Tag Archives: Dubai

Three-day Super Sale begins as Dubai thrives on retail tourism sector

The three-day Super Sale is back, offering everyone the chance to take advantage of super savings on top brands from the world of beauty, fashion, electronics and much more. Running from November 22-24, shoppers can grab discounts of up to 90 per cent on a wide range of items at over 1,500 participating outlets. Organised by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), in conjunction with strategic partners across the city, key retailers reveal the importance of the sale for Dubai’s retail economy. Fuad Mansoor Sharaf, Managing Director, Majid Al Futtaim Properties, Shopping Malls (UAE, Bahrain & Oman), said, “Previous three-day Super Sales, in line with the Dubai Retail Calendar, have attracted thousands of people to Majid Al Futtaim’s shopping malls, and have proved to be successful as a key driver for Dubai’s tourism proposition. As a strategic partner of DFRE, we will deliver an unbeatable shopping experience at all our malls in Dubai this November and will continue to support anchor retail activities and exclusive experiences.” Steven Cleaver, Director, Shopping Centers Dubai, Al-Futtaim Malls, commented, “This year’s three-day Super Sale at Dubai Festival City Mall is going to be bigger than ever before. We are giving away instant cash rewards to all shoppers who buy our newly-launched Festival City Gift Card over the weekend. In collaboration with our valued retail partners, we are excited for a weekend filled with promotions and good value for our shoppers.” Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne, CEO, Emaar Malls, said: “The three-day Super Sale is a great opportunity to explore the best in store by our retailers, more so as it coincides with the 10-year …

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Dubai set to become global capital for luxury yachts marinas

In partnership with Dubai Holding, Meraas has signed an agreement with D-Marin to attract international investments in the yacht sector and various supporting sectors to promote Dubai as the preferred destination for luxury yachting and boating internationally.  The joint venture agreement was signed at MB92 premises in Barcelona by His Excellency Abdulla Al Habbai, Group Chairman, Meraas and Chairman, Dubai Holding; and Ferit Şahenk, Chairman, Doğuş Group. The newly-established joint venture will manage and operate the existing and future marinas being developed by Meraas and Dubai Holding, including marinas in Port de la Mer, Dubai Harbour and Jumeirah Beach Hotel. The partnership seeks to also establish a regional centre with global standard for renovation, service and maintenance of luxury yachts and boats in Dubai, similar to D-Marin backed MB92, which is currently serviced by branches in Barcelona, Spain and La Ciotat, France. Al Habbai said, “The success of the two companies in attracting a global operator such as D-Marin to invest in the luxury marinas sector is aligned to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister, the UAE and Ruler, Dubai, to promote Dubai as a leading international tourist destination and position the UAE at the forefront of world’s most business-friendly countries. This agreement will contribute to attracting new foreign investment to Dubai, which has high rates of direct investment growth in high value sectors.”

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UAE gets new island destination ‘Bluewaters’

Meraas aims to pull out all stops to deliver Bluewaters’ unique promise of an island luxe vibe, with unparalleled experiences brought to the region for the first time at the Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai, The Residences at Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai and Caesars Resort Bluewaters Dubai. These five-star accommodations comprising 495 luxury rooms and 80 serviced apartments will be flanked by The Rotunda at one end and Caesars Forum on the other.  The exclusive 194-key Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai will feature an outdoor swimming pool, the wellness concept Qua Spa and a fitness centre with stunning views of Ain Dubai as well as six cutting-edge restaurants. The Residences at Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai will offer additional 80 premium-serviced apartments ideal for contemporary living. The second hotel, Caesars Resort Bluewaters Dubai, will comprise 301 rooms, two outdoor swimming pools, six unique restaurants, three meeting rooms equipped to provide business services and a 750-square metre event hall. Since Ain Dubai first made its appearance off the coast of Dubai Marina, it has captured the imagination of the city. Making its presence felt, this new landmark-in-the-making has drawn attention to Bluewaters, the island destination by Meraas that has opened its doors to visitors. Connecting it to the mainland is a sophisticated network of roads, including a direct link to Sheikh Zayed Road, pedestrian access from The Beach opposite JBR and water transport by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). His Excellency Abdulla Al Habbai, Group Chairman, Meraas, said, “Dubai has always had its eye on the future. As the city develops in line with the vision of the UAE’s leadership, we are constantly striving to achieve greater heights. Meraas has been mindful of this, …

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Embassy of Ireland opens its first visa application centre in Dubai

The Embassy of Ireland, Abu Dhabi, has announced the opening of a visa application centre in Dubai, UAE in partnership with VFS Global. Earlier this year in June, the Embassy had opened its first-ever visa application centre in Abu Dhabi. The Dubai centre has started accepting visa applications from non-UAE Nationals who are based in the UAE and who require a visa in order to enter Ireland. In addition, they will no longer need to visit the Embassy and instead they should submit their visa applications only at the VFS Global centres in the UAE. Opening the visa application centre in Dubai, Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor, TD Ireland, accompanied by HE Ambassador Aidan Cronin, Embassy of Ireland, Abu Dhabi said she very much welcomed the opening of the centre and that the new external visa application centre located in downtown Dubai and operated by VFS Global will provide an excellent streamlined service for the non-UAE nationals who are based in Dubai and who require a visa in order to enter Ireland. Ambassador Cronin also welcomed the opening of the centre and added that this is the second visa application centre in the UAE and the fourth outsourced processing centre for Ireland visas in the GCC. He also said that VFS Global provides a whole range of services for the customer. The centre in Dubai is located at Level 3, Falcon Phase 2, WAFI Mall, Umm Hurair 2. Visa applicants can direct their queries to the call centre number +971 4 2055912 or communicate with the centre via email at info.irelandUAE@vfshelpline.com. Details on visa application procedures can also be accessed at www.vfsglobal.com/Ireland/uae. Commenting on the new centre, Vinay Malhotra, Regional Group …

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Lemon Tree Hotels signs first hotel in Dubai

Lemon Tree Hotels has announced its latest signing for the first Lemon Tree Hotel in Dubai. The hotel owned by Al Waleed Real Estate LLC is expected to launch in the third quarter of the coming year. The signing of the agreement was facilitated and supported by Raine & Horne, Dubai. Located on Al Wasl Road, this will be the first mid-scale hotel in the area featuring 114 well-appointed rooms and suites, complemented by a multi-cuisine restaurant, Citrus Café, with a beautiful al fresco extension, a conference room, Tangerine, a swimming pool, a well-equipped fitness center and more. Speaking on the occasion, Rattan Keswani, Deputy Managing Director – Lemon Tree Hotels and Director – Carnation Hotels, said, “We are delighted to enter Dubai with our partners Al Waleed Real Estate LLC. This is our first hotel in the UAE, and we feel that it holds immense business potential. We have a locational advantage, with the hotel strategically situated in proximity to famous destinations like Burj Al Arab, Kite beach and the Mall of Emirates, and equidistant from Business Bay and JLT, the two major business districts of Dubai. The addition of this hotel opens a new location for the brand, thereby increasing our appeal to our existing and potential customers.” Mohammed Abdulrazzaq Abdul Aziz Al Mutawa, CEO, Al Waleed Real Estate LLC commented, “We are pleased to announce our partnership with Lemon Tree Hotels for our upcoming hotel in Dubai. There was a need for a mid-scale hotel of this calibre in this location, and we found Lemon Tree Hotels to be the best partner for the project, taking into account that India has been the largest source into Dubai, …

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Emirates’ first class suite to debut on Vienna route from December 1, 2018

Emirates’ latest Boeing 777-300ER aircraft fitted with the ‘Game Changer’ First Class product will operate between Dubai and Vienna on a daily basis from December 1, 2018. Austria will be one of the first few countries in the world to be served by Emirates’ Boeing 777 aircraft with fully-enclosed private suites inspired by Mercedes-Benz. Emirates will fly to Vienna twice daily and both flights will be operated by its flagship products – the iconic A380 and Game Changer Boeing 777 product – underscoring its commitment to the market since 2004. Travelling to or from Vienna can enjoy the latest Emirates products regardless of which of the two daily flights they opt for. The new private suites offer up to 40 square feet of personal space each, laid out in a 1-1-1 configuration. The new suites were designed with customer comfort in mind as the seats recline into a fully flat bed and can be placed in a “zero-gravity” position. The aircraft also boasts the industry’s first virtual windows for suites located in the middle aisle. These virtual windows project the view from outside the aircraft using real-time camera technology. In the other suites, binoculars are available for customers who want to explore the sky outside their windows. Customers in each suite can easily communicate with the cabin crew or request for room service through a new video call function. From first class through to the business and economy class cabins, the latest Emirates 777 aircraft boasts multi-million dollar features that include newly-designed seats and upgraded inflight entertainment systems in all cabins, giving customers an unmatched travel experience regardless of which cabin they are in. It has touchscreen controls for the seat and …

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Al Seef Hotel by Jumeirah opens on the banks of Dubai Creek

Al Seef Hotel by Jumeirah has opened on the south bank of Dubai Creek. The property is spread across 10 clusters of Arabian Bayts (homes), tucked away amidst the rooftops and courtyards of a souk, offering guests tales of history and culture at every turn. With views down into the alleyways of the souk or out across the busy waterways of the Creek and a restaurant Saba’a, guests can book to stay from just AED 250 plus government fees and taxes as an introductory opening offer. The hotel has a unique Emirati-inspired design. The Arabian Bayts provide areas of personal peacefulness interspersed amongst the vibrant walkways within the hotel grounds – very much like the old neighbourhoods of decades passed. Further traditions of Emirati culture come to life behind the rough plastered walls, such as palm frond motifs, wooden ceilings and windows with traditional wooden panels that overlook the winding outdoor corridors of the Souk or Creek. The interiors of the 180 rooms and 10 suites reflect an age of pearl trading and Emirati crafts with a colour palette inspired by the UAE’s natural environment. Historical artefacts adorn the walls, with furnishings including old-style light switches, rotary dial phones, hanging oil lanterns and framed photographs of the souk and creek through the years – a visual exploration of the heritage of Arabia. Alessandro Cabella, Area General Manager, Jumeirah Group, said, “Al Seef Hotel by Jumeirah is a real passion project. Everyone involved in bringing this idea to fruition has been inspired by the prospect of offering our guests a unique and authentic experience inspired by the stories of Arabia. Everything within the property adds to the authenticity of the environment …

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Amadeus expands airline business unit in Dubai regional hub

Amadeus has expanded its airline business unit capabilities at its Dubai regional hub covering Middle East, Turkey and Africa region. Following the regionalisation of all business units to get closer to their customers, teams in the Dubai regional hub now include those of airlines, travel agencies, airport IT, payments, mobile and legal. Sabine Hansen Peck, SVP, People & Culture, Communication and Brand, Amadeus, opened the new office of the Dubai-based Amadeus Regional Hub. Further, commenting on the occasion, she said, “The Middle East, Turkey and Africa regions are relevant and growing markets for Amadeus. This expansion reflects our commitment to the region.”

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Jet Airways launches fourth daily from Dubai to Delhi

Jet Airways has launched a fourth daily service from Dubai to Delhi, and has also rescheduled the flight to Mangalore from Dubai. The new schedule provides a more convenient night flight, arriving early in the morning in Mangalore. Shakir Kantawala, Vice President, Gulf, Middle East and Africa, Jet Airways, said, “The new service will further enhance the strong economic ties between the UAE and India and support the increase in demand for tourism for both the cities. The new flight timings are also of interest for business travellers, who now have the convenience of day return flights. We look forward to providing greater convenience and choice to our guests travelling to Delhi.”

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23rd season of Global Village kicks off in style

Global Village has opened its 23rd season in Dubai on October 30, 2018 under the theme ‘Explore, Experience, Enjoy. This Way!’ and runs until April 6, 2019. It has also unveiled an expansive programme of entertainment, events and cultural activities. Global Village provides world-class shopping, unlimited entertainment, tantalising international cuisine, and features a newly-expanded Carnaval funfair area during the 159-day long season that runs from October 30, 2018 to April 6, 2019. Commenting on the occasion, Bader Anwahi, CEO, Global Village, said, “Global Village brings on its 23rd season with a wide range of exciting shows and special features to impress guests. This time, we have enhanced the entire park for greater thrills and a refreshed experience. We enter a world of exploration filled with adventures and fun for families as we host even more exciting events and huge international shows to entertain our guests.” Anwahi added that Global Village has become the most important tourist destination for visitors to the UAE and is a popular destination with residents from all walks of life. Global Village returns this season with 27 new pavilions representing 78 countries with stunning exteriors reflecting the world’s most beautiful landmarks whilst bringing global cultures to guests. The lively atmosphere is enhanced by music, markets, street food and local handicrafts as well as vendors dressed in authentic costumes. Each pavilion showcases its country’s or region’s most beautiful monuments and landmarks with popular markets, authentic products, heritage corners and cultural performances.

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