FEATURE GULF STATES
“Give clients a reason to visit
by checking out events in the Middle east”
sandy beach alongside. The hotel’s
restaurants offer authentic regional and international dining experiences and seafood specialities. Dubai has an ongoing ‘Kids go Free’
promotion which offers discounted airfares for children flying with Emirates and free or discounted room rates at many hotels and free or discounted entry to a wide range of attractions. Among its new openings this year was
the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray. Located on the western wing of Palm Island Jumeirah, the property, a 45-minute drive from Dubai International Airport, offers 405 beach-side guest rooms, including 42 decadent suites and 38 opulent villas set around a lagoon pool. Decorated to reflect the style of the Ottoman Empire, the hotel features hand-painted ceilings and murals, marble, crystal chandeliers and Orientalist art. Jumeirah Zabeel Saray has the potential to host world-class stage performances with dinner, a first for Dubai. Watersports, a shopping arcade and a Turkish Spa and hammam are also part of the mix. Rotana has this year opened two new
properties in Dubai – the five-star Al Ghurair Rayhaan and the deluxe hotel apartments Al Ghurair Arjaan by Rotana. The Al Ghurair properties are conveniently located on the Riqqa Road in the heart of Deira. Both feature the latest high-tech facilities and numerous leisure facilities including Zen The Spa at
30 November 2011 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
Rotana, a swimming pool, a fitness centre, Jacuzzi, sauna and massage rooms. UAE emirate Sharjah is actively
working to expand its tourism activities by improving the coordination between the public and private sectors and encouraging new hotels and entertainment operators. This year has seen a 16 per cent increase in the number of hotel room nights and hotel apartments available in the emirate.
What’s New Giving people a specific reason to visit the region has helped encourage growth and a further series of events will be drawing visitors in the coming months. Dubai is hosting a large number of
world-class sporting events including the Rugby Sevens (December 1-3); the Offshore World Powerboat Championships (December 8-10); the Dubai World Golf Championship (December 8-11); and the Dubai Tennis Championships (March 20-February 3). Oman has established a cultural
theatre programme, running from December to March, which will be the focus of its promotions. And Abu Dhabi will host its Grand Prix (November 10-14) and The Volvo Ocean Race, January 1-14, 2012, which will turn the spotlight onto its coastal waters. Two landmark museums, outposts of
the Louvre and the Guggenheim are also in the pipeline for Abu Dhabi's cultural offering.
GULF STATES Top Selling Tips...
• Recommend touring in Oman: it’s easy to explore and there is lots to see. Must sees include the Grand Mosque and souk and the opulent Royal Opera House Muscat.
Alex lOizOu, product manager, The Private Travel Company
• Shopaholics will love Dubai: it’s not just about designer fashion, high street brands abound too. lAuRA GelDeR, journalist
• Diving in Oman is superb with a wide variety of fish, turtles and dolphins.
Alex lOizOu, product manager, The Private Travel Company
• Flag up Abu Dhabi's growing range of visitor attractions from the cultural Guggenheim Museum to Ferrari World for petrol heads.
Nikki HAiN, product manager Premier Holidays
• The growing range of celebrity chef restaurants makes Dubai a heaven for foodies. Cuisine from all around the world is available here. lAuRA GelDeR, journalist
UP CLOSE & PERSONAL
BY ALEX LOIZOU “I recently returned from a short trip to Oman and I loved the destination – which completely exceeded my expectations. The properties in Muscat re-define five-star luxury, from the Chedi’s newly-opened spa and minimalist luxury; the elegance and grandeur of the Al Bustan Palace, now a Ritz-Carlton hotel; the Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah, consisting of three resorts in one; and the Al Husn, which is ideal for couples looking for privacy and tranquillity provided by this exclusive cliff-top retreat. “Travelling into the interior I was surprised by how dramatic the landscape was and how striking the green date plantations are, with their mountainous backdrop. I stayed in The View, a tented camp perched in the mountains, and watching the glowing sunrise over the peaks was only rivalled by watching the sunset over the sand dunes at Desert Nights Camp. Visiting Nizwa Fort was fascinating and the souks that surround it are charming.”
From left: The Palm in Dubai and Etihad Towers with Oman's desert dunes below and agents on a recent fam trip in Oman, inset
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