Tag Archives: exclusive-dubai
Dubai ‘is a year-round tourism destination’
Property investors who purchase luxury hotels, apartments and villas in Dubai should not worry too much about slack periods, as the city is a popular holiday hotspot all year round.The emirate benefits from a desert climate, but this is offset by a soothing sea breeze and even in the rainy season (November and December), temperatures are still warm.With so many wonderful amenities and excellent conditions throughout the year, it is no surprise that people flock to Dubai in their droves.Speaking at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) – an event held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre – Helal Saeed Al-Marri, general director of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing in Dubai, explained how the organisation will promote the emirate in the coming months.”The focus of 2013 is on furthering the appeal of the emirates as a year-round tourism destination, promoting our exciting and diverse calendar of events and activities which cater to each of our market segments,” he was quoted by Arab News as saying.Hundreds of destinations, air travel companies, cruise providers, travel agencies, hotels and resorts were showcased at ATM, including major international firms like Emirates, The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company, Six Senses Resorts and Spas and Lufthansa.A number of events and campaigns have been launched in order to promote Dubai as one of the best tourism destinations on the planet, including the “Summer is Dubai” initiative.Running between June and September, the scheme will demonstrate the superb infrastructure and leisure facilities on offer in this part of the UAE. Indeed, Dubai has everything that holidaymakers could wish for, with indoor ski slopes, amazing restaurants, trendy nightclubs and the biggest shopping malls on earth.Mr Al-Marri recently said that visitor numbers have risen in the past few summers and there is every chance that records will be broken in 2013. It just goes to show that investors should be doing all they can to get involved in Dubai's tourism sector, as there is plenty of money to be made. Continue reading
Tony Hawk rolls into Dubai
Legendary US skateboarder Tony Hawk has spent some time testing out one of the world's most impressive ramps, which just happens to be in the UAE.The 44-year-old extreme sports icon headed to Tashkeel, a skatepark shaped like an Arabic script, and he seemed to be happy with what he found.According to the National, Hawk could barely wait to test his skills on the challenging ramp and he was soon pulling a series of amazing trademark moves, including a backside kickflip.Brad Kirr of Tashkeel told the news provider he had seen an Instagram photo of Hawk at Dubai International Airport and he immediately invited him down to the skating facility.”He said 'I've seen footage [of the Tashkeel bowl and ramp] and it looks insane.' He wanted to skate it,” Mr Kirr remarked.”The dude is non-stop. His schedule is packed full of everything, every day of his life. I can't understand how he can have as much energy as he does and just rips into everything he does. He is a superhero.”Tony Hawk has been a household name since the late 1980s/early 1990s and he is perhaps best known for the extremely popular videogames that are based on his exploits. He has also appeared in a number of TV shows, such as CSI Miami, as well as movies like xXx and Jackass.Hawk – who has been skateboarding since he was just nine years old – also visited the excellent Ski Dubai during his trip to the UAE, where he was filmed “shredding rails”.He took to Twitter and Instagram to keep his followers up to date on his Gulf adventure and he clearly enjoyed his stay.The fact that one of the world's most recognisable extreme sports stars was so keen to visit Dubai is testament to the emirate's amazing facilities. It truly is an incredible place and there are few cities around the world that can match the glamour and excitement that Dubai has become famous for. Continue reading
RAK prospers thanks to Dubai’s booming popularity
Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is reaping the rewards from a slew of investment off the back of continuing interest in Dubai.Hotel occupancy rates in Dubai are rising all the time, with RAK mopping up some of the increasing spillover and because of this, the emirate has been targeted as an up and coming area, the National reports.Rudi Jagersbacher, president of Hilton Worldwide, Middle East and Africa, stated individuals hoping to stop over in Dubai frequently find they cannot get a room for the night.Because of this, they are forced to seek out secondary locations and RAK has been able to use this to its advantage and attract people and investment. For example, Hilton has unveiled plans to add a further 600 rooms in RAK in 2013 – over half of these will be at the Waldorf Astoria.Indeed, hotels throughout the northern emirates have reported a boost in their occupancy rates as Dubai struggles to meet the demand it faces. During the first quarter of the year, there was a 14 per cent increase in the number of overnight stays in RAK.At the moment around 75 per cent of the emirate's visitors are made up of people from Germany and the UK and so businesses will be keen to continue to tap into this market.Salem Sultan Al Qasimi, the vice chairman of RAK Airways, said there are plenty of reasons to be excited, adding: “RAK is eager to tap into the tourism market and expand its wings. We are expanding the airport and because there is great potential for tourism coming to the UAE we want to take part in that growth.”His views are echoed by Victor Louis, chief operating officer at RAK Tourism Development Authority, who is hoping 2013 will be a record-breaking year in terms of visitor numbers. He hopes the emirate is able to attract up to 1.2 million people over the course of the 12-month period. Continue reading
