Avani Hotels & Resorts announces the opening of Avani Palm View Dubai Hotel & Suites, offering an enviable blend of stylish beach city living and contemporary comfort in one of Dubai’s most sought-after areas. The soaring, 48-storey property boasts an unbeatable location overlooking the iconic Palm Jumeirah. Positioned between the vibrant communities of Dubai Media City, The Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina, the city’s world-famous shopping malls, dining, entertainment and beach destinations surround Avani Palm View Dubai Hotel & Suites, offering every kind of activity imaginable for both residents and visitors to enjoy whilst staying in the Middle East’s most effervescent, directional and cosmopolitan city. With distinct interior design, contemporary comfort and total body fitness a focus, Avani Palm View embodies 21st-century stylish living. The 264-rooms & suites property boasts exceptional dwelling spaces, with floor-to-ceiling windows, fully-equipped kitchens, interactive living spaces and private terraces featuring sweeping views of The Palm Jumeirah, the Arabian Gulf and the dazzling Dubai skyline. Ranging from 41 sqm studios, up to 165 sqm three bedroom units, with eleven different room types to choose from and a host of amenities, Avani Palm View pairs beautifully-designed accommodation with excellent in-house services, including complimentary WiFi and free valet parking, culminating in a destination offering an enviable, effortless existence, with everything the modern city-dweller could wish for.

Etihad Airways is encouraging residents to celebrate the start of the New Year with the launch of its New Year’s Sale – get two tickets for the price of one. To give guests peace of mind and to offer an extra level of reassurance to travel, Etihad is the only airline in the world requiring 100% of its passengers to show a negative PCR test before departure, and on arrival in Abu Dhabi. Travellers can jet off any time before June 15, 2021, and lay back and relax at a luxury resort, explore ancient architecture or spend the weekend discovering a new city. Fares from Abu Dhabi to Istanbul start from just AED 1,790, Dublin from AED 3,830 and Toronto from AED 5,790. The sale extends across all of Etihad’s cabins, with return Business fares starting from AED 8,750 out of Abu Dhabi to Maldives and AED 10,370 from Abu Dhabi to Istanbul.Flying to, from, and via Abu Dhabi is supported by the airline’s fully redesigned Etihad Wellness sanitisation and safety programme, which ensures the highest standards of hygiene are maintained at every stage of the customer journey. This includes specially trained Wellness Ambassadors, a first in the industry, who have been introduced by the airline to provide essential travel health information and care on the ground and on every flight, so guests can fly with greater ease and confidence. All passengers travelling with Etihad receive complimentary COVID-19 insurance. The sale starts on Tuesday, 5 January 2021 and ends on Wednesday, January 13 at etihad.com. This offer is valid only for one guest and a companion. Booking for the companion must be made in the same transaction, and the companion …

Dubai has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of its residents and holidaymakers. Dubai continues to take effective steps under the guidance of the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai to build on the strategic initiative to reopen the city to tourists and facilitate travel while maintaining stringent health and safety protocols. In addition, tourist visas for all nationalities will be extended for one month free of charge. Now is the time for holidaymakers to make the most of their trip and experience even more of Dubai. His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), said, “With 2021 on the horizon, we look forward to continuing to welcome first time and repeat visitors to Dubai, with stringent health protocols and precautionary measures firmly in place.  We are pleased to continue to work closely with our strategic partners Emirates, as well as our hospitality partners, allowing holidaymakers to experience the vibrant energy of Dubai and all our iconic attractions, fantastic culinary and shopping experiences, and exciting festivals and events with added reassurance and flexibility.” Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer said, “Emirates has worked closely with all Dubai stakeholders to gradually restore our network and signature services, with all bio-safety measures in place. Since Dubai re-opened for international visitors, we’ve been seeing an upward trend in enquiries and bookings which reflects the confidence that travellers have in Dubai and in Emirates. Today, Emirates is flying to nearly 100 cities across the world, providing easy access to Dubai for international travellers and offering a …

Saudi and Qatar reached an agreement to reopen air space and land and sea borders between the two countries. According to the statement on state TV Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Ahmad Al Sabah said the desire for unity and reunification was emphasised during a phone call between Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Based on a proposal by Sheikh Nawaf, it was agreed that the borders between Saudi Arabia and Qatar would be reopened. Nayef Al Hajraf, Secretary General of the GCC, said the agreement to reopen borders between Saudi and Qatar was “a reflection of sincere efforts being made to ensure the success of tomorrow’s summit across all areas, despite the exceptional circumstances created by the pandemic”. “Today’s announcement once again proves that the GCC embodies a deep-rooted partnership that consistently overcomes challenges while advancing the interests of the GCC people thanks to the leadership and wisdom of its leaders,” Al Hajraf said. The UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Anwar Gargash, said the summit would be an historic event through which Gulf cohesion would be restored. “We are keen to ensure that the security, stability and prosperity of our countries and peoples are the first priority,” Dr Gargash said. “We have more work [to do] and we are [going] in the right direction.”

Bab Al Shams offers this winter season an opportunity to unwind and dine amongst the dunes as you escape to an enchanting desert oasis for a staycation that takes your breath away. Starting at AED 2,021, savour mouthwatering spreads under the stars, indulge in free-­owing beverages and embark on exhilarating adventures at Al Qudra as you experience a magical 2021 with Bab Al Shams. Pulling all stops for an adventure like no other, discover Middle East’s best desert resort with Bab Al Shams’ signature hospitality and luxury all for a special number. Inclusive of a stay in a superior room, dinner at the newly reopened Al Hadheerah, breakfast at Al Forsan and two hours of complimentary house beverages at Al Sarab Rooftop Lounge, indulgence is our middle name with this dreamy staycation o‑ering. If you wish to pamper yourself further, upgrade your stay to a terrace room for just AED 2,121. Whether you choose to go camel riding or play archery, or even soak up the sun by our picturesque infinity pools overlooking Bab Al Shams’ low-lying dunes, a magical winter escape awaits you and your loved onesthis season.  

Emirates Airlines announced that flights to Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait are now resumed. Emirates flights to and from Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh has resume. All customers, excluding Saudi nationals, who hold a ticket to KSA and have visited Argentina, Brazil, India, South Africa or United Kingdom within the last 14 days will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin. Affected customers should contact their travel agent or Emirates contact centre for rebooking options. To receive update notifications, customers are requested to ensure their contact details are correct by visiting Manage your booking. Emirates flights to and from Oman have resumed with effect from 28 December 2020. Emirates flights to and from Kuwait has also resumed.

Offering the residents of KSA the perfect getaway, Ascott welcomes family and friends to a luxurious retreat at Ascott Corniche Al Khobar. Part of the brand’s prestigious portfolio, the property is locally popular for its exclusive serviced apartments and recreational facilities that include a swimming pool, gymnasium, restaurant, guest lounge and business facilities. Offering studios, one-, two-, and three-bedrooms, the serviced property is located steps away from the picturesque and tranquil corniche. Guests are welcome to step into Ascott Corniche Al Khobar for a pampering stay and step out for a calm stroll along the serene corniche. To uplift confidence and safety, the property is accredited with the renowned Bureau Veritas certificate in line with the brand’s Ascott Cares initiative.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will be the host of the World Congress of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS World Congress) 2024, which marks the first time this signature event is held in the region since launched in 1994. RTA was privileged by hosting the event following its nomination by ITS Europe, an organisation to which RTA has recently been affiliated. The Congress is supported by three prominent entities of the industry, namely ITS Europe, ITS America, and ITS Asia-Pacific. His Excellency Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said, “Hosting the ITS World Congress 2024 in Dubai underscores the rising global standing of the Emirate in the field of ITS, the confidence of such reputed entities in the role of Dubai, and the ability of the city to stage successful global events.” “The hosting of the Congress comes in light of the massive steps made by Dubai in advancing ITS as witnessed by the portfolio of smart projects undertaken by RTA in anticipation of the future such as intelligent transport centres, and self-driving transport as well as the enablers of the 4th Industrial Revolution such as the IoT, AI applications, machine learning, big data, robotics, and mobility power solutions,” said Al Tayer. “RTA is keen to keep abreast of the Government’s future directions of transforming Dubai into a smart, innovative and sustainable city that uses cutting-edge telecommunication and digital technologies. In this regard, RTA is proceeding ahead with the Dubai Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy aimed at converting 25% of total mobility journeys in Dubai to smart self-driving journeys by 2030. As such, advancing the smart mobility is based on three elements: customer’s …

Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) announced the global release of ‘Ya Salam Ya Dubai’, launched on New Year’s Day as part of the 26th Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), Ya Salam Ya Dubai was released as joint project between Dubai Tourism and MBC Group. The new song fuses the talents of two famed artists including Arabic music icon Rashed Al Majed and Moroccan–Swedish singer, songwriter and Multi Grammy award-winning music producer RedOne, who has worked with Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias and Nicki Minaj among other successful artists. Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said, “With Ya Salam Ya Dubai, we can truly celebrate how far Dubai has come to be a leading international destination recognised around the world. In a relatively short time period, the city has innovated and adapted to changing tourism trends and the evolving global travel industry, achieving countless milestones, launching world-class landmarks and hosting successful events that continue to attract global attention and visitation.” Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said, “Throughout the 26 years of DSF, we have remained committed to bringing exciting promotions, activations and experiences to residents and visitors, leaving them in awe, which in turn has established Dubai as the shopping and entertainment hub of the world. Ya Salam Ya Dubai is a celebration of the past, present and future of Dubai.” Commenting on the song, Rashed Al Majed said, “I am honored to be part of the Dubai Shopping Festival’s (DSF) story since its inception 26 years ago and today, I am back to celebrate Dubai, a magnificent city, which …

Aloft City Center Deira invites guests to relax and unwind with an exciting ‘Stay, Shop & Dine’ offer, where guests of all ages can enjoy a wide variety of benefits both within the hotel and at the mall. With its direct connection to the City Center Deira, this comprehensive deal offers guests discounts of up to 25% across selected stores with different product offerings. In addition to this, the hotel has also partnered with Majid Al Futtaim to offer exciting entertainment options such as Magic Planet credit for the little ones, heavily discounted rates to Ski Dubai and also, discounted tickets to OUTDOOR by VOX Cinemas located within the hotel. To unwind within the hotel itself and part of the package, each guest gets a voucher worth AED75 to use at the Dreamworks Spa. And the deal doesn’t stop there. Guests will also receive credit of AED150 per day to use for F&B. Rates for this spectacular offer start at just AED241.