Dubai Lifestyle News
Emirates launches new flights to Japan
Japanese investors who hold assets in the UAE will find it much easier to travel between the two countries after Dubai-based airline Emirates added new flights to Tokyo International Airport (Haneda). Thierry Antinori, Emirates’ executive vice president of passenger sales worldwide, said the firm first started providing services to the Far East in 2002 when it established a route between Dubai and Osaka. He insisted that relations between the two nations have blossomed since then. In fact, figures provided by Japan External Trade Organisation confirmed that traders in the two countries completed deals worth $53.1 billion (£9.43 billion) in 2012, which was a 5.4 per cent upturn on the previous year. Mr Antinori described Haneda as Emirates’ “third gateway” into Japan and is confident that demand for passenger and cargo services is high enough to justify laying on another daily flight. “We value our partnership with Tokyo International Airport; it is one that helps to connect two global hubs of development and growth – Japan and the UAE. We know that Haneda will play an integral role in our route network and the launch of services demonstrates Emirates’ commitment to Japan,” he remarked. By adding this new service, Emirates SkyCargo – the firm’s freight transport division – will be able to carry an additional 23 tonnes of goods per flight, which equates to an extra 160 tonnes each week. Emirates now operates services to 134 destinations in 77 countries from Dubai and plans are in place to increase this in the near future. The business has already underlined its commitment to the European market and new flights to Stockholm in Sweden will be launched in September 2013. Australia is another important destination for Emirates and the firm revealed last month that Brisbane would be the third city in the country to accommodate its double-decker A380 aircraft. With so many new flights being added, it is no surprise that experts are predicting Dubai International Airport will become the world’s busiest aviation hub within the next few years. Continue reading
Jean-Claude Van Damme to film new movie in Dubai
Parts of a new movie featuring Jean-Claude Van Damme are set to be filmed in the UAE, it has been confirmed. The Belgian actor – otherwise known as the “Muscles from Brussels” – will appear in Luxury Meets Justice, 7Days reports. Van Damme is currently in the Middle East looking for possible places to shoot scenes for the $10 million (£6.4 million) flick, although parts of the picture will also be captured in Shanghai, Ibiza, New York, Hong Kong and Saint Tropez. Fashion TV owner Michel Adam has known Van Damme for 30 years and suggested that his nightclub – Dubai-based Studio F – would be one location used in the film. He also offered an insight into what the movie is all about and – as you would expect from a Van Damme picture – there will be no shortage of action. “In the movie, we’re trying to get rid of all the bankers who pretend they’re big shots and destroy all our money. We don’t need these guys around,” Mr Adam was quoted as saying. He stated that Dubai has a lot of wealthy people who hold high-powered jobs, so it makes sense for the emirate to feature heavily throughout the movie. Filming is expected to start in October and a premiere will be held in spring 2014. Van Damme has had a glittering career on both sides of the camera and Dubai tourism chiefs will no doubt be delighted to welcome the star to the city. The 52-year-old is a martial arts specialist and this has helped him land a number of memorable roles over the years. His first appearance on screen came in the 1984 flick Monaco Forever and he has since gone on to star in hit films including Double Impact and Universal Soldier. Dubai already has a reputation for being a playground for the rich and famous and films like Luxury Meets Justice will certainly help to raise its profile even further. Continue reading
Dubai hotel receives prestigious TripAdvisor award
The quality of the UAE's hotels and resorts has been demonstrated once again, as the Grand Millennium Dubai landed the prestigious TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2013 award.In order to be eligible for this accolade, hotels must garner positive reviews from customers on a regular basis and only the top ten per cent of firms listed on the TripAdvisor website are considered for the prize.Companies must maintain an overall rating of four out of five or higher to be in with a shout of scooping the award – a feat that the Grand Millennium Dubai has achieved with aplomb.”Grand Millennium Dubai is pleased to receive a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence,” said Peter Mansourian, general manager at the hotel.”We strive to offer our customers a memorable experience and this accolade is evidence that our hard work is translating into positive reviews.”With so many splendid hotels spread across Dubai, it can be difficult for resorts to stand out.The Grand Millennium Dubai undoubtedly benefits from its superb location just off the Sheikh Zayed Road, which means guests have easy access to the city's main business and leisure attractions, including the Mall of the Emirates and the Ibn Battuta Mall.Millennium has a strong presence in the Middle East and has three other hotels in Dubai, including the Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai, Copthorne Hotel Dubai and Millennium Plaza Hotel Dubai.It certainly appears to be a good time for investors to muscle in on Dubai's lucrative hotel industry, as recent figures provided by TRI Hospitality Consulting showed that occupancy rates are rising all the time.Indeed, 89.8 per cent of rooms across the emirate were full in March 2013, which was a 2.3 per cent upturn on the corresponding month in 2012.Although a plethora of new hotels are being built at the moment, the chances of supply outweighing demand are slim, as travel experts predict that more and more people will stay in Dubai in the coming years, either for business or leisure purposes. Continue reading
