Tag Archives: arabic
Is Amir Khan set to appear in Dubai?
Boxing promoters are lining up a major fight between Amir Khan and Devon Alexander in Dubai.Chief executive of Golden Boy Richard Schaefer told the Daily Mail that he will head out to the Middle East to cast his eye over potential venues for the bout between the British and American welterweights.Dubai is becoming a major player in the world of sport and securing the rights to host such a high-profile boxing match would only increase the city's stature.Khan – who competed in the Olympic Games before turning professional – is one of the hottest properties in global boxing at the moment and he hopes to eventually get a shot at the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Junior, who is widely considered to be one of the best pound-for pound fighters of all time.However, the 26-year-old must first overcome Alexander, which will be no easy task.Mr Schaefer suggested that Khan and Alexander will battle it out for the IBF world welterweight title on December 7th.”We have opened discussions with the ruling family of the [United Arab Emirates] who have made it very clear that they are keen to put on a major boxing event,” he was quoted as saying.”This is very exciting for Amir and all of us. If he defeats Devon, preferably in style, the next step for him would be against Floyd.”Dubai is also set to host its first major boxing match later this month, when Chinese star Xiong Zhao Zhong defends his WBC Straw-weight title against the Philippines' Denver Cuello.The encounter will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre on June 28th and it will be broadcast to millions of viewers around the world.This will certainly be an intriguing bout, as boxing experts have high hopes for Cuello, who has been likened to fellow countryman Manny Pacquiao.Rumours had been floating around that Pacquiao himself was being lined up for a money-spinning fight in the UAE in late 2013.Although nothing has yet been agreed, the Filipino superstar has confirmed that he is looking for venues outside the US and his team suggested that Dubai is an option. Continue reading
Dubai hotel occupancy hit 89.6% in Jan
Occupancy rates across Dubai’s top end hotels reached an average of 89.6 percent in January, according to TRI Hospitality Consulting, representing an increase of 4.2 percentage points compared to a year ago. The HotStats MENA report, which collates occupancy across four and five-star properties, found that average room rates in the glitzy emirate also rose 5 percent to US$359.39. Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) was up 10.2 percent to US$321.85. January typically sees a rise in the number of guests staying in Dubai’s hotels, TRI said, due to the annual Dubai Shopping Festival, whose retail bargains entices out-of-town visitors to the city. “This mega-event offers a perfect start to the year for the tourism establishments in the city, and helps bridge the gap between the end of year holidays and European winter breaks,” said Peter Goddard, managing director at TRI Hospitality Consulting. The report found that properties in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi were also able to capitalise from the overspill of guests visiting Dubai for the shopping festival, as hotels registered a 10.8 percentage point increase in occupancy to 71.7 percent during January. Despite this, average room rates continued to fall, sliding 10.7 percent during the month to US$167.77. “Despite stronger demand, hotels in the capital have failed to capitalise these events to improve top line performances, simply due to the competition,” Goddard added. Elsewhere in the region, hotels in Kuwait saw a 6.1 percentage point increase in occupancy rates to 58 percent on an upswing in corporate and leisure demand. Popular Egyptian resort Sharm El Sheikh witnessed a strong recovery in demand compared to last year, when the repercussions of the Arab Spring political unrest dampened the number of tourist visitors. In January 2013, occupancy was up 9.3 percentage points to 57.2 percent. Egypt’s capital Cairo saw occupancy improve 5.9 percentage points to 43.7 percent. Continue reading
UK aims to help British firms in the UAE
The UK Department of Trade and Investment (UKTI) and British Business Groups in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have struck a deal that will benefit companies in the UAE.New business centres will be set up to help British small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are looking to conduct more trade in the Middle East.More and more firms have recognised the immense potential of the UAE and it is no surprise that some of the world's major companies now have bases in Dubai.Of course, SMEs do not have the same amount of financial muscle or international experience as the mega-rich corporations that reside in the city's thriving business districts, so these new centres could prove to be crucial.It is an agreement that everybody will benefit from, as British SMEs will receive expert help, which will in turn boost the UAE economy. Indeed, the UK and UAE governments have set a target of increasing trade between the two nations by 60 per cent (based on 2009 levels) by 2015.Dominic Jermey signed the memorandum of understanding for the UKTI and he has high hopes for the venture.”Lord Green's initiative is a great opportunity for the government to work with business in delivering a range of services to UK companies wanting to set up in the UAE,” he remarked.”It will create a platform for UAE and UK SMEs to work together across the emirates to increase bilateral trade, but also in getting companies to work together in third countries.”There has hardly been a better time for businesses to expand into the UAE, as companies already operating in the Middle Eastern country are confident of boosting their profits in the future.A recent study by the Department of Economic Development showed that 91 per cent of firms in Dubai think their revenues will have grown by the end of the second quarter of 2013. In addition to this, nearly a quarter of the survey respondents expect to hire new staff during the three-month period. Continue reading
