Business Traveller Middle East articles from March 2010

Business Traveller Middle East archives from March 2010

Airlines go green.(Upfront)
March 1, 2010... Qatar Airways, British Airways and engineers from Switzerland have each unveiled new, independent environmental initiatives, reinforcing how important the issue of green travel has become to carriers looking to target eco-aware passengers. In...

UK hotel chain offers human bed warmers.(Upfront)
March 1, 2010... Holiday Inn in the UK has trialled a human bed warmer programme, sending staff in special all-in-one sleeper suits to warm the beds of guests before they get under the covers. Dr Chris Idzikowski, director of the Edinburgh Sleep Centre, said:...

Braille entertainment guides available on Gulf Air.(Upfront)
March 1, 2010... Bahrain-based carrier Gulf Air has launched entertainment guides in Braille for its visually impaired passengers. The special Braille-scripted entertainment guide assists passengers in choosing from over 42 hours of hosted audio, over 21...

Six new lounges in Middle East for priority pass scheme.(Brief article)
March 1, 2010... Independent airport lounge programme Priority Pass, which allows members to use lounges in airports across the globe, has added six new lounges to its portfolio. Five lounges in Saudi Arabia have signed up to the scheme, as well one in Abu...

Jordan instates hotel classification system.(Upfront)
March 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Hotels in Jordan will now be rated under a new, nationwide system developed by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MoTA) and the USAID/Jordan Tourism Development Project II. The system focuses on services rather...

Etihad launches iPhone application.(Upfront)
March 1, 2010... Etihad has introduced a new Apple iPhone application for members of its loyalty programme, to benefit from real-time loyalty points redemption. The free download is aimed to provide a user-friendly tool to assist members in managing their Etihad...

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts.(Hotel news update)
March 1, 2010... Hyatt Hotels & Resorts has opened a Hyatt Regency in George, South Africa, its second property in the country. The 100-room Hyatt Regency Oubaai Golf Resort and Spa is part of the 263-hectare Oubaai Golf Resort on the Garden Route. It has...

Rotana.(Hotel news update)(Brief article)
March 1, 2010... Rose Rayhaan by Rotana has been inaugurated and is now officially the tallest hotel in the world, as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records. The 72-floor, 482-room tower is the flagship property for Rotana's alcohol-free brand Rayhaan...

JAL.(Hotel news update)
March 1, 2010... Japanese Luxury Hotels JAL Hotels will add the five-star Hotel JAL Tower Dubai in summer 2010. It will be housed in a 57 storey, purpose built tower on Sheikh Zayed Road.

Coral Hotels & Resorts.(Hotel news update)
March 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Coral Hotels & Resorts has inked deals to manage two properties in Sudan and one in South Africa. Both already operational, the Coral Khartoum features 285 rooms and offers its guest five-star facilities. Coral Port...

Sun International has relaunched the newly refurbished, five-star Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria, a growing destination for business traffic.(Hotel news update)
March 1, 2010... Sun International has relaunched the newly refurbished, five-star Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria, a growing destination for business traffic. It follows a $10 million soft refurbishment. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Armani hotel.(Hotel news update)
March 1, 2010... The world's first Armani hotel is to open in the Burj Khalifa, Dubai on 18 March. It is the first of a series of hotels, resorts and residences designed by the Italian designer to open around the world. The opening in Dubai will be followed by...

Sofitel.(Hotel news update)
March 1, 2010... Sofitel has soft-opened a new five-star hotel at Dubai Jumeirah Beach. It is within walking distance of the marina and minutes from Jebel Ali Airport.

Amlak Hotels & Tourism Company.(Hotel news update)
March 1, 2010... Jordan-based hotel management group Amlak Hotels & Tourism Company, one of the first Shariah-compliant such companies in the region, has launched a second property in the Middle East, Belle Vue Hotel Apartments in Dubai's TECOM district. It...

Hilton.(Hotel news update)
March 1, 2010... Hilton has signed a management agreement for an 830-room hotel in Saudi Arabia. Hilton Riyadh Hotel and Residence is set to open in the fourth quarter 2013 and is located on the city's Eastern Ring Road that links the international airport to...

La Maison d'Hotes.(Hotel news update)
March 1, 2010... Dubai boutique hotel La Maison d'Hotes has closed its doors to travellers after the emirate's municipality failed to renew its licence. Officials decided that the location of a guesthouse in a residential area was no longer appropriate.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.(Hotel news update)
March 1, 2010... Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has unveiled plans to open seven new hotels in growing markets over the course of 2010. It will relaunch The Savoy in London and the Peace Hotel in Shanghai under its management umbrella as well as properties in...

Rixos Hotels.(Hotel news update)
March 1, 2010... Rixos Hotels is to expand its footprint in Istanbul with the Rixos Residence Bomonty. The $137.2 million project will consist of six penthouses and 308 serviced suites, 2500 square meter spa, multipurpose sports area, mini-golf course, cafe,...

Layia Hospitality has announced its joint venture with CAPM Investment to develop a budget brand, Day & Night Hotels.(Hotel news update)
March 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Layia Hospitality has announced its joint venture with CAPM Investment to develop a budget brand, Day & Night Hotels. It initially intends to develop five such properties in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Mandarin Oriental.(Hotel news update)
March 1, 2010... Mandarin Oriental is to open a new resort and residences on Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Island, scheduled to open in 2013. It will be the company's first property in the Middle East with 160 rooms, 35 serviced apartments and 50 branded residences.

The Oetker Hotel Collection.(Hotel news update)
March 1, 2010... The Oetker Hotel Collection, a boutique European hotel operator is to operate a 250-room hotel in Abu Dhabi marking its entry in the region. It is the brand's first property outside Europe. Le Bristol Abu Dhabi will feature 250 guest rooms with...

IFA Hotels & Resorts.(Hotel news update)
March 1, 2010... IFA Hotels & Resorts has launched furnished, freehold loft and duplex apartments and added a luxurious Private Residence Club to its Laguna Tower in Dubai. Both products will be serviced and managed by the onsite Movenpick Hotel &...

Shangri-La.(Hotel news update)
March 1, 2010... Shangri-La is to manage a hotel in Chongqing, opening in late 2011. The 469-room Shangri-La hotel will occupy the first 28 floors of a new 58-storey landmark building, a multi-purpose complex incorporating office space and retail outlets.

Jumeirah.(Hotel news update)(Brief article)
March 1, 2010... Jumeirah is to manage a 305-room, five-star property in Bangkok close to the CBD on the Chao Phraya River. It is set to in 2014 and will feature a signature Talise spa, retail units, art gallery and conference centre. The company has also signed...

Accor Hospitality Middle East.(Hotel news update)
March 1, 2010... Accor Hospitality Middle East is to launch its eigth ibis hotel in the region with the ibis Al Rigga, opening in March this year, a 280-room property near the historic centre of Dubai.

Premier Inn.(Hotel news update)
March 1, 2010... Premier Inn opend its new property at Dubai International Airport, featuring 281 rooms, a restaurant, bar and Costa Coffee outlet. A complimentary shuttle bus service runs to Terminals 1 and 3 and to the metro every 30 minutes.

Alitalia and Etihad have signed an MOU to confirm a codeshare intention starting April 2010.(Airline news update)
March 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Alitalia and Etihad have signed an MOU to confirm a codeshare intention starting April 2010, opening up the respective Italian and Emirati markets.

Qatar Airways.(Airline news update)
March 1, 2010... Qatar Airways has announced new routes to Tokyo, Bengaluru and Ankara, to be introduced over an eight week period from February. Seoul will become a non-stop direct service from the end of March. The carrier will also be launching new routes to...

Thai Airways.(Airline news update)
March 1, 2010... Thai Airways has inaugurated its first class service between Dubai and Bangkok.

Air France.(Airline news update)
March 1, 2010... From 3 May 2010, Air France will operate a new Paris, Charles de Gaulle-Abu Dhabi service five times a week.

Jet Airways.(Airline news update)
March 1, 2010... Jet Airways has established a daily service between Doha and Delhi. The airline currently flies daily to Doha from Mumbai and Kochi respectively.

Emirates.(Airline news update)(Brief article)
March 1, 2010... Emirates is now running the A380 on selected Jeddah and Paris flights. The airline is also to start flights to Madrid, the only scheduled service between Dubai and Spain. It was the fourth destination to be announced by Emirates for 2010 after...

British Airways.(Airline news update)
March 1, 2010... British Airways has unveiled its new First Class cabin with a bed 60 per cent wider at the shoulders, personal wardrobe, 15" IFE screen, noise-cancelling headsets and Anya Hindmarch washbag. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Etihad.(Airline news update)
March 1, 2010... Etihad has increased its Abu Dhabi-Beirut services from double daily to 18 flights per week. It has also rescheduled its Dhaka flights to ensure better flight connections between Bangladesh and the West.

Air Arabia.(Airline news update)
March 1, 2010... Air Arabia has doubled its service to Dammam, adding seven flights per week.

Afriqiyah Airways.(Airline news update)
March 1, 2010... Afriqiyah Airways has signed an agreement with OnAir to install inflight passenger connectivity services on its entire Airbus fleet.

Lufthansa.(Airline news update)
March 1, 2010... Lufthansa is planning flights to Baghdad and Erbil in Iraq from Frankfurt and Munich. It aims to launch the new services in summer 2010.

Safi Airways.(Airline news update)
March 1, 2010... Afghan carrier Safi Airways has announced interline agreements with Lufthansa, United Airlines, Emirates and Qatar Airways to allow easier international travel to and from Kabul.

Oman Air.(Airline news update)
March 1, 2010... Oman Air has launched full mobile phone and WiFi connectivity aboard its new Airbus A330s. Availability of the service will be controlled by the crew to ensure minimum of disturbance on overnight flights.

AirAsia X.(Airline news update)
March 1, 2010... AirAsia X has pulled out of Abu Dhabi just five months after announcing plans to establish the emirate as its Middle Eastern base for onward flights to Europe. The carrier says it is a temporary move based on underwhelming response in ticket...

Ukraine International Airlines.(Airline news update)
March 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ukraine International Airlines has added two more flights per week to its Abu Dhabi-Kiev route citing high demand.

Air New Zealand.(Airline news update)
March 1, 2010... Air New Zealand unveiled the first lie-down economy bed. 22 'skycouches' will take up the first 11 rows in the economy cabin of the new Boeing 777-300 planes, and will allow three economy seats to fold out into a lie-flat space. For two adults...

Turkish Airlines.(Airline news update)
March 1, 2010... Turkish Airlines will commence new routes between Istanbul and Bologna from 1 March.

Gulf Air.(Airline news update)
March 1, 2010... Gulf Air will launch Falcon Gold on 1 March, a premium cabin travel experience offering the best elements of its First Class for the price of a traditional Business Class fare. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Turkish Airlines A321-232 business class.(Tried & Tested)
March 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FLIGHT CHECK-BARCELONA-ISTANBUL CHECK-IN Online and self check-in are available on most Turkish Airlines services, though I opted for the traditional airport...

W Hotel Istanbul.(Tried & Tested)
March 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK--ISTANBUL, TURKEY WHERE IS IT? Just outside the hustle and bustle of the city centre, but about 30 minutes from the airport by taxi. The hotel is...

Gold Swiss-Belhotel.(Tried & Tested)
March 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK--DUBAI, UAE WHERE IS IT? Fifteen minutes by car from the airport and close to key business districts, including Port Rashid. The upmarket suburb of Jumeirah is well furnished...

Suitehotel.(Tried & Tested)
March 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK-DUBAI, UAE WHERE IS IT? About half an hour's drive from Dubai airport, and five metro stops away from the Dubai International Financial Centre, and a...

One to One--The Village.
March 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK--ABU DHABI, UAE WHERE IS IT? In the heart of the city's business and shopping districts, One to One--The Village is 25 minutes from the airport and 15...

Escape to Pattaya: the small city of Pattaya on the Gulf of Thailand, just a couple of hours from Bangkok, is the ideal place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the capital. It also offers numerous opportunities for investors.(THAILAND)
March 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Thailand has a bit of a reputation as the party capital of Asia, a place where hedonists and holidaymakers alike go in search of fun and sun. With the low prices and high temperatures, Bangkok's spirited nightlife and...

Carefree Kerala: the Southern Indian state of Kerala offers a unique escape from the bustle of city life, as Helen Spearman discovers.(INDIA)
March 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Welcome to the land of lakes, letters and latex" says Unni, a driver for the Zuri resort at Kumarakom. Kerala is widely known as God's Own Country but this celebration of alliteration tells so...

Bahrain for foodies: Bahrain may have high-octane sport as one of its main claims to fame, but it also has a vibrant, high-calibre restaurant scene. Laura Collacott tells you where to eat.
March 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ASIAN: MONSOON You'll find many of Bahrain's eateries in the Adliya district, including Monsoon. The well-designed restaurant is popular with the expat community and serves up a fusion of Thai, Malaysian, Japanese...

Make yourself at home: with the downturn, serviced apartments have become an even more competitive option. If you're staying in the Middle East long-term, now is the time to secure the best deals.
March 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For many mid to long-term business travellers in foreign climes, a serviced apartment is a more comfortable alternative to a hotel room. The novelty appeal of freshly made beds and room service...

The claim game: claiming back expenses from trips can cost you dearly in time and money. Sara Turner talks to the firms who can make your life easier.(EXPENSE MANAGEMENT)
March 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Putting in your expenses claim at the end of a trip can be a time-consuming process. Scrabbling around for dog-eared receipts in the bottom of a bag, and trying to remember which client you took out for which dinner is...

On location: if you have spare time in an alien city, you'll probably want to get out and see the sights. Make sure you capture them in their best light with our brief guide.
March 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Your overseas trips are likely to take you to some diverse and absorbing destinations. Just because you're on business doesn't mean you can't capture some mementos. It's a great opportunity to indulge in one of the most...

Ask Alex.
March 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] QUESTION: My husband and I have booked business class flights with British Airways between London and Singapore. We bought our tickets at the same time using separate credit cards (so we could collect miles with...

Kuwait City: frequently overlooked as a mere outpost of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait is a relative backwater of the Gulf. But visitors will find a friendly, liberal nation that is by no means bereft of attractions.(4 HOURS IN ...)
March 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [1] KUWAIT TOWERS These three towers are probably Kuwait's most famous landmark. If there's one international image of Kuwait, this is it. In the Hollywood movie...

Moneypen.(Buyers guide)
March 1, 2010... A fine fountain pen is as much a status symbol as a writing implement, probably more so. If your arsenal falls short, consider investing in one of these models. $980 CARTIER, CIRCUIT BOARDS (LIMITED) CARTIER.COM [ILLUSTRATION...

Win: a stay at Park Rotana Abu Dhabi: spend a weekend in the heart of the UAE capital.(COMPETITION)
March 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Park Rotana Complex Abu Dhabi is a new address at the heart of the UAE capital, placing guests "at the centre of it all." Conveniently nestled around the capital's major landmarks, the property sits on the crossroads...

Mud flows.(GREAT ESCAPE)
March 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The diminutive state of Azerbaijan has drawn most of its wealth from hydrocarbons. That it sits atop a gargantuan vat of oil and gas is no secret: it would be hard to keep it such with fissures of flaming gas peppered...