Business Traveller Middle East articles from January 2009

Business Traveller Middle East archives from January 2009

This issue.(Editorial)
January 1, 2009... The prevailing gloomy economic climate is casting long shadows over the business world and is understandably having a knock-on effect on travel budgets too. In this issue's cover feature we look at the ways in which companies are having to...

British Airways has reduced its fuel surcharge on long-haul services--its second cut in two months--saving customers travelling from Dubai to London and north America between $45 and $123.(AIRLINE UPDATE)
January 1, 2009... British Airways has reduced its fuel surcharge on long-haul services--its second cut in two months--saving customers travelling from Dubai to London and North America between $45 and $123. The new tariffs reflect the sharp dip in oil prices...

Etihad has launched services to Moscow and the Kazak city of Almaty.(AIRLINE UPDATE)(Etihad Airways P.J.S.C.)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Etihad has launched services to Moscow and the Kazak city of Almaty. The carrier will fly to Moscow five times a week. It is the company's 50th route and was chosen, according to CEO James Hogan, as trading relationships between the UAE and...

Delta Airways has initiated a non-stop service between Kuwait and Atlanta, US, opening up the carrier's expansive network to Kuwaiti passengers.(AIRLINE UPDATE)
January 1, 2009... Delta Airways has initiated a non-stop service between Kuwait and Atlanta, US, opening up the carrier's expansive network to Kuwaiti passengers. Delta has become one of the world's largest airlines, covering 375 cities in 66 countries.

Low-cost carrier Air Arabia has announced the purchase of 10 additional A320 aircraft, significantly increasing its fleet from the 16 aircraft it currently runs.(AIRLINE UPDATE)
January 1, 2009... Low-cost carrier Air Arabia has announced the purchase of 10 additional A320 aircraft, significantly increasing its fleet from the 16 aircraft it currently runs. Chairman Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani said that the acquisition was...

Singapore Airlines is to increase its flight frequency to Abu Dhabi by 133 per cent from March next year.(AIRLINE UPDATE)
January 1, 2009... Singapore Airlines is to increase its flight frequency to Abu Dhabi by 133 per cent from March next year. The service between Abu Dhabi and Singapore currently runs three times a week but this will become a daily service under the new...

Crowne Plaza Kuwait launches country's first Aquatonic spa.(UPFRONT)(Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Crowne Plaza in Kuwait has launched an Aquatonic Spa, described as a fusion of East meets West with traditional Arabian decor and furnishings, dancing candlelight, soothing music and exotic aromas. The 3,500...

Qantas and BA fail to reach merger agreement.(UPFRONT)
January 1, 2009... The widely-publicised merger talks between airline giants, British Airways and Qantas, that would have created a 'super carrier' have failed. The deal faltered over negotiations regarding the ownership split between the two: Initially this...

Holiday Inn is to move into the Syrian market with a property in Damascus.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
January 1, 2009... Holiday Inn is to move into the Syrian market with a property in Damascus. The 300-room property is set to open in early 2011 in the heart of the city. The brand's parent company, InterContinental Hotels Group has signed a deal with Hedley...

Emaar Properties' collaborative project with Italian fashion house, Armani, has begun construction in Milan.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
January 1, 2009... Emaar Properties' collaborative project with Italian fashion house, Armani, has begun construction in Milan. Armani Hotel Milano is set to be ready in 2010 and will offer designer accommodation for the discerning traveller. It is located...

In the US, Marriott has unveiled a redesign of its business-focused brand, Courtyard by Marriott, that also has a presence here in the Middle East.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
January 1, 2009... In the US, Marriott has unveiled a redesign of its business-focused brand, Courtyard by Marriott, that also has a presence here in the Middle East. The reveal is part of a $500 million, two-year scheme by owners and franchisees to refresh the...

Sovereign Hospitality Holdings has signed a deal with InterContinental Hotels Group to bring the Holiday Inn brand to Tripoli, Libya.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
January 1, 2009... Sovereign Hospitality Holdings has signed a deal with InterContinental Hotels Group to bring the Holiday Inn brand to Tripoli, Libya. Set to open in 2011, the resort will be located on the Mediterranean coastline on the outskirts of the city,...

In the wake of increased demand for long-stay apartments in many emerging markets, Marriott has opened a new executive apartment unit in Manama, Bahrain.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
January 1, 2009... In the wake of increased demand for long-stay apartments in many emerging markets, Marriott has opened a new executive apartment unit in Manama, Bahrain. The 188 apartments will provide a convenient accommodation option to business...

Layia Hospitality, a relative newcomer on the hospitality scene, has opened its Layia Oak Hotel and Suites in Al Barsha, Dubai.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
January 1, 2009... Layia Hospitality, a relative newcomer on the hospitality scene, has opened its Layia Oak Hotel and Suites in Al Barsha, Dubai. The company's first fully serviced hotel property marks the first of the company's initial 11 properties. The...

Rezidor has announced expansion plans, including a Radisson at Sohar, Oman and The Regent in Doha.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
January 1, 2009... Rezidor has announced expansion plans, including a Radisson at Sohar, Oman and The Regent in Doha. Sohar is roughly equidistant from Muscat and Dubai and will provide 212 rooms for executives and tourists looking to take advantage of the...

Canadian hospitality company Fairmont has unveiled plans to move into the real estate sector with the Fairmont Residences in the Zamalek Island area of Cairo.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
January 1, 2009... Canadian hospitality company Fairmont has unveiled plans to move into the real estate sector with the Fairmont Residences in the Zamalek Island area of Cairo. The units will call on the Fairmont design philosophy to create lavish, comfortable...

Rotana has revealed plans to open a five-star hotel in Baghdad by 2012.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
January 1, 2009... Rotana has revealed plans to open a five-star hotel in Baghdad by 2012. The company has signed a deal with Summit Hotels to create a 250-room property in the heart of the diplomatic area of the city. Rotana has a long-term goal of having a...

In Istanbul, the Park Hyatt Istanbul Macka Palace has opened its doors to business and leisure customers.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
January 1, 2009... In Istanbul, the Park Hyatt Istanbul Macka Palace has opened its doors to business and leisure customers. Housed in a former palace, the hotel will provide top end accommodation for the increasing numbers of visitors making their way to the...

Hilton Hotels Corporation has formed a strategic agreement to develop 13 hotels under its Hilton Garden Inns brand with the first opening in Riyadh in 2009.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
January 1, 2009... Hilton Hotels Corporation has formed a strategic agreement to develop 13 hotels under its Hilton Garden Inns brand with the first opening in Riyadh in 2009. The brand is aimed at the mid-market traveller and will provide 2,500 affordable...

Jumeirah is set to open a hotel in Macau after inking an agreement with Hong Kong developer, Shun Tak.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
January 1, 2009... Jumeirah is set to open a hotel in Macau after inking an agreement with Hong Kong developer, Shun Tak. This is to be the third management agreement that UAE-grown Jumeirah holds in China. When complete in 2013, the hotel will provide central,...

Hyatt has launched a package dedicated to the needs of the executive traveller.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
January 1, 2009... Hyatt has launched a package dedicated to the needs of the executive traveller. The 'business plan' scheme provides daily internet access, breakfast, one piece of laundry each day, daily refreshed water and a newspaper. It will be available...

Hilton Hotels Corporation is to open the first Conrad hotel in Bahrain.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
January 1, 2009... Hilton Hotels Corporation is to open the first Conrad hotel in Bahrain. The company has signed an agreement with Diyar Bahrain to open the luxury 250-room, 50-apartment property. The Conrad brand represents the luxury end of Hilton's product...

BA restarts flights to Saudi Arabia.(UPFRONT)
January 1, 2009... British Airways has celebrated 75 years of flights to the Middle East and 40 years of flying to Abu Dhabi. The company marked the anniversaries by announcing it would restart flights from London to Riyadh (pictured) and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia...

Dubai's hotels are the most expensive in the world.(UPFRONT)
January 1, 2009... Research company, STR Global, has released figures revealing the world's latest hotel industry trends. In August, Dubai boasted the highest average room rate of $281, above that of Paris and New York. For the year 2007-2008, Dubai also saw...

The height of success: the brisk business conducted at this year's Middle East Business Aviation Show is evidence of how the sector continues to go from strength to strength--and it's no longer strictly for the high flyers.(MEBA 2008)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The global economy may be facing turbulent times, but that didn't prevent attendees at the Middle East Business Aviation Show (MEBA) from placing orders worth more than $1.5 billion. Ali Al Naqbi, Founding Chairman...

The address.(TRIED & TESTED)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK--DUBAI, UAE WHERE IS IT? Located in the heart of the new Downtown Burj Dubai development, this imposing structure is conveniently situated right next door to the just-opened vast Dubai Mall and, at...

InterContinental.(TRIED & TESTED)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHERE IS IT? The hotel is located on a small hill tucked away behind Abu Dhabi's seafront and has views over the opulent Emirates Palace on one side and a beach and marina on the other. The area is quiet and...

Oasis Beach Tower.(TRIED & TESTED)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK--DUBAI, UAE WHERE IS IT? The Oasis Beach Tower is nestled amongst the homogenous skyrises of Dubai's Jumeirah Beach Residences and cuts a different silhouette into the beachfront skyline. The marina...

Empire, The Monarch.(TRIED & TESTED)(Restaurant review)
January 1, 2009... RESTAURANT REVIEW--DUBAI [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Empire is a newbie in Dubai's dining scene. It opened its doors to the public in November last year, but the head chef--Axel Godefroid--has been in place for over a year. This run-up...

Premium position: right now, the state of Kuwait appears more prosperous than ever before. In fact, the country is positively booming.(KUWAIT)
January 1, 2009... With most of the world suffering from the ongoing credit crunch, pessimists would not consider this to be the best time to launch a premium airline. After all, not too long ago the market saw the demise of Silver Jet and its relatively...

Kuwait hotels.(KUWAIT)
January 1, 2009... KUWAIT HOTELS CROWNE PLAZA What's A five-star deluxe it like? international hotel, the grand atrium lobby is equipped with Internet. The Aquatonic Spa offers...

Business on a budget: companies are slashing travel budgets in the economic downturn but Laura Collacott asks, can going budget affect how well you work?(BUDGET TRAVEL)(Cover story)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The credit crunch can feel inescapable. It's practically the only topic of discussion. The papers, news, internet are awash with analysts of varying levels of expertise trying to predict the unpredictable--how deep...

Regeneration game: after the awe-inspiring spectacle that was the Beijing Olympics, attention has started to turn to the next city gearing up for the greatest show on earth. Planning for London 2012 is underway, and the East End district is already reaping the benefits. Chris Breese explores a city dizzy with the games bug.(LONDON)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] On Wednesday, 6 July 2005, Intemational Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge opened a white envelope in a hushed conference theatre in Singapore, and the long countdown began. ...

Trade roots: Turkey faces a bright future. Laura Collacott explains how it has drawn on its ingrained commercial talent to turn around the financial turmoil of the 1990s.(TURKEY)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Throughout the annals of history, Turkey has stood as a key trading post. When it comes to passing trade, its geopolitical positioning is brilliant, funnelling goods in their respective transits between the East...

Turkey Hotels.(TURKEY)
January 1, 2009... TURKEY HOTELS CIRAGAN PALACE KEMPINSKI ISTANBUL What's The only Ottomon Imperial Palace it like? Hotel by the Bosphorus offering the five-star luxury and glamour of ...

Talk time: the technological capacity to use mobile phones in the air as on the ground has arrived. But is it always good to talk? Laura Collacott investigates.(TECHNOLOGY)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Aircraft and petrol stations have traditionally been pretty much the only sanctuaries from mobile phone chatter; aeroplanes because you could accidentally interfere with the navigational equipment and cause it to...

Ask Alex: Alex McWhirter answers your travel queries.
January 1, 2009... Q Do you agree that one of the biggest marketing ploys in the airline industry is the introduction of new business class seats? Swiss is currently touting its new seats for introduction in spring 2009--in reality the fleet might not have 100...

4 hours in ... Singapore: newcomers to the city-state can be assured of a warm welcome and plenty of accessible tourist sites within striking distance of the efficient Singaporean bustle, as Laura Collacott reveals.(City overview)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [1] RAFFLES There is an unwritten law that those who visit Singapore must go to Raffles. Indeed, it needs no writing, as most tourists make a beeline for the historic property anyway. It is brimming with...

Scrubbing up: no longer does your wash bag need to extend only to cheap, astringent shampoo and a toothbrush. No longer do you need to gamble on decent hotel toiletries. Get ahead and pop one of these in your travel bag for comprehensive mobile preening.(TOILETRIES)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2009... ARRAN AROMATICS WWW.ARRANAROMATICS.COM [$37] Arran Aromatics is a small, family-run company that has been making specialist toiletries on the distant Isle of Arran for 20 years. The idyllic farm setting of the factory rubs off...

Win a night in one of Dubai's newest hotels: let us treat you to a night of pampering at Dubai Media Rotana.(COMPETITION)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Media Rotana Dubai is Rotana Hotels' first property in Al Barsha South area. Strategically located in the heart of Dubai's new business hub, off Sheikh Zayed Road and opposite the renowned Dubai Media City and...

Treasure trove: few other ancient ruins can evoke such a sense of living history as those of Libya's Leptis Magna. Laura Collacott takes a stroll around this impressive monument.(GREAT ESCAPE)(Travel narrative)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Aside from two archaeologists taking assiduous measurements, I was the only person in Leptis Magna. It s a far cry from the hoards of tourists that flock around the Colisseum and the tour groups that mill around...