Tag Archives: Dubai

The fourth annual Bali & Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) concluded recently with 174 sellers from around Indonesia representing the tourism and hospitality industry, from tour operators to chain hotels and resorts as well as provincial tourism offices, along with 264 buyers from 54 countries. Co-hosted by South Sumatra Province, the fourth annual travel fair also organised several pre-tour programmes, sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, to several destinations, including Mount Bromo and Labuan Bajo. MichiDe International, the Dubai-based luxury travel expert, gave an opportunity to the media from the Middle East to be a part of this event. For the fourth Bali & Beyond Travel Fair, the committee collaborated with MichiDe International. By collaborating with MichiDe, the committee aimed to bring in key international buyers and high-profile media from the Middle East region to Bali and expand the success of the travel fair beyond the boundaries of Indonesia. MichiDe’s Chief Executive Officer Gessy Gitapuri remains dedicated to position Bali as the leading destination in South East Asia for the elite travellers from the Middle East.

Dubai has reportedly introduced a scheme that enables travellers to use their smartphones instead of their passport or express gate cards at Dubai International Airport. Known as “Emirates Smart Wallet” and considered as the first of its kind in the world, the scheme is meant to further streamline movement across DXB. The scheme was launched at the airport’s departure terminal by Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Dubai’s Deputy Chief of Police and Public Security and Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Head of Dubai’s Naturalisation and Residency Department. Right now in its first phase, the scheme, which requires a traveller’s personal data, Emirates ID and passport information as well as e-gate card data, is a stepping stone for a large-scale project which aims to reduce travel clearing procedures at DXB to the minimum. Source: WAM

In another technology first, Emaar Hospitality Group, the hospitality and leisure business of Emaar Properties PJSC, has introduced panoramic, 360° virtual tours of its hotels in Dubai. The virtual tours, comprising high-definition photographs and videos, offer visitors the opportunity to experience the unique value propositions of each hotel, discover its myriad facets and make an informed decision regarding the purchase – be it for booking hotel stays, restaurants or spas. These virtual tours cover properties under the premium luxury hotel and serviced residences brand, Address Hotels and Resorts; the upscale lifestyle hotel and serviced residences brand, Vida Hotels and Resorts and the new contemporary mid-scale hotel and serviced residences brand, Rove Hotels. The visitors are virtually taken through the spectacular architecture that defines properties under the Address Hotel and Resorts, including Address Boulevard, Address Dubai Marina, Address Dubai Mall, Address Montgomerie and Palace Downtown. Also, they virtually get to see the exceptional ambience offered by Vida Downtown and Manzil Downtown, as well as the three Rove Hotels that are currently operational in central locations across the city – Rove Downtown, Rove City Centre and Rove Healthcare City. To view, navigate to the master-brand pages, which will take you to individual hotel websites, where you can take the interactive tours.

Emirates’ inaugural Boeing 777-300ER flight from Dubai to Zagreb touched down in the capital city of Croatia, with more than 350 passengers on board, to a water cannon salute and an exhilarating performance by traditional Croatian folk dancers. Among the dignitaries travelling on flight EK129 were Thierry Antinori, Emirates’ Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer; Thierry Aucoc, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations (Europe and Russian Fed); Gari Cappelli, Minister of Tourism, Republic of Croatia; His Excellency Ali Al Ahmed, UAE Ambassador to Croatia and a contingent of partners and business leaders from Dubai, Hong Kong, India and China. This debut flight to Croatia took off from Dubai at 08.15 hours and landed in Zagreb at 12.20 hours. Thereafter, from Zagreb, the departure took place at 15.35 hours and arrival at Dubai happened at 23.05 hours. The flight carried commercial passengers from more than 16 countries in the Emirates’ network, including Taiwan, Australia, India, UAE, Korea, China, Japan, Singapore and South Africa. The new daily flight will open up access to more than 80 worldwide destinations in Emirates’ global network for Croatian travellers and vice versa. Travel from as far as Shanghai, Beijing, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, or Sydney and Melbourne, to Croatia, is all extremely convenient now, with just one stop at Emirates’ world-class Dubai hub.

Emirates’ customers can explore more of Dubai this summer by enjoying exclusive offers and discounts across the city with My Emirates Pass, which turns the Emirates boarding pass into an exclusive membership card. Those flying to or through Dubai between June 1 and August 31, 2017 can take advantage of a range of offers at some of Dubai’s best known hotspots by simply showing their Emirates boarding pass and a valid form of identification. My Emirates Pass gives customers special discounts at over 120 world class restaurants and hotel dining outlets in Dubai. Exclusive offers are also available on a range of leisure activities, including visits to championship golf courses, thrilling theme parks or luxury spas across the city. Furthermore, My Emirates Pass can be used to enjoy some of the city’s must-see new attractions, such as Dubai Parks and Resorts, which features three theme parks: Bollywood Parks™, MOTIONGATE™ and the region’s first LEGOLAND® Park and LEGOLAND® Water Park.

Passengers flying through Terminal 3 at Dubai International (DXB) now have more options to get some rest with the launch of the sleep ‘n fly lounge, which offers a total of 27 pods and cabins. Scandinavian-designed for comfort and style, DXB’s new sleep lounge features 20 state-of-the-art “igloo” sleep pods, plus 7 premium double cabins with pullout children beds. Inspired by nature, sleep ’n fly provides ultimate relaxation for a one-hour power nap or an entire night, or any duration in between. Located close to Gate A1 in Concourse A, the sleep ’n fly lounge provides more choices for the passengers travelling through DXB, which also boasts of five-star hotels. Pods and cabins can be reserved in advance on its website and the lounge specially welcomes the members of Priority Pass and LoungeKey. Eugene Barry, Executive Vice President, Dubai Airports Commercial Group, said, “The opening of sleep ‘n fly expands Dubai International’s existing range of rest and relaxation options and is the latest in a line of personalised and engaging products we are rolling out to cater to the evolving needs of global travellers.”

As a follow up to the MOU signed between Emirates Airlines and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia in April 2016 for tourism cooperation between the two countries, the first roadshow was conducted in Kuwait and Dubai. There were five top destination management companies (DMC’s) and three top hotels from Indonesia and over 80 travel and tourism partners from the UAE. The event was graced by H.E. Arzaf Fachrezy Firman, Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia. He stated, “the idea of this event is to promote Indonesia for both sides including the sellers and buyers. There are six sellers from Indonesia and we hope that they can sell for the upcoming Ramadan season and the summer holidays. Indonesia is a diverse country within hours you can see the pristine beaches on one side and snow atop the mountains on another within just a few hours’ drive.” Nia Niscaya, Director of International Tourism Promotion in Europe, Middle East, America and Africa stated, “it is a follow up of the MOU signed by Emirates Airlines and the Government of Indonesia last year at ATM. Today we are joining together with Emirates Airlines to promote our destination and the second Emirates flight to Bali. We are aiming to promote the packages with Emirates for Ramadan and summer holidays for the Middle Eastern and expatriates in Kuwait and UAE, we earnestly hope that this industrial gathering will yield networking and results between tourism industries in the two countries. ”

Emirates World Club, a VIP-lifestyle event management company offering customized  solutions for travellers and UAE elite residents has launched in the Emirates. Creating bespoke and exceptional journey for its high-end clientele, Emirates World Club held its first networking event at Gaucho Restaurant that was attended by key decision makers and senior management from various sectors in the UAE. It was a night of socializing highlighted by world-class entertainment. Emirates World Club offers its members the privilege to experience some of UAE’s most luxurious networks of hotels, bar and restaurants, transportation, health and beauty services etc. Romika Fazeli, also the founder of RF Event & Model Management, a Dubai-based full service event planning and model/hostess management company, Emirates World Club was formed out of the successful events managed by RF Events for its clients in the oil and gas, marine, railway, luxury automotive, luxury retail and construction sectors. “One of the most important elements of RF Events over the past 10 years has been the development of a comprehensive list of over 6,000 senior managers and directors across different industries. Along with hosting the events for this varied clientele, I have developed great friendships with them so when they need assistance while visiting, moving, staying or operating in the UAE, they call my company to assist them. Thus the idea of establishing a VIP-lifestyle event management came into mind.  We provide exclusive services to the world’s elite. Our mission is to satisfy our members’ search for a more comfortable, worry free and luxurious life and an unforgettable experience for travelers whether booking a restaurant, bar and club, assisting their travels abroad or when relocating and even personal shopping. Our large variety …

Emirates will be introducing a second daily A380 service between Dubai and Birmingham, beginning October 29, 2017. Flight EK39/40, currently operated by a Boeing 777, will now be operated by the Emirates A380, adding to the existing daily A380 already operating on the route. This means that from October, the airline will operate a twice-daily, all-A380 service to the Midlands. Emirates’ decision to use a double-daily A380 service was in part driven by huge demand from passengers to travel on the iconic aircraft. Since the first A380 service from Dubai to Birmingham launched on March 27, 2016, over 300,000 passengers have already flown on the aircraft between the two cities. The A380’s popularity is partly due to the fact that it features the widest individual in-seat economy class screens in the industry, measuring in at 13.3 inches and offers over 2,500 channels on the inflight entertainment system. And with Emirates offering A380 services to a number of key destinations in the East such as Auckland, Bangkok, Beijing, Perth, Singapore and Sydney, passengers travelling beyond Dubai have an increased opportunity to fly on the A380 on both legs of their journey.

Dubai unveiled a new website to enhance awareness of the world-leading, premium golf destination that convenes – for the first time in one place – everything visitors and tour operators need to know about experiencing golf in the city. Launched at the Asia Golf Tourism Convention (AGTC) in Danang, Vietnam, golfindubai.com provides information on the first-class courses designed by legends including Ernie Els, Sir Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie and Greg Norman, as well as details on leisure and practice facilities and wider hospitality offers.  A video of Masters and Omega Dubai Desert Classic champion Sergio Garcia facing India’s Anirban Lahiri in a battle of the big hitters – filmed at Skydive Dubai with the backdrop of the city’s iconic skyline – gives a sample of the compelling content on the website. Visitors to the site can also win a VIP trip that includes a playing spot in the 2018 Omega Dubai Desert Classic Pro-Am. golfindubai.com was launched by Falcon Golf, an entity announced in February of this year to optimise the benefits golf brings to Dubai working closely with key local stakeholders such as its golf clubs and tournament sponsors, as well as Dubai Sports Council, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Emirates Golf Federation. Commenting on the new website, Peter Dawson, Chairman of Falcon Golf, said: “Driving greater golf tourism is one of the key goals we set ourselves on our establishment, and I’m delighted that just a few months into our operations we have launched a website which for the first time provides one place where Dubai’s fantastic golf offering is showcased in full.