Hyatt Place Dubai/ Jumeirah has opened its doors in the heart of Jumeirah. Consisting of 204 guestrooms and 84 fully furnished residences, the new hotel features the Hyatt Place brand’s intuitive design, casual atmosphere and practical amenities. Guests can avail of free high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the property, complimentary breakfast, as well as use of the fitness centre and rooftop temperature-controlled swimming pool. Hyatt Place Dubai/Jumeirah enjoys a prominent location along Al Mina Road, near the exclusive Jumeirah neighbourhood and provides easy access to the city’s iconic landmarks and popular attractions such as the Etihad Museum, the Dubai Frame, Gold and Spice Souk, Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, and popular beach destinations, including La Mer and Jumeirah Beach. The property is within short distance from the Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai International Financial Centre and Dubai International Airport. “We are pleased to open the doors to Hyatt Place Dubai/Jumeirah, the flagship property of the Hyatt Place brand in Dubai and the fourth operational property in the region. The opening of this hotel will allow Hyatt Place to continue taking the guest’s experience to new heights – through style, innovation and 24/7 conveniences that ensure a seamless experience for today’s multi-tasking traveller,” said Fathi Khogaly, Cluster General Manager, Hyatt Place Dubai.

TIME Hotels Management has announced the signing of a new agreement to operate two additional properties in the UAE. TIME Hotels took over day-to-day operations of the newly-branded TIME Onyx Hotel Apartments Al Qusais and TIME Moonstone Hotel Apartments in Fujairah following the signing of a management agreement onsite during Arabian Travel Market 2019 in Dubai between Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TIME Hotels and Ali Mohamed Obaid Al Qutami, Managing Director, Jams HR Solutions. Commenting on the new management agreement, Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TIME Hotels, said, “This new partnership further reinforces our steady and focused growth strategy to expand our footprint in the UAE with further openings in Dubai, and Sharjah, as well as other properties across the region in Saudi Arabia and Egypt.” TIME Onyx Hotel Apartments, Al Qusais, comprises 176 rooms including 42 studios, 99 one-bedroom apartments and 35 two-bedroom apartments. The property features an all-day dining restaurant, coffee shop, a business centre, prayer room and a gift shop. Meanwhile in Fujairah, TIME Moonstone Hotel Apartments feature 89 keys including 13 one-bedroom apartments and 76 two-bedroom apartments, an all-day dining restaurant, fully equipped gym and sauna and steam rooms. Ali Mohammed Obaid Al Qutami, Managing Director, Jams HR Solutions, said, “As a dynamic hospitality company, TIME Hotels was appointed to manage both properties because it is renowned for consistently delivering a value-driven hospitality experience. Not only do TIME Hotels have a wealth of experience successfully running midscale properties in the UAE, GCC and wider MENA region but they are excellent at cross-selling their properties and have exceptional relationships with both GCC travel agents, as well as international tour operators.”

With the continuous increase of Gulf travellers to Germany recording 1.8 million overnight stays in 2018 compared to 770,000 in 2009, the vibrant city of  ‘Heidelberg’ and luxury shopping destination ‘Breuninger’ have stepped up to the plate to attract Gulf visitors. Heidelberg is a famed university city courting GCC travellers with its café-hopping, restaurant and confectionery culture combined with rich historic attractions. The city hosts the original Vetter’s Brauhaus inn, which has exported its culture of freshly brewed drinks, sausage and over-fresh pretzels worldwide. Considered a haven for foodies, Heidelberg visitors can ride the funicular up to the castle and dine in ‘Scharffs Schlossweinstube’, the elegant Michelin-starred restaurant in Heidelberg Castle with amazing views of the old town and the river. To attract family visitors during the festive winter break, Heidelberg is underscored with an abundance of colourful season markets. “Heidelberg is also a member of Germany’s barrier-free concept, which has provided great access to attractions and activities for the physically challenged and the city has produced the HeidelbergCARD which offers a host of benefits and discounts to visitors. For the visually impaired, we have tailor-made excursions in German and English, including the ‘Discover Heidelberg by ‘Sensing, Smelling, Feeling’ guided tour. This brings the city’s history to life by sensing the environment, feeling monuments and smelling the scents of the city,” said Nina Koch, Director Sales of Heidelberg Marketing. Meanwhile, Breuninger one of Europe’s leading department stores, is anticipating its luxury retail experiences will attract high-end GCC shoppers to 11 stores throughout Germany. Breuninger has been in the fashion and lifestyle business for over 135 years, offering an exclusive selection of international designer brands, aspiring new-to-market brands and outstanding services. …

flydubai celebrated its inaugural flight to Yangon in Myanmar, expanding its network to include Southeast Asia. The new daily flights are codeshared with Emirates and will operate from Terminal 3 at Dubai International (DXB). On board the inaugural flight was a delegation led by Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations (UAE, GCC, Subcontinent and Africa) at flydubai. On arrival in Yangon, the delegation was met by His Excellency U Phyo Min Thein, Chief Minister of Yangon Region, Her Excellency Daw Nilar Kyaw, Minister of Electricity, Industry, Roads and Transport along with U Htun Myint Naing, Chairman of Asia World Group of Companies and Mr. Jose Angeja, COO of Yangon Aerodrome Company Limited. Speaking at the inaugural event Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations (UAE, GCC, Subcontinent and Africa) at flydubai, said, “We are delighted to start our new daily service to Yangon, as we see flydubai’s network expand further East. We are confident that the new service will not only support the trade links between the UAE and Myanmar but also become a popular route for passengers travelling from the UAE and the GCC and for those connecting to Europe and the USA with Emirates.” During his opening remarks at the event, His Excellency U Phyo Min Thein said, “Yangon International Airport plays an essential role in the tourism development of Myanmar. The airport is a gateway to international travel. We want to extend a warm welcome to flydubai’s inaugural flight today and give thanks to developing our tourism sector, and recognising Dubai as an international transit hub.”

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts continues to ramp up its expansion across the Middle East with the opening of two new hotels in Muscat, Oman. Marking the introduction of the Wyndham Garden and Ramada Encore by Wyndham brands to Oman, the openings underscore Wyndham Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to strengthening its presence in the market and further support Oman’s ambitious Vision 2040 programme, which includes a focus on developing the country’s mid-market hotel sector and creating more job opportunities, in a bid to welcome 11 million visitors to the Sultanate by 2040. Over the past year, the Sultanate has become an increasingly popular destination for travellers, witnessing an increase of more than 25 per cent in inbound visitors in the first six months of 2019 alone. Set across eight floors and bringing 143 new rooms and suites to the city, Wyndham Garden Muscat Al Khuwair is expected to open later this month. Ramada Encore by Wyndham Muscat Al Ghubra is expected to open in March 2020 and will be located in the heart of Muscat, next to the Al Ghubra roundabout on Sultan Qaboos Street. Panos Loupasis, Vice President Development, Middle East, Eurasia & Africa, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, said, “We want to bring diverse accommodation choices to travellers across the Sultanate, and support Oman in its ambitious 2040 tourism plans, particularly on developing its mid-market hotel sector. With their unrivalled locations in the heart of Muscat’s business and leisure district, these newest additions to the Wyndham Garden and Ramada Encore by Wyndham family are the perfect properties to complement our growing offering in the region.”

Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) has announced the launch of dedicated QR code plaques in 54 popular locations across the emirate, enabling visitors to discover more about the city’s iconic sites and landmarks by adding multimedia dimensions to self-guided tours. The quick response digital barcodes can be easily scanned by any smartphone, navigating users to dedicated microsites on the VisitDubai website for background information about each location. The multilingual microsites feature a range of content including images and interactive videos. The project works in line with Dubai’s ‘Smart City’ initiative to deliver an efficient, seamless and impactful city experience for residents and visitors through the provision of innovative digital services. The QR plaques help with the reduction of waste generated by printed tour guide books while enhancing the experience of tourists to the city by leveraging Dubai’s powerful tourism website, connecting users to popular points of interest. The QR codes can now be found across the city, including Gold Souk, Naif Souk, Textile Souk, Spice Souk, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU), Ibn Battuta Mall, Dragon Mart, Ski Dubai, At The Top-Burj Khalifa, City Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Marina Walk, Etihad Museum, Sunset Beach, Zabeel Park, Safa Park, Creek Park, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Sheikh Saeed House, Kite Beach, Alserkal Avenue, the Jumeirah Mosque, to name a few. Commenting on the launch of the QR codes, Yousuf Lootah, Executive Director – Tourism Development & Investments said, “As the travel sector gains momentum, disruptive innovation remains at the forefront of enhancing international visitation to Dubai – and is a core element of Dubai Tourism’s ‘digital, mobile and social first’ agenda. As such, the launch of the …

Global Village celebrates the opening of the region’s first-ever Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium on December 8, 2019. The alluring Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium is an exciting and brand new addition to Global Village in Season 24. The showcase’s arrival also builds on the festival park’s renown for bringing the world’s most exciting and entertaining attractions to Dubai and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The famed Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum attraction is an entertaining and educational experience that is perfect for guests of all ages. At Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Global Village guests will discover astonishing oddities, such as the world’s only fully wooden-built Ferrari that you can drive on water, the smallest assembly-line manufactured road-legal car ever made, a behemoth Megalodon shark jaw, and a large iron Gibeon meteorite from thousands of years ago, among other unbelievable artefacts and showcases. Bader Anwahi, Chief Executive Office, Global Village, said, “World-class entertainment, culture, and activities are synonymous with the Global Village experience, and we are always looking to amplify the wow factor that our guests have come to know and love. This vision has come to life with the grand opening of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium in Season 24 of Global Village. By boosting Dubai’s reputation as the cultural and entertainment heart of the Middle East, we believe that the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! attraction will create a lasting impression on the city’s landscape for decades to come.” Jim Pattison Jr., President, Ripley Entertainment, said, “Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditoriums have thrilled the visitors from all over the world for 100 years. We are certain, people of the UAE will love …

Nakheel is marking a key milestone in its hospitality business strategy with the opening of the Avani Ibn Battuta Dubai. The hotel was inaugurated on December 9, 2019 by Nakheel Chairman Ali Rashid Lootah and William E. Heinecke, Founder, Chairman and Group CEO of Thailand’s Minor International, owner and operator of the Avani brand. The new-build, 18-storey Avani is the second Nakheel hotel at Ibn Battuta Mall and one of several in operation or under construction in the developer’s hospitality project portfolio. Located less than a minute’s walk from the world-famous mall and its 400 outlets, Avani Ibn Battuta Dubai has 360 guest rooms, including 15 suites, a pool deck with dining and recreational facilities, an all-day dining restaurant, a coffee shop, gym, meeting facilities and parking for 128 vehicles. The hotel is also accessible via Dubai Metro. Ali Rashid Lootah, Chairman, Nakheel, said, “Nakheel continues to play a key role in enhancing Dubai’s hospitality offering in line with the emirate’s economic and tourism goals, and we are proud to partner with Minor Hotels to bring the Avani brand to Ibn Battuta Mall. With more than 21 million visitors a year, the mall is a world-leading destination where quality accommodation is in demand, as is clear from the constantly-high occupancy rates of our first hotel here.” William E. Heinecke, Chairman, Founder and Group CEO, Minor International, commented, “Minor Hotels is thrilled to officially inaugurate Avani Ibn Battuta Dubai today, which represents both a fantastic addition to the brand’s fast-growing portfolio and our first new-build Avani in the Middle East region. We are confident that the property will be very well received in the Dubai market and look forward to working with …

Miral and Warner Bros. announced the world’s first Warner Bros. (WB) branded hotel – The WB Abu Dhabi, is currently being developed on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Set to open in 2021, construction of the USD 112 million hotel is well underway and is now 40% complete. The WB Abu Dhabi will be located adjacent to the award-winning Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi theme park and is set to be a major addition to Yas Island’s immersive hospitality and leisure attractions. The hotel will introduce a new international benchmark for hospitality experiences, offering Warner Bros. fans the unique opportunity of staying at a WB themed hotel while visiting the Island’s other award-wining entertainment and leisure attractions. With a design and concept inspired by the world-famous Warner Bros. brand, the hotel will offer premium amenities and deliver an elevated hospitality offering through distinctive experiences for leisure and business travellers. Commenting on the development, H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Miral, said, “We are excited to announce the development of the world’s first Warner Bros. themed hotel, here on Yas Island. This is yet another step in our journey to position Yas Island as one of the top global destinations for entertainment, leisure and business. Our partnership with Warner Bros. is a unique collaboration that adds another dimension to the outstanding immersive experiences available on Yas Island.” Pam Lifford, President of Warner Bros. Global Brands and Experiences, commented, “Following the successful debut of Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, we are thrilled to expand our presence in the region with the studio’s first-ever branded hotel. This new venture will pay tribute to Warner Bros.’ legacy of rich entertainment, offering fans a unique way …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has unveiled the first edition of Abu Dhabi Music Week, a pioneering platform for music fans and professionals set to launch in March 2020 in the UAE Capital. The first edition of the Music Week will focus on electronic dance music (EDM), featuring global electronic music festival Ultra. The week will also include citywide international and local music events and activations at some of Abu Dhabi’s key attractions, including the inaugural DJ Mag Middle East conference. Commenting on the hosting of the landmark music platform in the UAE capital, Saeed Al Saeed, Destination Marketing Director at the Department of Culture and Tourism, said, “Abu Dhabi Music Week is a lively celebration of music that is set to be the first of its kind in the Middle East. We believe in the power of music to unite people of all backgrounds. Therefore, we created Abu Dhabi Music Week to demonstrate our commitment to providing our residents and visitors alike with unforgettable experiences.” Dudley Chou, Executive Producer, Ultra Abu Dhabi, said, “We are humbled by the opportunity to bring Ultra to the Middle East for the first time in the amazing venue at du Arena at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. 2020 is going to be an exciting year for us and look forward to developing a long-term icon for festival goers to indulge in.” Tickets and artists for Abu Dhabi Music Week will be announced over the coming months, visitors and residents of Abu Dhabi will be able to take advantage of a number of offers and discounts to attend the event. The pioneering music platform is expected to be …