Business Traveller Middle East articles from September 2008

Business Traveller Middle East archives from September 2008

SA is geared up for business on and off the ground.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2008... I recently travelled business class between Johannesburg and Dubai on Emirates (code-shared with South African Airways) and must say I had an enjoyable flight both ways. I have often travelled on the airline between Dubai and Kochi in South...

Is T5 big enough?(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2008... My first experience of T5 has got me really worrying. I flew out when the terminal was running at less than half its intended capacity, at a relatively quiet time of year, and still the security queue was appalling. There was no...

If hotels were planes.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2008... Imagine customers turning up at a premium hotel to be told that, due to 'essential maintenance', they could not offer a room with a bed, but they were offering a reclining chair and 'apologies for any inconvenience'. Most travellers would...

Brilliant Beijing.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2008... I was lucky enough to catch Paul Mooney's excellent, well-researched and well-written article on Beijing's Hutongs (Business Traveller Middle East, May/June 2008) on my flight over to China; it certainly made my visit there more interesting,...

ADAC to open first dedicated executive airport in Middle East.(UPfront)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) has announced it will establish the Middle East's first dedicated executive airport at Al Bateen military airbase, just 10km from Abu Dhabi city centre. The Bateen facility will...

Dusit adds long-stay options in Dubai.(UPfront)
September 1, 2008... Bangkok-based Thai hospitality chain Dusit International is set to open its first branded residence outside of Thailand in Dubai this October. The 35-storey Dusit Residence Dubai Marina will contain 146 serviced residences overlooking...

Record circulation for Emirates' magazine in latest audit.(UPfront)
September 1, 2008... The International Audit Organisation, BPA Worldwide, has announced the latest circulation figures for Emirates in-flight magazine, Open Skies for the period from January to June 2008. The highest figure was for the June 2008 issue with 66,045...

Emirates makes aviation history with the arrival of the A380.(UPfront)
September 1, 2008... Emirates Airline made history when its Airbus A380 landed at New York's JFK Airport in August, making it the first commercial A380 superjumbo to touch down on US soil. The A380 is the world's only twin-deck, two-aisle airliner, offering the...

Travellers booked on Emirates' Boeing 777-300 will now be able to make calls and send text messages.(AIRLINE UPDATE)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Travellers booked on Emirates' Boeing 777-300 will now be able to make calls and send text messages. The new system is operating on many Emirates routes, including to Europe and Australia.

Meanwhile, Emirates has revised its fares for tickets issued in the Middle East and GCC markets, reflecting the recent softening of fuel prices.(AIRLINE UPDATE)
September 1, 2008... Meanwhile, Emirates has revised its fares for tickets issued in the Middle East and GCC markets, reflecting the recent softening of fuel prices. For example, fares to Cairo, Beirut, Damascus and Amman will be reduced by four per cent.

All through September and October, members of Skywards, the frequent flyer programme of Emirates, can earn double miles.(AIRLINE UPDATE)
September 1, 2008... All through September and October, members of Skywards, the frequent flyer programme of Emirates, can earn double miles on more than 100 flights across the network.

Etihad Airways will launch non-stop, four-a-week flights on 2 December to Almaty in Kazakhstan from Abu Dhabi.(AIRLINE UPDATE)
September 1, 2008... Etihad Airways will launch non-stop, four-a-week flights on 2 December to Almaty in Kazakhstan from Abu Dhabi. Etihad has newly launched daily flights from Abu Dhabi to Chennai and Kozhikode in South India, and will launch non-stop daily...

Gulf Air is introducing a two-tier service for its first and business class passengers with a new menu and a trolley service offering a wider selection of refreshments.(AIRLINE UPDATE)
September 1, 2008... Gulf Air is introducing a two-tier service for its first and business class passengers with a new menu and a trolley service offering a wider selection of refreshments. The new menus are being introduced progressively, beginning with the...

AirBlue, Pakistan's largest private airline, has just launched flights between Abu Dhabi and Lahore.(AIRLINE UPDATE)
September 1, 2008... AirBlue, Pakistan's largest private airline, has just launched flights between Abu Dhabi and Lahore. It operates four flights a week departing at 2pm; the flight duration is three hours.

Business travel on the increase, reveals ME survey.(UPfront)
September 1, 2008... Business travel is set to increase in the next 12 months according to business travel organisers responding to a survey commissioned by the Business Travel Show Dubai and conducted by YouGovSiraj. Over 80 per cent of respondents expect...

Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi is offering guests flying in from abroad the chance to experience the resort's service from the moment they arrive at Abu Dhabi International Airport, where the hotel has recently opened a dedicated Emirates Palace Airport Lounge.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
September 1, 2008... Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi is offering guests flying in from abroad the chance to experience the resort's service from the moment they arrive at Abu Dhabi International Airport, where the hotel has recently opened a dedicated Emirates Palace...

Hospitality Management Holdings has opened EWA Hotel Apartments in Bahrain close to the Bahrain Financial Harbour including 20 hotel apartments and 60 rooms.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
September 1, 2008... Hospitality Management Holdings has opened EWA Hotel Apartments in Bahrain close to the Bahrain Financial Harbour including 20 hotel apartments and 60 rooms. The facilities include a 24-hour reception and security, a swimming pool and gym.

Hilton Hotels Corporation has signed its second property in Nigeria.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
September 1, 2008... Hilton Hotels Corporation has signed its second property in Nigeria. The 250-room Hilton Lagos Airport, expected to open in 2010, features a pool, a health spa, an all-day restaurant, a lobby bar and pool bar.

Emaar Misr, along with The Ritz-Carlton Company, will manage a beachfront resort in Marassi, Egypt due to open in 2012.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
September 1, 2008... Emaar Misr, along with The Ritz-Carlton Company, will manage a beachfront resort in Marassi, Egypt due to open in 2012. The development will include a 150-room resort and 50 private villas in close proximity to a golf course.

The Holiday Inn Express Dubai Safa Park, located on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, is the second such property to open in Dubai.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
September 1, 2008... The Holiday Inn Express Dubai Safa Park, located on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, is the second such property to open in Dubai. The 171-room hotel offers competitive pricing for the short-stay business traveller. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Starwood will bring the prestigious St Regis brand to Business Bay in Dubai in 2012.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
September 1, 2008... Starwood will bring the prestigious St Regis brand to Business Bay in Dubai in 2012. The St Regis Dubai will feature 220 rooms including 44 suites, 80 branded residences, three world-class restaurants and the iconic St Regis butler service.

InterContinental Hotels Group has announced that a 250-room InterContinental Hotel is due to open in Dakar in Senegal, Africa by 2010.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
September 1, 2008... InterContinental Hotels Group has announced that a 250-room InterContinental Hotel is due to open in Dakar in Senegal, Africa by 2010. It will offer 250 rooms, restaurants, a conference centre, a business centre, a spa, pools, and commercial...

Layia Hospitality's Opal Living Courts will open in Dubai's Al Barsha in January 2009 with 48 serviced apartments.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
September 1, 2008... Layia Hospitality's Opal Living Courts will open in Dubai's Al Barsha in January 2009 with 48 serviced apartments. Also opening shortly, the Topaz Living Courts, Al Barsha, will become the second property under the Living Courts brand; it will...

Sharjah-based low-cost carrier Air Arabia has begun construction of a 300-room budget hotel at Sharjah Airport.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
September 1, 2008... Sharjah-based low-cost carrier Air Arabia has begun construction of a 300-room budget hotel at Sharjah Airport. The hotel, due for completion in January 2010, will be managed by Rotana Hotels under its Centro by Rotana brand, offering superior,...

Media Rotana, due to open in October, is Rotana Hotels' first property in the Barsha area of Dubai.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
September 1, 2008... Media Rotana, due to open in October, is Rotana Hotels' first property in the Barsha area of Dubai. It will have 460 rooms, each featuring a 32-inch TV, internet access, daily newspaper, IP telephony, an iron and ironing board. Media Rotana...

Movenpick Hotel Al Khobar, located in Al Khobar City in Saudi Arabia, is a 13-storey tower targeting business travellers and upscale conference groups with 101 rooms and 42 suites.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)(Conference news)
September 1, 2008... Movenpick Hotel Al Khobar, located in Al Khobar City in Saudi Arabia, is a 13-storey tower targeting business travellers and upscale conference groups with 101 rooms and 42 suites. Culinary spots include Maharaja, an Indian restaurant run by...

Opening shortly, the Marriott Executive Apartments Manama will be Marriott's first property in Bahrain.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
September 1, 2008... Opening shortly, the Marriott Executive Apartments Manama will be Marriott's first property in Bahrain. Located near the diplomatic area, the two towers will consist of 188 apartments offering five-star amenities. The property will also include...

American Express Middle East has initiated a special offer with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company exclusive to card members in the Middle East enabling them to enjoy a complimentary night at any Ritz-Carlton hotel around the world with every booking made for three consecutive nights.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
September 1, 2008... American Express Middle East has initiated a special offer with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company exclusive to card members in the Middle East enabling them to enjoy a complimentary night at any Ritz-Carlton hotel around the world with every...

Abu Dhabi National Hotels, which also manages the Al Diar Siji Hotel in the UAE emirate of Fujairah, is set to open Siji Hotel Apartments.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
September 1, 2008... Abu Dhabi National Hotels, which also manages the Al Diar Siji Hotel in the UAE emirate of Fujairah, is set to open Siji Hotel Apartments featuring 78 serviced apartments by the end of the year.

Arabian Park Hotel, a three-star property in Dubai, is offering special rates until 30 September starting from Dhs360 ($100) per room per night, including meals and beverages, as well as unlimited wireless internet access.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
September 1, 2008... Arabian Park Hotel, a three-star property in Dubai, is offering special rates until 30 September starting from Dhs360 ($100) per room per night, including meals and beverages, as well as unlimited wireless internet access. For long-staying...

Jet Airways to code share with Emirates.(UPfront)
September 1, 2008... Leading private Indian airline Jet Airways, which recently commenced daily services to Mumbai and Delhi from Dubai, has said it will have a code-sharing agreement with Emirates from October. At a press conference to announce the launch, Jet...

New express check-in at T1 of DXB.(UPfront)
September 1, 2008... Dubai International has a new express check-in service for passengers travelling only with hand luggage. Especially beneficial for business travellers, the new facility located on the floor above the departures area at Terminal 1 of the airport...

Royal Jordanian upgrades ground services at Amman.(UPfront)(Royal Jordanian Airlines)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Executives on business in Amman can take advantage of Royal Jordanian's new premier lounge at Queen Alia International Airport. The 18,000sqm Crown Class lounge, located on the second floor of the southern terminal, can be used by premium...

Starwood is in its element in Abu Dhabi.(UPfront)(Starwood Hotels and Resorts Inc.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Starwood's extended-stay brand Element will make its UAE debut in Abu Dhabi in 2011. The Element hotel, announced jointly with the owner Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company, will also be the first in the Europe, Africa and Middle East...

The palace: hotel check--Dubai, UAE.(TRIED & tested)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHAT'S IT LIKE? The property, still in its launch phase, consists of furnished deluxe hotel apartments. It's nothing like a conventional hotel--sterile white walls and floors greet you as you enter the building and...

Four points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road: hotel check--Dubai, UAE.(TRIED & tested)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHAT'S IT LIKE? Dubai's newest Four Points by Sheraton property (the other two are Four Points by Sheraton Bur Dubai and Four Points by Sheraton Downtown) opened in May but from the looks of it, is already a busy...

Traders Hotel, Dubai: hotel check--UAE, Dubai.(TRIED & tested)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] WHAT'S IT LIKE? The sparkling lobby is sleek and modern with a minimalist theme running throughout that makes an excellent first impression. Dark furnishings in the rooms are complemented by lighter cream coloured...

Holiday Inn Al Barsha: hotel check--Dubai, UAE.(TRIED & tested)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] WHAT'S IT LIKE? The brand-new hotel is a welcome addition to Dubai's four-star room inventory. It has the look and feel of a true business hotel. As you enter the twin glass doors, the reception is to your right and...

Fast forward: execs on the go now have access to more advanced technology than ever before. Thomas Shambler shows you how to get connected and stay in touch.(BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY)
September 1, 2008... With business becoming increasingly globalised, corporate executives often find themselves having to travel more frequently, making the need to stay in touch with the office back home more pressing than ever. Gone are the days when checking in...

HTC TYTNII: $870.(BUSINESS ON THE GO)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WWW.HTC.COM With a tilting screen, full QWERTY keyboard, HSDPA and wifi, it's amazing how HTC managed to cram a 3.2MP camera on board. Think the SHIFT, but much smaller.

Blackberry curve 8310: $510.(BUSINESS ON THE GO)
September 1, 2008... WWW.BLACKBERRY.COM If you're after mobile email, there's no better way to get it than with a Blackberry. It also has GPS, Bluetooth, and a 2MP camera to sweeten the deal even further. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Sony Ericsson P1: $545.(BUSINESS ON THE GO)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WWW.SONYERICSSON.COM This compact aluminium-clad QWERTY smartphone has wifi, and a 3MP autofocus camera. It's brilliant at music, and has a rather nice touchscreen as well.

Acer Aspire one: $540.(BUSINESS ON THE GO)
September 1, 2008... WWW.ACER.COM This miniature marvel has managed to cram everything you need for mobile internet and mobile into a nine-inch package. Using a simple Linux operating system, it boots in nine seconds and weighs next to nothing. ...

Asus W5FE: $2,150.(BUSINESS ON THE GO)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WWW.ASUS.COM A stylish, highly portable 12-inch laptop with 1.83GHz Core 2 Duo and 160GB hard drive. Also includes an external screen that allows you to quickly access emails, movies, and music, without opening...

High flyers.(BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY)(Emirates Airline)
September 1, 2008... All the wonders of technology, minute gadgetry and portable devices can't help you in an area without an internet or phone signal. So how do tech-savvy travellers manage to keep in touch throughout their longest signal blackout, the airplane?...

The UAE has the highest mobile penetration in the world, with over 173 mobiles per 100 people.(BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY FACTS)
September 1, 2008... The UAE has the highest mobile penetration in the world, with over 173 mobiles per 100 people. Qatar comes second of the GCC countries with 150.3, followed by Bahrain with 148.2. The world average is roughly 50 handsets per 100 people.

RIM settled on the name 'Blackberry' on the suggestion of Lexicon Branding Inc, the firm behind Intel's Pentium and Apple's PowerBook.(BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY FACTS)
September 1, 2008... RIM settled on the name 'Blackberry' on the suggestion of Lexicon Branding Inc, the firm behind Intel's Pentium and Apple's PowerBook. A naming expert thought the tiny buttons on the product looked like strawberry seeds. Straw was deemed too...

Nokia is currently the largest manufacturer of mobile phones, with a global device market share of approximately 40 per cent in 2008.(BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY FACTS)
September 1, 2008... Nokia is currently the largest manufacturer of mobile phones, with a global device market share of approximately 40 per cent in 2008. Other major mobile phone manufacturers (in order of market share) include Samsung (14 per cent) Motorola (14...

Mobile phone growth is an excellent measure of technology uptake in many regions around the world.(BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY FACTS)
September 1, 2008... Mobile phone growth is an excellent measure of technology uptake in many regions around the world. The Middle East has recently surged to become the second fastest-growing mobile market in the world, with over 150 million handsets in...

There are over 1.4 billion people who get online, according to Internet World Stats.(BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY FACTS)
September 1, 2008... There are over 1.4 billion people who get online, according to Internet World Stats. More than 40 per cent of those connections are from Asia, with Africa only making up five per cent of the global total. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

There is no credible information on why mobile phone use isn't allowed on planes.(BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY FACTS)
September 1, 2008... There is no credible information on why mobile phone use isn't allowed on planes. According to the airlines, a phone produces electromagnetic interference, which could theoretically cause other devices to fail.

Dreams unlimited: Dubai continues to break new ground with some of the most ambitious tourism developments on earth, and with each mega-announcement the emirate is realising its dream of becoming one of the world's most glamorous locations to live, work and play in.(DUBAI)(Cover story)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Once upon a time, there was a small dusty port town named Dubai. Its lifeblood was fine creek, around which it grew and the pearl divers, traders and fishermen flourished. The waters of the creek brought good tidings...

Best of both worlds: traditionally best known for historic antiquities and cultural sites rather than luxury hotels and state-of-the art airports, Egypt is dusting off its distinguished history and building more new wonders. Chris Breese explores a tourist industry entering a new era.(EGYPT)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] It may come as a surprise to learn that it only took around 20 years to complete the Great Pyramid of Giza, which is what most modern day travellers immediately associate with Egypt. Also known as Khufu's Pyramid,...

Easy living: Zurich is consistently voted the city with the best quality of life, but does it have as much to offer the business traveller? Jenny Southan visits Switzerland's financial heartland to find out.(ZURICH)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Given the low tax rates and high quality of living in Zurich it is not surprising many international companies have been relocating there--Kraft Foods and Google, to name but two. Stefano Alborghetti, Manager of the...

Widder Hotel: hotel check--Zurich.(ZURICH)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHAT'S IT LIKE? Opened in 1995, the hotel is made up of eight townhouses dating back to the 11th century, and the architect retained much of the original character during the renovation. It's a stylish place (and...

Dressed for success: the way you dress says a lot about who you are and if you have a serious attitude to business, but what is the norm when it comes to business attire? Brian Johnston lists some wardrobe essentials that will ensure you fit right in at that next important meeting.(BUSINESS ETIQUETTE)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] You shouldn't judge a book by its cover, or so they claim. Too bad the same can't be said of businesspeople. Too often, they're judged on the first few moments of meeting just by the way they're dressed. Nothing...

How the soaring cost of oil is changing the way we fly: as oil prices hit new highs, airline savings may come at the expense of travellers.(SPECIAL REPORT)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Should oil remain at $130 a barred then the world's airlines wilt collectively lose $5.9 billion this year. That was the stark message from International Air Transport Association's Director General Giovanni...

Beating the clock: airports quote minimum connection times to convince you to use them as hubs, but are they really viable.(AIRLINE CONNECTIONS)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Why do airports and airlines persist in quoting passengers unrealistic transfer times? That's a question many readers who have had business appointments mined by missed connections regularly put to Business...

Learning the ropes: while the rest of Dubai is busy reclaiming land from the sea, Felicity Cousins finds a wonderful world out on the water.(LEISURE)
September 1, 2008... As the 35ft Archambault racing yacht tilts to the right, and the water dances away from the streamlined bow, Mike raises his voice: "One of Dubai's greatest assets is the sea." With the temperature hitting 40[degrees]C on land, I know what...

Screen saver: virtual meetings needn't break the bank. Tom Otley reviews the new world of web-conferencing and asks if this could be the answer to increasing travel costs.(WEB-CONFERENCES)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Even the most fervent advocates of video-conferencing would concede that some meetings can only be done face to face. Nevertheless, as travel costs soar, every company is looking to reduce its expenditure, and...

10 best airport links: a quick trip into the city centre can make all the difference to your energy levels as well as your itinerary. Gary Noakes provides a guide to stress free arrivals.(AIRPORT LINKS)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Getting from plane to hotel can be the most stressful part of a journey, so we've picked 10 airports that make the transfer a little easier. Our list is not definitive, but our top 10 offer some of the closest,...

Ask Alex: Alex McWhirter answers your travel queries.
September 1, 2008... Q I am planning a trip to Australia for later this year and would like to know when Qantas will start to operate its Airbus A380s on flights from London Heathrow. Will the superjumbos be flying to Sydney via Bangkok or via Singapore? How do you...

4 hours in ... Johannesburg: since the discovery of gold in the region in the 19th century, Johannesburg has had a turbulent history. Tom Otley finds a city coming to terms with its past and looking to the future.
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [1] CONSTITUTION HILL Johannesburg exists because of gold. Some 1,000 metres above sea level, it was a farming area until the discovery of the precious metal in 1886, and it was Paul Kruger, President of the...

Right on time: these wrist ornaments will give you timely advice whether you are in the boardroom or meeting clients in another country.(Watches)(Buyers guide)
September 1, 2008... Pilot's Watch [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IWC's new Pilot's Watch Automatic Edition Antoine de Saint-Exupery (inspired by the adventurous French aviator and author) features an automatic movement with a new power-reserve and a date...

Win a stay at a luxury hotel in Doha: soak up the sights of Doha's West Bay when you win a weekend stay at the Movenpick Tower & Suites Doha.(Competition)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Movenpick Tower & Suites Doha in Qatar's capital city approaches hospitality from a different perspective. By incorporating traditional elements and modern technology, this unique property targets sophisticated...

A marvel in marble: Ephesus in Turkey is an ancient city full of wonders and ranks among the best-preserved Greek and Roman ruins in the world. Brian Johnston delves into its glorious past.(GREAT escape)(City overview)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Pay a visit to the remarkable site on the Aegean Coast that is Ephesus and you can still walk down the town's colonnaded streets, around the forums and theatres, and beneath temple walls. Not only that, but as you...