DP World Appoints A New Managing Director For Africa Region

Global marine terminal operator DP World today announced the appointment of Joost Kruijning to the position of Senior Vice President and Managing Director for the company’s Africa Region, effective 1st September 2009.

Mr. Kruijning had been Chief Operating Officer of DP World’s UAE Region. Prior to joining DP World in 2001, he spent thirteen years at Sea -Land, working on various assignments in Russia and the Sultanate of Oman.

Mr. Kruijning takes over from Anil Singh, who in turn will assume the position of Senior Vice President and Managing Director of DP World Subcontinent Region.

Joost Kruijning said: “I am very proud to have been part of a team that realised the completion of additional capacity at T2 of Jebel Ali Terminal and oversaw volume growth of approximately 11% last year. I am looking forward greatly to my new role as SVP and Managing Director for Africa Region. DP World believes in Africa’s potential, and is fully committed to developing local markets over time, as demonstrated by recent additions to our global portfolio in Algeria and Djibouti.”
 

IHG Awarded Management Of Al Badia Golf Club Intercontinental Dubai Festival City

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced that InterContinental Dubai Festival City has been awarded the management contract by Al-Futtaim for Al Badia Golf Club at Dubai Festival City.

Commenting on the new venture, John Bamsey, Chief Operating Officer, InterContinental Hotels Group Middle East and Africa said, “We are proud that InterContinental has been selected to manage the prestigious Al Badia Golf Club. This is testament to the excellent relationship that has been fostered with Al-Futtaim and recognises the strength and global consistency of the InterContinental brand.”

Brett Schafer, Senior Managing Director, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE) master developers and managers of Dubai Festival City, commented “The selection of IHG to manage and operate the 7,303 yard Robert Trent Jones II designed Al Badia golf course and clubhouse is consistent with Al-Futtaim’s strategic relationship with IHG. Presently IHG manage key hospitality properties in Dubai Festival City and have a commitment to maximising long-term asset value.”

IHG manages the InterContinental Dubai Festival City, Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City and InterContinental Residence Suites, the addition of the Al Badia Golf Club by InterContinental Dubai Festival City will bring unique opportunities to the group to further promote Dubai Festival City as both a business and leisure destination
"We are extremely glad to expand our strong relationship with InterContinental Hotels Group. The marriage of the well known Al Badia brand with IHG’s globally acknowledged management expertise promises to further enhance Dubai Festival City’s international image as an outstanding business and lifestyle destination with great hospitality and leisure offerings," Schafer concluded.

IHG will take over management of Al Badia Golf Club InterContinental Dubai Festival City effective from 1st July 2009.

For more information logon to http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com

KM Properties Receives Commendation For Oqood Registration

KM Properties has completed registration of all properties sold in all of its projects as well as the customer data as a requirement of Dubai Land Department’s program called Oqood, an online off-plan registration system which allows a uniform registration of contracts for all off plan property transactions.

All real estate companies in Dubai promoting and selling off-plan properties are to acquire the new Oqood software and strictly use it in all property transactions. Training was provided by Emirates Real Estate Solutions (ERES).

“ Oqood is an important tool to help us regulate the Dubai Property market and provide security for both developer and customers in their property investment transactions” according to Ahmad Khalifa Al Qaizi, CEO of Emirates Real Estate Solutions, Dubai Land Department.

KM Properties is a leading company with premiere developments located in the new downtown Dubai commercial and residential district in Business Bay. KM Properties owns the following exceptional towers namely TAMANI Hotel at Park Lane Office Tower, B2B Tower, TAMANI Arts Offices Tower and TAMANI Arts Hotel and Royal Suites.

“We at KM Properties work closely with Dubai’s Land Department and RERA to ensure that we deliver our projects with the highest quality which conforms to world class standards” said Mr. Sanjeet Joher, Group Chief Operating Officer, KM Properties.

For more information, please log on to http://www.km-properties.ae or http://www.kmrent.ae or call 800567

Al Bustan Centre And Residence Designs Spectacular DSS Programmes For The Whole Family

Al Bustan Centre and Residence – a deluxe property which offers world-class services and facilities in the city, is participating the twelfth edition of Dubai’s biggest summer annual event, the Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) and is offering a variety of exciting activities and great discounts which will be spread over a period of 9 weeks of DSS starting from June 11 to August 14. The property is transforming its mall into a venue of live entertainment with a number of interactive programmes to be enjoyed by the whole family.

For every minimum purchase worth AED200 from any outlet in the mall, entitles the shopper to get one free coupon that will be entered into a weekly draw. For every AED200 purchase using MasterCard, the customer is entitled to an extra free coupon to double his chances of winning. The coupons will be entered into a weekly draw every Thursday and there will be 10 lucky winners of Dh 50,000 every week for nine weeks. The weekly draws will be telecast live on Dubai TV.

Besides this, shops at the mall will offer bargain deals together with a wide array of the latest in fashion, perfumes, cosmetics and a lot more that will surely make the shoppers ask for more during this DSS. Al Bustan Centre will also features new events almost every day, assuring non-stop entertainment for everyone which will surely be a hit among children and the entire family.

Moussa El Hayek, Chief Operating Officer Al Bustan Centre & Residence, said: “As everyone is facing financial crunch, we are providing all our guests with some incredible discounts to be utilized within the mall, helping our customers to save more and still enjoy the festival. DSS is the most awaited event of the year not only for kids but for the whole families too. The programmes we have planned this year will bring a visual feast of colour, pomp and ceremony which will be enjoyed and relished by all our guests.”

He concluded following the success of the 2008 festival with increased occupancy figures at the property, the challenge this year was set to continue this positive trend into the 2009 DSS by programming more exciting, accessible, entertaining, and world class events to suit all budgets and tastes.

flydubai Secures And Prepares Its Pilots And Crew

flydubai, Dubai’s first low cost airline, has now completed the selection process of its pilots and crew in preparation for the airline’s launch

A highly skilled and experienced team of pilots and cabin crew is now undergoing training and preparation in readiness to offer the highest safety standards, combined with flydubai’s own unique style of exceptional customer service.

Over the past few months, the airline has been inundated with over 11,500 applications from flight and cabin crew keen to join flydubai before it starts flights mid-2009. Over 8,000 candidates for pilots alone were screened, of which 61 Captains and 18 First Officers, representing more than 12 nationalities have been selected.

Kenneth Gile, flydubai’s Chief Operating Officer added: “We are extremely pleased with the talent of the pilots we have on board. On average, they each have more than 4,000 hours serving as Captain in similar aircraft and a total experience of more than 8,000 flying hours – this is impressive by any standard. Candidate screening and selection is now complete and we thank Emirates for their valuable support, expertise and experience throughout this process.”

flydubai pilots include Senior Managers, Chief Pilots, Chief Technical Pilots, Director of Flight Operations and several certified Type Rating Examiners (TRE) which represents the highest accomplishment a pilot can obtain.

So far, 80 cabin crew have been employed from the 3,500 applications received. The first group of 21 cabin crew and 24 Captains are currently undergoing training in preparation for flydubai’s launch in a few months’ time.

flydubai will operate a fleet of brand new Next-Generation Boeing 737-800s, each with 189 economy class seats. Full details of the product, how to buy and ‘flydubai’ together with information about the initial routes, will be announced shortly.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai said: “We have had a huge response from applicants who are keen to come and join us, which shows the excitement amongst flight crew at the prospect of joining a new and exciting airline and also demonstrates that Dubai is still seen as an attractive place to live and work. flydubai aims to provide the best possible service and value to our customers and of course with the utmost of safety and professionalism, so we are especially pleased to have such experienced pilots on our team.”

flydubai aims to bring a fresh approach to the region’s growing budget travel market and serve the large expatriate population by providing the opportunity to fly more often. “We will offer a service that it a little less complex, a little less stressful and certainly a little less expensive. We are looking forward to our launch, to welcoming passengers aboard and to bringing people together more often.” Mr. Ghaith continued.

Routes will include destinations within 4.5 hours flying time of Dubai. flydubai will operate from a modernised and enhanced Terminal 2 located on the north side of Dubai International Airport.

Al Bustan Centre And Residence Adds New Features On Its Online Booking Engine

Al Bustan Centre and Residence – a deluxe property offering world-class services and facilities in the heart of the city, has introduced many new features, discounts and offers on its online booking engine http://www.al-bustan.com.

Moussa El Hayek, Chief Operating Officer Al Bustan Centre & Residence, said: “Our user-friendly booking engine now offers a host of new features, hot promotions and offers to our customers. Thus while making reservation online they can enjoy all those great deals. Furthermore, tour operators, travel agents, local companies and loyal guests can enter a promotional code which will give them access to the property’s special discounts, hot promotions, new attractions or events along with a host of other advantages.”

He added that the new booking platform will also offer guests many other benefits such as free airport transfers, massage treatments, and VIP Amenities. Guests can navigate the property’s website and browse room choices round the clock. This on-demand facility will enable Al Bustan Centre & Residence customer to book, confirm, and pay through credit cards securely online within minutes. It is the fastest and easiest way to reach the property’s services.

He said: “The website is constantly monitored and updated with all the relevant information for our customers who can access this information without any hassle. The page is highly interactive and helps you find exactly what you are looking for.”

For the latest deals and offers at Al Bustan Centre & Residence log on to http://www.al-bustan.com.
 

Al Bustan Centre & Residence To Participate In Kazakhstan International Travel & Tourism Fair

Al Bustan Centre & Residence, the deluxe hotel apartments which offer world-class services and facilities in the heart of Dubai, is participating in Kazakhstan International Travel & Tourism Fair (KITF) running from April 23 -25 in the picturesque City of Almaty.

The fair is an annual event and serves as an excellent tool to promote tourism products. The event provides the right platform to buyers, exhibitors, national and international representatives from hospitality industry, and travel planners to establish new contacts and tap potential markets.

Moussa El Hayek, Chief Operating Officer of Al Bustan Centre & Residence, said: “The tourism potential of Kazakhstan is rich and versatile, and offers unique opportunities for development of almost all kinds of tourism. Thus we are very glad to participate in this exhibition along with a great number of international companies and tourism boards. We have prepared a very innovative itinerary for the exhibition to attract potential customers and make their travel to Dubai very special.”

Moussa added that during the fair, Al Bustan Centre & Residence will give all the details and facilities of the property and offer custom made tours to tourists wishing to visit Dubai. It will also offer them the opportunity to experience traditional Arabian culture. The property will also focus on introducing travel products targeting young tourists to Dubai by cooperating with various associations across Kazakhstan. The property will cooperate with travel agencies and airline companies to offer many different travel products themed on the luxurious shopping experience.

The event will give an opportunity for Al Bustan Centre & Residence to develop strategic relationships with different markets in the region and beyond and pave the way for a host of new opportunities such as international joint ventures.