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There’s no doubt about it, the airport authorities are definitely doing something right in Singapore. For the third year running, Singapore’s Changi Airport has been named the best airport in the world by airline customers around the world. "It is a great honour to be named World's Best Airport … for the third year running,” says Mr. Lee Seow Hiang, CEO of Changi Airport Group. “This recognition is…
Marriott will become the first global hotel company to offer Apple Pay to its guests. Starting this summer, Apple Pay will be rolling out to 11 Marriott hotels in popular locations within the U.S., all of which are listed below. Guests using Apple Pay at check-in will simply bring their iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus or soon, Apple Watch, near the contactless reader at the front desk. When their device responds…
Uber riders who are Starwood Preferred Guest members have the opportunity to earn Starpoints during any ride on the Uber platform, as per new agreement between the mega-hotel company and the San-Francisco based ride-sharing service. Starwood, which operates nine brands including the Sheraton, Aloft, Westin, W and St. Regis, announced the new partnership last week, which is the first of its kind for Uber.…
The Empire returns to Legoland California with the largest Lego Star Wars Miniland model display to date. On the evening of March 4, the galaxy’s most powerful weapon was unveiled: The Lego Star Wars Miniland Death Star Model Display. At 8-feet wide, 13-feet high and weighing more than 1900 pounds, the massive LEGO model is made out of more than 500,000 Lego bricks, featuring a planet-destroying super…
Dubai adds another item to their lengthy list of world records, with the opening of the ‘world’s largest interactive virtual city tour’. Dubai 360, a website that offers panoramic views of the city, has unveiled The Sphere at The Dubai Mall; a new experience where the public can feel what it’s like to get around the emirate’s top attractions in just a few minutes. Powered by 18 projectors running…
Plans for a ‘Museum of the Future’ were revealed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Wednesday. The $136 million is set to open in 2017 in the Emirates Towers area near Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. The curving, oblong — and of course futuristic-looking — building will feature poetry written by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al…
Mongolia will be the featured "Partner Country" at this year's annual gathering of the world's travel trade community in Berlin. ITB-Berlin, the world's largest travel exhibition is expecting over 100,000 trade visitors to the show that runs from March 4-8 2015. This year's event is set in turbulent times when the Euro is declining in value and global terrorist threats are making travelers hesitate to travel.…
Dubai’s hotel establishments welcomed 11,629,578 guests in 2014, registering a 5.6% increase on 2013’s total. Figures released today by Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) show a steady 5.6 percent year-on-year growth in hotel establishment guests, and hotel and hotel apartment room revenues rise 12 percent to AED 15.2 billion. For January to December 2014, Dubai’s top ten hotel…
Starting 3rd June, Emirates Airlines will launch a new daily service to the island of Bali in Indonesia. Bali is a leading tourist destination which welcomed more than 3.7 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2014. It is one of the most popular islands in Indonesia with spectacular mountains and picturesque beaches. Bali will be Emirates’ 148th global destination, adding to the airline’s route network in the…
The grand opening of Al Barza Restaurant & Cafe took place this week, in which a vast number of dignitaries, businessmen, members of the press and simply just Emirati cuisine lovers were present. The opening ceremony included an Ayyalah performance, which is a traditional Emirati folk dance commonly performed by men at weddings and National Day celebrations, and even a traditional tent cooking setup displaying…
Abu Dhabi Ports had one of its busiest days on February 23, as the AIDAaura and AIDAdiva both arrived at the same time in Zayed Port, carrying thousands of passengers. The visiting cruise passengers were given the opportunity to explore the capital for two days, making the most of the attractions on offer. Numerous four-wheel drives and coaches were waiting ready to depart at 7am on Tuesday morning at the…
Welcoming around 10 million visitors each year, China’s most popular tourist attraction, the Great Wall of China, is not much of an unknown architectural wonder to people around the world. For those looking for a far more relaxed, yet equally astounding Great Wall attraction, you might be surprised to find out there is one available in China’s neighboring country of India. The Great Wall of India, also…
Made with the finest Madagascar Vanilla ice cream, the most sought-after Iranian saffron, slices of black Italian truffle and topped with a sprinkle of 23-carat edible gold, this ‘Black Diamond’ treat is eying Dubai’s collection of records, hoping to be named as the most expensive ice cream in the world. At Dhs 2,999, Scoopi Cafe on Jumeirah Beach Road will serve you this delectable delight in a Versace…
Located in the African Republic of Mali, the Great Mosque of Djenne is the largest mud-structure in the world. It was said to have first been constructed in the 13th Century, but was destroyed and rebuilt several times - so much so that the mosque you see today is one that was finally completed in 1906, almost 7 years later. The Great Mosque of Djenne is completely constructed from mud - sun-baked mud…
Mall of the Emirates is ushering in the Chinese New Year with cultural festivities from February 17th to March 5th. The festivities at the mall during this period aim to provide a ‘home away from home’ feel for Chinese visitors and residents of the UAE. “Chinese guests are a growing and vital part of the Mall of the Emirates community, and celebrating Chinese New Year enables all shoppers to enjoy the color…
In honor of the death of the famous chocolatier, Michele Ferrero, here’s a short list of things Nutella-lovers should do if they were to find themselves in Italy. 1. Make your way to Alba, Piedmont. What better way to start the list off than to travel to the actual place Nutella was invented? Michele Ferrero created his first Nutella jar on the 20th of April, 1964 in his factory in Alba - a quiet town of…
The annual Qasr Al Hosn Festival celebrates the UAE’s heritage through a rich and cultural program. This year, the program is inspired by two themes: Abu Dhabi’s traditional heritage represented by the iconic Qasr Al Hosn Fort and its surrounding areas, and the importance of modern heritage showcased in the Cultural Foundation Building through a variety of activities. Qasr Al Hosn (meaning palace fort) is…
The second annual Dubai Food Festival started on Friday the 6th of February, attracting celebrity chefs and food-lovers across the region. The 23-day event revolves around four main themes - Emirati cuisine, homegrown concepts, multicultural dining and street fare, as well as international chefs and restaurants. Two of the festival highlights include the ever-popular Beach Canteen taking place at Kite Beach in…
