Landmark Properties Receives ’Best Property Listings In The UAE’ Accolade At Propertyfinder.ae Awards

Landmark Properties, one of the largest property brokerage agencies in the UAE, has been acknowledged as having the ‘Best Property Listings in the UAE’ at the inaugural propertyfinder.ae awards. Selected from a shortlist of nine reputable brokerages, Landmark Properties had the best quality property listings of all 35,000 listings on propertyfinder.ae.

Set to be held monthly, the propertyfinder.ae awards – organized by the number one dedicated property portal in the UAE – pay tribute to businesses in the UAE for a variety of talents and achievements. The ‘Best Property Listings Award’ is determined by an algorithm of metrics measured by a range of factors including quality of photos, content, pricing and accuracy.

“propertyfinder.ae works closely with all its members to provide a transparent and compliant platform that everyone can benefit from,” said Marcello Sambartolo, Head of Marketing at propertyfinder.ae. “This can be a testing industry to play a role in with so much change taking place and undergoing massive regulatory change, but we believe it is beneficial to select and recognise the leaders that set the benchmark of highest professionalism and dynamism during this time.”

“A system that provides exceptional standards of clarity and efficiency is fundamental for potential home buyers and investors in the Middle East, propertyfinder.ae powers the real estate market by creating opportunities through successfully joining buyers and renters with landlords and homeowners through its website,” said Charles Neil, CEO of Landmark Properties. “We are delighted to receive this award from propertyfinder.ae and to be a part of its community.”

A total of 10 awards and certificates were presented from a pool of 200 brokerages across the UAE recognising a variety of talents and achievements.
 

Residents Vote Mall of the Emirates as ’Best Shopping Mall in Dubai’

For the second year in a row, Mall of the Emirates has beaten off stiff competition and been voted the Best Shopping Mall in Dubai by the city’s residents.The accolade is part of the second annual Best in Dubai Awards, which gives the chance to choose winners in several categories including hotels, restaurants, spas, customer service and even radio stations. A record number of votes were received online as thousands of residents visited the www.bestindubai.ae website. Mall of the Emirates competed against 68 malls in the initial rounds and thereafter with four other finalists.Fuad Sharaf, Vice President, Mall of the Emirates, received the award on behalf of the mall’s management and said that this year the award was even more special given that new shopping malls have opened in the city in the last year.“When an award bestowed on you comes from the people of Dubai, it means a whole lot more. We are grateful to our patrons for this honour and we continue to strive each day to make their every visit to Mall of the Emirates an enjoyable and comfortable experience.7rdquo;Sarika Aidasani, a regular visitor to the mall, calls it the perfect one-stop shop destination. “Mall of the Emirates has everything a person would need, from daily necessities to luxury. It’s easy to walk around, less complicated layout and you don’t need to wear trainers to go shopping to this mall. I simply love Mall of the Emirates.7rdquo; While for 27-year old Dubai resident Alaa Demachkie it is almost like a second home. “Mall of the Emirates is just the place for us to be whether it’s a weekday or weekend, whether it’s for movies, a good meal or shopping. There’s so much variety and comfort here. I am so familiar with the mall now and I just love being here.7rdquo;Ever since it first opened its doors in September 2005, Mall of the Emirates has continued to win the admiration of residents and tourists alike. With one of the best retail spreads and entertainment offerings including the region’s first indoor ski resort, Ski Dubai, it is no wonder than that the mall has won over 15 international and local industry recognitions and awards in just under four years.

The Address Hotels + Resorts Makes Global Imprint With Prestigious Industry Awards

The Address Hotels + Resorts, the five star premium hotel brand owned and operated by Emaar Hospitality Group, has marked its global imprint in less than one year of the brand’s launch by winning prestigious international industry awards.

The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai and The Palace – The Old Town, the two properties in The Address portfolio currently, have won industry-leading honours at the World Travel Awards and the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference Development Awards, both held in Dubai this week.

Billed as the ‘Oscars of the Tourism Industry’ and the sector’s highest accolade, the World Travel Awards celebrate the best practices in travel and hospitality. Established 16 years ago, the awards encourage tourism organisations to set new boundaries for customer service, value and innovation. The winners are selected by votes from agents and travel professionals globally.

This year, with a record of over 170,000 professionals voting for the awards, The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai emerged triumphant with two awards – ‘Dubai’s Leading Lifestyle Hotel’ and ‘Middle East’s Leading New Hotel.’ The Palace – The Old Town received the honour of ‘Dubai’s Leading City Resort.’

Another impressive laurel for The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai was at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) Development Awards, which acknowledge innovative hotel design, development and best practice in the Middle East. Launched last year, nominees are judged by key professionals within the hospitality industry who evaluate them for innovation taking into consideration the scale of the project, design, use of materials and practices that redefine the hotel industry.

The Awards complement the AHIC, which showcases hospitality investment opportunities to a global high-profile audience. The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai was adjudged as ‘Best New Hotel’ at the AHIC Development Awards.

Another crowning glory for the hotel came from Condé Nast Traveler, the world’s authoritative travel and hospitality magazine, which included The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai in their Annual Hot List 2009. The ultimate insider’s guide to the newest and hottest hotels opened all over the world features only those establishments whose design, service and amenities transcend industry standards. The magazine’s editorial team pursues a stringent policy in creating the list taking into consideration location, service and amenities provided, and the listing comes as an impressive achievement for a hotel that opened only in October 2008.

Mr Amit Arora, Corporate Director, Sales and Marketing, Emaar Hospitality Group, received the awards on behalf of The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai at the World Travel Awards. Mr Olivier Heuchenne, General Manager, The Palace – The Old Town accepted the award for ‘Dubai’s Leading City Resort.’

Mr Marc Dardenne, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Hospitality Group said: “We launched The Address Hotels + Resorts brand six months ago and have consolidated the strength of differentials of our brand, with the opening of our flagship property The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai, and assuming the management of The Palace – The Old Town. For The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai to be awarded with these prestigious accolades, is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our associates who have helped establish the brand and uphold its individuality.”

Mr Heuchenne said: “The Palace – The Old Town has a captivating Middle Eastern theme, which makes it appealing to the global traveller. Its design excellence, central location within the heart of the city and the various lifestyle amenities make it an unparalleled resort experience. We are greatly honoured to be awarded this prestigious accolade by the World Travel Awards.”

The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai and The Palace – The Old Town are centrally located in Downtown Burj Dubai, the flagship mega-development by Emaar Properties. Described as the new soul of the city, Downtown Burj Dubai features Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest building; The Dubai Mall, one of the world’s largest shopping and leisure destinations and The Dubai Fountain, the world’s tallest performing fountain.

HSBC Amanah Named Best International Islamic Bank by Euromoney

HSBC Amanah, the global Islamic financial services arm of the HSBC Group, has been named Best International Islamic Bank and the Best Fund Manager by Euromoney Magazine in its 2008 Islamic Finance Awards. In addition, one deal lead managed by HSBC Amanah was awarded the accolade of Best Sukuk Deal.

HSBC Amanah was awarded the Best International Islamic bank award for being the leading provider of Islamic financial products and services across the world. It has been
at the forefront of developing Islamic finance through the provision of innovative solutions to meet client needs supported by a team of nearly 200 dedicated professionals
across the globe, including the Middle East, Brunei, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Turkey, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Nabeel Shoaib, Global Head of HSBC Amanah said: “We are thrilled about this exciting achievement which attests to the hard work and perseverance of our colleagues at HSBC
Amanah globally. HSBC Amanah has now an acclaimed reputation for quality products and services, Shariah commitment and customer focus living up to its motto as the world local bank”

“In less than a decade, HSBC Amanah has evolved into one of the most respected brands in global Islamic finance that is synonymous with trust, integrity and performance. As
international interest in Islamic finance continues to grow and competition intensifies, we are keen, more than any time, to maintain our franchise’s leadership position and take it to new heights,” explained Nabeel

“Winning the best sukuk deal award is yet another testimony to HSBC Amanah’s ability to originate and structure transactions for clients across a range of different risk and maturity profiles. We have been directly involved in many high profile and innovative cross border Sukuk transactions to date both by quality and quantity; the aggregate value of international sukuk transactions undertaken by HSBC Amanah is US$ 10 billion.”
Nabeel added.

HSBC Amanah has recently established regional centres in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia to lead the way as knowledge hubs driving innovation, research & development
and expansion into new markets, whilst ensuring that regional HSBC Amanah initiatives are in line with HSBC Amanah’s global vision and strategy. The regional centres works in complete synergy to ensure that HSBC Amanah fully exploits, not only business opportunities, but also best practices.’

HSBC Amanah has recently ranked the eight largest non-government Islamic financial institution by Shariah-compliant assets in the global listing of the Top 500 Islamic Financial Institutions, conducted jointly by The Banker Magazine and HSBC Amanah.

Dubai Airports Honoured For Excellence By Newsweek

Dubai Airports has won the Newsweek Award of Excellence, achieving the accolade ‘The Single Largest Development in Aviation History in the Region’.

The aviation hub was one of the UAE’s 20 top corporate performers in 2008, which were recognised for their contribution to the country’s economic growth, in addition to the development of their respective industries.

In accepting the award, Paul Griffths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said: “It is indeed a great honour for Dubai Airports to be recognised by such a prestigious publication as Newsweek.

“The growth and development of Dubai city and of Dubai Airports is closely inter-linked. As the city has grown, Dubai Airports has seen an increase in the number of its client airlines and their passengers, bringing more business, industry and professional expertise to enhance Dubai’s business acumen and standing in the world community. Dubai Airports is honoured to be part of and contributing to the city’s continuing success.”

Dubai Airports was chosen for the award by senior correspondents and writers of the Newsweek (Arabic) editorial board. The inaugural presentation of the awards marked the magazine’s ninth anniversary.

The Arabic edition of the English-language Newsweek International magazine is printed in Kuwait and circulated among the GCC states, with a total weekly circulation/subscription of some 112,000.