Category Archives: Govt

The seventh Sharjah Light Festival will begin from February 2-11, 2017, covering over 23 locations across the Emirate. His Excellency Khalid Jasim Al Midfa stated that this year there will be some new additions and the theme will focus on the future of innovation and technology hence the partners to support this event are from the sectors of technology. Last year, over 600,000 visitors enjoyed this magnificent festival which provides a good platform for those passionate about art and culture. Some of the locations include – Al Qasba; Al Taqwa Mosque, Al Noor Mosque; Al Maghfira Mosque; University City Hall; Sharjah Center for Astronomy & Space Sciences; Al Qasimi Mosque; The new Jubail Fish and Vegetable Market; The Family Supreme council of affairs; Al Majaz Amphitheatre; Cultural Square; Cultural Palace; Khalid Lagoon Corniche; Al Majaz Waterfront; Flag Island; the bridges; A few mini locations across the city, This year the opening will be at Al Qasimia University. Outside the city there will be events at Khorfakkan University; Dibba; Kalba and Al Dhaid. So you should have plenty of opportunity to get involved. With some interactive locations around the corniche we are all excited to take part. As Sharjah promotes itself as the Arab capital of culture more families are drawn to the Light Festival as each member has something that could be enjoyed which will make them more culturally responsible humans. Each location will be unique to attract visitors and this year there will be a special competition for the artists as well. More information will be provided in due course.

Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre (JRCC) attracted more than 120,000 visitors and guests in 2016. This brings the total number of visitors who participated in some of the most prestigious and high-level events, organised and hosted by the Centre to 388,420 visitors, since they opened their doors in early 2013. Dotted with an array of the exclusive in-house events services and world-class catering, JRCC was home to more than 300 events in 2016, bringing the total tally to more than 1,000 events since its inception – 25 per cent of which were characterized by government conferences, business forums and exhibitions. The remaining 75% were taken up by unique and memorable social events. JRCC forecasts a 10% growth in events organised in 2017, thanks to its high-quality services and a dedicated team of professionals contributing directly to the emirate’s events industry.  Hanan Al Mahmoud, Director, JRCC, said, “Since its inception, JRCC has worked in line with the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, to offer an outstanding destination that contributes to attracting major local and international events, as well as to strengthening Sharjah’s phenomenal growth in the MICE industry. JRCC will soon be four-years-old, and looking back, we feel a sense of immense satisfaction and pride in having delivered the outstanding quality of catering and hospitality services to each and every event we have hosted.”

The official Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) has kicked off under the slogan – ‘Shop. Win. Celebrate.’ The festival will end on January 28, making this edition one of the longest in its history. The arrival of DSF 2017 also kicks off the new Retail Calendar of Dubai, with the festival starting earlier than in previous years to take advantage of the holiday season retail buzz. As part of the exciting line-up of activities, one of DFRE’s Strategic Partners, Dubai Festival City (DFC), an Al Futtaim Group development,  launched a stunning new waterfront attraction that is set to rival popular waterfront shows in other global destinations worldwide. The DFC launch event will culminate in a spectacular fireworks show celebrating the start of DSF 2017. To make the shopping experience even more rewarding, thousands of retail outlets will be offering discounts of up to 75 per cent on a range of merchandise including apparel and fashion, consumer electronics, watches, perfumes, furniture, home appliances, and much more. DSF 2017 promises a lot of entertainment programs and events for their visitors. There are innumerable programs that have been organized for different segments of people. Special efforts have been taken to ensure that every guest is well taken care of throughout their visit to the festival. This is because of their impressive and exclusive festival ideas people around the globe eagerly wait for celebrating this festival. It is known to be the most successful and largest entertainment and shopping programs that are conducted every year. Thankfully, with flexible Dubai tourist visa options, you can easily travel to Dubai to be part of this astounding shopping festival. An experienced visa specialist will carry out all legworks, …

The Arab Ministerial Tourism Council met from the December 13-15, 2016, at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel in Muscat. Attendees included Ministers from the Arab countries, members of World Tourism Organisation as well as representatives from the Arab Center for Tourist Media. The council met to discuss ways to develop the tourism industry in the Arab World. This meeting was preceded by the Executive Office Meeting for the Arab Ministerial Tourism Council, which is entrusted to follow up and study the recommendations made by the Council. In his opening statement, His Excellency Ahmed Bin Nasser Al Mahrizi said, “This meeting will foster cooperation between the countries of the Arab world, and help boost the growth of the tourism sector. We are proud that the Sultanate of Oman is hosting such an important and impactful meeting.”His Excellency also added that the meeting coincides with the 46th National Day celebrations of the Sultanate, marking the achievements that the people of this country and His Majesty Sultan Qaboos continue to make. Dr Dina Hussain Dhaher, Director of the department of Transport and Tourism at the General Secretariat of the Arab League of States thanked the Sultanate for its efforts in ensuring the success of the 19th edition of the Arab Ministerial Tourism Council, and that she looks forward to seeing the results of the meeting. Among the many issues, the Council addressed the development and implementation of the Arab Tourism Strategy as well as the tourism activities that drive the youth, as this is one of the most important tourism segments in the region. The Council also discussed initiatives that will generate tourism-related statistics from different hotels and feed the development of future …

Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) revealed the #BeMyGuest film starring Bollywood superstar, Shah Rukh Khan. Khan shows the soul, sights and sounds of the metropolis through experiencing different dimensions of Dubai amongst its people. Featuring a kaleidoscope of culinary, shopping, cultural and adventurous settings, the film’s high energy and fast paced tempo perfectly captures the vibe of the city, and Shah Rukh Khan’s dynamic relationship with it. It also brings alive the hospitable soul of the city through the megastar’s candid interactions, as he plays host to Dubai’s tourists and residents.  Khan said, “Dubai offers endless experiences that stay with you forever. Whatever you want to do – an adrenaline-fuelled adventure like skydiving or a desert safari or a delicious culinary experience of tantalizing flavors – and whether you’re travelling with family, friends or as a couple, this city truly offers a complete holiday experience. It’s been great fun working with Dubai Tourism and rediscovering this inspiring city in a whole new way. I can’t wait to be back and live the Dubai magic again.” As one of Dubai Tourism’s series of upcoming initiatives with Bollywood, it emphasises on nurturing the connection that Dubai has with India. Commenting on the collaboration, Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said “Shah Rukh Khan truly represents the beautiful relationship that Dubai and India share. Our continuous dialogue and strong history with India supports projects like these that celebrate and strengthen this union. In line with our vision of hosting 20 million visitors per year by 2020, our tourism efforts are increasing every year, with a major emphasis on the Indian market. We are excited to …

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority strengthened its commitment to deliver ‘Tourism For All’ by signing the Accessible Tourism Code of Good Conduct,  during its annual UAE World Tourism Day conference. Haitham Mattar, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority,  said, “Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority has strengthened its commitment to deliver Tourism For All by signing the Accessible Tourism Code of Good Conduct. This code was developed by the European Network of Accessible Tourism (ENAT) – represented today by one of our keynote speakers Ivor Ambrose. Over the next three years, we will commence the journey to honour our commitment to this code by establishing accessible tourism products and practices in the emirate.” The half-day UAE World Tourism Day Conference, held at the Al Marjan Island Convention Centre, saw keynote addresses from HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and His Excellency Mohammad Al Muhairi, Undersecretary to UAE Minister of Economy who spoke about the important contribution of tourism to Ras Al Khaimah and the UAE. As well as discussing issues and developments within accessible tourism and matters that strengthen Ras al Khaimah’s and the UAE’s tourism propositions, the conference addressed the key needs of family and elderly travellers, aligning with UNWTO’s World Tourism Day which was marked earlier this week – under the theme ‘Tourism for All – Promoting Universal Accessibility.’ “We are supporting the development of our MICE profile with the creation of an events calendar for the destination which we anticipate will act as a spur to attract additional meetings, convention, incentives and exhibition business,” he concluded.  

Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) unveiled a new ‘Invest in Sharjah’ brand at the Sharjah FDI Forum 2016. Shurooq expects the new brand to help position Sharjah in global markets and help foreign investors identify the right opportunities in the emirate. The authority has taken the lead in promoting investment opportunities in the emirate globally via a calendar of international sales and marketing activities including conferences, trade shows, high-level business and government meetings and other strategic initiatives. The authority has also been responsible for bringing ambitious new tourism and heritage projects to life, including the Heart of Sharjah, one of the largest heritage developments in the Arabian Gulf region, and the award-winning Mleiha archaeological and ecotourism project in the emirate’s interior. Shurooq plans to use ‘Invest in Sharjah’ to provide a one-stop-shop for global investors to find out more about investment opportunities in the emirate, have access to key facts and figures and gain a better understanding of the economic and legislative environment. (Source: Shurooq )

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, …

Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) hosted its largest ever group of travel trade professionals from Africa, during a six-day familiarisation trip aimed at positioning Dubai as a leading destination of choice. The familiarisation trip, which ends today, has given over 300 senior management executives from 12 African countries – South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Seychelles, Mauritius, Uganda, Tanzania and Cote D’Ivoire – first-hand insights into the array of unique experiences, attractions and activities that Dubai offers, with the spotlight falling on the city’s upcoming summer calendar, starting with the cultural activities during the holy month of Ramadan, followed by the Eid in Dubai celebrations and the Dubai Summer Surprises. In addition to visiting a number of key attractions across the city, the delegation also attended the  Dubai Tourism Conference and Workshop on 3 June, which provided an overview of Dubai’s tourism offerings and the kind of support that is being offered to the African travel trade to promote Dubai in their continent. Presentations were also made by officials from the different agencies and divisions of Dubai Tourism such as Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE),  the organiser of major festivals in Dubai, digital and marketing communications and Dubai Calendar.

Dubai Holding, through its real estate arm “Dubai Properties Group” unveiled “Marasi Business Bay,” a new waterfront destination, its largest development along the creek within Business Bay. The development embraces the longest promenade in the Emirates, spanning 12 kilometers, water homes, floating restaurants, retail options and five palm tree-lined marinas. Located on the Dubai Canal Project, Marasi Business Bay is set to become a major future landmark in Dubai – an unprecedented unique waterside destination concept in the UAE and the Middle East. Marasi Business Bay features the region’s first purpose-built yachting destination with floating restaurants and cafes, alongside onshore boutique shopping and a range of leisure and entertainment facilities. The development’s residential units, which are to be built on water with boat access, provide unparalleled direct canal views and create a unique new living proposition for the real estate market in Dubai. H.E. Mohammad Abdulla Al Gergawi, Chairman, Dubai Holding, said that the new project will strengthen the historic relationship between Dubai and its creek through the addition a new dimension to the residential, tourism and leisure offerings along the Dubai Creek.