Hotels in the UAE will no longer be able to charge guests $1,000 a night for a ‘mediocre room’ according to the vice president of hospitality asset management at Dubai Properties Hotels in the UAE have been overcharging guests as local rates have been ‘out of sync’ with global room prices, leading to increased discounts in the market, according to the vice president of hospitality asset management at Dubai Properties Group.
Speaking to Arabian Business at the Gulf and Indian Ocean Hotel Investors’ Summit (GIOHIS), Stuart Etherington said hotels in the UAE will no longer be able to charge guests $1,000 a night for a ‘mediocre room’ as the market matures and discounts decrease. “If we look at the UAE as a business marketplace, we’ve seen a discount culture in the last 3, 4 years primarily because we’ve been out of sync with what the market is paying globally. If we start to look at the maturity of our industry, and the maturity of the guests coming in, we won’t discount,” Etherington said. “We just need to price accordingly.
No longer will you be able to charge $1,000 a night to stay in a mediocre room in a B-grade location just because we’re the UAE.” While new hotels with various price points have generally lowered market rates, Etherington said some hotels have maintained their rates. “What we’re seeing is diversification in our market.
The market itself is maturing. What we’re seeing is diversification within multiple channels, with 3-star, 4-star and 5-star hotels coming. This is statistically driving our rates down because of the blend, however, it’s not all doom and gloom out there,” he said. “A 5-star hotel on a beach is still a 5-star hotel on a beach, and is still achieving similar rates it was achieving 5 years ago,” he added.
Dubai Properties Group is part of the Dubai Holding Company, a global investment conglomerate which operates across 12 countries and includes the Jumeirah Group, which is known for iconic projects such as the Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Madinat Jumeirah and Jumeirah Al Naseem.
SHARJAH, 6th January, 2019 — Sharjah’s Environment and Protected Areas Authority, EPAA, Emirates Nature-WWF, and the Emirates Marine Environmental Group, EMEG, have launched the Pearl of Sharjah project on Sir Bu Nair Island, a three-year project aimed at preserving the island’s marine ecosystems, a natural biodiversity reserve to raise awareness about the environmental, cultural and heritage of the island.
This came during a community launch for Sir Bu Nair Project, and was well-attended, as it raised awareness about Sir Bu Nair’s environmental, cultural and traditional significance.
Regarding the project, Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, EPAA Chairperson, said, “H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, declared Sir Bu Nair Island a protected nature reserve in 2000. Formerly a haven for pearl divers and fishermen, this island is of ecological, historical, cultural and political significance.
“The goal is to use Sir Bu Nair Island as a model for the management of the UAE’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). We also plan to emphasise the socio-economic and ecological benefits of conserving marine environments. This project will benefit the environment, society and future generations of Emiratis,” explained Mrs. Al Suwaidi.
At the launch, the public was invited to upload images to Instagram using the hashtag #pearlofsharjah. These images were then used to create a digital mosaic of the pearl-shaped island. One of the participants was given an opportunity to win 2 tickets to Sir Bu Nair Festival to witness the natural legacy of the Pearl of Sharjah. The attendees thanked EPAA, Emirates Nature-WWF and EMEG for organising the event, which gave them an opportunity to learn about Sir Bu Nair Island and its ecosystems.
Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General of Emirates Nature-WWF, who was present on the day of the event, said, “We are thrilled to have joined the Sharjah community with EPAA and EMEG on Friday to shine the spotlight on Sir Bu Nair island and share details of our exciting new expedition. Our research in the field will commence in early 2019 with exploration and surveying of critical marine species and habitats, including sharks, rays, fish, birds and corals. Our aim is that our efforts on Sir Bu Nair will be showcased as a national blueprint for Marine Protected Area Management in the UAE”.
Recognised as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention, SBN Island has rich and diverse habitats and species, including turtles, birds and coral reefs.
The calendar showcases 18 events spread over 247 days, versus 12 events over 178 days in 2018.
The Department of Economic Development and Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment have jointly announced the 2019 Retail Calendar. Featuring more city-wide events, activities and experiences throughout 2019, the calendar showcases 18 events spread over 247 days, versus 12 events over 178 days in 2018. These events also offer broader and more diverse range of product categories and brand segments, while raising competitiveness in the global retail market. So, it’s time to get the pen or open your app and mark your calendar.
26 Dec 2018 – 2 Feb 2019
DUBAI SHOPPING FESTIVAL (DSF)
The Dubai Shopping Festival was launched in 1996 and is a global attraction today, offering an unbeatable combination of shopping, winning and family entertainment to visitors from all over the world. Celebrating its 24thanniversary, DSF 2019 will offer Dubai’s residents and visitors rewarding shopping experiences including the opportunity to win mega prizes and watch concerts, musicals and shows.
4 – 12 January
RUSSIAN HOLIDAY
This is a new retail initiative with the objective of increasing spend and driving visitation from Russians and the resident community. It is the perfect opportunity for Russians to avail of timely shopping savings for the festive & holiday season.
3 – 13 February
CHINESE NEW YEAR (CNY)
Dubai is a fantastic place to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The celebration includes activities such as launching Union-credit discounts targeting Chinese visitors in partnership with key retailers, hosting events targeted at Chinese visitors, concentrating offers on high valueadded luxury deals that are highly appealing to Chinese visitors.
21 February – 9 March
DUBAI FOOD FESTIVAL
Dubai Food Festival is the only truly citywide food festival in the Middle East. Held every year, it celebrates Dubai’s emergence as a gastronomic destination. The festival offers a calendar of exciting food-related events and promotions, highlighting Dubai’s unique food scene, its personalities, world-class dining experiences, F&B outlets, plus exclusive deals on kitchen and dining segments.
28 Feb-16 Mar / 8-24 Sep
COLLECTION LAUNCHES
The Collection Launches are inspired by fashion trends. This period of activation is to position Dubai as the destination that offers the most ‘up-to-date’ shopping proposition, where consumers are likely to see the most exclusive products and have the opportunity to be the first ones in the region to own looks that are fresh ‘off-the-runway’. Spring/Summer collection is from Feb. 28 to March 16, while fall/ winter is from September 8-24.
18 April – 1 May
HOME FESTIVAL
This Home Festival will provide a great platform to offer fantastic savings on a range of home furnishing products, as well as boost the overall home ware retail category. The home wares segment will be activated through engaging with home stores in the city who will create special promotions.
5 May – 8 June
RAMADAN AND EID IN DUBAI
Ramadan in Dubai is a time of enlightenment and reflection. This special period calls for cultural activities, family gatherings as well as gifts for the near and dear. While Eid in Dubai which follows the holy month brings a great deal of buzz and excitement, featuring retail promotions at malls and souks, as well as special holiday packages offered by hotels across the city.
(Eid Al Fitr – From 1st Day of Eid till 8 June)
(Eid Al Adha – 12 – 15 August)
21 June – 3 August
DUBAI SUMMER SURPRISES (DSS)
In the summer season, Dubai Summer Surprises presents wonderful experiences for residents and visitors alike with amazing bargains and incredible entertainment throughout the city. This summer shopping extravaganza offers everything from spend-and-win promotions to exciting competitions, plus daily deals featuring world-famous brands at unbeatable prices, entertainment and much more.
16 Aug – 7 Sep
BACK TO SCHOOL
Back to School is an exciting time of year, and parents can share in their children’s enthusiasm. This season positions Dubai as the best place to do back to school shopping and also encourages parents to spend time with kids while teaching them smart shopping habits.
18 Oct – 2 Nov
DIWALI
The Indian Festival of Lights, Diwali, is a time for celebration, family and positivity. The festival is a period for gift giving and shopping, with many of Dubai’s top retailers offering exciting shopping promotions on gold & jewelry, bridal wear, fashion accessories and home décor. The city’s shopping malls and entertainment destinations put on an array of festive themed events and activities.
18 Oct – 16 Nov
DUBAI FITNESS CHALLENGE
The Dubai Fitness Challenge is a city movement towards health and happiness for all with an action-packed public engagement programme that includes fitness events, classes, sporting activities, plus exciting deals and promotions across a wide range of retail, sports and fitness providers, and healthy F&B concepts.
18 Oct – 2 Nov
DIWALI
The Indian Festival of Lights, Diwali, is a time for celebration, family and positivity. The festival is a period for gift giving and shopping, with many of Dubai’s top retailers offering exciting shopping promotions on gold & jewelry, bridal wear, fashion accessories and home décor.
The city’s shopping malls and entertainment destinations put on an array of festive themed events and activities.
12-14 December
GIFTING WEEKEND
Gifting weekend is a pre-festive event aimed at increasing spend as well as the footfall across Dubai and allowing the visitors as well as the resident community to have a wide range of gifts at special promotions.
3-DAY SUPER SALE
Dubai aspires to retain its top position and ranking as an important international shopping destination. Among the many initiatives that supports this endeavor is the Super Sale weekend. This aims to increase spend and boost tourism from shopping oriented segment with discounts from 25 to 90 per cent on an array of items.
The Cabinet, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, adopted a number of visa facilitations for visitors, residents, families and people overstaying their visa to cater for a wider segment of the society.
The Cabinet approved a new legislative package, including a review of the current residency system to allow a two-year extension of the residency period for the dependents of their parents after finishing their university studies.
Transit visa
1. A new decision has also been approved to exempt transit passengers from all entry fees for the first 48 hours.
2. Transit visa can be extended for up to 96 hours for a fee of only Dh50.
3. Obtaining transit visa will be facilitated by a number of express counter at the passport-control hall across UAE airports.
Visa for overstayed job seekers
In the same context, the Cabinet adopted a decision to grant people overstaying their visa a chance to leave the country voluntarily without a “no entry” passport stamp.
. A new 6-month visa will be introduced for job seekers who overstayed their visa but wish to work in the country.
. The temporary visa enhances the UAE’s position as a land of opportunities and a destination for talents and professionals.
. As for Individuals who entered the UAE illegally, they will have the chance to leave voluntarily with a “no entry” stamp for two years given that they provide a valid return ticket.
. In a step aimed at simplifying the process and easing the financial burden on individuals wishing to adjust or renew their visa, they can now do so for a fee without having to leave and re-enter the country.
Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has announced the launch of a new pass allowing tourists to visit attractions around the city for a fixed price.
The pre-paid card grants cash-free access to 33 key events and venues across Dubai and will be available to redeem from May 16, DTCM said.
Prices will start from Dhs399 ($109) with select and unlimited packages available.
Attractions covered by the offering include the world’s tallest building the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Parks and Resorts, IMG Worlds of Adventure, Wild Wadi Waterpark, Ski Dubai and desert safari tours.
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Tourists will also receive a 50 per cent discount on tickets to aqua show La Perle with every purchase.
The Dhs399 select package allows users to visit one attraction each from three tiers of locations and is valid for seven consecutive days after the first day of use.
The Dhs899 ($245) unlimited package covers an unlimited amount of events and activities and is valid for three days.
DTCM said the passes would help tourists save money and make the most of their trip to Dubai.
Dubai received 15.79 million overnight visitors last year, representing a 6.2 per cent increase on 2016.
It is aiming to attract 20 million tourists annually by 2020.
The annual Sharjah Light Festival (SLF) 2018 is wowing visitors once again showcasing 24 artists from 10 different countries hosting the most beautiful displays under the direction of the French director Mathieu Felix
We are very proud to share that on 11th November 2017, the first The Ritz-Carlton flag in Ras Al Khaimah was raised following our extensive re-positioning of this special oasis in the desert. I have attached our press release for this occasion for you to share our news on any marketing channels, social media and internally.
We have previously communicated enhancements including most recently the completion of all of our villas and the opening of Farmhouse in October as well as the introduction of Al Wadi Experience Concierge, integration of the Al Wadi Equestrian Center and Spa partnership with ESPA from earlier in the year. There have been so many touch points that have been enhanced during our transition, however now that we are fully-flagged as The Ritz-Carlton, I would like to share some further product updates relating to the villas repositioning and our many dining options now available to our guests.
Villas
NEW – We are delighted that all of our 101 Villas have been enhanced and are delighted to share some of these images with you. Our new images will be regularly added to our image library on Al Wadi Desert and we will continue to share the updated images. Please remove any images from your site that are not loaded on this link.
As well as newly designed and enhanced villas, we have re-positioned our Tented villas to be sold with the following key benefits:
•Full Board only – all bookings made on contracted rates include breakfast, lunch and dinner (more details below)
•Kids Stay free – up to 2 children can stay free including Full Board for children (as per contract)
•Al Wadi Experiences Included – a choice of daily experiences (1 per person) included as well as the daily Falcon Show and Owl Interaction for all guests in the resort.
Restaurants & Dining at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert:
NEW – Kaheela
Kaheela is our new restaurant which is open for breakfast lunch and dinner. This restaurant have a fresh new modern look with Arabic touches that complement the menu. Stunning Arabic and international dishes can be enjoyed overlooking the organic herb garden or on the shaded terrace with a view of our water feature. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
NEW – Farmhouse
Inspired by a traditional rustic farm house, the restaurant offers fresh food produced from the land, air and sea with premium selections of wild meats smoked for 18 hours in our own smoker as well as our homegrown vegetables. Enjoy a sunset shisha or after-dinner drink at the outdoor deck. Open for dinner.
NEW – The Lobby Lounge
As a Ritz-Carlton, we have completely re-designed our lobby offering a fresh and relaxing environment with the center piece being our 300 year old Olive Tree. Guests can now enjoy drinks and light fare as well as The Ritz-Carlton Afternoon Tea and signature cake. Afternoon tea in the lobby lounge is also included for guests staying on Full Board in one of our Tented Villas.
Please note the inclusion of The Lobby Lounge replaces the Stables Café which is due to open later in 2018.
Samar Lounge
Samar Lounge features cozy nooks, mood lighting and offers a selection of tapas dishes with a selection of international wines and signature cocktails. Open for dinner, evening drinks and shisha on the terrace. Samar Lounge will be re-positioned with new menu as Moorish in 2018 and we will keep you updated on the progress.
NEW – Khan-Zaman
Join our Al Wadi BBQ, every Friday at Khan-Zaman, in an outdoor relaxing Arabic seating, overlooking the desert landscape. Enjoy live BBQ grill stations, a selection of mezze, salads and desserts complimented by live entertainment. Open Friday evenings.
Al Wadi Tower
Constructed in the style of a traditional Arabian watchtower, The Tower offers private dining looking out over the desert. A dedicated chef prepares a spread of specialties. Perfect for exclusive or romantic meals.
Can only be booked privately for lunch or dinner.
Dining on the Dunes
We offer various ‘destination dining ‘ experiences on the suns from Western-style and Arabic BBQ, in-villa BBQ and picnic’s in the desert dunes.
Not included in meal plans.
Moon Bar and the NEW Farmhouse Bar & Terrace
The Moon bar was closed throughout the summer which is normal as an outdoor only rooftop bar. The bar will remain closed until the enhancement is complete which is planned for 2018. Until then, we have a new bar at Farmhouse as well as an outdoor bar and terrace with stunning sunset overlooking the watering hole and sand dunes.
As a reminder, all Al Rimal Villas are sold on B&B basis with options to upgrade to Half Board and Full Board. Where this is added, guests are able to dine-around as per contract.
All bookings in Tented Villas include Full Board, which is also dine-around and includes experiences. Children stay free on full board in Tented Villas and can dine from the children’s menu.
The Lion roared at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert was officially flagged on 11th November 2017 in presence of esteemed dignitaries and hospitality leaders. With the newest addition, The Ritz-Carlton brand expands its portfolio of distinctive luxury destinations across the UAE to four properties.
Dubai: The UAE has declared Thursday, September 21, as a public and private sector holiday to celebrate the Islamic New Year, known as the Hijri Year in Arabic.
President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent congratulatory cables to Arab leaders on the advent of the new Hijri year. He wished more progress and prosperity to Arab and Muslim countries.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, dispatched similar cables to presidents, kings and princes of the Arab and Muslim countries on the occasion.
The occasion marks 1,439 years since the migration of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) and his companions from Makkah to Madinah, Islam’s holiest cities in Saudi Arabia. The first year in the Islamic calendar, Hijri 1, corresponds to the year 622AD.
Hijri is derived from Arabic word Hijrah, which means migration. In the religious context, it specifically refers to the migration of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) more than 14 centuries ago.
Why does the Islamic calendar start with Hijrah; what is the significance of this event?
Khaleeq Ahmad Mufti, an Ajman-based Islamic scholar and author, who also hosts an Islamic show on Sharjah TV, said Hijrah was the “definitive turning point” in the history of Islam.
“In Makkah, before Hijrah, the Muslims were weak, persecuted for their religion. After Hijrah to Madinah, Muslims became strong and successful. This development marked a definitive turning point,” Mufti added.
He explained that Hijrah was not just a historical event, but continues to be an opportunity for introspection.
“Every year, as a new Hijri year begins, we Muslims should ask ourselves, ‘why did Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) and his companions migrate, leaving everything behind — their homes, their property, and their loved ones?’
“The answer is because they chose to sacrifice worldly gains and comforts for the perseverance of their religion, Islam, which was then in danger in Makkah. This is a message that inspires us to follow Islamic teachings, such as honesty in trading and other traits, above all.”
The Hijri calendar is based on the lunar year, in which months are 29 or 30 days, depending on when the waxing crescent moon is sighted after the new moon. As a result, the Hijri year is shorter than the Gregorian solar year, arriving around 11 days “earlier” after each full cycle.
Last year, the UAE had declared October 2 as a holiday to celebrate Hijri year 1438.
SHARJAH, 20th September, 2017 – Al Qasimia University of Sharjah received Captain Pilot Abdulaziz Nasser Al Mansouri, President of the UAE Hot Air Ballooning, with a delegation of international pilots who will operate Hot Air Balloon of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, which is expected to be launched on the 46th UAE National Day.
The balloon will fly over several countries during its first international mission, with the aim of promoting Sharjah’s social and scientific stature that was established by Sheikh Sultan, which has enabled it to compete with major international scientific institutions.
The visiting delegation, which was accompanied by Dr. Rashad Salem, Director of Al Qasimia University, and several other officials, toured the university and viewed its main sections, including the Islamic Manuscripts House that was recently inaugurated, which houses a collection of rare and valuable Islamic manuscripts.
Dr. Salem stated that officials from the university, which was founded in 2014, briefed the visiting delegation, which includes pilots from many countries, about its vision, mission and international goals, as well as its achievements in promoting the values of moderate Islam, such as brotherhood and tolerance, which were achieved through the considerable support of Sheikh Sultan.
Al Mansouri stressed that the national balloon mission is a realisation of the wise directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, as well as the efforts and sacrifices of the UAE’s founders. He also highlighted the obvious contributions of Sheikh Sultan in placing the UAE among the most advanced countries in the world.
Al Mansouri added that the inauguration and launch of the balloon of Sheikh Sultan, who is loved by all UAE nationals and residents, will witness a large international turnout during its first launch on the 46th UAE National Day.
The balloon of Sheikh Sultan, which carries his image along with the UAE flag, is equipped with various technical equipment from the United Kingdom, enabling it to ascend and fly over high mountains, including the Alps.
Dubai Opera is opening its impressive performance space to give visitors a behind-the-scenes look.
Much like they can at the Royal Opera House Muscat, visitors to Dubai’s cultural precinct can now go on a tour of the venue, which includes the acoustic concert hall, 2,000-square-metre event space and access to the exclusive VIP suite.
From 10.30am each day, an experienced guide leads each group and offers the stories and facts about the design and creation of Dubai Opera, which in recent weeks celebrated its one-year anniversary.
“Dubai Opera is a new generation of entertainment venue with a fascinating story to tell,” says Jasper Hope, the chief cxecutive at Dubai Opera. “Our new tour is a great way for anyone to spend an hour out of the sun learning what makes an opera house tick.”
Beginning at the external box office and lasting approximately 60 minutes, the tours can be booked by emailing tours@travel-culture.com The tour schedule is available on dubai.travel-culture.com
Adult tickets are Dh75 and children (ages 3 to 16) cost Dh40. Rates for schools are priced at Dh35 per child. Private tours are also available.
Dubai Opera kicked off its season on September 7 with a trio of Mozart’s best-loved operatic masterpieces.
Favourite destination: For many, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is synonymous with oil, iconic skyscrapers, mega malls and beach resorts.
However, there are many surprises to be discovered in the seven emirates forming the country, and Abu Dhabi, the capital, is a city of culture, heritage and more for people who want to escape the stresses of life, enjoy the beauty of nature and have a relaxing and exciting break.
SEE
Heritage and culture are central to the UAE’s national identity and there is a deep awareness of the need to preserve the indigenous culture on which Emirati society is based.
Take a tour of historical landmarks such as Qasr Al Hosn (www.qasralhosn.ae/en), or White Palace, which dates back to 1760 and is the oldest stone structure in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It housed the ruling Al Nahyan family for generations and is the spiritual symbol of the UAE. It is now home to a permanent museum and an annual cultural festival.
Another highlight of the city is the wonderful Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (www.szgmc.ae/en), also known as the Grand Mosque – the largest mosque in the UAE and the eighth largest in the world.
It can accommodate more than 40,000 people and you will be astonished by the spectacular domes and minarets of its vast white marble edifice. Inside, the mosque offers an awe-inspiring display of Arabic and Islamic architecture and art.
DR MOHAMMED OMAR ABDULLA BALFAQEEH, AMBASSADOR OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES IN SINGAPORE, 52
He and his wife, Mrs Wafa Mohamed Jabran, have lived in Singapore since June last year.
Modern art can be found at the Saadiyat Cultural District Abu Dhabi (www.saadiyatculturaldistrict.ae), an island 500m off the coast of Abu Dhabi, where world-class museums and exhibition halls are located.
It was just announced last week that the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum will open its doors to the public on Nov 11.
The museum will highlight artwork curated by themes and stories that are shared across cultures – from prehistorical objects to modern commissioned artworks. It will be the first museum of its kind in the Arab world.
In addition to the galleries, it will have exhibitions, a Children’s Museum, a restaurant, a boutique and a cafe.
The Manarat Al Saadiyat artistic venue – which hosts international exhibitions and houses three major galleries, a central events gallery, a 250-seat theatre and a restaurant – has been open since 2010.
The Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, which will focus on contemporary art from across the globe, will open in a few years.
If you love water, you should visit Corniche Beach. With pristine sand and clear blue water, it is usually bustling with people, particularly on weekends.
Also enjoy the spectacular Sir Bani Yas Island (www.sirbaniyasisland.com), located 170km southwest of Abu Dhabi. The island, which has a bird sanctuary and wildlife reserve, offers activitiessuch as archery, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, snorkelling, land sailing, horse riding and falconry.
About half the island is dedicated to the Arabian Wildlife Park, where more than 13,000 animals, including the Arabian oryx, Somali ostrich, giraffes, hyenas and cheetahs, roam freely. Visitors can go on guided nature and wildlife drives or walks, do horse riding or mountain biking.
The park was founded by the late Sheikh Zayed, the founder of modern UAE, who loved the desert. He used to spend several days in the middle of the desert hunting, and the falcon was both his companion and hunting tool.
Despite the modernity of the UAE, he thought it was important to revive and protect the UAE’s heritage. Thus, the falcon is an official symbol of the country.
Sheikh Zayed also established the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital (www.falconhospital.com), the first and largest of its kind. You can tour the hospital and learn more about the magnificent birds, the history of falconry, and see some falcons up close.
EAT
Visitors from Singapore will not have to worry about missing biryani, laksa or teh tarik because you will find plenty of shops and restaurants in Abu Dhabi serving these delights and other familiar dishes.
If you want to try something local, head to Al Fanar Restaurant and Cafe (alfanarrestaurant.com/en), a chain owned by a young Emirati who wanted to offer tourists and expatriates a taste of authentic Emirati culture and cuisine. The restaurants are designed to revive memories of Dubai in the 1960s, when it was still a small town on the shore of the Arabian Gulf.
Try the machboos deyay, chicken cooked with yellow rice simmered in chicken stock, special Arabic spices and dry lemon; jesheed, crumbled baby shark cooked with onion and mixed spices served with white rice; hobool, deep-fried roe; and legaimat, golden and crisp fried dough balls coated with date syrup. A meal here costs $15 to $40 a person.
PLAY
Learn more about the UAE’s 4,000-year-old falconry and hunting traditions at the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (www.adihex.com), the only dedicated consumer and trade event in the Middle East for safari, hunting, equestrian, outdoor and marine sports, arts and antiques, and culture and heritage. It takes place in Abu Dhabi every September.
To see the UAE’s falconry traditions, attend the Fazza Championship for Falconry (hhc.gov.ae/en/championships), which typically takes place every January in Dubai. Hundreds of young and old Emirati falconers gather to show their skills in handling the attractive yet intimidating birds.
Getting there
Etihad Airways offers daily direct flights between Singapore and Abu Dhabi.
TIPS
• You will be surprised by how easily you can interact with the Emiratis. The people are friendly, generous and ready to offer their unconditional help at any time.
•Some Emirati families may invite you to their homes for lunch or dinner. Don’t hesitate. It will be an opportunity for you to experience local hospitality and delicious local dishes cooked at home.
•Try as much as you can to dress appropriately while in public places, which typically means being covered from your shoulders to your knees. Emiratis love etiquette and pay a lot of attention to their image at home and abroad.
•Visitors can use the common greeting “Assalamu alaikum”, which means “may peace be upon you”, but they can also just say “Ahlan”,’ which means “hello”.
•Avoid consumption of alcohol and drunkenness in public. Consume alcohol only in the hotels and restaurants that serve it.
•While taking pictures in public places, ask for permission before taking photos of people, especially women.
•Tipping is not an obligation in restaurants or for those who provide services. However, it is seen as a gesture of generosity.
Camel-racing is another unique part of the UAE’s heritage and the traditional lifestyle of its people. The races were mainly held to mark important social occasions such as weddings.
Nowadays, races can take place all year round, but the primary racing season is from October to April, mainly on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at the Al Wathba, Al Maqam and Al Ain camel race tracks.
Camel festivals are also held throughout the year. One of the best takes place during the annual HH Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan Heritage Festival (bit.ly/2xjAj6u), where events include camel races, camel beauty contests, camel milking and a Saluki (Persian greyhound) race.There are also traditional games, Yolla (national dance), falconry, a souk (market) and other traditional activities.
Dubai, which is 140km from Abu Dhabi, shines with its luxury, modern buildings and streets. Visit Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building at 824m. Take the high-speed elevator to the 124th-floor viewing point.
A little farther north in the Emirate of Sharjah,visit the oldest market place in the UAE, the Souk Al Arsah, and the most famous market in Sharjah, the Blue Souk. You will see colourful shops and get bargains on gold, silver, precious stones, jewellery, carpets and rugs.
Then go to the Emirate of Ajman, less than an hour’s drive from central Dubai, for white-sand beaches, rolling desert dunes, craggy mountain backdrops and thriving mangrove forests; or to the Emirate of Umm al-Quwain for its historical houses, mosques, streets and the people, who always have wonderful smiles.
SHOP
Pleasant, air-conditioned malls make it easy to enjoy shopping in most of the UAE. Especially in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, malls housing theatres, cinemas, game zones, food courts and children’s play areas cater to every customer’s needs under one roof.
Yas Mall (www.yasmall.ae/en-us) is one of the biggest malls in Abu Dhabi. It is attached to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi (ferrariworldabudhabi.com), a Ferrari theme park with rides, games and roller coasters, and the Yas Marina circuit, where the annual Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix takes place.
Another shopping highlight is The Galleria on Al Maryah Island (www.thegalleria.ae), a mall with luxury fashion and jewellery boutiques sitting on the waterfront promenade.
STAY
Located in Abu Dhabi and only 40 minutes from the airport, Emirates Palace (www.kempinski.com/en/abudhabi/emirates-palace) is grand in both its design and offerings. With landscaped pools and a private marina overlooking a natural bay, the luxury five-star Kempinski hotel is perfect for a once-in-a-lifetime holiday.
If you do not mind being far from the city, stay at the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara (qasralsarab.anantara.com), about 300km from Abu Dhabi. There, guests can enjoy luxury and comfort surrounded by the mesmerising Rub’Al Khali, the largest uninterrupted sand desert in the world.
Dubai – the name itself inspires awe and your mind will put you on wanderlust in a millisecond. There are many reasons for Dubai being the favorite destination of travellers across globe. Let us cite 5 reasons why Dubai Tops every traveller’s wish list:
1. Bespoke luxury
The city of Dubai offers plenty of luxury experiences. The 5 star hotels provide private helicopters for their guests. Dubai is shopping lover’s favorite destination. The Dubai Mall has everything you need under one roof. You can enjoy cruising on a private yacht in Dubai. Dubai desert safari includes camel rides, belly dancing, campfire with barbecue etc… that in itself is a one-of-a-kind experience.
2. Safety
Dubai is one of the safest places for women. You can wear whatever clothes you are comfortable with and roam around in the city. The police also plays an important role in ensuring safety to each and everyone. The laws are stricter and crime rates are lower compared to other countries. Road safety is also fairly good in Dubai city.
3. Cleanliness
Dubai beaches are awarded blue flag for cleanliness. The quality of sea water is pretty good and is free of pollutants. Some commercial markets in Dubai have hygiene ambassadors who promote cleanliness in the city by conducting awareness camps. The water and air pollution rate is comparatively low in the city.
4. Multicultural
Dubai is so multicultural that it has people from more than 100 countries. People show mutual respect for one another. All kinds of religious festivals are a big part of Dubai’s culture.
5. Sight-seeing
There are a lot of places to visit in Dubai. Among them Burj Khalifa tops the list. It’s the tallest man-made structure. Dubai museum is in Al-Fahidi Fort. It was built in 1787 to defend Dubai Creek. Dubai Creek separates the city into two; Deira and Bur Dubai. One of the beautiful mosques in Dubai is the Jumeirah mosque. Dubai aquarium is another top tourist attraction. It is in the Dubai Mall. Dubai Mall is one of the largest shopping malls in UAE. It is shopaholics favorite destination; electronic goods, books, clothes or just anything, you name it and you can find it in this mall. The Palm Jumeirah, that looks like a palm tree from above, is the eighth wonder of the world.
DUBAI, 5th July, 2017 (WAM) — Emirates will introduce an additional daily flight to Brussels, complementing Emirates’ existing schedule and providing a double-daily service to customers from 29th October, 2017.
The new scheduled flight will be added to meet the growing demand for travel on the route. Emirates has carried over half a million passengers between Dubai and the Belgian capital since launching operations on 5th September, 2014 – and the demand continues to grow for both inbound and outbound flights.
As well as providing choice and convenience for both, Belgian customers and inbound visitors, Emirates’ operations over the recent years have made a positive impact on Belgium’s tourism, trade, investment and employment. Keen to build on its already significant economic contribution, Emirates is confident its analysis demonstrates that the high potential of the route more than justifies the addition of a second daily service between Dubai and Brussels, both, to meet existing demand and to stimulate new growth.
Inbound tourism is also expected to receive a significant boost, with the new flight creating an anticipated 50,000 more tourist arrivals and generating over US$110 million of tourist revenues for the Belgium economy annually.
The second daily flight, which offers additional cargo capacity in the belly hold of the wide-body Boeing 777-300ER, will enhance trade links between Brussels and Dubai, transporting pharmaceuticals, perishables such as chocolates and automotive parts from Belgium to the UAE and beyond.
Dubai: It’s never too early to plan for the next long weekend, the soonest one happening will be in September. Ebrahim Al Jarwan, an astronomy expert and general supervisor at Sharjah Planetarium, has already made his calculations, and predicts that this year’s Eid Al Adha will fall on Friday, September 1, 2017.
The Eid ul Adha celebrations will last for three days, giving residents a three-day break from work.
Al Jarwan explained that the Islamic month of Dhu Al Hijja 1438 will start on Wednesday, August 23, which means that Arafat Waqfa Day will fall on Thursday, August 31. Arafat Day takes places on the ninth of the month.
In the Islamic lunar calendar, Eid Al Adha takes place on the 10th day of the 12th month.
At the end of the Hajj – annnual pilgrimage to Makkah – Muslims throughout the world celebrate the holiday of Eid Al Adha, which is also known as the Festival of Sacrifice.
During the Hajj, Muslims remember and commemorate the trials and triumphs of the Prophet Ebrahim.
Prophet Ebrahim, the Quran said, had a revelation that Allah commanded him to sacrifice his son to Him, and he informed the son, who told his father to carry out the command of Allah.
It was while carrying out the wish of Allah that a ram was sent down to Prophet Ebrahim as a sacrifice for his son, Esmail. It is that act that Muslims celebrate till date to show submission to Allah.
The annual Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) will run from July 1 – August 12 this year, with sales and events set to take place across the emirate.
Now in its 20th edition, the six-week DSS is organised by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).
Participating brands will offer discounts of up to 75 per cent while mall-led events including concerts and character shows will also be held in Dubai.
DSS has announced three, special one-off concerts so far including one by Walid Al Shami at Dubai Festival City mall on July 1, one on July 21 by Fouad Abdulwahed and Dalia Mubarak at City Centre Mirdif, and a third by Balqees at Mall of the Emirates on August 4.
All three concerts will start at 8pm and will be free-to-attend.
This year, DSS is also launching its first ever ‘City Pass’, giving people up to 50 per cent discount on 28 attractions across Dubai including Atlantis’ Aquaventure Waterpark, Burj Khalifa, city tour, theme parks and desert safari.
The pass is priced at Dhs449 per person (for a standard three-attraction package) and reaches Dhs940 per person for an unlimited package.
The passes can be bought at the DSS website and at hotel concierge services and are valid from July 1.
Some of the highlights of this year’s DSS include –
Six week sale
Shoppers will be given discounts ranging between 30 to 75 per cent throughout the six-week DSS period at participating retailers.
72 hour sale
As part of DSS, 72 hour-sales will be held from Monday until Wednesday each week during DSS. Brands across sectors including fashion, homeware and toys will offer the discounts.
Details of the deals will only be revealed 24 hours ahead of the sale on the DSS website and its social channels.
Friday surprise
Fashion, beauty and luxury homeware retailers will have offers on exclusive retail products at a specified shopping location each week on Fridays, starting on July 7. The deals will again be revealed only 24 hours ahead of the sale on the DSS website and its social channels.
Grand finale sale
The grand finale sale will run from August 10-12 and will feature the very last price cuts of summer.
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