20 has become the mystical, magical word for the UAE. Not only did Dubai win the opportunity to host Expo 2020 last year, Dubai Tourism & Commerce Marketing, Dubai’s tourism authority, launched the Tourism Vision for 2020 — an ambitious yet, what they feel, a realistic goal — which targets to attract 20 million annual visitors by 2020.
The infrastructure is already being set with new standard and luxury properties mushrooming in the city and other emirates. With pre-entry visa regulations being relaxed for many nationalities, visitor influx has increased considerably, leading to the opening of Dubai World Central airport in Jebel Ali. Also, in the past few years, Abu Dhabi and Dubai have proved they can be the ideal venues for A-list performances and shows, a force to be reckoned as an entertainment arena.
The Arabian Travel Market 2014 brought forward all these elements and more. tabloid! brings you some interesting things showcased at the four-day travel extravaganza held last week in Dubai.
A GUIDE TO NOOKS OF CREATIVITY
Leave behind the high-rise glamour of New Dubai and head for the nooks where creativity, art, cuisine and culture thrive in the city. All it takes is the the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority’s (Dubai Culture) Soul of Dubai Guide.
The guide offers a tour of the city through the eyes of its community, featuring tales of humble beginnings and aspirations for the future from a diverse cross-section of residents and citizens of Dubai, from television personalities to art gallery owners and entrepreneurs who have made their mark in the city’s creative landscape, and through various disciplines of art. The guide is available free at various locations. It can also be downloaded from dubaiculture.ae
THE NEXT LEVEL OF ADVENTURE
Spider-Man, Hulk, Iron Man, Power Puff Girls and Ben 10 are all set to arrive in Dubai. The city’s first mega-themed entertainment destination, IMG Worlds of Adventure (IMGWOA), under construction on Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road. A sneak peek of this destination was shown at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM). The 1.5-million-square-foot project will be the world’s largest temperature-controlled indoor themed park with four zones dedicated to Marvel and Cartoon Network, apart from offering hair-raising rides and thrilling experiences at the prehistoric zone — Lost Valley - Dinosaur Adventure; while IMG Boulevard will serve as the welcome zone and set the stage for the excitement to follow in the three other themed zones. All rides will be built in compliance with European safety standard EN13814, which governs the design, fabrication, installation, operation and maintenance of fairgrounds, amusement park machinery, structures and safety, in addition to the training of the operators and the maintenance staff.
ABU DHABI’S BLOCKBUSTER SUMMER PLANS
Abu Dhabi will have an exciting, fun and show-packed summer. Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) has launched Abu Dhabi Summer Season featuring headline, blockbuster international theatre, ballet, comedy and illusionist shows, regional film premieres, World Cup extravaganzas and a host of locally produced activities in hotels, malls and attractions from June 5-August 31. Performances by the Royal Moscow Ballet and Bolshoi Ballet will be held at Adnec. The du Forum, Yas Island, will be transformed into Abu Dhabi’s largest FIFA World Cup viewing venue and the hub of Ramadan festivities from June 12. Family events will be held in Al Gharbia, Abu Dhabi’s Western Region, and the emirate’s heritage heartland of Al Ain during August. For more information log on to abudhabisummerseason.ae
THE SHOWS NEVER END AT ROYAL OPERA HOUSE MUSCAT
The Royal Opera House Muscat is gearing up for a busy year. The multidisciplinary arts and culture centre will host performances by companies such as the Hamburg Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, flamenco by Paco Pena and Estrella among others and shows such as Broadway on Ice and Magic Flute. Discounted packages are available based on them and for families. For more information, prices and reservations log on to rohmuscat.org.om or call 00698-24403300.
A NEW HIGH IN CRUISES
Royal Caribbean International is taking cruises to a new high with the North Star — a glass capsule which takes you on a 360 degree spin (slowly, of course) 100-metres above the ocean — on its Quantum cruise lines. If that’s not enough, experience the thrill of skydiving on board with RipCord by iFly. The Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas also house the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars and roller skating. For more information on the staterooms and prices log on to RoyalCaribbean-Arabia.com or call 04-3314299.
CITI MILES CAN NOW BE ADDED TURKISH AIRLINES MILES&SMILES
Turkish Airlines named Europe’s best airline in Skytrax 2013 Awards and Citibank UAE offer the PremierMiles Credit Card where customers will be able to transfer their Citi Miles directly to the Miles&Smiles frequent flyer programme of Turkish Airlines. Miles&Smiles members residing in the United Arab Emirates, who are already earning miles from flights on Turkish Airlines and other Star Alliance member airlines, their stays at programme partner hotels, with car rental companies and contracted companies in other industries, will be able to convert the miles they earn through their Citibank UAE Premier Miles Credit Cards into Miles&Smiles miles. The airline also offers the complimentary ‘TourIstanbul’ service for international passengers with stopovers of over six hours in Istanbul The service offers passengers with stopovers of over six hours in Istanbul, the most recommended destination of 2014 (TripAdvisor’ 2014 Awards — Best Destination Award), an all-inclusive 360-degree overview of the city, with a visit to the city’s renowned historic and cultural sites, transportation, food and beverage, with no prior bookings. All passengers with an international transit flight through Istanbul with Turkish Airlines and a layover between six to 24 hours, between 9am and 6pm can take part in the daily tours from 9am to 6pm; 9am to 3pm; and noon to 6pm. Passengers must arrive 30 minutes before beginning of the tour. Log on to istanbulinhours.com for more information
NEW PROPERTIES
JA JEBEL ALI GOLF RESORT
Apart from JA Palm Tree Court and the original JA Jebel Ali Beach Hotel, JA Resorts & Hotels will have a third property at the JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort overlooking the championship-standard 9-hole golf course and the marina, to officially open in 2017. The UAE-based company last announced the JA Manafaru in Maldives. For more information log on to jaresortshotels.com
HILTON ABU DHABI SAADIYAT ISLAND RESORT
Abu Dhabi will see a new 366-room Hilton Abu Dhabi Saadiyat Island Resort by the end of 2015, offering nine dining options, a wide range of event and meeting facilities, a health club, an outdoor pool and eforea: Spa at Hilton, Hilton Worldwide’s exclusive spa brand. For more information Hilton.com. And that’s not all, Hilton is spreading itself in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. The still-under-establishment Marjan Island will see the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Marjan Island Village at the end of 2015. The 205-key upscale property will be close to the newly opened DoubleTree by Hilton Resort Marjan Island. Once completed, Marjan Island’s extensive premium offshore development will be home to luxury waterfront homes, resorts, sports facilities and numerous pristine beaches. The property is designed to reflect the natural beauty of its surroundings and will house a cinema, open theatre, three restaurants, including two speciality outlets by the sea, a lounge bar, three swimming pools, one exclusively female, and an eforea: Spa at Hilton.
The Ramada Hotel & Suites Ras Al Khaimah, a Global Hotels Management and Wyndham Hotel Group property, located on the northern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, is a boutique hotel with 38 luxury suites (one, two and three bedrooms) has just opened. Perfect for a family weekend getaway, corporate groups on team building trips, and for couples who wish to relax, the hotel also offers an all-day dining restaurant and the award-winning Pakistani restaurant Bundoo Khan and an O2 Spa. Call 07-2058888.
OCEANIC KHORFAKKAN’S BEACHFRONT VILLAS
Oceanic Khorfakkan Resort & Spa introduced new beachfront villas and villettes designed for small groups or extended families. The sea-facing villas comprise multiple interconnecting options including an entire villa of six bedrooms, stylishly and comfortably decorated. Yet, each villa has been designed with private entry and direct access to the beach, private terraces or balconies. One-Bedroom Villas feature a king-sized bed, separate bathtub and shower, 55-inch LED television in the living room, dining table, kitchenette and jacuzzi on the terrace. For more information and rates call 09-2385111 or log on to oceanichotel.com
