Dubai Lifestyle News
Dubai’s plans for Expo 2020 revealed
Details of Dubai's campaign to host Expo 2020 have been made public for the first time, with the organisers planning an exciting programme of entertainment that explores the heritage of the United Arab Emirates.The official bid document submitted to the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) in December 2012 has now been seen by the National, which said the event is set to feature a “dazzling pageant” that will trace the region's history from ancient Bedouin civilisations to the present day.Dubai is one of five cities hoping to host the event, with the winner due to be announced by the BIE in November. The other candidates are Ayutthaya in Thailand, Brazil's Sao Paulo, Yekaterinburg in Russia and the Turkish city of Izmir. If the emirate is successful, Expo 2020 will be the first world fair to take place in the Middle East. Dubai is believed to be one of the frontrunners, having devoted considerable resources to its campaign.According to the newspaper, Dubai's bid document includes a pledge to deliver a stunning range of live entertainment that will include music concerts, firework displays, puppetry and theatrical performances.A sample schedule for a single day includes a total of 63 different events, running from 10:30 to 23:30. As the expo is due to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the UAE, many of the entries in the programme will celebrate this milestone.”Dubai knows how to put on a party and that is going to be the biggest party ever,” commented Peter Vine, who has coordinated the UAE pavilions at previous expos.”So in terms of celebrations and entertainment and fun and enjoyment it's all going to be happening, and the expo will add to it in a huge way.” Earlier this month, former US president Bill Clinton endorsed the expo bid during a visit to Dubai. He said the emirate has a good chance of winning because “Dubai's model of shared prosperity is more important today than ever and an inspiration to many countries in the Middle East”. Continue reading
Bollywood star praises Dubai as film location
Dubai is increasingly becoming the location of choice for many Indian film-makers, according to Anil Kapoor.The veteran Bollywood star spoke to 7 Days in Dubai during a promotional visit in support of forthcoming movie Shootout at Wadala, in which he stars alongside the likes of John Abraham, Kangna Ranaut and Manoj Bajpai.Kapoor, known for his roles in Slumdog Millionaire and Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, said Dubai has become “the place to be” for Bollywood directors and actors, due to the city's impressive locations and futuristic architecture.”I think Dubai is a very cinema-friendly city with some great locations and structures,” said the 53-year-old actor, adding that he considers it to be “a city of the future”.Parts of Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol were filmed in Dubai, with Kapoor also shooting scenes in the city for the 2007 Bollywood comedy Welcome and the 2008 suspense thriller Race.Kapoor's co-star Bajpai added that as well as simply providing a location for shooting, Dubai could itself be the subject of future films by India's leading directors.”If you put all the A-rank directors here and ask them to make a film on Dubai, believe me they will make fantastic films … like about the city, about the relationship and situations between the locals and migrants,” he explained.”Bollywood is evolving to satisfy the creative appetite of the audience.”The growing Dubai movie industry is celebrated at the annual Dubai International Film Festival, which is due to return for its tenth edition from December 6th to 14th this year. Founded in 2004, the event is now the leading film festival in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Last year's edition featured the screening of 158 movies, while numerous directors and industry figures were recognised for their achievements. Continue reading
‘Summer is Dubai’ tourism campaign to launch
A new campaign to promote Dubai as the ultimate summer holiday destination for families is due to go live on June 7th.Running until early September, the 'Summer is Dubai' campaign will aim to attract millions of visitors to the emirate by highlighting its many hotels, leisure facilities, transport networks, activities and family-friendly attractions.A number of special offers and promotions will be available to holidaymakers during the three-month period, including discounted accommodation for families and free admission for children at various attractions around the city.Helal Saeed Almarri, director general of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, explained that the campaign will form part of Dubai's drive to double annual visitor numbers to 20 million by 2020.”We have seen visitor numbers rise in recent summers and are confident of a record-breaking season ahead of us with more events, attractions and value for money than ever before,” he added.The tourism boss went on to say that Dubai's “world-class infrastructure, facilities and services” and “unique attractions” make it ideal for visiting families from the United Arab Emirates and around the world.Key events taking place in the emirate over the summer include Dubai Rock Fest on June 7th and Dubai Summer Surprises, which is due to return for its 16th edition from June 14th to July 14th.This festival celebrates Dubai's world renowned shopping facilities, with more than 6,000 stores expected to participate and plenty of promotions available for bargain-hunters. Many of the shopping malls also host live shows and special entertainment programmes for children during the five-week event.People visiting the UAE this summer will also have the opportunity to see how Dubai's residents celebrate the religious festivals of Ramadan and Eid. Continue reading
