As the world’s longest running festival of its kind, Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is nothing short of iconic. The 28th edition of the festival, organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), showcases the very best that the city has to offer. In its third week, (29 December to 5 January) DSF delivers another spectacular line-up of events, experiences, offers and deals designed to surprise and delight. Take your pick from one of the many concerts from international artists including Kylie Minogue, Martin Garrix, and Rahat Fatah Ali Khan. Or, watch the stunning fireworks and drone shows to celebrate DSF as well as welcome in the New Year. Participate in a Murder Mystery at Al Seef Heritage Hotel and bring out your inner detective, shop for must-have items at Al Seef Market, visit The Spark Within and Sky Castle, part of Dubai LIghts at City Walk and Dubai Design District (d3), or walk down memory lane at Dubai 80’s, Last Exit Al Khawaneej. Dubai is the place to be when it comes to New Year’s Eve celebrations. From enchanting fireworks, drone shows, to hotel offers, curated food and beverage menus  and more, the city pulls out all the stops to ring in the new year. In the lead up to NYE celebrations, legendary performer Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan brings a never–before-seen show to the Coca-Cola Arena on 29 December. And on 30 December, at the same venue, don’t miss Martin Garrix and his spectacular performance live in Dubai. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Dubai skyline as fireworks light up the city skies to bid farewell to this year, and welcome in the next. Iconic Dubai spots such as Atlantis …

MAIZ, a unique fine-dining concept that brings authentic Saudi cuisine in a thematic Saudi Arabian cultural setting, opens its doors at Bujairi Terrace, a new fine-dining destination developed as part of Diriyah Gate Development. Concept of Al Khozama – one of the most prominent players in the Gulf region’s hospitality sector, MAIZ is the world’s genuine Saudi restaurant and aims to create a new food genre which in the future will be referred to as The Saudi Food, globally. CEO of Al Khozama, Mr. Khaled Saud Abu Haimed said, “Al Khozama brings decades of rich expertise in the hospitality sector and MAIZ will not only represent a new hospitality concept but also a unique journey of the Kingdom’s heritage and culture.” “We are proud of launching this original concept, and look forward to welcome tourists and residents to experience authentic Saudi food in a thematic setting”, he added. MAIZ features an exclusive menu that represents a standalone project including distinctive Saudi dishes with a huge array of savoury flavours and authentic flair that is a feast to all senses. The ambiance at MAIZ is fashionable, sophisticated, welcoming, and provides a unique experience to all guests.

The upscale hotel is located at the Al Taif Business Center; as soon as you arrive in the city, the property is attached to the Al Taif Mall. With 228 rooms, including 14 stunning suites and two restaurants, Bistro 1550 and Dura Café ready to welcome guests now, as well as the Street Culture bar, which is set to open in mid-2023. The 19-storey hotel provides city centre access with its proximity to the beach. It also provides a central point from which to explore Fujairah’s nature and some of the country’s most untapped areas of outstanding natural beauty. While Fujairah is a more traditional emirate, DoubleTree by Hilton Fujairah City embodies modernity and elegance with a nod to the locale. Vikram Jamwal, General Manager, said: “Putting the final touches to DoubleTree by Hilton Fujairah City has been a rewarding process. We know we have a world-class property that elevates the city’s accommodation and dining offering while bringing the warmth and care of our brand to the surrounding community and visiting guests.” “We’ve created a space that showcases the best of Fujairah as a vibrant port city while honouring the traditions of the community. We’re a place for people to come together, be it for meetings, important occasions, or simply to grab a coffee with a friend and indulge in one of our famous DoubleTree Cookies.” DoubleTree by Hilton Fujairah City forms part of the Al Taif complex on Al Maktoum Road and sits adjacent to Fujairah International Airport, which is a plane spotter’s haven. So, whether visitors are there for business, shopping, leisure or merely a getaway from the west coast, the hotel offers something for everyone. Bistro 1550, …

Adding to its lists of giga projects in keeping with the Saudi Vision 2030, is Trojena which will offer year-round outdoor skiing and adventure sports to be completed in 2026, an unrivalled experience and a global landmark for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Highlights include a stunning man-made freshwater lake and ‘The Vault’. It is a folded village fusing technology, entertainment and hospitality – as the main gateway into Trojena. On completion, the development will also contain a broad range of homes. Including apartments, chalets and mansions plus hotels ranging from the ultra-luxury and experiential to wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. Activities including year-round skiing, water sports, hiking and mountain biking will sit side by side with an interactive nature reserve. Trojena will become one of the most dazzling destinations in NEOM and across the world. Infused with the ethos of NEOM with its bold ambition, built around technology and innovation. It will follow the principles of sustainability, state-of-the-art technology and astonishing design. It will provide extraordinary opportunities for residents and visitors looking for luxury, adventure, entertainment, livability and escape from the everyday. “Trojena will redefine mountain tourism for the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and enhance the community’s quality of life, which is aligned with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. Trojena will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and …

Qatar Tourism (QT) data reveals that a suite of events, new launches and impending football fever drove visitor numbers during the month to nearly 180,000 – a six year high. Throughout 2022, visitors have steadily increased month on month, and the latest October figures exceeded pre-pandemic numbers by nearly a third (32% more than October 2017).Qatar continues to offer attractions and family-friendly entertainment for visitors from the region, making visitors from the GCC the leading source of all international visitors (over a third at 33%) to the country in October. At the same time, October saw a 10% increase from the prior month on the number of non-GCC tourists, at 66% of the total, an increase of 10%. Non-GCC arrivals hailed mainly from India (13%), the UK (4%) and the USA (3%). This month, 70% of visitors chose to arrive by air, followed by land (29%), and sea (1%).  A packed schedule of launches and openings greeted Qatar’s visitors in October, including the reopening of the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), luxury malls (Printemps), and a spate of world-leading luxury hotels. Towards the end of the month, the Darb Lusail Festival officially inaugurated the pedestrian friendly Lusail Boulevard, the country’s latest open-air shopping and dining destination. The three-day celebration of Lusail City and the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) region featured concerts and DJ performances, roaming shows and a spectacular nightly drone show. Commenting on the latest arrival figures, Haya Al-Noaimi, Head of Promotion Sector at Qatar Tourism, said: “As we welcome the world’s football fans, we are delighted to see so many people from around the globe keen to experience all that Qatar has to offer. …

flydubai announced the launch of daily flights to St Petersburg’s Pulkovo International Airport (LED) from 20 January 2023. The carrier has grown its network to 114 destinations most of which were not previously served with direct airlinks to the United Arab Emirates. flydubai flights to St Petersburg from Terminal 2, Dubai International (DXB)is currently scheduled to be operated by its fleet of Boeing MAX 8 aircraft. The flight time on this route is six hours and 50 minutes, making it one of the longer flights the carrier operates to after Krabi and Pattaya in Thailand which will also commence on 20 January 2023. Commenting on the announcement, Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “2022 has been a tremendous year for growth for flydubai. We have taken delivery of 18 new aircraft this year which has enabled us to continue to expand our network and add more capacity on some of our existing routes. We are confident this momentum will continue well into next year thanks to the hard work of everyone at flydubai and the encouraging economic environment Dubai has given us.” The carrier first started its operations to the Russian market in 2010 with direct flights to Samara and Yekaterinburg. With the launch of the new service, flydubai will serve nine destinations in the market including Kazan (KZN), Makhachkala (MCX), Mineralnye Vody (MRV), Moscow (VKO), Novosibirsk (OVB), Samara (KUF), St Petersburg (LED), Ufa (UFA) and Yekaterinburg (SVX). Commenting on the launch of flights to St Petersburg, Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai, said: “the start of our operations to St Petersburg will give passengers from the market a more convenient option …

UAE-headquartered upscale real estate developer, Seven Tides, confirmed that the Emirates’ first NH Collection hotel will open its doors to the public in February 2023. NH Collection Dubai The Palm is a 533-key property located on Seven Tides’ Seven Palm development – a two-tower complex that overlooks the lagoon of Dubai’s world-famous Palm Jumeirah. Operated by Minor Hotels and adjacent to Seven Palm Residences, the tower housing NH Collection Dubai The Palm will offer a diverse range of high-end accommodation, amenities and food and beverage venues to guests, residents and visitors. Ghanim Bin Sulayem, Operations Director Seven Tides, said: “This project will deliver exceptional guest experiences, including spectacular views of the Arabian Gulf and the Dubai skyline, as well as access to landmarks and attractions across our emirate and beyond. We are confident this complex will add significant value to Dubai’s thriving real estate landscape. “NH Collection Dubai The Palm will feature an extensive range of premium facilities, including our 45-metre rooftop infinity pool, a fully-equipped fitness centre, a kids’ club, an NH Collection Spa and much more”, added Bin Sulayem. The hotel includes 227 guest rooms and suites as well as 306 studios and apartments. Guests will be able to choose from 11 room categories, and those who opt for the destination’s top-end accommodation will also gain exclusive access to the NH Collection Premium Lounge. All rooms will feature NH Collection ‘Sleep Better’ mattresses, complete tea and coffee sets, rain-effect showers and LED TVs. The property’s location offers direct access to the beach, downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina. Dubai International Airport is also located 30 minutes away, with private transfers available to attendees. NH Collection Dubai The Palm includes …

The Ascott Limited continues to spearhead innovative sustainability initiatives at its vibrant lifestyle property in the UAE, Citadines Metro Central Dubai. Since 2021, the apart’hotel has undertaken an impressive commitment to decrease its environmental impact and enhance sustainable best practices across services including the elimination of 120,000 plastic bottles and the recycling of about 2150 kgs of waste. Located in one of Dubai’s most central districts, Barsha Heights, the property has been Green Key certified since 2017, as a result of its ongoing commitment to protect and reduce its overall negative impact on the environment. The Green Key certificate is the leading standard for excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry globally. Since July 2021, under the LUVE (Love Ur Vibrant Earth) Bottle Initiative, Citadines Metro Central Dubai has successfully replaced more than 120,000 plastic bottled water with glass bottles. Following a paperless initiative to reduce waste, the guest directory and café menu can only be accessed using special QR codes. As an active member of the community, Citadines Metro Central Dubai regularly engages with the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) on eco-focused projects. Over the past three years, members of the team at the award-winning serviced apartment have participated in the annual UAE clean-up drive and contributed to the can collection programme. Additionally, 360 kg of cartons from the property have been recycled every year, while 550 kg of linen has been donated to the Beit Al Khair Society. Committed to creating a positive impact for the community and guests, the stellar property aims to also reduce its carbon emissions to a minimal in the coming future. Mr. Vincent Miccolis, Ascott’s Managing Director …

Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, in association with the UAE Polo Federation, announced the participation of nine teams for the Lan To Capital Polo Federation Cup at a media briefing and tournament draw. Coinciding with the launch of the global brand entity Lan To Capital in Dubai, the polo matches will be held from the 4th to the 14th of January 2023.  The live draw was held in the esteemed presence of Mohammed Khalid Abdulghaffar Hussain, General Secretary of UAE Polo Federation, Santiago Torreguitar, Director of Tournaments at UAE Polo Federation, Lan Tschirky, CEO and Founder of Lan To Capital, and Jan Azam, Polo Manager of Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club. The nine teams confirmed to compete in the tournament to win the coveted Cup include the UAE Polo team, Bindrai Polo team, Lan To Capital Polo team, Tahra Polo team, AM Polo team, Ankora Polo team, Abu Dhabi Polo team, Ghantoot Polo team, and Lamar Polo team. Lisa Matthews, General Manager of Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club said, “Polo season offers our patrons the perfect opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and watch an action-packed match while enjoying a sumptuous meal. Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club is a household name in Dubai for local and International polo matches, show jumping, dressage and high profile equestrian events. We thank the UAE Polo Federation for the trust and confidence in our facilities and our support services. It is indeed a great way to jumpstart 2023.” Mohammed Khalid Abdulghaffar Hussain, General Secretary of UAE Polo Federation, “We are grateful for the commitment of the government bodies and patrons of polo who have worked tirelessly to make Dubai a well-known polo destination over the …

In a new campaign to boost travel between Asian destinations, Singapore Airlines along with Tourism Malaysia Dubai office organised a special presentation/workshop to update their latest offerings to leading travel trade partners in the UAE. Opening the event Commercial Director GCC/ME region Singapore Airlines Fawad Khan shared the importance of the partnership for the travel trade who could now offer a lot more to their customers by cross selling products from flying on less carbon emission aircraft on Singapore Airlines to discovering one of the most eco friendly destinations in Asia, Malaysia. Addressing the travel trade, Fawad Khan Commercial Director GCC/ME region Singapore Airlines shared, “thank you for being here we are so delighted to have you with us just before the year ends to value your contributions throughout the year. It has not been an easy time for all of us you will agree passengers coming to you asking for refunds or changes and so many questions asked rightfully by them due to the uncertainty of today’s environment. However, gradually travel is coming back and we are all benefitting by it. Tonight, along with Tourism Malaysia we are so honoured to host this briefing or seminar to get together with you so as to learn from you the requirements for your clients and for us to share updates from our side.” Director of Tourism Malaysia Dubai Rosnah Mustafah, first introduced herself once again and thanked Fawad for partnering with them. “Welcome everyone or salamat datang from Malaysia to you trade partners, thank you for being here. I’m so pleased that you are joining us today for this networking session to enable us to show our seriousness and readiness in …