FEATURE GULF STATES
with the annual FI Grand Prix in
November raising awareness of the destination. Dubai is also selling well, and with some fantastic ‘kids go free’ offers, bookings will increase.”
GEMMA ANTROBUS Managing Director, Haslemere Travel “Oman and Dubai are
continuing to be strong contenders as medium-haul destinations, and there is the beginning of some interest in Abu Dhabi. Qatar isn’t of major interest to our clients, but may well become so, especially as Qatar Airways is proactive in promoting the destination.”
Where To Book It EMIRATES TOURS - 020 7590 1450
www.emiratestours.co.uk Seven nights at the Al Bustan Palace, Oman, costs from £999pp, based on two sharing a Bustan Garden View or deluxe Mountain View room and Emirates flights from Gatwick, a saving of up to £760 per couple over normal rates. The offer is valid June 1 - July 15 and August 11-31. Bookings must be made by June 30.
DESTINOLOGY - 0800 634 2866
www.destinology.co.uk A three-night stay at Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai, is priced from £949pp, based on two people sharing a deluxe room on a half-board basis. Included are Emirates’ flights from Gatwick, and the offer is valid for departures from June 10-30, with other dates available.
GOLD MEDAL - 0800 014 7777
www.goldmedal.co.uk The five-star Beach Rotana, Abu Dhabi, is offering a four-night stay for the price of three until August 31. Four nights, for departures before July 14, for example, cost £559, a saving of £50. The price includes flights from Heathrow with Oman Air and pre-payable taxes.
Room Report Among Abu Dhabi properties due to open this year, Rotana’s three-star Centro Al Manhal is up and running, and the group is to unveil the four-star Capital Centre Arjaan in the summer. This will be followed by the Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara. Dubai has recently opened the Melia
Hotel, the Mercure Gold, the Jumeirah Creekside and Rixos, The Palm. Scheduled for later this year are the Fairmont Palm, JW Marriott Marquis and Movenpick’s Royal Amwaj Resort & Spa. Hotel development is continuing across Oman, from the City Seasons in Muscat to the Juweira Boutique Hotel in the southern city of Salalah. The sultanate’s first floating hotel, the M/V Veronica, has been launched at Duqm port in Oman. •
Who Flies There BRITISH AIRWAYS - 0844 493 0787
www.ba.com EMIRATES - 0844 800 2777
www.emirates.com ETIHAD - 020 3450 7300
www.etihadairways.com GULF AIR - 0844 493 1717
www.gulfair.com OMAN AIR - 0844 482 2309
www.omanair.com QATAR AIRWAYS - 0844 846 8380
www.qatarairways.com ROYAL BRUNEI - 020 7584 6660
www.bruneiair.com VIRGIN ATLANTIC - 0844 874 7747
www.virgin-atlantic.com
TRADITIONS DIE HARD
IN OMAN BY COLIN ELLSON “In a region where most economies have been fuelled by oil for half a century or so, it comes as a surprise to find an age- old industry still flourishing. But building the lateen-sailed Arab dhow continues in many shipyards in the Gulf States. A main centre is Sur, on Oman’s north east coast, where the harbour is lined with dockyards, and I watched workmen planing the boards, tarring the decks and building the graceful craft from the ground up. They were pursuing a tradition that has been carried out for thousands of years, dating back to when the dhow opened up trade routes along the Arabian Peninsula and to East Africa. Each dhow takes eight months to build and costs almost £100,000.”
www.omantourism.gov.om
Learn more about Oman...
©SHANGRI LA
©THE SIFAWY
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