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Bahrain health authorities are searching for up to ten passengers who may have been infected with the swine flu virus. The passengers sat near a 21 year old Bahraini student who was infected after flying home from New York on Friday. He is Bahrain’s first swine flu victim. Around 80 students who attended the same university as patient are also being tested because they all attended the same graduation ceremony…
Flydubai has partnered with Emirates Post to sell tickets through post offices across the UAE. Emirates will act as selling agent for Dubai’s budget airline, via the phone, internet or in person at 121 post offices. They will take reservations, accept payment and change booking information. Flydubai CEO Al Gaith said “Our aim is to change the way people travel by making the process simple, convenient, and…
The Middle East’s travel industry is supporting Thailand’s travel package from the region this month. This will boost the already strong tourist traffic to Thailand. Last year Middle East tourists to Thailand increased 11.34% to 464,486 in 2008, compared to 426,721 in 2007. The largest Thai delegation to date visited the UAE this month and received a commitment form the Middle East travel industry to back…
Last month Australia’s tourism ministry launched a Middle East road show that began in Kuwait, and targets travelers in Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai. Queensland, Australia is making every effort to attract tourists from the Gulf. More than 30,000 tourists from the region visited Queensland in 2008, and while they were not the biggest demographic group of foreign visitors, they spent the most at A$125 million…
His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed French President Nicolas Sarkozy to a commemorative ceremony celebrating the launch of the Louvre Abu Dhabi construction project. This is the first universal museum to be built in the Middle East. A presentation before dignitaries took place at the Emirates Palace. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and President Sarkozy also inaugurated a new…
Blue City Company 1 (BCC1) signed three agreements with the Minor Hotel Group following last years Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Blue City Company 1 is responsible for completing phase one of Al Madina A’Zarqa. Antara Hotels, Resorts and Spas is part of the Minor Hotel Group. The new agreements strengthen BCC1’s relationship with the Antara group. Under the agreement Antara will operate and manage…
The Ras Al Akhdar Beach in Abu, also known as Malibu Beach because of the many beautiful giant palm trees dotting the sands are being removed. Ras Al Akhdar means “Green Head” in Arabic, but the beach looks more like a “bare head” without the hundreds of palm trees. A palm jungle across the road has been removed to make way for new development. People still congregate at the beach but in a few more months…
Hainan Airlines will begin its direct flight services connection Beijing with Dubai on Monday, according to Dubai based Sharaf Travel, LLC. The new service will operate twice a week and Hainan Airlines has appointed Sharaf Travel as the general sales agent (GSA) for the UAE and Gulf region. Hainan Airlines was established and launched operations on May 2, 1993 in Hainan Province, China’s biggest economic zone.…
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) issued flydubai its Air Operators Certificate after meeting strict GCCA requirements. GCCA is the regulatory body responsible for ensuring safety and standards within the airline industry. Flydubai is now ready to launch its first flight to Beirut on Monday. GCCA Director General said there are many rigid checks and balances to make sure that there is strict…
An extensive road-show was launched to promote Dubai’s Summer Surprises, one of the biggest shopping and entertainment events. The road show will cover Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The 12th edition of Dubai Summer Surprises will run for sixty five days from 11 June to 15 August 2009. A press release said that the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing have cooperated to…
A new Master of Science degree in International Hospitality Management will be offered at Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management. This degree is the first of its kind in the UAE. The new program begins in October 2009 and is focused on hospitality leaders of the future. It will emphasize managerial competence, building on the foundations of undergraduate studies. Students of the academy wishing to…
Inter regional and domestic travel continues to grow in the Middle East while international tourism is expected to fall between 2% and 3% this year. The World Tourism Organization projects that the slow in international tourism will continue for another six to twelve months. Experts forecast there will be significant demand for tourists for the UAE, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Tunisia, and Oman this summer…
Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) said they have lowered the forecast for tourism growth due to the current economic climate. Sheikh Sultan Bin Taboon said the new target by 2012 is 2.3 million visitors compared to the previous target of 2.7 million visitors by that date. Sheikh Sultan said the ADTA expects 1.5 million visitors this year, the same number as last year. He talked about the…
TravelPort GDS announced they have strengthened their Africa team by recruiting both internally and externally. The new and highly experienced team will focus on increasing market presence throughout Africa. Mark Meehan will head up the newly formed team from Middle East and Africa headquarters in Dubai. Meehan will be responsiblie for strengthening TravelPort GDS’s leading position in many African markets…
Fujairah Airport and Europe Aviation have signed an agreement for a new aircraft maintenance facility. Officials said construction of the new facility will begin in a few weeks and is expected to be complete within 18 months. It is estimated the cost of the new facility will be about Dh 50 million and create 300 new jobs, most of which will be filled through the UAE job market. Fujairah Airport Director Dr.…
Reel Cinemas, the UAE’s largest Cineplex with more than 22 screens, will soon open at the Dubai Mall. The Cineplex will have a seating capacity of 2,800 and a notable feature is the incorporation of The Hollywood Chic design concept, ensuring a modern movie going experience. Contemporary interiors and modern construction are combined with ergonomically designed seats designed for optimum comfort. The overall…
A research firm for the leisure industry reported that occupancy rates in the Gulf region will return to previous levels by 2010, and significant growth will follow by 2013. The research house Pro Leads released their report at The Hotel Show, a hospitality services trade show being held in Dubai. There are currently 300 new hotels under construction in the Gulf region valued at more than Dh 514 billion…
United Arab Emirates quarantined an airline passenger arriving from Canada suspected of having the swine flu virus. The official WAM news agency said health officials suspected the passenger displayed symptoms of infection from the A (H1N1) virus, and he was then isolated. The report did not disclose the man’s nationality, where he was quarantined, or through which of the regions two international airports…
