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Dubai opens new airport with first cargo flights

admin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:05:08 +0000

Dubai opened what is planned to become the world’s largest airport on Sunday, starting with cargo operators, making the emirate a two-airport city, as it aspires to build itself into a global logistics hub.

Dubai Airports, the company overseeing airport projects in the emirate, said in a statement Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International (DWC) started with three cargo flights operated by Rus Aviation, Skyline and Aerospace Consortium, with 13 other freight carriers signed up[Read More]

Dubai opens second airport

admin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:03:33 +0000

DUBAI — Debt-laden Dubai opened its second airport on Sunday, three weeks after its flagship carrier Emirates placed a major order for Airbus 380 superjumbos, enforcing its status as an air transport hub.

The first plane landed on the sole runway of the Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International Airport — named after the emirate’s ruling family, Dubai Airports said in a statement.

Three air freight companies have begun operations from the new airport with 12 others due to follow, it said.

The first phase be confined to freight traffic, with a capacity to handle 250,000 tonnes annually while passenger traffic was scheduled to begin in March 2011, with an annual capacity of five million passengers.

“We have achieved another important step towards completing” the airport, said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum, the head of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.

Situated on the desert outskirts of Dubai and close to the Jebel Ali port and its large free zone, DWC-Al Maktoum International is touted to become the world’s largest airport when completed at an undisclosed date.[Read More]

Weekly travel agenda: Al Maktoum International Airport opens

admin — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 13:20:49 +0000

The world’s largest airport officially opens June 27 after receiving its first test flight June 21. The massive Al Maktoum International is capable of handling 160 million passengers annually and is expected to considerably ease the burden on Dubai International when it opens to passenger traffic in 2011. Independence Day sees the launch of two new cruise liners in New York and Venice. [Read More]

Iraq shrine city to get ultra-modern monorail

admin — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 13:19:31 +0000

NAJAF, Iraq — The Iraqi shrine city of Najaf, whose mediaeval-style alleyways host millions of Shiite pilgrims every year, has signed a deal for a monorail to rival that of ultra-modern Dubai, a provincial official said on Sunday.

The city, which is home to the grand ayatollahs who wield huge influence among Iraq’s Shiite majority community, will be the first in the country to get a rapid transit system, with proposals for a Baghdad metro still very much on the drawing board.

The monorail will ferry pilgrims between Najaf’s most revered shrines, the Mausoleum of Imam Ali in the city centre and the Grand and Al-Sahla Mosques in Kufa, 10 kilometres (six miles) to the west, provincial investment committee member Anwar al-Habubi told AFP.

The system, which is due for completion within three years, will also provide links to the city’s two main bus stations, he added.

In a later phase of the project, the provincial council plans to connect the network to the city’s international airport, opened two years ago to serve the tens of thousands of Shiite pilgrims who travel from Iran, Lebanon, south Asia and elsewhere.[Read More]

Tiffany and Co.’s Travel Collection to attract regional celebrities

admin — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 13:15:42 +0000

Tiffany & Co., the internationally renowned jeweler, brings to Dubai its vivid Travel Collection. The collection is illuminated by diamonds and high end gems that have brought the company international renown and that continue to highlight Tiffany’s legacy as one of the world’s premier jewelers. [Read More]

Council to sponsor Emiratis’ Kerala tour

admin — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 17:44:47 +0000

DUBAI – The age-old relations between the Indian state of Kerala and the UAE have seen the highest number of expatriates from that state living in the UAE. It is now the chance of an Emirati delegation to visit Kerala and explore the art, culture and traditions of the state dubbed as “God’s own country.”

The Dubai province of the World Malayalee Council (WMC) is organising a “Discover Kerala” initiative in association with Kerala’s Tourism Ministry in which a group of 20 UAE nationals will be flown down to the state by this year-end.

“Through the first-of-its-kind initiative, WMC aims to familiarise the chosen delegates, including government officials and prominent community members, with Kerala’s tourism potentials, especially backwater tourism and eco-tourism, and the art forms, culture and traditions of the state. We are also trying to let them understand the potentials of Ayurvedic treatment methods,” said WMC Dubai’s publicity and media convener Sajan Veloor.

He said this will be the first time that a group of Emiratis visiting Kerala on an official trip. “Officials of the (Dubai) Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing have already expressed their interest in such an initiative. On the other hand, we have secured the support from the Kerala Tourism Ministry. Our members from the business community are sponsoring the Emirati delegation, by bearing all expenses for their travel and stay,” he said.

The initiative was announced as part of the seventh anniversary celebrations of WMC Dubai held on Friday. At the function held in Dubai, the organisation honoured various Malayalees, including chairman of Dubai-based DM Healthcare Dr Azad Moopen, for their contributions to the society, said WMC secretary M.D Davis Manavalan.

A project to support distressed Indians in the UAE was also launched at the event. The association said it would sponsor the education of 1,000 students from villages in Kerala for a year and would also support an awareness campaign against pollution of rivers in the state.
[read more]

Travel industry gears up for rush of vacationers

admin — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 17:40:40 +0000

According to sources in the industry, there has been tremendous increase this time in the number of Saudi travelers to European countries, who have made flight and hotel reservations. This was mainly because of the depreciation of euro against Saudi riyal and easing of visa procedures by these countries, according to a report carried by Al-Riyadh daily.

The sources also attributed the trend to the biased attitude of some Arab countries, especially Egypt and Lebanon, toward Saudi vacationers. Meanwhile, Malaysia and Dubai remained the most favored destinations for Saudis.

Nasir Al-Tayyar, chairman of Al-Tayyar Travel and Tourism Group, said depreciation of euro in recent weeks has become a blessing in disguise for the Saudi travel and tourism industry. Moreover, most of the diplomatic missions of European countries in the Kingdom have simplified tourist visa procedures.

“As a result, there has been a substantial increase in the number of Saudis who intend to spend this summer in Europe,” he said while noting that this was not the case over the last two years. “A number of factors, such as the global financial crisis, the swine flu scare and a strict visa regime, were blamed for the slowdown in tourism traffic from the Kingdom to EU states,” he said.

Al-Tayyar also noted that a large number of Saudi families have plans to spend their vacations in the United States. “Most of these are parents of young men and women studying in that country,” he said.

Al-Tayyar criticized the unfair price hike for tourism packages by some Arab countries.
[read more]

Weekly travel agenda: Al Maktoum International Airport opens

admin — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 17:36:41 +0000

The world’s largest airport officially opens June 27 after receiving its first test flight
June 21. The massive Al Maktoum International is capable of handling 160 million passengers annually and is expected to considerably ease the burden on Dubai International when it opens to passenger traffic in 2011. Independence Day sees the launch of two new cruise liners in New York and Venice
.

Al Maktoum International Airport Opens
June 27
Dubai, UAE

At ten times the size of Dubai’s existing airport, Al Maktoum International airport is set to be the world’s largest passenger and cargo hub. With five runways, the airport will initially open to cargo traffic and passenger operations will be phased in gradually.

http://www.dwc.ae

Norwegian Epic July 4th Fireworks Display
July 4
New York, USA

The new Norwegian Epic is to host the annual Macy’s 4th of July fireworks display, live from the ship’s deck in New York’s Hudson river at 9:00 PM EST. It will depart on its maiden voyage shortly after, carrying 4,200 passengers.

http://epic.ncl.com/

Nieuw Amsterdam Launch
July 4
Venice, Italy

The 86,000-ton Nieuw Amsterdam will feature 11 guest decks, a cyber coffee house, a teens-only loft and space for 2,106 passengers when it is delivered in Venice, Italy.

http://www.hollandamerica.com

InterContinental Times Square Opens
July 12
New York City, USA

The new flagship of the luxury InterContinental range will now officially open July 12, rising 34 storeys above the city. Facilities include the Ça Va restaurant by celebrity Chef Todd English, 607 guestrooms and a 371-square meter “Gotham Ballroom.”

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com

[read more]

Tiffany Travel Collection comes to Dubai

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 11:04:09 +0000

Tiffany & Co., the internationally renowned jeweler, brings to Dubai its vivid Travel Collection. The collection is illuminated by the magnificent diamonds and high end gems that have brought the company international renown and that continue to highlight Tiffany’s legacy as one of the world’s premier jewelers. These valuable pieces range between AED 100,000 to AED 10 million.

Tiffany & Co., the world’s diamond authority, has put together a special collection of its legendary diamonds and gemstones in a magnificent collection celebrating nature as the source for these exquisite treasures and Tiffany’s expertise in selecting them for jewelry of ultimate style.

These enchanting pieces, noteworthy for their unique and captivating settings are popular among Hollywood celebrities and royalty who wish to own a unique adornment. The collection – an ultimate gauge of glamour and style – consists of the Tiffany Diamond, Tiffany Celebration rings, colored pieces, Lucida rings, and Victoria jewels which highlight a consummate jewelry creation of classic grace and femininity.

Pegah Goldooz, General Manager of Tiffany & Co., in the UAE, said: “After being exhibited in many Tiffany flagship stores across the globe, the Travel Collection has come to Dubai and we are certain that it will attract the royalty and celebrities of this region. Due to the high quality of diamonds and its amazing craftsmanship, Tiffany has won countless accolades at the great world’s fairs and has become jeweler of the crowned heads of Europe.”

Tiffany’s brilliant diamond and platinum celebration rings light up every cause for celebration with the sheer beauty and elegance of Tiffany design. Unsurpassed in quality and charisma, the stones, like the stars, are perfectly aligned in dazzling bands of pure fashion chic. Shaped with classic round diamonds, in princess cut, channel set or pavé diamonds, these bands trace every twist and turn on the road to success and self-fulfillment. Meanwhile, The Tiffany Diamond has set an important company precedent of cutting for brilliance rather than size, a standard Tiffany & Co. maintains today. The 128.54 carats Tiffany & Co. has an extraordinary sparkle due to its 82 facets, 24 more facets than the traditional brilliant cut.

Colored gemstones, a centerpiece of Tiffany’s jewelry collections, have played a major part in establishing the brand as a world-renowned jeweler. With these and other brilliant gems Tiffany created color-saturated jewels as lavish and sought-after as the Tiffany diamonds the fashionably rich wore day and night. Tiffany’s reputation for superlative gemstones shines on in the jeweler’s showcases around the world. Each color is a classic expression of fashion, presented with the utmost quality and craftsmanship that have distinguished Tiffany & Co. for over eight generations.

Lucida, Tiffany’s celebrated diamond cut and setting is the most recent of these exemplary designs. Lucida is a Latin word that refers to the brightest star in a constellation and thus it stands alone in every facet of its incomparable design. The culmination of many years of research and development, the Lucida diamond is one of the rare patented diamond cuts and further enhances the diamond’s singular luminosity. On the other hand, the brand’s Victoria brilliantly accents fashion with renowned Tiffany craftsmanship and design excellence – from feminine and refined to colorful and dramatic.

The iconic collection is on view from June 21, 2010 through July 16, 2010, at Tiffany & Co. located at The Dubai Mall.
[read more]

Fly Garuda Indonesia to Dubai starting from $1,276* return including taxes

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 11:01:22 +0000

Garuda Indonesia is now flying to Dubai and to celebrate the new daily service the airline is offering competitively priced specials.
Bagus Y. Siregar, Senior General Manager Australia/SWP Garuda Indonesia commented: “This new service to Dubai via Jakarta offers our customers an alternative gateway for travel to the Middle East and on to Europe.”

“Flying with Garuda Indonesia, customers will experience the quality expected from an international four star carrier with state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment systems, an in flight menu designed by the award winning chef William Wongso and a showcasing of warm Indonesian hospitality reflected in the service, on-board decor and staff uniforms.”

Effective immediately, the sale fare offer includes: Return Economy Class

-Ex Sydney to Dubai via Denpasar or Jakarta for $1,419* per person inclusive of taxes

-Ex Melbourne to Dubai via Denpasar or Jakarta for $1,400 * per person inclusive of taxes

-Ex Perth to Dubai via Denpasar or Jakarta for $1,276 * per person inclusive of all taxes
[read more]