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Dubai Mall remains world’s most-visited destination
Dubai Mall remains world’s most-visited destination Staff Report / 30 January 2014 The Dubai Mall has become the world’s most-visited destination for the third consecutive year, welcoming over 75 million visitors in 2013. Following the impressive footfall of 54 million in 2011 and 65 million in 2012, Emaar Properties’ flagship shopping and entertainment destination recorded a 15 per cent growth in visitor numbers last year. An average monthly footfall stood firm at 6.25 million. “The record visitor arrival to The Dubai Mall in 2013 is a powerful statement that seals Dubai’s reputation globally as a business and leisure hub,” Abdulla Lahej, group chief executive officer of Emaar Properties, said in a statement to Khaleej Times . The mall’s 1,200 plus retail outlets recorded a 26 per cent rise in sales during 2013 compared to the previous year. According to Bain & Co recent report, more than 50 per cent of all luxury goods sold in Dubai were purchased at the mall, with its dedicated Fashion Avenue hosting the world’s largest collection of fashion brands under one roof. The number of visitors significantly surpassed the number of shoppers at the world’s other leading malls such as Mall of America and Bullring Birmingham, UK (40 million each); Intu Trafford Centre, UK (30 million); Part Dieu Lyon, France (29.4 million); and West Edmonton Mall, Canada (28 million). Lahej said the socio-economic impact of the mall on the Emirate’s economy is tremendous, having generated more than 25,000 jobs and consistently driving the growth of the city’s retail, leisure, and hospitality sectors — the core contributors to Dubai’s GDP. “Contributing significantly to Emaar’s recurring revenues, thus adding value to our stakeholders, the mall’s sustained success demonstrates the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to create a truly world-class city,” he said Over 40 per cent of the visitors to the mall were tourists, reflecting the tourism demographic trends of the city, with a majority of the overseas visitors coming from Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries, China, India, Russia and Europe. Nasser Rafi, chief executive officer of Emaar Malls Group, said: “The surge in visitor arrivals and the growth in retail sales are indicators not just of the popularity of the mall but also of Dubai as a preferred destination for shopping and luxury lifestyle experiences. Having established Dubai as a global fashion capital, we are now further enhancing the fashion and lifestyle choices at the mall with the expansion of the Fashion Avenue by another one million square feet, which will add 150 new brands to the mall.” Last year, the mall cemented its position as one of the world’s most sought-after high fashion destinations by hosting Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience, the largest fashion event of its kind in the Middle East, in partnership with Vogue Italia. The mall is currently spearheading a global fashion talent scout, to identify and nurture emerging and next-generation fashion designers. — business@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Dubai airport sets record with 60 million annual passengers
Dubai airport sets record with 60 million annual passengers Abdul Basit / 30 January 2014 World’s second busiest international hub crosses 60m passengers mark for the first time. Last year was a record and historic year for Dubai International airport as the world’s second busiest international hub crossed 60 million mark for the first time following a record-breaking December with six million passengers, again first time. Annual passenger traffic of 66.4 million, up 15.2 per cent compared to 57.68 million recorded during 2012, represents the airport’s highest total ever thanks to network expansion and monthly passenger numbers which exceeded five million for 12 consecutive months, its operator Dubai Airports revealed in a statement on Wednesday. Dubai International has become renowned for breaking records and the 15 per cent rise in traffic in 2013 to over 66 million passengers comes as little surprise, according to a senior aviation analyst. “Despite regional difficulties, Dubai Airport is still pulling in business faster than any other airport in the world. This stunning growth led by stalwart Emirates and the worlds fastest growing low fares airline flydubai have been instrumental in capturing that growth,” Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at London-based StrategicAero Research, told Khaleej Times. Passenger numbers in December reached six million, an increase of 13.6 per cent compared to 5.32 million recorded during the same month in 2012. Dubai International continues to benefit from the efficiencies offered by the large number of wide-body jets that operate into it with the average number of passengers per aircraft movement rising to 198 in 2013, up 4.5 per cent from the 189 recorded in 2012. Aircraft movements in 2013 reached 369,953, up 7.5 per cent compared to 344,245 movements recorded during 2012. Aircraft movements in December totalled 32,832, compared to 30,945 movements during the same month in 2012, an increase of 6.1 per cent. During the year a total of 28 new passenger destinations were added thanks largely to the expanding networks of Dubai-based airlines flydubai and Emirates bringing the total passenger destinations served by Dubai International to 239. “It was truly a historic year for Dubai’s aviation sector highlighted by the successful opening of Concourse A, the world’s largest and only facility purpose built for the Airbus A380; and the launch of passenger services at Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central. 2014 is set to be another eventful year, featuring continued traffic growth, network expansion and the ongoing enlargement and upgrade of our facilities and runways,” Dubai Airports chief executive officer Paul Griffiths said. Cargo volumes also reached record levels in 2013 with 2.4 million tonnes of air freight passing through Dubai International during 2013, up 6.8 per cent compared to 2.28 million tonnes recorded during 2012. — abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
UAE seal ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 berth
UAE seal ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 berth Adur Pradeep / 31 January 2014 Scotland also secure a place in ICC World Cup 2015 to be hosted in Australia and N. Zealand UAE team and officials celebrate victory over Namibia in Christchurch on Thursday. — Supplied picture The agonising wait of 18 years is over. UAE, who played at the Cricket World Cup way back in 1996, on Thursday qualified for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 after clinching a convincing 36-run victory over Namibia on the last day of the Super Six stage of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier New Zealand 2014 in Christchurch. UAE will face Scotland, who also secured a World Cup berth after defeating Kenya by three wickets on Thursday, in the qualifier final at Lincoln Oval, Christchurch, on Saturday. The final will determine which group the teams will join at the World Cup, to be held in Australia and New Zealand from February 14 to March 29, 2015. The winner of the final will join England, Australia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, New Zealand and Afghanistan in Group A while the loser will be clubbed in Group B alongwith South Africa, India, Pakistan, West Indies, Zimbabwe and Ireland. A total of 14 teams will contest the World Cup, comprising ICC’s 10 full member nations and four affiliate countries. Ireland and Afghanistan secured two of the affiliate spots last year. “You can’t describe in words the feeling,” UAE captain Khurram Khan said. “I’ve been playing for UAE since 2001 and it is an amazing feeling to help my team to qualify. It’s been very, very hard to make it this far. Most of us are part-time cricketers — we are not professionals. This is for everyone who trusted us and believed in us,” he said. The 42-year old Khan, who is also the leading run-getter of the tournament with 547 runs, said his side is looking forward to returning to New Zealand in one year’s time. “New Zealand is a special country for us. The grounds were awesome, the crowds supported us, the wickets suited us. We are coming back for the World Cup – we’ll work hard and see how it goes.” Khan, who played a stellar role in UAE’s victories in qualifying matches, was back at his best again in the crucial encounter, making an useful 49 off 83 balls and helped his team, who chose to bat first, post a competitive 263 all out in 49.5 overs. UAE 263 for 49.5 overs (Khurram Khan 49, Shaiman Anwar 47, Amjad Ali 46, Swapnil Patil 38; Louis Klazinga 5-36, Sarel Burger 2-47) Namibia 227 for nine, 50 overs (Sarel Burger 54, Gerrie Snyman 48,Nicolaas Scholtz 33; Amjad Javed 3-35, Manjula Guruge 2-34, Khurram Khan 2-45, Kamran Shazad 2-48) Result : UAE won by 36 runs Man of the Match : Louis Klazinga (Namibia) Khurram Khan (captain), Ahmed Raza, Amjad Ali, Amjad Javed, Chirag Suri, Manjula Guruge, Kamran Shahzad, Mohammad Naveed, Nasir Aziz, Swapnil Patil, Rohan Mustafa, Salman Faris, Shaiman Anwar, Vikrant Shetty and Shadeep Silv Amjad Javed, who picked up three wickets for 35, turned out to be the star bowler for UAE as he first denied Namibia a flying start and claimed wickets at crucial times to restrict them to 227 for nine. ICC chief executive David Richardson congratulated the teams: “Congratulations to Scotland and UAE for a tremendous effort in qualifying to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. It has been a tough tournament, one in which every game counts, and both teams have performed remarkably well to finish in the top two.” UAE coach and former Pakistan Test bowler Aqib Javed, who was instrumental in the team’s turnaround, said: “It was a tough task coming to New Zealand, and making the top two. They had in their mind that the pitches would have lot of sideways movement. But in seven games our batting has done really well. And now they are saying these conditions are good for cricket. There won’t be any hurdle coming back to play in Australia and New Zealand. They’re excited now.” The skipper’s decisive 100-run partnership with Amjad Ali, who chipped in with 46 off 67 balls, rescued UAE, who lost opener Salman Faris (0) in the second over itself. Shaiman Anwar (47) and Swapnil Patil (38) too chipped in with useful contributions, while Nambibia struck back through Louis Klazinga, who claimed five wickets for 36. Namibia lost their way despite their captain Sarel Burger (54) hitting a half-century, while the knocks of Gerrie Snyman (48) and Nicolaas Scholtz (33) gave hopes for the team. pradeep@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
