Tag Archives: Abu Dhabi

Lapita Hotel officially opened its doors to receive its first guests. A part of Dubai Parks and Resorts, the region’s largest integrated theme park destination, Lapita is an exotic Polynesian themed resort hotel with 504 rooms, including 60 suites and 3 private villas. Room tariff may range from AED 1400 to AED 4500. Drawing its inspiration from the exotic Polynesian tropical landscapes, the hotel features colourful flowers, lagoon style pools, luxurious guest rooms and themed children’s activities. It is centrally located and easily accessible from Dubai and Abu Dhabi and only 63km from Dubai International Airport, 69km from Abu Dhabi International Airport and 23km from Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport. Within walking distance, hotel guests can have access to three department stores, family attractions, international dining and over 125 brands.

Abu Dhabi is set to host 15 of the world’s leading cruise line executives and representatives who join an impressive line-up of industry speakers for this year’s Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum, hosted by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi). The Cruise Forum, scheduled for December 13 and 14, 2016, at the Four Season Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, includes a number of dynamic talks focusing on current trends, topics and talking-points confronting the region. Delivered by an outstanding line-up of cruise industry leaders, each session promises to feature frank, lively and honest debate. 15 cruise line representations will join the discussions from: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises & Azamara Club Cruises; MSC Cruises; Cruise & Maritime Voyages; Crystal Cruises; MSC Cruises; Carnival Australia; Thomson Cruises; TUI Cruises GmbH; Silversea Cruises; Carnival Corporation & plc; and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.

Rotana has announced plans to open seven new hotels in Dubai, four hotels in the capital Abu Dhabi and one in Ras Al Khaimah by the end of 2020. Six of the upcoming properties will be five-star hotels, with the remaining properties comprising of a mix of four and three star hotels and hotel apartments. Upon completion, the new hotels will add 4,360 keys to Rotana’s existing inventory, taking its fast expanding portfolio in the UAE to 44  properties, including 21 in Dubai and 17 in Abu Dhabi, with a room inventory of 11,782  (6,682 in Dubai alone and 5,100 in Abu Dhabi). The total value of the 12 upcoming properties managed by Rotana in the UAE is estimated at USD 1.7 billion. Omer Kaddouri, President & CEO of Rotana, comments: “The UAE is our home market and even as we pursue our global ambitions and expand our footprint into new geographic regions, the country continues to remain the fulcrum around which Rotana’s business strategy is developed and implemented. With us bringing to the local market 12 new properties within the next four years, we further express our commitment to supporting the UAE’s tourism ambitions and reaffirming our belief in the long-term prospects of the country’s hospitality industry. Next year, we will be introducing a number of five-star properties to the market, including the all-new Saadiyat Rotana Resort and villas in Abu Dhabi, scheduled to open in Q4 2017. Ideal for both, business and leisure travellers, the resort will feature 354 upscale rooms and suites, 13 beach villas, a beach club and extensive conference facilities. Rotana already has a significant presence in the capital, and strengthening our portfolio with an …

The UAE is one step closer to being the world’s first location for a new form of high speed transport system that can enable people to travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai in 12 minutes, following an agreement signed between Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) and pioneering mobility company, Hyperloop One. Alongside the signing of the RTA agreement, the Hyperloop One team introduced, for the first time ever, a vision that represents a complete transformation in the way that people travel in the 21st century as the engineers, architects and designers from Hyperloop One and BIG have collaborated intensively for six months to produce a wholly original system design for Hyperloop travel. The idea of a Hyperloop – a low-pressure tube through which levitating pods containing both passengers and goods can travel at up to 1,200 km/h – has recently gained attention around the world. Benefits include higher standards of safety than a passenger jet, lower build and maintenance costs than high-speed rail, and energy usage, per person, that is similar to a bicycle. Today the company showcased the first-ever routes from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, several Hyperports (the equivalent of a station or airport) throughout Dubai, and the conceptual interiors and exteriors of the individual passenger pods. The work is based on a detailed study of how an urban and inter-city transport network should integrate with the existing infrastructure. It’s autonomous, point-to-point and vastly simplifies the experience of getting from your front door to your destination.

British Airways has launched a direct flight between Muscat and London, further adding convenience to customers travelling between the two regions. Customers, who previously flew between the two cities via Abu Dhabi, can now experience an uninterrupted service, and a reduced flying time of seven hours and 15 minutes, two and a half hours shorter than the previous nine hours and 45 minutes’ journey. The service is operated by the airline’s Boeing 777, five times per week, featuring four cabins of travel – First, Club World (British Airways’ business cabin), World Traveller Plus and World Traveller (British Airways’ economy cabin). The UK carrier, which first began flying to Oman in 1972, inaugurated the new service with a water cannon salute as it landed at Muscat International Airport a few days ago. Anjulika Dutton, Commercial Manager UAE, Oman, Egypt and Central Asia, said that British Airways has successfully served the Omani market for more than four decades. During this period, they have witnessed a strong growth in passengers travelling between these two regions, and anticipate that this new direct service will further enhance connectivity for business and leisure travellers between Oman and the UK. Departing Muscat International Airport at 10.55am, the flight lands at London Heathrow’s Terminal 5 at 2.55pm on the same day, with the return journey departing the British capital at 7.50pm and arriving in Muscat at 7.05am the following morning. A full timetable of British Airways flights is available online here where customers can find the lowest fares and book, pay and check-in online for their flights.  

Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) has welcomed 2.1 million passengers throughout September, marking an increase of 5 per cent on September 2015. Since the beginning of the year, passenger traffic has grown 6 per cent from the same period last year, with 18,528,723 passengers between January 1 and September 30. Total departures numbered 352,067, which signify a 10.1 per cent increase on September 2015. Passenger traffic to India grew 10 per cent on 2015, which maintained its position as the top destination, with 355,328 passengers throughout September. Passengers to Qatar totaled 70,627, representing an increase of 18.4 per cent compared to September 2015. Saudi Arabia rose to become the third busiest destination, with traffic to and from the country increasing by 19 per cent. Traffic to and from Egypt rose by 37.9 per cent to 57,885 passengers.

The first Four Seasons was unveiled in Abu Dhabi at Maryah Island.  The 34-storied hotel has 200 rooms including 38 suites with a collection of six dining concepts, a spa, rooftop pool and venues for business meetings, weddings and social functions. The location is targeted at both the leisure and business traveller. The location is at the newest financial free zone in Al Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. The opening ceremony was held on Monday October 3, attended by Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Mubadala Group CEO and Managing Director; Waleed Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi, Mubadala Deputy Group CEO & Emerging Sectors CEO; Ali Eid Al Mheiri, Executive Director, Mubadala Real Estate & Infrastructure and Simon Casson, President, Hotel Operations, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. The ceremony featured speeches from Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi management and Mubadala executives.

Etihad Airways will deploy its Boeing 787 Dreamliner on one of its twice-daily scheduled flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, with effect from October 30, 2016. Flight EY317 will be operated with a B787, departing Abu Dhabi at 10:15 hrs, arriving into Riyadh at 11:15 hrs. The return flight EY318 departs Riyadh at 16:25 hrs, arriving into Abu Dhabi at 19:10 hrs. The flights will provide optimal timings for guests in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, and convenient connections to and from destinations across key markets in Europe, Indian subcontinent, Asia and Australia. The 299-seat aircraft, configured in two classes, with 28 seats in Business and 271 in Economy. The upgrade from a single aisle Airbus A321 aircraft will cater to strong demand to and from the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, offering guests more seats on a wide-body aircraft. Together with the other daily Riyadh service operated by a Boeing 777, Etihad Airways will have more than 8,700 weekly seats on the route.

Marriott Hotels, the signature brand of Marriott International, and Marriott Executive Apartments, Marriott’s extended stay product, have opened their doors in Abu Dhabi. The Marriott Executive Apartments Downtown Abu Dhabi will appeal to both business and family travellers with 64 fully serviced one, two and three bedroom apartments offering space, ambience and the privacy of residential living, with 5 star hotel service and facilities, enabling a comfortable stay away from home. Located in the heart of the UAE’s capital, the hotel and apartments, developed by Bloom Holding, give guests the amenities they need to achieve a brilliant stay in Abu Dhabi. Presenting a completely new hotel experience for today’s modern traveller, the 5 star Marriott Hotel Downtown Abu Dhabi is an exciting new travel destination that exhilarates the mind through a marriage of sophisticated design and innovative functionality. 315 spacious guest rooms and suites feature modern amenities and smart technologies throughout while the hotel’s extensive meeting space is tailored to today’s meeting requirements. Supplemented by unique dining and wellness options, the hotel is set to become a local hub for business and leisure as well as a global MICE destination.

SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka, has appointed Sharaf Travel as their GSA for Dubai and moved their commercial and business activities to 2nd floor, Sharaf Building, adjacent to Burjuman Metro Station, Bur Dubai, recently.  On the eve of new office opening, following dignitaries graced the occasion: Charitha Yattogoda, Consul General for Sri Lanka in Dubai, Ibrahim Sharaf, Chairman and President Sharaf Group, Siva Ramachandran, Chief Commercial Officer SriLankan Airlines,  V. Jayaram, Managing Director Sharaf Travels, Veersen Tamhane, Managing Director Sharaf Cargo (GSA – SriLankan Airlines Cargo UAE) and Desiree Premachandra, Country Manager UAE, SriLankan Airlines. Part of the Sharaf Group conglomerate, Sharaf Travel is one of the leading TMCs of the region. For over two decades, the General Sales Agency division has established and nurtured long and enduring partnerships with 21 leading airlines from all over the world; representing all of them in the UAE, some in Oman, and a few in other GCC countries. An ISO compliant company with certifications in ISO 9001-2008 Quality Management, ISO 14001-2004 Environmental Management, and OHSAS 18001/2007 Health and Safety, Sharaf Travel has played an integral role in driving Sales and Marketing strategies for its principal partners across multiple channels, robust business continuity plans to ensure regular revenue streams, and contribute towards their overall profitability. SriLankan Airlines, commenced flights to Dubai 35 years ago, which is almost from the time of its inception in 1979 and known then as Air Lanka, and still continues today operating a direct daily flight to the emirate of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, deploying a combination of its Airbus 330, A320 and A321 aircraft.