Business Traveller Middle East articles from May 2004

Business Traveller Middle East archives from May 2004

This issue.(issue contents)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The Iraq War and SARS cast their shadows on last year's Arabian Travel Market (ATM) but the 2004 show saw nothing but unbridled confidence and optimism. It was a whirlwind four days which saw a surfeit of new projects and even the arrival...

China times.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... I flew to Shanghai on business recently. The airport terminal is an awesome sight and I believe this huge structure is one of four planned for the airport. Not so impressive was the much hyped Mag-Lev train that runs from the airport to the...

Show plaudits.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... I must congratulate organisers for the way they handled this year's Arabian Travel Market. Despite being busy throughout, it never felt cramped and the close proximity of the two halls meant that you were never too far from an...

JFK Airtrain.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... To paraphrase a Jamie Callum song--what a difference a train makes. The new AirTrain at JFK Airport in New York has made arriving and departing a doddle. The scrum of cars, minivans, coaches, rental vehicles and hotel transfer buses has gone....

Premium economy.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... It will be interesting to see how the proposition of economy hotels will go down in the affluent Gulf. More of the leading groups are now making noises on this subject. With the airline sector waking up to the opportunities of low-cost...

Flexible SriLankan.(Letter of the month)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... I'd like to thank SriLankan staff in Kuwait for their exemplary service. Travelling with a colleague, we had to alter our schedules and fly early from Kuwait to Dubai. The only flight available was on a different airline--SriLankan. I had a...

Missing link.(Letter)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... The beginning of June will mark a turning point for the region, not just another chapter in Emirates' expansion, once regular direct flights start between Dubai and New York. It's in everyone's interest that the service flourishes. We live in...

Region sizes up EU opportunities.(Upfront)(economic opportunities of new European Union member countries)
May 1, 2004... Shrewd executives will be looking to cash in on the admission of 10 new countries to the European Union as of May 1. Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia, Cyprus and Malta all offer a diverse range...

Free spa on UK arrival.(Airlines)
May 1, 2004... British Airways' Club World overnight sleeper service has been extended to 17 flights following trials on Dubai-London services in January. Business class passengers have a choice of five dining options before, during and after the flight,...

Chalk up credit for tickets.(Airlines)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... A new corporate loyalty programme targeting large and small companies alike has been launched by KLM. The BlueBiz programme enables passengers to earn blue credits for tickets issued in the UAE and save credits for redeeming free tickets. "To...

Rover and out.(Hotels)(InterContinental Dubai services)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Club Floor and suite-staying guest at The InterContinental Dubai can now receive free airport pick-ups in any of six sleek silver Range. Rover (Dhs 77 charge for all other guest.) Complimentary cool Evian water and chilled towels are all part...

Emirates' lounges go global.(Emirates Airlines)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... More than Dhs 50 million (US$13.6 million) is being invested in Emirates' first and business class lounges worldwide in the next two years. Brisbane is now operational and New York (JFK), Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Singapore and London...

Smart moves to Spain.(Smart Jet Airways)
May 1, 2004... The UAE's first privately owned airline and second low-cost carrier takes to the skies in June. Smart Jet Airways, which is owned by City Link General Trading, part of Bin Beleila Group, is set to become the first airline offering direct...

Button hopping on Lufthansa.(Deutsche Lufthansa AG's new seats)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Lufthansa's business class seats are more comfortable following a 300 million [euro] ($350 million) refit, but some of its configurations may cause executives to recline cautiously. Thirty of the two-metre-long seats are going on board the...

Swiss launches e-bookings.(Airlines)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... UAE passengers flying on Swiss can now book online and collect tickets directly at the airport prior to departure or have them delivered within 48 hours. Bookings can be processed and visa applications downloaded by logging on to www.swiss.com...

New Saudi numbers.(Travel)(Saudi Arabia adds digit to mobile numbers)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Is your Saudi phonebook up to date? A new '0' has been introduced after the '05' prefix on mobile numbers, making it similar to UAE mobile numbers (eg. 050 followed by the number inside KSA, or 96650 and then the number for international...

Skip past reception.(Starwood Hotels self-serve kiosks)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... In a move which will delight technophiles but upset personal service-minded traditionalists, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide is rolling out new self-service kiosks across the US. The 'Sheraton Speed Check' enables you to check in or out...

Air Arabia.(Airline Briefs)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The low-cost airline is introducing 23 more flights on its Alexandra (extra 11 from June 3), Aleppo (six extra from June end), Assiut (five, from June end) and Damascus (one extra, at the end of August) routes this summer. The airline...

British Airways.(some destinations change terminals at Heathrow)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Keep your wits about you when transiting through London Heathrow. Seven services have been transferred from Terminal 1 to 4 (Brussels, Copenhagen, Geneva, Lyon, Oslo, Vienna and Zurich) while five services have switched the other way to...

Emirates.(Emirates Airlines's services)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Services between Dubai and Shanghai go daily from May 15 on A340-300 aircraft (42 seats in business class). The airline is also starting non-stop services to New York from June 1 and Melbourne from June 10 (initially three a week, rising to six...

ExecuJet Middle East.(Airline Briefs)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The company has been named the official carrier for VIP clients staying at the Al-Suwaiket Group's 25-floor Jabal Al Kaaba tower near the Holy City of Makkah.

Qatar Airways.(Airline Briefs)
May 1, 2004... Twice weekly services have started between Doha and Islamabad and flights to Melbourne are due to start 'later this year'. A codeshare agreement has been signed with Middle East Airlines (MEA), enabling MEA passengers to fly with Qatar Airways...

Gulf Air.(Airline Briefs)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Gulf Air is increasing flights from Muscat to Trivandrum to three times a week (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) from May 20. The airline operates daily Muscat-Karachi and Muscat-London services from June 21 with flights to Peshawar operating...

Roll up for male manicure.(Emirates Towers Hotel gentlemen's grooming lounge)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The region's first executive grooming lounge for men has opened in the Emirates Towers Hotel shopping boulevard in Dubai. The 1847 store--named after the year the first safety, razor was invented--offers gent's a range of services including...

Privatisation push for Kuwait Airways.(Airlines)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Kuwait parliament's finance and economic panel has approved a bill enabling Kuwait Airways to become a public company. The bill must now be passed by the 50-member elected house and endorsed by the Emir, Sheikh Jabev Al Ahmad Al Sabah to...

Paperless travel sweeps US.(airlines to offer electronic tickets)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Continental and American Airlines aim to be paperless by the end of the year. Continental found that 95% of its domestic customers and 88% system-wide use electronic tickets. Continental has already terminated 50 interline ticketing and baggage...

Marriott.(JW Marriott Dubai)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The JW Marriott Dubai has taken delivery of two BMW 7-series cars for executives travelling to and from the airport. Each journey offers cold towels, mineral water, newspapers, hotel information and CDs, and costs Dhs 60. Meeting planners...

Hilton.(Hilton Dubai Jumeirah)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Logging on to the Internet is a piece of cake at the Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, now that MagiNet Laptop Connectivity has been installed in all rooms, meeting rooms and public areas. Charges are levied at Dhs 80 a day, rising to Dhs 400 a week and...

Marketing tie-up.(Hotels Round Up)(Kempinski, Pan Pacific, Rydges and Wyndham)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Hotels & Resorts' chains Kempinski, Pan Pacific, Rydges and Wyndham have formed a global marketing alliance enabling loyal customers to access a 'one-stop-shop' Internet site and receive benefits such as best day rates, complimentary upgrades...

Emirates first class: it takes a lot to impress frequent flyer Lord Lichfield but the celebrity photographer was bowled over by the enclosed cabins at the front of the new A340-500s.(Airline check: London Gatwick-Dubai)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... First impressions: Gatwick isn't particularly convenient for me but I wanted to experience the new A340 aircraft. It can often be difficult at check-in, given all the photographic equipment we take with us, but check-in was fine and we took off...

Thai Airways economy class.(Airline check: Bangkok-Dubai)
May 1, 2004... First Impressions: Relieved to arrive at Bangkok International Airport alter being serenaded by a spectacularly heartbroken Thai taxi driver (I too wanted to cry at Glenn Medeiros's Nothing's Gonna Change MY Love For You, though not for the...

The Cranley and Royal Park: the Cranley and Royal Park are two new hotel conversions sharing not only central locations but also ownership.(London)
May 1, 2004... The Cranley What's it like? The first to open of the two, this is a Victorian townhouse hotel, the former residence of the Penhaligon family (of toiletries renown). Understated elegance, hand-crafted furnishings and attentive service are...

Business Traveller Middle East readers' poll 2004.(Awards)
May 1, 2004... The results of the third Business Traveller Middle East poll were announced at the Madinat Jumeirah resort during Arabian Travel Market 2004. The event was attended by senior figures from the world's top travel companies and the awards were...

Give a night and help restore sight.(Vision 2020: The Right to Sight campaign)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Business Traveller Middle East is supporting Vision 2020: The Right to Sight for the second successive year. The industry is encouraged to dig deep and give away room nights through our 'silent auction' pages, while donating the room value...

Chefs acquire a taste for quality service.(Emirates Airlines' cabin crew award)
May 1, 2004... There can't be many awards presenters who have dashed to the microphone and exclaimed: "and that is absolutely true!" Keith Floyd's heart-on-sleeves reaction to Emirates winning the cabin crew award, just one of many which helped lighten up...

Award results.(airlines)
May 1, 2004... Best Airports Voted by Readers Best Airline overall serving the Middle East Emirates British Airways Qatar Airways Best Regional Airline for the Middle East Emirates Gulf Air Middle East Airlines Best...

Contract killings: the region is poised for unprecedented growth following the wealth of deals struck at the 11th Arabian Travel Market.(Arabian Travel Market)
May 1, 2004... Visually and contractually, this year's Arabian Travel Market (ATM) had its fair share of surprises. The exhibition is renowned for turning heads locally and setting tongues wagging internationally, but even by its standards, this year's event...

Movenpick Hotels & Resorts' first hotel in Sana'a, Yemen, opens in September.(Hotel news in brief)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Movenpick Hotels & Resorts' first hotel in Sana'a, Yemen, opens in September. Containing just 30 rooms, each 42 square metres in size, the hotel win also contain 1,000 sq metres of conference and banqueting facilities.

The 120 all-suites Mercure Grand.(Hotel news in brief)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The 120 all-suites Mercure Grand opens in Manama in October.

Crowne Plaza Dubai is renovating its 560 rooms.(Hotel news in brief)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Crowne Plaza Dubai is renovating its 560 rooms, suites and Club floors.

Millennium Hotels and Resorts is opening the four-star Coral Beach Diving Resort.(Hotel news in brief)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Millennium Hotels and Resorts is opening the four-star Coral Beach Diving Resort later this summer at Marsa Alam, Egypt.

The 'Hilton for free' promotion is back this summer--for every three consecutive nights.(Hotel news in brief)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The 'Hilton for free' promotion is back this summer--for every three consecutive nights, you receive one free at any of the participating 135 Hilton and Conrad properties.

You can now dial up your 'bath butler' at the JW Marriott Dubai.(Hotel news in brief)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... You can now dial up your 'bath butler' at the JW Marriott Dubai who will prepare your bath from a 'menu' of five choices. Rates start from Dhs 77.

Marriot has roiled out a 'prepaid' travel debit card in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait.(Hotel news in brief)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Marriott has roiled out a 'prepaid' travel debit card in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait, enabling you to pay for your stay before leaving home (applies to all brands except Ritz-Carlton and Ramada International).

The second phase of Jumeirah International's redesigned website.(Hotel news in brief)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The second phase of Jumeirah International's redesigned website sees an added emphases on interactivity and a dining section (www.jumeirahinternational.com)

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is on track.(Hotel news in brief)(Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is on track to open a 683-room Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa in Muscat in July 2005.

If you miss your favourite BBC World programme then there's a chance you can catch it again on Gulf Air.(Airline news in brief)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... If you miss your favourite BBC World programme then there's a chance you can catch it again on Gulf Air. The airline has teamed up with the broadcaster to show Talking Movies, Click Online, Extra Time and Fasttrack, and 24-minute daily news...

Qatar Airways is launching services from Doha to Osaka.(Airline news in brief)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Qatar Airways is launching services from Doha to Osaka, Tehran and Johannesburg within the next year and aims to serve 70 destinations in five continents by 2005.

Cyprus Airways is adding another nonstop weekly flight.(Airline news in brief)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Cyprus Airways is adding another nonstop weekly flight from Dubai to Larnaca from June, departing 4.40am and arriving 7.20am local time.

Royal Jet acquires its second Boeing Business Jet in June.(Airline news in brief)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Royal Jet acquires its second Boeing Business Jet in June, configured with 25 VIP seats and a bedroom.

Ask Alex: experiencing economy-style legroom in business is guaranteed to send corporates' pulses racing--but seat pitches are increasing on many aircraft.
May 1, 2004... I read in... ... several publications about how wonderful and excellent Emirates is. There is no problem with Emirates' service and punctuality, the staff are friendly too. But I have a complaint with rim searing in business class which...

Branching out: like other oil-dependent economies in the Middle East, Oman has recognised the need to diversify its income sources. Ben Smalley looks at the Sultanate's drive to attract foreign investment and develop its economy.(Oman)
May 1, 2004... Oman is arguably a latecomer to economic diversification--crude oil and natural gas still account for more than three quarters of the government's gross revenue--but a healthy attitude rewards the private sector is creating an investor-friendly...

Risks and rewards: amid the pressing security concerns, the kingdom offers investors plenty of lucrative investment opportunities.(Saudi Arabia)
May 1, 2004... The past year has been a watershed in the history of Saudi Arabia--arguably as significant as the period following the discovery of oil or when the state toilets were flooded with petrodollars in the late 1970s. As if the attacks of...

Select stays: looking for individual and stylish places to stay at affordable prices? Business Traveller Middle East highlights 20 of the world's most distinctive properties.(Hotels with attitude)
May 1, 2004... EUROPE Prague Andels Designed by award winning British architects Jestico & Whiles, responsible for the One Aldwych Hotel in London, Andels has marble floors and white voile suspended from the ceiling in reception. It creates a...

Taken for a ride: in a world preoccupied with security and terrorism, even the most experienced travellers can be vulnerable to the common every day scams.(Travel Scams)
May 1, 2004... Being the victim of a travel scam isn't something that occurs to most of us--that's why we're so easy to fool. Stepping out of the door on your latest business trip, chances are you're not thinking how you might become the victim of a con,...

In for the long haul: beset by financial problems, the US carriers are struggling to keep up with the competition.(Fare comment)(Pan Am Corp. and Trans World Airlines Inc.)
May 1, 2004... A few decades ago, America's Pan Am and TWA ruled the airways. These two US airlines circled the world touching down at pretty. much every destination of interest to business travellers (Cold War politics permitting). They were feared...

Land of opportunity: for decades Hong Kong has been a breeding ground for success, attracting an entrepreneurial spirit and rewarding those who take risks. Ed Peters spoke to six of them.(Hong Kong)
May 1, 2004... Hong Kong has long ridden the roller coaster of success. Mare of its more prominent citizens made their first million in the 1950s, after the United Nations slapped a trade embargo on China during the Korean War Riots in the 1960s gave way to a...

4 hours in Moscow: pay your respects to Lenin in his crystal casket, gape at Faberge eggs and drop some rubles among the now well-stocked shelves of the GUM department store. Abby Ellin reports from Red Square.
May 1, 2004... You can't visit Moscow--Moskva, to the Locals--without going to Red Square, the heart of the city. In the late 15th century, people came here to buy food and livestock, a century later it was re-dubbed Trinity Square and was the main gateway to...

Golfing around ... Girona: about 60 miles north of Barcelona, with a highway for rapid access Girona is an easy drive for a day's golf or even an afternoon.(Going around Costa Brava)
May 1, 2004... PGA GOLF DE CATALUNYA Where is it? Eight miles south of Girona. What's it like? The first PGA course in Spain, designed by former Ryder Cup stars Angel Gallardo and Nell Coles, is one of the most formidable in Europe. Set in rolling hill...

A match for anyone.(Global traveller)
May 1, 2004... Expect to see plenty of soccer-loving executives sneaking off work and concocting fictitious meetings between June 12 and July 4. Football fans the world over will be glued to large TV screens to see which of the top 16 national sides...

Petra by candlelight.(Global traveller)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... You can see the Nabatean Kingdom of Petra in a totally new light next time you're in Jordan on business. The Petra by Night programme rakes you by candlelight through the dramatic rock-carved city.,, with its abundant well preserved tombs,...

The Monaco Grand Prix.(World in brief)
May 1, 2004... The Monaco Grand Prix, the glamour event of the Formula One calendar, speeds into action on May 23.

Expect thousands of smart suits and extravagant hats lining the Epsom race course for The Derby on June 5.(World in brief)
May 1, 2004... Expect thousands of smart suits and extravagant hats lining the Epsom race course for The Derby on June 5. Royal Ascot then takes up the reins between June 15-19.

Jim Furyk defends his US Open title at the tournament's 104th meeting.(World in brief)
May 1, 2004... Jim Furyk defends his US Open title at the tournament's 104th meeting at The Shinnecock Hills Golf Club between June 17-20.

The Vogalonga boat race in St Mark's Basin.(World in brief)
May 1, 2004... The Vogalonga boat race in St Mark's Basin on May 30 is one of Venice's biggest events.

Vienna will be brought to a standstill.(World in brief)
May 1, 2004... Vienna will be brought to a standstill on May 16 for the city's Marathon (9am-2pm).

The Singapore Arts Festival.(World in brief)
May 1, 2004... The Singapore Arts Festival is a celebration of Asian and western dance, theatre and music (May 28-June 20).

Sun trapped: Janet Brice finds it hard to leave her suite at the island on an island.(Great escape Mauritius)
May 1, 2004... Sinking slowly into the oval-shaped marble bath, enriched with jasmine oil, and letting the warm water soften the skin as you gaze out over the turquoise Indian Ocean from your room is the essence of holiday fairytales. This fantasy soon...