Business Traveller Middle East articles from November 2009

Business Traveller Middle East archives from November 2009

Abu Dhabi standardises hotel classification *****.(Upfront)
November 1, 2009... Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) has introduced an emirate-wide classification system for hotels and hotel apartments, rating hotels on a sliding scale of one to five stars and hotel apartments as deluxe, superior or standard. It is aimed to...

First 'green' commercial flight lands in Qatar.(Upfront)
November 1, 2009... Qatar Airways has successfully operated a flight from London Gatwick to Doha powered by fuel made from natural gas. The fuel is produced by Shell and will contribute to the diversification of the aviation fuel supply when it goes into commercial...

The top of the world.(Upfront)(Brief article)
November 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] On 2 December, the world's tallest building--the Burj Dubai--will finally open its doors to the public. Observation decks are mandatory in such a building and when Dubai's newest skyscraper opens, visitors will be able...

Six Senses shows community conscience.(Upfront)(Brief article)
November 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay, in a unique initiative to help the local Omani community, has extended its 'Build a smile' campaign. Guest volunteers are offered a trade of four hours of community work a day, in exchange...

A survey from Westin Hotels & Resorts has revealed that modern technology impairs rest.(Upfront)
November 1, 2009... A Survey from Westin Hotels & Resorts has revealed that modern technology impairs rest. 71 per cent of those surveyed said that constant connectivity prevents them getting a good night's sleep and a surprising 67 per cent take a relaxant,...

Face-to-face meetings matter.(Upfront)(Hilton Hotels Corp)(Brief article)
November 1, 2009... Hilton Hotels' international market research team has revealed that face-to-face meetings are far more effective for business than the increasingly popular 'virtual alternatives'. The group, looking at the impact of the recession on business...

Free internet access at Abu Dhabi airport.(Upfront)
November 1, 2009... Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) has rolled out free WiFi and internet access throughout the international airport. Fifty walk-up kiosks are now operational in Terminal 3, adding to the 15 that were launched in Terminal 1 last year. Each offers...

Oman Air takes delivery of new A330s.(Upfront)
November 1, 2009... Oman Air has taken delivery of the first two of its seven new Airbus A330 aircraft, featuring the carrier's three freshly revamped class offerings. Oman Air placed an order for seven A330s in 2007, five of which were directly from Airbus. The...

Jazeera Airways launches business class.(Upfront)
November 1, 2009... Kuwaiti low-cost carrier Jazeera Airways has launched a business class service, bringing the option of a larger seat pitch (33 inches), dedicated cabin, the middle seat available for working or relaxing, complimentary refreshments, newspapers...

Qatar Airways.(Airline news update)
November 1, 2009... Qatar Airways has expanded its operations in Switzerland by adding an extra flight on the Doha-Zurich route, allowing passengers to connect here to destinations across the world. The airline operates Airbus A330s on this route in a two-class...

Etihad Airways.(Airline news update)
November 1, 2009... Etihad Airways has launched new flights to Chicago--the airline's third destination in North America--and Cape Town--the fifth in Africa. In January 2010, flights to Colombo, Sri Lanka will resume, following the end of the civil conflict. Over...

Lufthansa.(Airline news update)
November 1, 2009... Lufthansa has increased the frequency of its Bahrain-Frankfurt route to a daily service. Four of the flights will be non-stop operations, while the three additional services will be operated with a short intermediate stop in Dammam.

Air Arabia.(Airline news update)(Brief article)
November 1, 2009... Air Arabia has linked up with Travco Group to launch a new LCC to serve the European, Middle Eastern and African markets. The joint venture will be Air Arabia's third hub after the UAE and Morocco and is intended to build on the existing...

THAI.(Airline news update)(Thai Airways International PCL)(flights between Dubai and Bangkok)(Brief article)
November 1, 2009... THAI has upped the number of weekly flights between Dubai and Bangkok to 10 on its new Airbus A330-300 aircraft. The improved cabin has an improved IFE system, 32" seat pitch in the 263-seat economy class and 35 Royal Silk Business Class seats....

Oman Air.(Airline news update)
November 1, 2009... Oman Air has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330-200s, allowing it to launch its first long-haul flights. The aircraft are configured in a two-class layout with 20 business and 196 economy seats and will initially be running on routes from...

Gulf Air.(Airline news update)
November 1, 2009... Gulf Air has increased its free baggage allowance in all three classes bringing the allowances in First, Business and Economy class to 50kg, 40kg, and 30kg respectively. Gold and Silver members of the airline's frequent flyer programme are also...

Flydubai.(Airline news update)
November 1, 2009... Flydubai has announced two new routes to Doha and Khartoum. The Qatari capital is the first GCC destination that the budget carrier will operate and will have a twice-daily frequency. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Emirates.(Airline news update)
November 1, 2009... Emirates is marking the launch of its new Durban route by offering business class passengers two complimentary nights accommodation (until 24th December). Passengers can book into a standard room at the Southern Elangeni Hotel single or double...

Saudi Arabian Airlines.(Airline news update)
November 1, 2009... Saudi Arabian Airlines has taken delivery of its new Airbus A320 under a long-term lease arrangement. It will be deployed on routes in from the carrier's Riyadh hub and will feature different configurations accommodating between 120 and 132...

InterContinental Hotels Group.(Hotel news update)
November 1, 2009... InterContinental Hotels Group has opened its second Holiday Inn property in Jordan. The new property at the Dead Sea is just two minutes from the water and has 78-rooms, 128 chalets, a ballroom for up to 200 guests, three meeting rooms and the...

Rezidor Hotel Group.(Hotel news update)
November 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Rezidor Hotel Group is to open a Park Inn hotel at Dubai Airport Free Zone in 2012, 1.8km from Dubai Terminal 2 and featuring 312 rooms, a ballroom and eight meeting rooms.

Accor Hospitality.(Hotel news update)(Brief article)
November 1, 2009... Accor Hospitality Middle East has announced plans to operate 44 hotels across the region by 2011. Plans for the UAE include the opening of a luxury property, Sofitel Jumeirah Beach, the launch of the ibis Rigga within the first quarter of next...

CampbellGray.(Hotel news update)(Brief article)
November 1, 2009... Niche hotel chain CampbellGray has opened a property in Beirut, Le Gray. Located in the Solidere area, facing Martyrs' Square and Weygand Street in Beirut's fashionable Downtown, the hotel is in the centre of the newly rejuvenated shopping and...

Rotana.(Hotel news update)
November 1, 2009... Rotana has launched a new brand--'Rayhaan Hotels & Resorts by Rotana'--with the opening of a property in Mecca, Al Marwa Rayhaan by Rotana, Makkah. The name refers to an aromatic plant mentioned in the sayings of prophet in the Holy Qur'an,...

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.(Hotel news update)
November 1, 2009... Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has opened its first property in Abu Dhabi, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, meaning 'Gateway to the Sea'. The 396-room property overlooks the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and is within easy access of the city centre and...

The Harbour Hotel & Residence.(Hotel news update)
November 1, 2009... The Harbour Hotel & Residence has been rebranded a Marriott property under a deal recently inked with owner, Emirates Airline. The brand has modified some of the public spaces and reconfigured some of the rooms to bring the property in line...

Swissotel.(Hotel news update)
November 1, 2009... Swissotel has announced plans for a property in Kolkata, due to open at the end of 2009. The news comes after the company opened its first property in Dubai--the four-star Gold Swiss-Belhotel comprising 184 rooms. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Address Dubai Mall.(Hotel news update)
November 1, 2009... The 244-room Address Dubai Mall has opened its doors to guests, bringing the total number of properties in the group's portfolio to three. Centrally located, the hotel offers a convenient setting for business meets. The hotel's large ballroom...

InterContinental Kiev.(Hotel news update)
November 1, 2009... InterContinental Kiev has opened in the heart of Ukraine's capital within convenient reach of the city's corporate offices, embassies and government agencies. The 11-storey hotel offers 272 rooms and three restaurants, as well as extensive...

Fuenso.(Hotel news update)
November 1, 2009... Spanish boutique hotel operator Fuenso has announced plans to expand into the Middle East with agreements for Hospes hotels in Beirut and Damascus. Both are scheduled to open in 2012 and represent the company's first properties in the region.

Oberoi.(Hotel news update)
November 1, 2009... Oberoi has signed an MOU with Al Wa'ab City Management to bring a luxury property to the Doha development. It will feature 225 rooms and 30 serviced apartments.

The Royal Mansour, Marrakech.(Hotel news update)(Brief article)
November 1, 2009... The Royal Mansour, Marrakech is set to open in December bringing a unique property to the burgeoning Moroccan scene. Underground tunnels connect each of the 53 riads, accessed only by staff to guarantee the privacy of high-profile guests. The...

Four Seasons.(Hotel news update)(Brief article)
November 1, 2009... Four Seasons hotel is set to open in Beirut in December. The 230-room hotel is located 15 minutes from the international airport and furnished with well-appointed meeting and event spaces. The pool deck n the 26th floor, is hotly anticipated as...

Swire Hotels.(Hotel news update)
November 1, 2009... Swire Hotels' second property, The Upper House, has opened in Hong Kong. It supplements the chain's first hotel, The Opposite House, located in Beijing. Third property, EAST, is set to open in Hong Kong in January 2010. The hotel offers 117...

Kuwait-based Action Hotels Company and Accor Hospitality Middle East have opened ibis-branded properties in Amman and Muscat.(Hotel news update)
November 1, 2009... Kuwait-based Action Hotels Company and Accor Hospitality Middle East have opened ibis-branded properties in Amman and Muscat. The ibis Amman offers customers 158 ensuite rooms and the ibis Muscat is situated in the Al Khuwair area with 171...

Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya.(Hotel news update)
November 1, 2009... The 180-room Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya has opened, representing the first entry of this brand to the Middle East and Africa. Christopher Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton Worldwide, was present to formally mark the entry of the group's...

Hilton.(Hotel news update)
November 1, 2009... Hilton has opened a second hotel in Ras Al Khaimah with a resort and spa comprising 324 guest rooms and 151 villas. The resort features four free-form temperature controlled pools, including one with salt water, in addition to the 1.5 kilometre...

Marriott International.(Hotel news update)
November 1, 2009... Marriott International has announced its entry to the Oman market with a 234-room property in Salalah. Scheduled to open in December 2009, the resort will be part of a mixed-used, beachfront development located approximately 75 kilometres from...

Etihad Airbus A340-600 business class.(Tried & Tested)
November 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FLIGHT CHECK--ABU DHABI-CHICAGO CHECK IN First and business class passengers have priority check-in in a separate 'red carpet' line. The flight, EY151, was to depart Abu Dhabi from Terminal 1 at 10.40am, so the...

Swiss International Airlines.(Tried & Tested)
November 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FLIGHT CHECK--DUBAI-ZURICH THE LOUNGE Swiss shares the business class lounge (operated by Dubai Airports) with other international airlines. The spacious airside lounge had leather sofas, plasma TV screens, and six...

Holiday Inn.(Tried & Tested)
November 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK--DUBAI, UAE WHERE IS IT? Around the corner from the Mall of the Emirates in the residential district of Al Barsha, though it is pretty much face-on to Sheikh Zayed Road and the Metro. From the roof, the...

Four Seasons Mauritius.(Tried & Tested)
November 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK--BEAUCHAMP, MAURITIUS WHERE IS IT? Set on the East coast of Mauritius, this breathtaking haven is surrounded by verdant mangroves and tranquil waters of impossible blue. Just a 45-minute drive from the...

Schloss Velden.(Tried & Tested)
November 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK--VELDEN, AUSTRIA WHERE IS IT? Lake Woerth is Austria's answer to the Italian lakes. Countless European movers and shakers have made this their summer escape, making this a particularly upmarket...

Mandarin Oriental.(Tried & Tested)(Hotel review)
November 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK--GENEVA, SWITZERLAND WHERE IS IT? The Mandarin Oriental ticks all the boxes for an ideally placed location in central Geneva. A 20 minute taxi ride from the international airport, it sits along the right...

Grosvenor House.(Tried & Tested)
November 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK--DUBAI, UAE WHERE IS IT? Situated in the Dubai Marina, Grosvenor House is about 45 minutes' drive from Dubai international airport. While the Marina and beach make for some stunning views, this advantage...

Walkabout: Australia's cities are every bit as worthy of ambulatory exploration as the outback. Claire Hill shows you the urban pavements worth pounding cosmopolitan Melbourne.(MELBOURNE)
November 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With its super cool vibe, Melbourne takes the crown as the trendiest and most sophisticated city in Australia. A mellow way of life has evolved in the fusion Antipodean-European city that's incredibly easy to indulge...

Desert dreams: Abu Dhabi has a plan. Felicity Cousins finds out what the emirate is doing to turn its oil wealth into a lasting future.(ABU DHABI)
November 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If there is anywhere in the world where wild imaginings can become reality, it's the UAE. But while Dubai builds the Middle East's playground with the world's media on its tail, the capital Abu Dhabi, has taken a more...

Boutique, c'est chic: fed up of bland international hotel chains? Why not book into one of the region's new boutique hotels? Laura Collacott rounds up the cream of the crop.(ACCOMODATION)
November 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This region is not known for its boutique hotels. Vast, tangled megaliths--yes; intimate, one-off, owner-operated properties--less so. But that's not to say that they don't exist. Boutique...

Hotfoot: what better, faster way to get to know a city than by running through it? Laura Collacott looks at the sight-jogging concept taking hold across the globe.(FITNESS)
November 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sick of watching MTV within the same four magnolia walls of a hotel gym? On a time budget? Then sight-jogging could be for you. The idea began as a means for enthusiastic joggers to get out...

Ask Alex.
November 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] QUESTION: My wife and I were recently booked on to Cathay Pacific's flight CX548, departing Hong Kong at 0925 for Tokyo. We had checked in online a couple of days earlier. When we reached the airport we were told the...

Damascus.(4 HOURS IN ...)
November 1, 2009... Steeped in history, the ancient Syrian capital has plenty to offer passers through and all within easy striding distance. Laura Collacott leads you directly to the tourist treasures. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Win: a weekend stay at Abu Dhabi's new Aloft hotel: spend a weekend exploring the UAE's capital raft of new attractions.(COMPETITION)
November 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Aloha! For the traveller open to possibilities, Aloff hotels are a modem, flesh and fun destination. With the loft-inspired design and flee-flowing energy, you can celebrate your style in the unique openness of a...

The monasteries of Maaloula.(GREAT ESCAPE)(christian towns)(Brief article)
November 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A visit to Maaloula is like a trip back in time. It is said to be the only village in the world where Aramaic, the language that Jesus spoke, is still spoken (the name means 'the entrance' in Aramaic) and it's likely...