Tourists from colder climes flock to Dubai

Tourists from colder climes flock to Dubai

posted on 26/12/2012

Even as Dubai's denizens flew out over the weekend to make it home for the holidays, a new airline survey reveals that the city recorded a higher influx of tourists, as festive cheer brought planeloads of people over for a sunnier Christmas.
British Airways released findings of a recent survey that states customers are flocking to Dubai this festive season to escape the chilly northern hemisphere winter.
The news comes as the city features in the airline's top five long-haul destinations for Christmas travel.
"Our customers' favourite long-haul destinations from London this festive season are New York, Miami, Cape Town, Hong Kong and Dubai, which shows that, with the exception of New York, people are looking for a warmer way to spend Christmas and New Year,” said Paolo De Renzis, Area Commercial Manager Middle East and Central Asia, in a statement.
More than 1.9 million people are booked to fly with the British carrier this festive season, including almost 30,000 on Christmas Day.
Also, in a recent poll by the airline, more than 2,660 users nominated the overseas destinations they most want to visit in 2013 and Dubai was named in the top five.
Featured alongside Dubai were New York, Australia, Hong Kong and Rio de Janeiro.
De Renzis, said earlier: "This list shows that while travellers are eager to visit well-established destinations such as Las Vegas and Dubai, they are also looking for something off the beaten path.
"Dubai has long been a destination of choice for Europeans looking for sun, sand and shopping, while at the same time, Dubai residents are looking for new cities and countries to discover,” he said. – Emirates 24|7
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UAE top destination for European expats

posted on 25/12/2012

The UAE is one of the top destinations for European expatriates looking for new opportunities and an improved quality of life, according to the latest study.
With average unemployment across the Eurozone countries at record levels (11.6 per cent in September 2012, according to Eurostat), expatriates are increasingly looking to build a new life abroad. Senior executives at Damac Properties, the Middle East's largest luxury private developer, says it has experienced a strong upturn in investments from Europe as people look to move their money to a more stable and secure environment.
"As the global financial crisis continues to hang over the Eurozone, we have seen a significant increase in clients from Europe looking to improve their standard of living and benefit from the tax-free incomes on offer in Dubai,” said Niall McLoughlin, senior vice-president, Damac Properties. "The crisis, and the high levels of unemployment, has been the catalyst for many people to say ‘enough is enough' and make the move improve their family's way of life.” – Khaleej Times
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Ras Al Khaimah hits a record 1m visitor mark

posted on 24/12/2012

The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (Ras Al Khaimah TDA) on Sunday said the total number of visitors to the emirate until end of November 2012 reached 1,001,495.
With this, Ras Al Khaimah achieved its 2012 target of 1 million visitors a month ahead of schedule, thereby generating a revenue boost of almost Dh582.7 million, the tourism authority said in a statement.
Germany took the lead in visitor numbers with more than 283,733 visitors having visited Ras Al Khaimah in 2012 until November, followed by the UAE with 267,616 visitors and Russia with 136,430 visitors. Other source markets included Russia, the UK, Italy, Ukraine and Czech Republic.
Victor Louis, Chief Operating Officer, Ras Al Khaimah TDA, said in a statement that the tourism authority exceeded its target for the second year in row. "In 2011, we welcomed 835,200 visitors exceeding targets and we achieved the 2012 target of welcoming 1 million visitors one month ahead of schedule. It is testimony to Ras Al Khaimah's capability and attractiveness as a tourist and tourism investment destination,” he said.
Meanwhile, hotel occupancy in Ras Al Khaimah in January-November period rested at 2.19 per cent for the beach resorts while total hotel revenue increased to almost Dh582.7 million in the period, marking an increase of 45.7 per cent compared to 2011, according to Ras Al Khaimah TDA.
"Our targets have been set since Ras Al Khaimah TDA was established in May 2011: welcoming 1.2 million visitors by 2013 and increasing the hotel room inventory to 10,000 rooms by 2016. We are working towards achieving these goals, where new attractions, hotels and resorts are scheduled to open. – Gulf News
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Revealed: Top 13 destinations for 2013 are Dubai and...

posted on 19/12/2012

Rio de Janeiro, Derry in Northern Ireland and Alicante in Spain also recommended
British Airways has compiled a list of the top 13 destinations to visit in 2013, with Dubai featured as one of the hot spots alongside Rio de Janeiro, Las Vegas and Alicante.
Paolo De Renzis, Area Commercial Manager Middle East and Central Asia, said the list for 2013 is a mix of new destinations and popular favourites.
"This list shows that while travellers are eager to visit well-established destinations such as Las Vegas and Dubai, they are also looking for something off the beaten path.
"Dubai has long been a destination of choice for Europeans looking for sun, sand and shopping, while at the same time, Dubai residents are looking for new cities and countries to discover. This list is just a small selection of the 175 destinations in British Airways' extensive network, which can be accessed with easy connections through London Heathrow's Terminal 5.”
Richard Tams, British Airways head of UK & Ireland sales, said: "Undoubtedly consumers will continue to be driven by value-for-money next year, with routes such as Dubai, Cape Town and Bangkok already proving popular. We're also experiencing a real growth in Asia right now and responding to demand with a number of new routes, including Seoul and Sri Lanka.”
Compiled by a panel of experts and using company data, in addition to Dubai, British Airways' top 13 destinations for 2013 include Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Derry, Northern Ireland; Las Vegas, USA; San Diego, USA; and Alicante, Spain. – Emirates 24|7
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Mina Rashid named world’s leading cruise port

posted on 16/12/2012

Mina Rashid, operated by global marine terminal operator DP World, has beaten the world's top cruise ports to win the prestigious World Travel Awards (WTA) 2012 for the World's Leading Cruise Port for the fifth consecutive year.
The regional cruise hub was voted the world's best from among WTA's 17 regional winners for the year, including top ports such as Miami in Florida, PSA in Singapore, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and Shanghai in China.
Mohammad Al Mannaei, director of Mina Rashid, DP World, UAE Region, received the award at WTA's grand final gala ceremony event hosted in New Delhi. The red-carpet event was attended by hundreds of top industry executives, including decision makers in global travel and tourism.
In line with the Dubai Government's efforts to make cruise tourism an economic growth engine, DP World is expanding Mina Rashid's capacity to continue its leading position as the largest cruise centre in the Middle East. DP World's vision is for Mina Rashid to eventually be able to serve as many as seven cruise vessels at one time. – Khaleej Times
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Dh1 billion boost to Sharjah tourism

posted on 16/12/2012

Almost Dh1 billion is being spent to develop tourism in eastern and central regions of Sharjah.
The emirate's government announced construction projects aimed at bringing facilities and infrastructure in areas such as Dibba Al Hisn and Kalba up to a level similar to Sharjah City.
The projects include a Dh500 million plan to attract visitors to Dibba with the creation of Al Hisn Island and an eco-tourism project in Kalba. Dh420 million is also being spent building the Khorfakhan Chedi resort.
"The new project in Dibba Al Hisn will be a leisure and tourism development that will be a new unique destination for the area's residents, as well as visitors and tourists," said Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, chief executive of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq).
"The projects are being developed on the directives of the ruler of Sharjah to developing the Eastern Region.
"The aim is to deliver projects that serve the interests of citizens in these areas, drive economic growth, and attract investments that help create jobs and add economic value to Sharjah city and the emirate in general."
Plans to develop eco-tourism in Kalba will be centred around Kalba Lake, already a popular destination with locals, and will be made up of restaurants, retail outlets, family parks and places to watch wildlife. Mangroves and hafiya tree forests will also be created around Kalba city.
"Engineers and environmental specialists are conducting the necessary studies and research to carry out the project to the highest international environmental standards and develop the project to help protect the area and its various environmental components," said Mr Al Sarkal.
An eco-friendly hotel with more than 300 rooms and chalets will also be built overlooking the Gulf of Oman.
In Khorfakhan, Shurooq is carrying out studies to develop the Khorfakkan Corniche with the aim of adding amenities such as family areas, parks and public utilities.
The Chedi Khorfakkan Resort is due to open in 2015.
Shurooq also has plans to develop a leisure project in the Al Badayer desert, an area in the Central Region known for its impressive sand dunes.
The project will include an integrated tourism complex with restaurants and cafes, an outdoor theatre, camel and horse riding areas and Bedouin camps. – The National