the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Amman is launching this visa application centre, in collaboration with VFS Global. I need to emphasize that the Cyprus Government highly cherishes its bilateral relations with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and wishes to provide the best possible facilities to Jordanian citizens applying for visas to travel to Cyprus, either for business, or pleasure. In this framework, I hope and trust that VFS Global in its visa processing procedures will rise to the challenge of providing the highest level of quality of service to the visa applicants, for the benefit of all”. The key features of the new centre are convenient and centrally-accessed location, longer operating hours allowing applicants to visit at a time of their convenience, professional staff with local language capability to …

Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide has entered Saudi Arabian market with its innovative Aloft brand with the opening of Aloft Riyadh. The property features 281 modern, loft-inspired guest rooms with the brand’s signature offerings, such as an ultra-comfortable plush signature bed and custom amenities.  The hotel offers a variety of food and beverage outlets including Dish, an all-day dining restaurant; Re:fuel, a 24-hour grab & go for light meals; the brand’s signature w xyz lounge, the go-to hang out with a fun social vibe, serving handcrafted drinks and snacks and the trendy Crush rooftop pool café.  Other features at the hotel include a well-equipped Re:charge gym and more than 220 M2 of meeting space across five Tactic rooms. Designed for today’s hyper-connected, tech-forward global traveller, Aloft continues to re-define the traditional hotel experience and strengthen its footprint in the Middle East, following the success of Aloft Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Owned and developed by FAS Hotels, division of Fawal Al Hokair group, Aloft Riyadh offers a vibrant social scene in the dynamic city of Riyadh. “With a portfolio of more than 100 hotels in dynamic destinations around the globe, Aloft continues to be one of the fastest growing hotel brands and is set to open 12 more properties in the Middle East by 2020,” said Brian McGuiness, Global Brand Leader, Specialty Select Brands, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Centrally located at the intersection of Riyadh’s main Olaya Street and Makkah Road, the hotel is in close proximity from the key government ministries, the shopping and restaurants of the downtown core, the National Museum and the Diplomatic Quarter.

Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has launched Jumeirah Central, an urban mixed-use city district expected to become a comprehensive model for future urban planning in Dubai and around the world. The all-season city district will comprise 9 million sq ft of retail space including three malls, 4.5 sqft of outdoor shopping space and supported by more than 44,000 car parking spaces. A unique tourism destination, Jumeriah Central will offer 7,200 hotel rooms; the largest number of hotel rooms centred in one district. The district will be home to 35,000 residents and will host 100,000 people annually. It will be connected by a comprehensive cycling network that spans over 33 parks and open spaces. Commenting on the announcement, H.H. Al Maktoum said: “As our vision for future cities evolves, Dubai will continue to set the benchmark for city development across the globe. Jumeriah Central is a clear milestone in our journey towards building the city of the future and the creation of engaged and happy communities. We will not stop investing in our economy, and these projects are tools to expedite that journey of growth. We are confident in the strength of our economy and are optimistic for the future of our nation. To that end, our vision will continuously evolve and expand.” The Jumeirah Central masterplan is a product of the collaborative work of over 19 government and private agencies, international experts and consultants under the leadership of Dubai Holding over the last two years. Jumeirah Central will have smart world-leading infrastructure that includes a multi-modal transport network, environmentally-friendly transport options and aerial gondolas. The district, …

In order to further enhance Dubai’s position as a year-round tourism destination offering unique leisure, shopping and entertainment experiences, the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) is organising the “Big Clearance Sale” from September 1-3, at Dubai World Trade Centre’s Za’abeel Halls 1, 2 and 3. Bringing together some of the biggest retail groups – Azadea Group, Apparel Group, M. H. Alshaya Co, Al Ghurair Retail and Landmark Group – under one roof, the “Big Clearance Sale” will give residents and visitors the opportunity to buy an array of designer products from their favourite international brands at unmatchable prices. Shoppers can expect over 80 per cent off on a host of merchandise, ranging from fashion apparel and accessories, to cosmetics, perfumes, shoes and much more. The three-day event features over 40 international brands, including  Zara Home, Salsa, Old Navy, Juicy Couture, Calvin Klein, Kenneth Cole, Tommy Hilfiger, Debenhams, Topshop, H&M, Springfield and Steve Madden, to name a few. Saeed Mohammed Mesam Alfalasi, Executive Director, Retail and Strategic Alliances, DFRE, said: “Now a permanent fixture in Dubai’s retail calendar, The Big Clearance Sale has helped to further reinforce Dubai’s position as the leading shopping destination in the region.  This popular event provides the perfect environment for shoppers to snap up a bargain or two, while giving retailers an opportunity to hold a one-of-a-kind end-of-season sale prior to introducing their new collections. Following closely on the success of Dubai Summer Surprises, we believe The Big Spring Clearance Sale will help keep up the momentum in the retail sector. The Big Clearance Sale is a reflection of the energy and inspiration …

SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka, has appointed Sharaf Travel as their GSA for Dubai and moved their commercial and business activities to 2nd floor, Sharaf Building, adjacent to Burjuman Metro Station, Bur Dubai, recently.  On the eve of new office opening, following dignitaries graced the occasion: Charitha Yattogoda, Consul General for Sri Lanka in Dubai, Ibrahim Sharaf, Chairman and President Sharaf Group, Siva Ramachandran, Chief Commercial Officer SriLankan Airlines,  V. Jayaram, Managing Director Sharaf Travels, Veersen Tamhane, Managing Director Sharaf Cargo (GSA – SriLankan Airlines Cargo UAE) and Desiree Premachandra, Country Manager UAE, SriLankan Airlines. Part of the Sharaf Group conglomerate, Sharaf Travel is one of the leading TMCs of the region. For over two decades, the General Sales Agency division has established and nurtured long and enduring partnerships with 21 leading airlines from all over the world; representing all of them in the UAE, some in Oman, and a few in other GCC countries. An ISO compliant company with certifications in ISO 9001-2008 Quality Management, ISO 14001-2004 Environmental Management, and OHSAS 18001/2007 Health and Safety, Sharaf Travel has played an integral role in driving Sales and Marketing strategies for its principal partners across multiple channels, robust business continuity plans to ensure regular revenue streams, and contribute towards their overall profitability. SriLankan Airlines, commenced flights to Dubai 35 years ago, which is almost from the time of its inception in 1979 and known then as Air Lanka, and still continues today operating a direct daily flight to the emirate of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, deploying a combination of its Airbus 330, A320 and A321 aircraft.

Etihad Airways teamed up with renowned Indian fashion designer Manish Malhotra to showcase the artiste’s latest collection at the Lakmé Fashion Week in Mumbai. Known for designing lavish costumes for Bollywood film stars and Indian cinema for more than two decades, Manish Malhotra has captured the imagination of fashionistas around the world. His opening night show on August 24, ‘Etihad Airways Presents Manish Malhotra’, was shot in virtual reality allowing viewers to feel the excitement of being present at the show, whether backstage, front row or at the post-show party. It comes just months after Etihad Airways used the pioneering technology to give viewers unprecedented access to the airline’s award-winning Airbus A380 by immersing them in the aircraft cabins in a virtual reality film ‘Reimagine’ featuring Hollywood actress Nicole Kidman. The collaboration with Manish Malhotra is the latest initiative by the Abu Dhabi-based airline following its recently-announced sponsorship efforts to become the fashion industry’s preferred airline. This will help further elevate the airline’s premium brand positioning alongside the world’s most revered luxury brands. Earlier this year, Etihad Airways struck a comprehensive global agreement with WME | IMG as a long-term partner of the fashion industry, connecting the airline with the fashion capitals of the world. The agreement is the first multinational, multi-year airline sponsorship supporting the fashion industry. Mumbai is the latest stop in Etihad Airways’ global fashion sponsorship, supporting 17 fashion week events in London, Milan, Sydney, New York and Mumbai, worldwide every year. It follows on from the airline’s recent participation at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia.