The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has announced that it will be hosting the 7th edition of the Dubai International Exhibition of Arabic Calligraphy from February 16 to 23, thereby bringing the best works of Arabic calligraphy by 21 artists from 12 countries to the multi-cultural residents of the emirate.

The eight-day exhibition is being held at the Dubai Cultural and Scientific Association in Al Mamzar under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council.

The annual show is being organized in cooperation with the Istanbul-based Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA).

Mr. Ahmed Hassan, General Coordinator of Dubai International Exhibition of the Art of Arabic Calligraphy, said there will be lectures, seminars and workshops on various facets of Arabic calligraphy alongside the annual exhibition. In addition to the works of Emirati calligraphers, the exhibition will feature the works of calligraphers from the UK, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Turkey and Islamic Republic of Iran.

The educational seminars and technical workshops will deal with the history and evolution of Arabic calligraphy and different schools of Arabic calligraphy in the Islamic and Muslim communities around the world, he added.

His Excellency Mr. Mohammed Al Murr, Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC) and renowned cultural personality of the UAE, will be attending the seminar to be held on the sidelines of the exhibition.

Mr. Ahmed Hassan said the DTCM has been keen to promote the ancient art of Arabic calligraphy though the dedicated Arabic calligraphy exhibition and has improved the show format building on the success of the previous editions and the visitors’ feedback. Such exhibitions not only uphold Dubai’s heritage and culture but also promote the art form of Arabic calligraphy, he added.

He said that one of the main reasons why the exhibition has met with increasing success in its previous sessions was because it has moved forward in translating the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum by keeping in mind the supreme task of upholding the creativity of Arab and Islamic Arts.

He pointed out that Dubai has a long history of maintaining and enriching the successful Arab and Islamic experiences at various levels, and its continued support to the Arabic Calligraphy Art was always directed towards this aim.

Property renovation and luxury repositioning increasing as global economy improves

With the industry forecasted to have a value of $847.8 billion by 2015 according to recent industry reports by Hotels & Motels: Global Industry Almanac, emerging markets such as the Middle East are being highlighted as significant regions driving growth.  In addition to new properties currently under construction, increased focus in the region is on renovation of existing hotels to deliver enhanced luxury and eco-luxury hospitality offerings, a trend being witnessed by The Hotel Show, as luxury exhibitors confirm attendance at this year’s event.

Running from 15th – 17th May 2012 at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, the largest hospitality supplies event in the Middle East and North Africa attracts exhibitors from around the world looking to tap into the extensive regional opportunities. 

“An absolute outcome of an improved market is renovation. Hotel chains are enhancing brand standards and dealing with the ramifications of deferred capital expenditure experienced over the past couple of years,” said Frederique Maurell, Events Director for The Hotel Show. “One of the exciting elements to this renewed growth is the diversity we are seeing in the re-fits. The Hotel Show has witnessed a substantial increase in high-calibre luxury and environmentally responsible suppliers emerging to cater to a new generation of luxury travellers.”

Primary renovation projects being conducted by leading hoteliers around the region include renovation and refreshment of lobbies, restaurants, bars and fitness centres, and the upgrading of beds, electronics and soft furnishings in guest rooms.  Among the exhibitors at the show, seeking to capitalise on the opportunities are Sambonet Paderno Industries SpA, Italian manufacturer of crafted flatware and hollowware in stainless steel & silver plate; interior design specialist Nakkash Gallery; avantgarde furniture design specialists Baa and eco-luxury furniture manufacturer Casa Shamuzzi.

Spain’s top exporter of auxiliary furniture Andreu World will also be showcasing its prestigious contemporary avant-garde designer tables and chairs with recent refurbishment projects including Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa and Radisson Blue Hotel.

New to the event this year, the Middle East Hotel Awards, will be held on 15th May and will focus on recognising the innovations, developments and achievements within the hotel & hospitality industry.

Categories for 2012 include: Best Lobby, Reception & Guest Lounges; Best Restaurant/F&B outlets; Best Convention, Conference and/ or Banquet Facility; Best Hotel Suite; Best Fitness & Leisure Facilities within a hotel; Sustainable Initiative; Best Technology Integration; and Best Outdoor Area.

Also new to the show this year is Hospitality Experience, recognising the growing demand for beyond-luxury and unique hospitality experiences; this sector will host companies specialising in grand society weddings, banqueting, private parties, concerts and luxury yachting experiences.

Coral Suites Hotel Fujairah is the official Hotel Partner and Silver Sponsor of the men’s division Eight Ball World Pool-Billiard Championship 2012, scheduled to be held at the Fujairah Tennis and Country Club from February 11 to 17. Fujairah International Airport is the official organizer of the event.

According to Hotel Manager Vikram Rai, 96 of the world’s top-ranked players from 55 countries are expected to participate in the event that features Dhs1,000,000 in prize money and will be telecast live from 2:00pm to 6:00 pm every day on Dubai Sports.

“We have always taken a keen interest in promoting sports, having been the official hotel for the ITF 4th Fujairah Junior Tennis Championships held earlier this year in January. Our objective is to promote the emirate as a business and leisure destination while positioning our hotel as the ideal location for social and corporate activities,” observed Rai.

Among the star attractions at the championship are Hall-of-Famer and two-time world champion Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes of the Philippines, aka ‘The Magician’, and former world champion Ralf Souquet of Germany, aka ‘The Kaiser’, who is currently ranked No 11 in the WPA men’s ranking.

Fujairah has been hosting the 8-ball championship, sanctioned by the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA), since 2004. Last year, current world No 1 Dennis Orcollo, also of the Philippines, was crowned champion, while Reyes was champion in the inaugural year and Souquet took home the top prize in 2008.

The emirate is scheduled to host the 9-ball Junior World Championship and the 9-ball Wheelchair World Championship later this year in September.

The 172-room Coral Suites Hotel Fujairah is a charming property strategically located in the heart of the city that has evolved into a popular destination for tourists and visitors, with its delectable mix of leisure, sightseeing and business opportunities.

Media One Hotel in Dubai Media City takes a bipolar attitude to Valentine’s Day on Tuesday 14th February. There are some hearts & flowers for the romantics, but mainly the party people will be celebrating the benefits of being single!

Join us in The MED on Tuesday 14th February where party people can celebrate the benefits of being single with a ‘desirable’ buffet which all the ingredients are known for their stimulation qualities. Our kitchen brigade has been creating a vast selection of interesting and tasty recipes containing avocado, chilli, sweet basil, oysters, ginger, chocolate and bananas…but of course not altogether. The finest red & white grape will be part of the package to relax your inhibitions and heighten your senses, ready to send a ‘heart shaped’ message to another singleton enjoying the evening.

The Aphrodite Celebration starts from 7pm until 10.30pm and includes the desirable buffet plus wine for an all inclusive price of 249dhs per person, or 159dhs for food only.

Elsewhere in the hotel it is for ‘All the Single Ladies ‘ as B:LUSH offers girls 4 free drinks between 7-10pm on Tuesday 14th, with two drinks in Z:ONE & two on M-DEK, plus Media One’s Top 10 Tips for Flirting; just in case anyone gets a little carried away by cupid’s arrows. An essential ingredient of the evening will be the resident DJ playing retro tunes with a hint of house.

Mark Lee, General Manager, stated, “Media One Hotel is a world away from being ordinary and when other places in the city are concentrating on the pure romance aspect of the evening we are targeting a young-at-heart energetic clientele who wish to celebrate a night dedicated to man’s best known aphrodisiac foods and party with like-minded souls!”

For the romantic people of Dubai who want to make a night of it they can book a room for either Monday 13th or Tuesday 14th and we will provide all the little touches for a passionate stay; 12 oysters upon arrival, dinner for 2 in The MED followed by chocolate dipped strawberries and a very special ‘massage bar’ courtesy of LUSH Handmade Cosmetics later; with breakfast for 2 the next day and of course a “Do Not Disturb” late check-out until 3 p.m.

Please email cu@mediaonehotel.com for reservations or call Dubai 04 4271000 for more details and reservations.

For something desirable on Valentine’s Day, visit Media One Hotel.

Secretary General of Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee says number of tourist arrivals expected to grow to between 1.7 and 3.7 million by 2022, up from 900,000 currently

During a speech addressing delegates at the Qatar Projects 2012 conference in Doha, Qatar today (Sunday 5 February) Secretary General of Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee Hassan al-Thawadi commented that one of the main sustainable and economic benefits from the World Cup would be a surge in the region’s tourism.

Al-Thawadi added that the World Cup would contribute 10% growth to the value of the region’s hospitality and tourism sectors and said the event’s committee had studied the success models of previous global sporting events, specifically the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Commenting on the Barcelona Olympics, Al-Thawadi said: “Between 1981 and 1987 for example, the number of tourist arrivals to Barcelona was fairly stagnant at around 700,000. Barcelona’s journey has been an extremely successful one with the city now boasting one of the highest occupancy rates in Europe with approximately 7 million visitors each year.”

Al-Thawadi said the aim of the 2022 World Cup was to bring sustainable social and economic benefit to the Middle East region as a whole. In a reference to the unrest that has affected the region, Al-Thawadi pointed to the diversification of regional economies and job creations with considerable benefits for small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

Al-Thawadi then drew parallels between the Middle East and Africa in terms of their shared passion for football and how the Qatar World Cup 2022 would bring the Middle East closer together.

Referring to the World Cup in South Africa, Al-Thawadi said: “This was very noticeable when Ghana was the only African team to qualify for the knock-out rounds. South Africans of all colours and creeds united with the entire African nation and gave their full backing to the Ghanaian team. The World Cup was Africa presenting a unified face to the world.”

Al-Thawadi was speaking on the first day of the conference which began with a dedicated Sports Business Forum focusing on strategies and opportunities for developing the Gulf region’s fast growing sports business sector.

Tomorrow (Monday) more than 55 speakers and over 450 local and international delegates will be attending the conference which runs until 8 February. The event includes keynote speeches from H.E. Abdulla Bin Saoud al-Thani,

Governor, Qatar Central Bank and Dr. Khaled Alderbesti, Director, Investment Promotion Department, Ministry of Business & Trade.

Some of Qatar’s most influential business leaders are represented at this year’s Qatar Projects event, including Engineer Nasser Ali al-Mawlawi, President, Public Works Authority (Ashghal), George Nasra, Managing Director, IBQ, Remy Rowhani, Director General, Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Mohamed Abdah, Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Planning Department, Ministry of Municipality & Urban Planning.

Separate conference streams will focus on energy projects covering petrochemicals, power and water, as well as road, rail, aviation, real estate and social infrastructure.

Qatar Projects 2012 is sponsored by International Bank of Qatar and REDCO Construction – Almana, Qatalum. The official conference partner is Qatar Petroleum and Qatari Diar supported by the Ministry of Business and Trade and Ashghal.

For more information on Qatar Projects: www.qatarprojectsconference.com

FAIR AIMS TO GROW TOURISM ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (5th February 2012) – Atlantis, The Palm, the leading entertainment destination in the Middle East and major sponsor of Riyadh 2012 Travel Fair, hosted its launch today along with The Centre for Arab Media. The Fair is focusing on working together to grow tourism in the Middle East.

Brett Armitage, Senior Vice President of Sales at Atlantis, The Palm said, “Atlantis, The Palm is delighted to support the Riyadh Travel Fair because of our commitment to growing the Middle Eastern Tourism Industry.  “We have demonstrated our dedication to the region, by investing heavily in sales and marketing strategies targeting the region as well as broadening awareness of it as a tourism destination internationally.”

Also announced today were the winners of the third session of the press Arab Tourist 2012 competition, a Pan-Arab media initiative designed to guide the Arab tourists to Middle Eastern tourism destinations in particular, Egypt and Tunisia.

Supporters of the Riyadh Fair include the first Board of Tourism, and the Emirates Centre for Media Tourism and Atlantis, The Palm which has made particularly excellent success in Riyadh.

“Atlantis, The Palm is the perfect holiday destination for Middle Eastern families,” said Mr. Armitage. “We have welcomed high numbers of guests from the GCC region during the previous half term holidays, in particular over 8000 visitors from the Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia.  We will continue to create a bespoke programme and activities that will enable Arab families with their kids to enjoy a memorable experience at the resort.”

Ahmed bin Mohammed of the Prime Arab Centre said, “The initiative is based on four main locations in the countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab Gulf States, as sponsored by Emirates of Dubai and Atlantis, The Palm on behalf of the Emirates Center for Media and Tourism Forum and Riyadh Riyadh Travel, Kuwait and one of the major tourism bodies. “The initiative will commence in Dubai at the Atlantis, The Palm and then in Abu Dhabi in March before moving to Cairo in April and concluding in Riyadh in May.”

He pointed out that the initiative offers extensive media events and interviews for those involved in the GCC tourism industry.   There will be substantial opportunity for meetings with decision makers and media organizations, travel agencies, as well as showcasing Egyptian tourism products.

Abdul-Rahman, Vice President of the Saudi Centre for Information Tourist Member of the Tourism Committee in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry said, “It’s very important to support tourism bodies in the UAE, as represented Atlantis, The Palm today.”  At a major ceremony in Riyadh he will stress the close relations between Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.   “This will be extended over time working toward the need to support Egypt and its tourism development said the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.”

“It’s important to strengthen mutual cooperation in the tourism and media fields.  The Centre aims to grow Egyptian tourism and is already making arrangements to hold a press conference of the Egyptian tourism, events and meetings associated with the largest travel agents involved in tourism. He pointed out that the Centre held meetings with Saudi businessmen in cooperation with the Saudi and Egyptian authorities in Riyadh.”

Hussein Immunaie, President of the Emirates Centre For Tourist Information, said. “The Committee has received nominations for the prize for the work of around 100 journalists from eight Arab countries.  The winner will be chosen from the top 10 of the applicants who receive the highest ratings during the conference. The winner will be honored at a ceremony March in Abu Dhabi and in May in Riyadh.”

From now until 09 April 2012, Rocco Forte’s Brown’s Hotel is partnering with the Royal Academy of Arts on the first major exhibition in the UK to showcase David Hockney’s landscape work.  Vivid paintings inspired by Yorkshire landscape, many large in scale and created specifically for the exhibition, will be shown alongside related drawings and films.

Located in the heart of Mayfair, just moments away from the Royal Academy of Arts, Brown’s Hotel makes for the perfect base from which to explore this cultural highlight of London’s Spring season. To highlight the exhibition, the hotel has put together a dedicated ‘David Hockney Experience’ ideal for art lovers, which includes one night accommodation, inclusive of breakfast, complimentary open tickets to David Hockney: A Bigger Picture, the official exhibition guide as well as a set two-course lunch or pre-theatre supper served at HIX at The Albemarle.

Through a selection of works spanning fifty years, this new body of work will be placed in the context of Hockney’s extended exploration of and fascination with landscape.  The exhibition will reveal the artist’s emotional engagement with the landscape he knew in his youth, as he examines on a daily basis the changes in the seasons, the cycle of growth and variations in light

conditions.

The David Hockney Experience at Brown’s Hotel is available from now until 09 April 2012, subject to availability.  Prices start from £370 (AED 2220) per night in a Classic King Room, for single occupancy and from £435 (AED 2600) per night for double occupancy.  All prices are exclusive of VAT at 20%.

For further information or to make a reservation, please contact reservations on  +44 (0)20 7493 6020, visit www.roccofortehotels.com  or email reservations.browns@roccofortehotels.com

Rocco Forte Hotels

Rocco Forte Hotels is a family of 13 individual hotels and resorts. Each property has a unique style, reflecting its nationality and location, but all share Rocco Forte Hotels’ trademark attention to detail, high quality and immaculate service.

Established by Sir Rocco Forte in 1996, Rocco Forte Hotels comprises: Hotel de Russie, Rome; Hotel Savoy, Florence; The Balmoral, Edinburgh; The Lowry Hotel, Manchester; Hotel Astoria, St Petersburg; Hotel Amigo, Brussels; Brown’s Hotel, London; Villa Kennedy, Frankfurt; Hotel de Rome, Berlin; The Charles Hotel, Munich; Augustine Hotel, Prague; Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sicily; Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi. Future openings: Jeddah 2013; Marrakech 2014; Cairo 2014; Luxor 2014.

www.roccofortehotels.com

Accor, one of the leading hotel operators in the Middle East, is expanding its Mercure brand in the region with the opening of Mercure Gold Hotel Al Mina Road Dubai, on 1st of January 2012, under a franchise agreement.

Christophe Landais, Managing Director, Accor Middle East said, “We are delighted to add the franchised Mercure Gold Hotel Al Mina Road Dubai to our network of 19 Mercure properties in the Middle East which is also our first Accor hotel to open in 2012.”

The stylish and modern 4-star hotel, Mercure Gold Hotel Al Mina Road Dubai, with its 184 rooms, is situated close to Sheikh Zayed Road and Jumeirah Beach road. Right in the heart of Al Mina road’s bustling district, the new hotel provides easy access to business centers and is ideal for both business and leisure travelers.

A daily free shuttle service takes guests from the hotel to the beach and shopping malls such as Burjuman Shopping mall, Mercato mall, Deira City Centre and the Dubai mall; with Dubai International Airport a 20-minute drive away. It is also in close proximity to the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre and Port Rashid.

Mercure Gold Hotel Al Mina Road Dubai offers a warm atmosphere featuring contemporary rooms and a classic style that embraces the local culture and reflects the brand’s personality. This 4-star hotel has 1 meeting room and a business center as well as some food and beverage outlets which include the all-day dining outlet Senses and The Kebab Connection, serving kebabs Indian and Middle Eastern style. The Liquid Lounge is ideal for a relaxing drink after work. It also features a rooftop swimming pool and terrace where guests can chill out and unwind. Aromatherapy sessions can be booked at the Spa operated by Thai Elite Spa, a hair salon caters to guests looking for the perfect haircut, with a gym to keep guests in good shape. In-house guest parking is also available.

Accor’s recent addition to the Mercure network reflects the brand’s strong identity traits offering travelers a warm, personalised, friendly welcome. Each one is unique, whether located in city centres, at the seaside or in the mountains. The Mercure network is the third largest midscale hotel chain worldwide, outside North America, with a network of 700 hotels in 49 countries. Mercure is forging a strong presence in emerging countries both under management and franchise agreements.

Key facts

Mercure is the third worldwide midscale hotel brand on European and BRIC midscale market and one of the leaders on the following four major markets: France, Germany, Brazil and Australia. Its 719 hotels represent a total of 89 822 rooms. Mercure’s 25 800 employees operate in 50 countries and welcome 70, 000 clients each day.

In the Middle East, Mercure is very successful and now operates 18 properties with 3,187 rooms in Bahrain, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and UAE.

Minister Joel Morgan, the Minister responsible for Transport in the Government of Seychelles, and Mr James Hogan, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, have today announced that Air Seychelles, the national airline of the Republic of Seychelles, has appointed Cramer Ball as Chief Executive Officer, with effect from February 1, 2012 under the management contract that it has with Etihad Airways, its new strategic partner.

The Minister stated that the President of Seychelles, President James Michel has welcomed the arrival of a strong management team from Etihad to orient Air Seychelles on a robust and secure footing, in order to position it for future development to serve Seychelles’ tourism industry internationally.

Mr Ball, who was formerly Etihad Airways Regional General Manager Asia Pacific South and Australasia, has been seconded to the Seychelles national carrier as part of the restructuring for Air Seychelles which will be implemented jointly with Etihad Airways.

With a wealth of broad-based industry experience, which encompasses both commercial and financial areas of the business, Mr Ball is a highly respected aviation professional.

Before joining Etihad Airways, in a career spanning two decades, he held senior management positions at Gulf Air, Qantas, Kendell Airlines and Ansett Australia/Air New Zealand.

Commenting on his new role, Air Seychelles Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ball said: “This is a very exciting point in the development of the airline. The recently announced strategic partnership with Etihad Airways, backed by the 40 per cent stake the UAE national carrier has taken, will allow us to consolidate our position as a brand leader on the routes we serve.

“Air Seychelles will work closely with Etihad Airways to leverage synergies and create efficiencies that will reduce costs and maximise yields. We will also look to implement strategies that will benefit the economy and support the tourism industry of the Seychelles as a whole.”

Shelley Cole has also been seconded to Air Seychelles to take on the position of Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Prior to joining Air Seychelles, Ms Cole, who is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, was Etihad Airways Regional Finance Manager Asia Pacific, and has also held positions at Shell International Ltd in London and Caltex in Sydney.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, and WAHA International, the international non-profit, nongovernmental organisation, have teamed-up to transport disaster relief kits to Somalia.

The relief kits, destined for two refugee camps and two hospitals in the Somali capital Mogadishu, contained 474 tents, 50 education boxes, and three tons of electrical material.

Currently, 3.7 million Somalis, or 50 per cent of the population are facing acute food shortages and a lack of proper shelter and livelihoods.  Some 1.5 million people are classed as internally displaced persons (IDPs), with more than 400,000 living in Mogadishu and its environs.

Working closely with WAHA International, UAE Red Crescent and the Shelterbox France charity, Etihad Airways coordinated the consignments from various points in Europe through the airline’s Abu Dhabi hub.

David Kerr, Etihad Airways Vice President for Cargo said:  “Acting as a bridge between Europe and Africa, our team at Etihad Airways, both on the passenger and freighter side of operations, worked closely with WAHA International, UAE Red Crescent and Shelterbox France to ensure the safe arrival of these relief kits in the UAE, before their eventual shipment by WAHA International to Somalia.

”This successful operation further proves Etihad Airways’ ability to provide secure logistical solutions for our partners and customers through Abu Dhabi, and we are delighted to have played a role in part-coordinating these much needed relief supplies to Somalia.”

Dr Sinan Khaddaj, WAHA International Secretary General said: “These relief kits will make a dramatic difference to the well-being of hundreds of Somali families in dire need of assistance in Mogadishu.

“The support of Etihad Airways in transporting these supplies has been instrumental in ensuring their timely arrival on the ground so that WAHA’s team can begin their distribution to those in urgent need.”