Rotana, the Leading Hotel Chain in the Middle East, announced signing a one-year agreement as Official Host Hotel for the Arab World Travel and Tourism Exchange (AWTTE 2007) in a move that underlines Rotana’s commitment to Lebanon’s top regional travel tradeshow and to further strengthen the company’s leading role in the region.
‘Rotana will use the platform of Host Hotel sponsorship in AWTTE 2007 to help promote Lebanon as a tourism destination and our properties based there as well as our expansion plans for 60 properties by 2012 throughout the region. We are very proud to be supporting the efforts of the Lebanese Ministry of Tourism and Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal in their initiative despite the difficult situation in Lebanon and we will be exhibiting amongst a large number of National, International and high profile companies’, says Imad Elias, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer for Rotana Hotels.
Since inception, the company has grown to be the region’s largest hospitality management company, and a brand that is widely recognized and much admired. Rotana currently manages 25 properties spread between the United Arab Emirates (which includes properties in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah & Sharjah), Lebanon, Kuwait, Egypt, Sudan and Syria with a further 35 new properties to open by 2012. Rotana’s strategic aim is to have a property located in every key city in the Middle East and this goal is being steadily achieved through careful long-term planning and timely action.
Rotana is geared towards another challenging year, as we continue to develop. The expansion is taking us into new markets such as Bahrain, Qatar, Sudan, Amman, Oman, Iraq as well as increasing our portfolio in the UAE and Lebanon. In 2008, we will be opening 5 new properties in Dubai; Rose Rotana Hotel, the tallest all-suites hotel in the world, Amwaj Rotana Resort, the hotel company’s first resort in Dubai, Media Rotana Hotel, Al Sufouh Rotana Suites and The Cove Rotana Resort & Spa. Furthermore, we will be opening our first property in Doha, City Center Rotana Hotel in September 2008. Even though Lebanon is facing several challenges Rotana will be opening of Raouché Rotana Suites in April 2008, as originally planned. The work is currently going ahead and the project is nearer completion. The property, due to its location, positioning and facilities is expected to perform well.
‘Our participation at AWTTE is to strengthen our presence and to support Rotana Hotels’ expansion plans reaching a portfolio of 60 properties by 2012′, concluded Elias.
Rotana Hotels has announced a further four hotels in Abu Dhabi following an agreement with ALDAR properties PJSC, Abu Dhabi’s largest integrated real estate company. This announcement sees the original expansion plans of 55 hotels by 2010 exceeded with 60 properties now planned by 2012.
The proposed Abu Dhabi hotels are a 300-room Rotana Hotel on Yas Island, with an expected opening date of 2009; a 250-room Centro by Rotana with an expected opening date of 2009; a 250-room 5 star Rotana Hotel in Al Seef precinct of the Al Raha Beach development, with an expected opening date of 2012; and a 165-unit serviced apartment property in Abu Dhabi.
“Year after year, Rotana Hotels is gaining strength and positioning itself as a leader in the industry within the region. This is part of our strategic aim to have a property located in every key city in the Middle East and this goal is being steadily achieved through careful long-term planning and timely action. The essence of Rotana Hotelsis the diversity in the products and genuine Arabic hospitality and for us to partner with ALDAR makes this statement stronger” said Nasser Al Nowais, Chairman of Rotana Hotels.
Selim El Zyr, President & CEO of Rotana Hotels said: “These agreements with ALDAR are a great opportunity for us to deepen our well-established base in the Emirate and to partner with a leading Abu Dhabi based developer. The new Rotana Hotels properties will compliment our existing operations and will give us a representation on some of the most exciting developments in the region. Rotana Hotels currently operates 25 properties throughout the Middle East with a further 31 properties under development. This announcement is a significant step toward fulfilling our aggressive growth strategy for the region and will increase our portfolio reaching 60 properties by 2012.”
Current schedule of property openings:
Abu Dhabi
* Khalidiya Palace Rotana Resort - 2008
* Park Rotana Hotel & Suites - 2008
* Saadiyat Rotana Resort - 2009
* 3 new properties in the ‘Capital Centre’ development including a four-star, 300-room hotel, a 200-room suites property and a 300-room Centro by Rotana – 2010
* Centro by Rotana – Hamdan Street – 2008
* Centro by Rotana – Airport Rd - 2009
Dubai
* Amwaj Rotana Resort - 2008
* Media Rotana Hotel - 2008
* Rose Rotana Suites - 2008
* Centro by Rotana, Barsha – 2008
* Centro by Rotana, Diyafa - 2008
Fujairah
* Fujairah Rotana Suites - 2008
Ras Al Khaimah
* The Cove Rotana Resort & Spa - 2008
* Mina Al Arab Rotana Resort - 2009
Al Ain
* Hili Rotana Suites - 2009
Barhain
* Bahrain Rotana Hotel - 2008
Jordan
* Amman Rotana Hotel - 2008
* Boulevard Rotana Suites - 2009
Lebanon
* Rouche Rotana Suites - 2008
* Solidere Rotana Suites - 2009
Qatar
* City Centre Rotana Hotel - 2008
* Doha Airport Rotana Hotel - 2009
* Centro by Rotana – Sohar - 2009
* Salalah Rotana Resort - 2010
Sudan
* Khartoum Rotana Hotel – 2008
Sharjah
* Centro by Rotana, Shatjah – 2008
Oman
* Centro by Rotana, Sohar - 2009
Source: Traveldailynews.com
There is a lot of confusing and misleading information when it comes to what is and what is not culturally acceptable in Dubai. Dubai is a vibrant cosmopolitan city with over 100 nationalities living together in harmony. Millions of tourists flock to Dubai every year and the city is truly a cultural crossroads.
The local population is quite small (estimated around 15%), but Emiratis in general are warm, welcoming, and very tolerant of foreign visitors and residents. In return, it is greatly appreciated if those who travel to Dubai take a little time to learn about the local customs and culture.
The UAE is a Muslim country. The culture is based on a deeply rooted belief in Islam and centers on the family. Mosques are dotted throughout the landscape of Dubai and five times a day the melodious prayer call or “adhan” will be heard. The official weekend is Friday, although government offices and certain multinational companies are also closed on Saturday. Arabic is the official language; however English is widely spoken by almost everyone and all the street signs are in both English and Arabic.
There is no specific dress code in Dubai, and you will see both ends of the spectrum from women who cover themselves from head to toe to those who choose to barely cover themselves at all. At the beach women are welcome to wear bikinis and men can don swimming shorts. Away from the beach it is more culturally acceptable for men to avoid wearing shorts or going shirtless and for women to avoid mini-skirts, midriff baring tops, and shorts.
T-shirts or blouses and mid-length skirts or Capri pants for women are considered quite appropriate. Muslim women from the Gulf States typically dress in a long black robe known as the “abaya”. The “abaya” itself is not an Islamic requirement, but rather a cultural custom.
Islam requires ladies to cover their heads and to wear long loose clothes covering their arms and legs. Gulf men wear a loose, typically white robe called a “dishdasha” along with a white or red checkered headdress known as the “gutra”. The gutra is held in place with a black cord called an “agal”.
Arabs are one of the most hospitable people in the world, but visitors still should take note of a few cultural musts when interacting with locals. It is best to ask permission of local women before taking their photograph and most likely you will be told no. Visitors should also be aware that some Muslim women and men will avoid shaking hands with members of the opposite gender as per Islamic tradition.
This should not be taken as an offense and it is simply best to wait and see if the other person extends their hand in greeting first. Local men will typically greet other local men by touching noses or kissing cheeks. Public displays of affection between members of the opposite sex are highly frowned upon, although you will see men (typically Asian expats) holding hands with other men when walking.
This is a cultural norm and merely an expression of friendship. If you are invited to enjoy a coffee, tea or traditional meal with a local family there are a few guidelines to keep in mind. Before entering a home shoes should be removed. When sitting, take care to avoid pointing the soles of your feet in anyone’s direction as this is considered rude in Arab Muslim culture.
Food and drink (and there will be a lot of it!) should be taken with one’s right hand. Your hosts will most likely keep offering you more and more food and drink. It is acceptable to take a second helping but not necessarily a third or fourth! You will have to be persistent and it might take a bit of polite “back and forth” between you and your host before your host acknowledges that you are actually finished!
During the Holy Month of Ramadan (when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset) non-Muslims in Dubai are also expected (by law) to refrain from eating, drinking or smoking in public during the daytime. A bit of discretion and respect for the host culture is really all that is called for. If a visitor accidentally makes a mistake and eats, drinks, or smokes in public, the worst that is likely to happen is that someone will gently remind you of the time of year and ask you to stop.
Although most restaurants will be closed during the day (or offering take-away only), many malls now have food outlets that are screened off from the public and open during the day in Ramadan for non-Muslims. It is also perfectly acceptable for non-Muslims to eat and drink in the privacy of their homes or hotel rooms during the day.
Most hotel restaurants will remain open (with screened-off areas) for hotel guests. It is greatly appreciated during Ramadan if women are a bit more conservative in their dress - simply avoiding short skirts or sleeveless tops. All live musical and dance performances are suspended during Ramadan but pubs will open after sunset. In general visitors do need to be more culturally sensitive during the Holy Month, but after the breaking of the fast each day the city comes alive and it is an ideal time to visit if you are looking to experience cultural flavor.
While Dubai is most famous for its shopping, visitors should take advantage of their trip to the United Arab Emirates to visit cultural heritage sites. The Dubai Museum, built in an old traditional fort, is a must-see for all ages and includes exhibits of weapons, national costumes, and displays of the desert as well as the pearl diving industry on which Dubai was originally founded.
The Heritage and Diving Village features displays of Dubai’s maritime past and includes quaint shops and restaurants. Finally, The Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding offers cultural awareness programs, as well as offering other activities including mosque tours and Arabic classes.
Ahmed Juma is a local UAE businessman and the owner of Emirates-Ads, a free UAE and Dubai classifieds site with extensive listings for jobs in Dubai, used cars, property and accommodation and items for sale.
Dubai’s transport authority will spend $22 billion by 2020 to cope with an expanding population obsessed with cars.
In its 2020 Master Plan, the Roads and Traffic Authority is set to build 500 kilometres of new roads to cope with a population predicted to expand to more than five million, from the existing 1.4 million over the next 12 years, said Nasser Abu Shehab, Director of Strategic Planning.
Abu Shehab was speaking to delegates on Sunday at the first UITP MENA Public Transport Congress and Showcase at the Crowne Plaza in Dubai.
To fight the onslaught of more cars, more people and more congestion, Abu Shehab said the RTA is “discouraging the use of cars and encouraging the use of public transport.”
In a city that prides itself on status and money, “cars are regarded as a social symbol,” he said.
The push toward public transport includes the Dh25.5-billion Dubai Metro, which will ultimately provide cross-city travel for 650 million passengers a year.
“We expect 1.5 million person trips in daily morning traffic by 2020,” Abu Shehab said.
Currently, only seven per cent of daily trips in Dubai are made using public transport such as buses or water taxis, he said.
With the added pressure of 2,000 square-kilometres of new residential and commercial development in Dubai over the next decade, forward planning is critical if Dubai’s roads are to remain navigable, he said.
In addition to 500 kilometres of new roads, the RTA will add 96 new intersections and nine new ring roads at a cost of $12 billion, he said.
The cost of the new Metro, new trams, new marine transport as well as brand new buses will top $9.6 billion.
As many as 1,300 new buses are being added into the fleet to shore up public transport and the first of 800 new air conditioned bus shelters are being erected in the city, he said.
Abdul Majid Al Khaja, CEO of the RTA Rail Agency division, told conference delegates that Dubai is becoming famous for building major projects quickly and that his agency will continue to see things are done correctly and on time.
The Dubai Metro’s deadline to build the first Red Line of September 9, 2009, is on track under a 49-month construction deadline. The accompanying Green Line will also be done on time under a 43-month deadline, Al Khaja pledged.
Work is being done efficiently because “we short-circuit the process in Dubai”, eliminating bureaucratic red tape. Direct from the top administrators to middle managers and on to contractors, the work is being done as efficiently as possible, he said.
“We have a clear vision and we know where we are headed,” Al Khaja said.
The process to build is greatly helped, he said, through what is called “vision deployment.”
RTA Future Costs
The RTA is spending $22 billion over the next decade to prepare for the future and to ensure that the public can perform 1.5 million daily morning trips by 2020. The cost breakdown is as follows:
* Dubai Metro: $6.3 billion
* New tram system: $2,5 billion
* New public buses: $600 million
* Marine transport: $2.5 billion
* More than 500 kilometres of new roads: $12 billion
Source: Xpress4me.com
Prestige Jet, the new, fast-growing, private aviation company operating out of Abu Dhabi International Airport, will make its Dubai Air Show debut at the 2007 event, starting next week.
The airline will be showcasing its full range of services on stand E322, from private charters to aircraft management services. Chairman, HE Ghaith Ben Hamil Al Ghaith says that several significant announcements concerning strategic partnerships and aircraft will also be made during the week.
“The Dubai Air Show comes at an important time in our growth programme,” he said. “Business has exceeded all our expectations since we were launched last summer and as a result we are actively seeking to increase the size of our fleet and the services we offer. We have two Grob sp aircraft scheduled for delivery next year and we hope to announce the addition of more aircraft during next week.”
Al Ghaith said the growth in private air charter travel across the Middle East is being fuelled by a new global business environment, where more and more people, from businessmen to government leaders across the Middle East are demanding faster and more reliable modes of transport.
“They are increasingly aware of the benefits in efficiency and productivity that private jet travel can bring,” he said. “In fact, private jet travel and executive charter flights are no longer seen as a luxury, but a necessity, and its flexibility and privacy has resulted in remarkable double-digit market growth in demand in the Middle East region over the past few years.
Another key reason for this boom in the industry is attributed to the growth of major international events in the area, and the rise of Abu Dhabi and other Arab Countries as hubs of business and foreign investments.
“One cannot deny that competition is also increasing the availability ad competitiveness of this form of travel,” he adds. “Contrary to popular belief the fee for chartering a business jet can be very cost effective if a trip is well planned.
‘Prestige Jet currently uses GIII, Challenger 604, and Challenger 601 aircraft to serve key markets of the Gulf, Europe and the Far East. As we operate a fleet of diversified, new generation aircraft, this affords us greater flexibility to use both commercial and private airfields as starting points which can save passengers an enormous amount of time.”
“We are looking forward to Dubai Airshow 2007 and are confident that the show will do much to raise our profile in the marketplace,” Al Ghaith concludes.
Source from Ameinfo.com
Golf fans wanting the perfect holiday might want to head to Dubai next year for one of the city’s biggest sporting events.
The Dubai Desert Classic is a highlight of the annual golfing calendar for many and will be held by the organisation behind the PGA European Tour between January 28th and February 3rd at the Emirates Golf Club.
Some of the sport’s biggest names, together with several of the most promising amateur players, will be in attendance to compete for a cash prize in front of a large crowd.
“We are expecting the 2008 Dubai Desert Classic to continue to break records for attendance, both locally and internationally,” comments Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and chief executive of local golfing organisation Golf In Dubai.
Past winners of the tournament include Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Henrik Stenson and Colin Montgomerie.
Travellers looking into flights to Dubai can also enjoy the city’s various other attractions, including its numerous festivals, souks, desert scenery, beaches and wondrous new buildings.
Take a look at the Dubai Desert Classic website for more information.
Source from Justtheflight.co.uk
Abu Dhabi International Airport is working hard to alleviate disruptions to air traffic due to bad weather, said Khalifa Al Mazrouei, Chairman and Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC).
“We do appreciate the frustrations passengers have come through in the past few days as a result of the fog.
However, our first and foremost responsibility as airport operators is to the safety and security of our passengers. At the same time, we are striving to put in place new measures to ensure that adverse weather conditions will have minimal impact on our passengers’ travel plans,” he said.
He pointed out that ADAC is currently upgrading the existing runway from CAT II to CAT III, which will enable landing and take off at a visibility level of 50 metres. “The upgrade work will be completed before the end of 2008,” he said. “We will work hard to try and bring completion forward to ensure weather conditions in November 2008 will not impact travelers,” he added.
Meanwhile, work on the second runway is progressing fast, with construction work due to be completed in February next year. This CAT III runway will be able to handle the new generation of wide-bodied aircraft, including the Airbus A380. The dual-runway system will enable the airport to handle 70 take-offs/landings per hour.
The Airport’s third terminal, which will come on line in mid 2008, will almost double the current capacity to 12 million passengers. Featuring eight gates, including two which are A380 compatible, the new terminal will meet the demand of Etihad Airways until the Midfield Terminal Complex is ready in 2010.
ADAC also plans to build a new four-star hotel adjacent to Terminal 3. The four-storey facility, to be opened in the first quarter of 2009, will provide an additional 320 room capacity. There are also plans for two other hotels to cope with the anticipated surge in demand.
On the facilities level, ADAC is expanding its existing satellite area to create more room for additional airport services and more seating space.
Thanks to this expansion, some of the major international renowned catering outlets, such as McDonalds and Starbucks will be offering their services to passengers starting from January 2008.
Also a new lounge has just been opened at Terminal 1. The Yas Lounge is dedicated to economy class travelers who stop over at Abu Dhabi Airport for more than six hours before joining their next flight.
“Our pursuit for improvement is endless. We will continue to strive toward achieving our vision of creating best in class airport facilities to cope with Abu Dhabi’s ambitious development plans,” Al Mazrouei said.
Source from Gulfnews.com
Abu Dhabi International Airport is working hard to alleviate disruptions to air traffic due to bad weather, said Khalifa Al Mazrouei, Chairman and Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC).
“We do appreciate the frustrations passengers have come through in the past few days as a result of the fog.
However, our first and foremost responsibility as airport operators is to the safety and security of our passengers. At the same time, we are striving to put in place new measures to ensure that adverse weather conditions will have minimal impact on our passengers’ travel plans,” he said.
He pointed out that ADAC is currently upgrading the existing runway from CAT II to CAT III, which will enable landing and take off at a visibility level of 50 metres. “The upgrade work will be completed before the end of 2008,” he said. “We will work hard to try and bring completion forward to ensure weather conditions in November 2008 will not impact travelers,” he added.
Meanwhile, work on the second runway is progressing fast, with construction work due to be completed in February next year. This CAT III runway will be able to handle the new generation of wide-bodied aircraft, including the Airbus A380. The dual-runway system will enable the airport to handle 70 take-offs/landings per hour.
The Airport’s third terminal, which will come on line in mid 2008, will almost double the current capacity to 12 million passengers. Featuring eight gates, including two which are A380 compatible, the new terminal will meet the demand of Etihad Airways until the Midfield Terminal Complex is ready in 2010.
ADAC also plans to build a new four-star hotel adjacent to Terminal 3. The four-storey facility, to be opened in the first quarter of 2009, will provide an additional 320 room capacity. There are also plans for two other hotels to cope with the anticipated surge in demand.
On the facilities level, ADAC is expanding its existing satellite area to create more room for additional airport services and more seating space.
Thanks to this expansion, some of the major international renowned catering outlets, such as McDonalds and Starbucks will be offering their services to passengers starting from January 2008.
Also a new lounge has just been opened at Terminal 1. The Yas Lounge is dedicated to economy class travelers who stop over at Abu Dhabi Airport for more than six hours before joining their next flight.
“Our pursuit for improvement is endless. We will continue to strive toward achieving our vision of creating best in class airport facilities to cope with Abu Dhabi’s ambitious development plans,” Al Mazrouei said.
Source: Gulfnews.com
The chaos continued at Abu Dhabi International Airport yesterday after fog and poor visibility forced the authorities to close down the terminal for the second day in a row. Abu Dhabi Airport Company confirmed the airport was closed at midnight and not reopened until 10.10am yesterday.
The closure resulted in the cancellation of 13 flights, including nine flights from Etihad Airways as well as others from Turkey, Ethiopia, Qatar and Gulf Air. A total of 43 flights were delayed and 11 flights were diverted to Al Ain, a spokesperson said. “The morning schedule was also affected by the build up of delayed flights. The airport has been speeding up the clearance of delayed flights.”
This travel nightmare follows a nine-hour closure from midnight Sunday, due to similar conditions, where at least 13 flights were cancelled and several others delayed. Meanwhile, due to the huge number of delays, authorities were left struggling to manage the huge crowds of frustrated travellers left stranded at the airport.
The Met Office has warned of more fog this morning, meaning possible further delays in flights out of the capital. Etihad Airways told 7DAYS yesterday that it would not be operating from midnight to 8am today, causing the cancellation of at least eight flights. “Flights scheduled during these hours will be brought forward or pushed back and passengers will be informed much in advance of the changes,” said a spokesman for the company.
Companies Featured in This Article: Emirates Airline, Boeing, American International Group, General Electric, European Aeronautic Defence & Space
Rich but tiny Dubai has ambitions to become a global player in aerospace.
Already, the Persian Gulf emirate, part of the United Arab Emirates, has ratcheted up competition in the global airline industry. State-owned Emirates Airline, founded in 1985, has orders for 196 jetliners to add to its fleet of 111, promising to put even more seats on the industry’s most-profitable intercontinental routes.
Now Dubai has set its sights on a corner of the aerospace business dominated by Western giants: aircraft leasing.
State-controlled Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, started last year with $15 billion in government capital and backing from Dubai’s ruling …
Source from Online.wsj.com