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ARABIC CALLIGRAPHY ART EXHIBITION

Deal guru — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 05:55:09 +0000

The fifth edition of the Dubai International Exhibition of the Arabic Calligraphy Art opened at the Dubai Cultural and Scientific Association headquarters in Al Mamzar on February with 165 selected works of 47 contemporary calligraphers from nine countries going on public display for eight days.

The opening ceremony was attended by His Excellency Mohammad Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Director General of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Mr. Khalid A bin Sulayem and Mr. Mohammed Al Murr, Chairman of Dubai Cultural Council.

Also present were Mr. Murat Yavuz Ates, Consul General of Turkey, Dr. Halit Eren, Director of Istanbul-based Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), Mr. Bilal Al Budoor, Assistant Under-Secretary for Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Sulaiman Al Mazrouei, General Manager of Corporate Communications and Community Relations at Emirates-NBD Bank, Mr. Abdullah Al Owais, Director General of Sharjah Department of Culture and Information, and Mr. Sultan bin Saqr Al Suwaidi, Member of Federal National Council (FNC).

The annual show, being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, is organized by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) in cooperation with the Istanbul-based Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), an arm of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC).

It is sponsored by the UAE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Dubai Cultural and Scientific Association and Emirates-NBD Bank.The exhibition is open to the public from 5 pm to 10 pm. It will be open to students from 10 am to 1 pm.

The exhibition has been a successful addition to the cultural landscape of the emirate and the increasing number of participation by calligraphers was an indication of its popularity. In addition to the UAE, the countries participating in the exhibition are Iraq, Turkey, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Palestine, Bosnia and Bangladesh. There will be workshops and lectures on the sidelines of the exhibition. There is a dedicated section at the exhibition for the calligraphers from Iraq.

The event has been designed to highlight a traditional form of art popular in the Arab and Muslim world. The works cover verses from the Holy Quran, Arabic Poetry, Proverbs and Sayings.

DUBAI IMPRESSED SPANISH TRAVEL SHOW

Deal guru — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 05:52:59 +0000

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) continued its aggressive promotional campaign in overseas markets with its recent participation at a major international travel and tourism fair in Spain .

The Dubai Stand at the Spanish International Travel and Tourism Fair (FITUR-2008) was visited by His Majesty Juan Carlos, King of Spain, and his wife.

Mr. Salah Rashid Al Ansari, DTCM Director Visitors Information Bureaus, welcomed them at the stand and presented them a memento.

Dubai’s presence at the fair was boosted by the participation of 16 co-participants. Dubai Stand measured 154 square metres. This is the 15th year of DTCM’s participation at the 28-year-old travel and tourism event.

DTCM OFFICIAL BRIEF SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM WORKSHOP

Deal guru — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 05:48:45 +0000

The Director of Inward Missions at the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Mr. Hamad bin Mejren, inaugurated the South African Tourism Workshop at Al Murooj Rotana Hotel & Suites in Dubai.

The workshop was organized by South African Tourism, the organization that markets South Africa as a tourism destination. He briefed the participants about the projects in Dubai, tourism development strategies and the role and future plans of the DTCM.

Experts were on hand to answer questions about South Africa and give tools, tips and advice to travel trade professionals about how to sell one of the fastest growing destinations on earth.

South African Tourism is the national tourism agency responsible for the marketing of South Africa as a preferred tourist destination. With its head office in Johannesburg, SA Tourism has offices in London, Frankfurt, New York, Amsterdam, Paris, Milan, Mumbai, Tokyo and Sydney, and a tourism attaché based in the SA Embassy in Beijing.

EOS AIRLINES TO LAUNCH LONDON AND DUBAI SERVICE

Deal guru — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 05:47:02 +0000

Eos Airlines the has announced that it is expanding its schedule and route network with daily services between London’s Stansted Airport and Dubai International Airport starting on July 6. It will begin issuing tickets for travel between London and Dubai in March.

With Stansted’s easy access to London’s financial district, Eos Airlines is set to provide the business traveller with a fresh alternative on Dubai’s ‘blue ribbon’ route: London. Eos has maintained its ranking as the top on-time performer on the London New York route for 21 consecutive months.

“Our community includes many guests and investors from the Gulf region who feel that Dubai and Eos are a perfect fit. UAE consumers appreciate products and services of the highest quality and we’ve created a travel experience that authentically reflects their lifestyle, an extension of the way they want to live while flying,” said Jack Williams, Eos’ President and CEO.

Eos, which flies the world’s only fleet of 757s configured for just 48 guests, launched its first service in October 2005 and today carries one out of every nine business class passengers between New York’s JFK airport and London on one of its 44 weekly flights. This growth has been largely attributed to peer-to-peer recommendations and word-of-mouth buzz that have resulted from unprecedented levels of Guest satisfaction and loyalty. The Eos Class experience includes fast track check-in and security, 6’6” fully-horizontal flat-bed suites and world class staff who truly care.

DUBAI IS WORLD’S PREFERRED EXHIBITION DESTINATION

Deal guru — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 05:45:14 +0000

Dubai is the foremost exhibition destination in the Middle East and Africa, spearheading a regional sector with annual revenues of US$ 3.37 billion, according to data gathered from the CEOs of some of the world’s biggest event management companies.

The study was revealed to mark the inaugural Middle East edition of the International CEO Forum (ICF). This annual, invitation-only event – supported by Dubai World Trade Centre – brought together top executives from the world’s largest event-organizing companies. It was the first time that the forum was held outside of Europe, drawing the highest turnout of delegates in its history.

Research presented at the ICF suggests that enlightened leadership, an enabling business environment and ongoing investment in support infrastructure are three of the major factors that have helped to position Dubai at the forefront of the global events and exhibitions industry.

“The International CEO Forum has traditionally been the most important meeting of minds in the events industry, enabling leading executives to analyze key trends affecting the market, as well as providing unique networking opportunities. Dubai provided an ideal venue to host this year’s event, because the city is rapidly becoming one of the world’s most important venues for exhibitions,” said PRM Smulders, Organiser of the ICF.

Dubai has successfully avoided this trend to date, registering record double digit visitor growth across many of its leading events in 2007.

With a vision to make Dubai the leading destination for all major exhibitions, conferences and events, Dubai World Trade Centre has ensured that it is able to anticipate and respond dynamically to these global industry trends through its ambitious strategic growth agenda.

Its twin major integrated commercial developments – Dubai Exhibition City (DEC) and Dubai Trade Centre District (DTCD) – are being designed to have the capacity, facilities and infrastructure that can cater to the requirements of the world’s largest consumer and trade events. These world-class integrated commercial destinations will seamlessly blend business and lifestyle offerings to attract high volumes of new and repeat visitors.

Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of DWTC said: “The international event industry is continuously evolving, becoming increasingly professional and extremely competitive. The range of new challenges and opportunities promises a very exciting future and it is very encouraging that the world is seeing Dubai operate at the cutting-edge of these global changes.”

DTCM and Dubai Convention Bureau (DCB) have been aggressively promoting Dubai as a choice destination for the MICE industry.

BOOST TO REGIONAL CRUISE TOURISM

Deal guru — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 08:14:14 +0000

As part of the efforts to boost cruise tourism in the Arabian Gulf region and entice global cruise operators to start regional cruise operations, a senior official of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) visited Sultanate of Oman and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and held talks with the officials for better coordination and cooperation.

Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, DTCM Executive Director Heritage, Convention and Cruise, said senior officials of the AGCC cruise ports will be meeting in Dubai in March to discuss cruise tourism issues and ways and means to boost cruise tourism industry.

In Oman, he met with Mr. Saud bin Ahmed Al Nahari, Executive Director of Sultan Qaboos Port, and Mohammed bin Hamoud Al Toubi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Tourism. In Saudi Arabia, he held discussions with senior officials of Saudi Ports Authority and Saudi Commission for Tourism.

The ship-shaped Dubai Cruise Terminal, opened in 2001, measures 3300 square metres and is able to accommodate two ships simultaneously on a 335-metre quay.

The Dubai Cruise Terminal is the world’s first to receive ISO-9002 certification and also the world’s only cruise facility run by the government tourism body, DTCM. The Dubai cruise terminal is able to accommodate two ships simultaneously.

DTCM signed an agreement with Cruise operator Costa Crociere. The agreement marks the creation of a full-fledged partnership between Costa Crociere and Dubai, providing for joint marketing initiatives in the next five years promoting both brands worldwide.

During the current winter season 2007-2008, Dubai expects more than 200,000 cruise passengers to visit the emirate, giving a big boost to the booming tourism industry.

Dubai handled 32,000 cruise passenger movements in 2006, up from 23,000 cruise passengers in the previous year. For the 2006-2007, season, Dubai is expected to play host to over 85,000 passengers. For the 2008 season, the number is expected to reach over 200,000.

DUBAI DUTY FREE POSTS RECORD SALES IN 2007

Deal guru — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 08:13:13 +0000

The Dubai Duty Free (DDF) sales hit US$880 million in 2007, a record 24 per cent growth compared with the previous year.

Dubai Duty Free is forecasting sales of US$1 billion in 2008.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Airports Company and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group said: “It has been a fantastic year for Dubai Duty Free who has worked hard to maintain their position as one of the top three duty free operations in the world. I congratulate the team on its achievements and look forward to the year ahead which will see the retail operation more than double with the opening of the new Concourse and Terminal at Dubai International Airport.”

In 2007, the operation recorded a total of 18,995,635 sales transactions, translating to an average of 52,000 sales transactions per day, up by 18 per cent on 2006.

Category wise, Perfumes continued to be the highest selling category at with annual sales of US$122 million, which represents 14 per cent of total sales. Liquor retained the number two slot with sales of US$115 million and gold was the third highest selling category with sales of US$97 million. Electronics, with sales of US$77m and cigarettes and tobacco with sales of US$69 million where the number four and five top selling categories, respectively.

The top five categories accounted for 55 per cent of total sales at Dubai Duty Free in 2007.

DUBAI IS WORLD’S FASTEST GROWING AIRPORT

Deal guru — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 08:11:54 +0000

The Dubai International Airport was the world’s fastest growing airport in 2007 in terms of international passenger throughput, with a growth of 19.31 per cent. The airport handled a total of 34.34 million passengers, well over the projected 33 million for the year.

The record growth is likely to propel Dubai International higher on ACI’s (Airports Council International) list of the world’s busiest airports in terms of international passengers.

The high growth rate in passenger throughput registered in 2007 means that for the sixth consecutive year, Dubai International has maintained an average growth rate of well over 15 per cent.

For the first time in the airport’s history, monthly passenger throughput crossed the three million mark three times during the year, while it was above 2.5 million for each of the remaining nine months. The average passenger movement per day at Dubai International is 95,000.

The overall growth in 2007 resulted in increased aircraft movement at Dubai International, registering an increase of 9.81 per cent. The airport handled a total of 260,530 movements in 2007 as against 237,258 in 2006. On average, there are 725 aircraft movements per day at Dubai International. Passenger throughput for 2008 is expected reach 40 million.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and chairman of Dubai Airports, said: “ Dubai International’s growth is a reflection of Dubai’s robust economy, and its rising popularity as an international commercial and tourism hub. It is also a clear sign of our intent and vision for the future of the aviation sector in Dubai.”

Passenger throughput at Dubai International Airport is expected to reach 40 million in 2008. The record growth in 2007 over the previous year is likely to propel Dubai International higher on Airports Council International’s list of the world’s busiest airports in terms of international passengers.

In 2006, it was ranked 10th on the list with a passenger throughput of 28.78 million, a statement from the airport’s operator said.

He said Dubai International’s growth is a reflection of Dubai’s robust economy, and its rising popularity as an international commercial l and tourism hub.

The high growth rate in passenger throughput registered in 2007 means that for the sixth consecutive year, Dubai International has maintained an average growth rate of well over 15 per cent.

Connected to over 205 destinations across six continents through 120 airlines, Dubai International accounts for over 27 per cent of all passenger and aircraft movement in the Middle East and Africa region.

The airport will open its new Terminal and an associated facility in the middle of 2008 and another A380 specific facility in 2009, tripling its total capacity.

DUBAI LAND TRANSACTIONS HIT AED175B IN 2007

Deal guru — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 08:10:22 +0000

The total value of land transactions in Dubai in 2007 hit AED175 billion, a 170 per cent increase from AED62 billion in 2006, according to the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (Rera). As many as 83 per cent of land-owners are from the UAE, while four per cent from the AGCC and the remaining 13 per cent from around the world.
Rera figures show the average deal in 2007 was AED12 million, 65 per cent up from AED7 million in 2006

About 30 per cent of the land transactions was generated from ‘new’ procedures, such as al-ijara (shariah bond), and flat and apartment registrations. The total value of all sales, including ijara sales reached AED54 billion. This figure is a massive 190 per cent increase from 2005, where the total value was AED18 billion.

Also, total mortgage transactions hit AED106 billion in 2007, highlighting a 161 per cent growth from AED42 billion in 2006. The top three biggest mortgage deals were in Arabian Ranches, Nadd Al Sheba and Emirates Hills.

MAYORS OF 120 CITIES TO GATHER IN DUBAI

Deal guru — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 08:08:56 +0000

Around 120 city mayors from around the world will gather in Dubai for the third Euro-Arab Cities Forum from February 10 to 11.

The forum will be under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Minister of Finance and Industry and Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Municipality.

The event will be held under the theme ‘New Dialogue for Development’.

By holding this forum, Dubai aims to establish regional partnerships and co-operation among cities, regions and local administrations whose culture, resources and interest compliment each other’s.