GULF STATES
tour operators’ statistics. A Gold
Medal Travel spokesperson says: “In the year to date, business to Dubai is up by 15% and to Abu Dhabi by 20%.” Similarly, Premier Holidays’ bookings have increased by 25% year on year to the region overall. The attraction of the Gulf States
to the savvy British visitor is their common denominators of year-round sunshine, the blue waters and sandy beaches of the Arabian Gulf, exclusive hotels and a manageable fl ight time of around just seven hours from London. Add to this a diversity that makes each destination different. In contrast to the lure of glitzy Dubai’s superb shopping, fi ve-star beach resorts, unequalled golf courses and visitor attractions such as the world’s tallest tower and numerous water parks, Abu Dhabi is more tranquil.
But it has all the ingredients for
a top family holiday, including Yas Island, site of the Yas Marina Circuit, which stages the annual Abu Dhabi Grand Prix; Ferrari World, the largest indoor theme park in the world; and Yas Waterworld, the UAE’s biggest water park.
Oman and Qatar represent the more traditional face of Arabian culture. The former is a land of mountains, forts and fjords, designed by nature for adventure tourism; the latter sells its capital city for elegant hotels, the desert for safaris and the Inland Sea for tranquillity and matchless scenery. Above all, the Gulf States are stable elements in a volatile region.
What’s new Airlines: BBC Worldwide has
chosen Gulf Air as the Middle East launch airline for its BBC Knowledge channel. Featuring factual and non-fi ction content, and star contributors like Sir David Attenbor- ough and Stephen Fry, it is available on the carrier’s Skyhub entertain- ment system. Qatar Airways launched four fl ights
a week from Doha to Salalah, a growing resort in the south of Oman, in May this year. Hotels: Abu Dhabi will have
opened eight hotels in 2013 by the end of the year. The newcomers include fi ve-star names such as Ritz-Carlton, Rosewood, St Regis, Millennium and Anantara, while the three-star Premier Inn is also due to soon make its debut. Qatar plans to spend more than $100 billion on its infrastructure in preparation for the controversial 2022 FIFA World Cup, including 77 hotels and 42 hotel apartments. Dusit, Rotana and Shangri-La will
unveil properties shortly, Hilton has several under development, and Anantara will enter the market in 2014. Rotana is due to open its fi rst hotel in Oman on December 25. Beside the Indian Ocean, the fi ve-star Salalah Rotana Resort will have 399 rooms and suites, plus 45 villas. The only four-star beachfront hotel in Dubai, the Ocean View opened in April. It has 338 rooms and suites and fi ve restaurants.
The Jumeirah Emirates Towers
Clockwise from top left: An Arabian Onyx; The Doha skyline; JA Palm Tree Court in Dubai; Liwa Desert dunes
hotel unveiled Dubai’s latest Italian restaurant in September, the Alta
Badia and Alta Badia Bar. The Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi has appointed its fi rst resident marine biologist. She organises workshops and excursions for guests whilst ensuring the hotel’s strict adherance to environmental standards. Attractions: Visitors to Qatar can
experience the latest UNESCO World Heritage site, the town of Al Zubarah. Operators: Recent additions to
Qatar’s list of operators include Kenwood Travel, Wendy Wu Tours, Trailfi nders and Six Star Holidays.
Tourism talk “Last year closed with 121,000 British visitors, a year-on-year increase of
15%. Now 2013 looks set to be another bumper year, with UK tour operators predicting excellent growth and forward bookings looking positive. We exhibited at the Chelsea Flower Show for the fi rst time and there was plenty of interest in Oman’s fl ora. With the future opening of the Royal Botanic Gardens, near Muscat, there is great potential for
www.sellinglonghaul.com November 2013 41
“Some clients are
nervous at the thought of travelling to the Middle East, but reassure them that Gulf destinations like Muscat and Dubai are developed
metropolitan areas where locals welcome tourists”
KAREN THORNTON, PERSONAL TRAVEL SPECIALIST, EXPRESSIONS HOLIDAYS
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78