The Walk@JBR To Host Barclays Premier League Trophy Tour In April

The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), one of the UAE’s most-favouredentertainment and event venues and a Dubai Properties Group destination, today announced it will host the Barclays Premier League Trophy at the 1.7km beachfront promenade.

Part of the Premier League Cup UAE Tour, the prestigious event will take place at The Walk’s main Rimal Parking area and welcomethe public from 2.00pm until midnightfrom 1-3 April.In addition to enjoying a 30-minute fun packed true football experience, families and fans will also receive an opportunity to personally view the prestigious English League trophy at the specially created ‘village’.

Weighing 25kg,the two-feet five inches tall and 24-inch wide Barclays Premier League Trophyis made from solid sterling silver. The crown is encasedin 24-carat silver gilt, to a depth of half a millimeter.The base of the trophy is made of malachite, a semi-precious African stone. The green colour of the opaque stone represents the field of play.

The BarclaysPremierLeagueTrophy tours various parts of the world every year. During its Dubai leg, the beachfront promenade will aim to recreate the thrilling atmosphere of a live match and give away an exclusive personalised souvenir as a lasting memory.

The reception area of the village, called the ‘Changing Room’, will offerdetails on the game’s history with interactive features of the 20 teams in England’s top league.The‘Centre Circle’will offer the sounds and sights of English League games.The ‘Trophy Room’will display the trophy in a glass case.

The last zone ‘Becoming The Third Lion’ will feature the cup adorned with two lions.The captain of the winning side is meant to be the third lion as he holds the cup over his head.Fans will have the chance to have their photos taken as they simulate the lifting of the trophy.

Khalid Al Malik, Group CEO of DPG, said: “We are pleased to bring the Barclays Premier League Cup and its showcase to Dubai. The FA Premier League is one of the most avidly watched sporting events in the world. We believe the initiative will further promote football in the region, and encourage children to take up the game and sports to higher levels.Itwill also enable the international fan base in Dubai toparticipate in the experience.”

The BarclaysPremierLeagueTrophy was crafted in 2004, when Barclays became the title sponsor of the FA PremierLeague.Made by royal jewellers Asprey of London,the trophy contains different types of silver. Founded in 1781,Asprey has also made a new version of the Henri Delaunay Euro 2008 trophy as well as the Barclays Asia Trophy.

A dedicated website, www.barclayspremierleaguetrophytour.com, has been set up for fans with details on the domes.

The Walk at JBR has evolved into one of the most distinctive and popular venues in the UAE not only for entertainment and shopping but also for cultural and leisure activities. The unique outdoor shopping boulevard boasts 305 shops, situated on both the plaza and ground levels. From its beach side location to its wide-ranging retail and dining options, The Walk at JBR offers a unique experience for every age and every choice.
 

Supercar Promenade To Unveil Global Premier At The Dubai International Boat Show

Dubai International Boat Show will literally be stepping up a gear this year as it launches the inaugural ‘Supercar Promenade’ alongside another breathtaking display of the world’s most impressive superyachts. The most illustrious names in the motoring world, including Bentley, Brabus, Porsche and Rolls-Royce will headline the parade, with Hamann, one of the most inspirational car designers in the world, presenting its latest unique concept at an exclusive global preview – the Hamann Porsche Cayenne.

This exclusive motor showcase will also include one of a hundred limited edition models of the Invader L60. At a storming 0 to 100km in just 5.5 seconds, the L60 is both sleek and slick.

Running from March 1 to 5, 2011 at the Dubai International Marine Club – Mina Seyahi, the Dubai International Boat Show is the Middle East’s largest and longest running marine event, and this year, the introduction of the Supercar Promenade is guaranteed to attract another dimension of visitors.

Dmitry Krivtsov, International Sales Director at Invader Technologies said: “The Dubai International Boat Show is an excellent platform for us to display our premier models. The luxury end of the Middle East boating and motoring market are very similar in that they appeal to the same potential clients and complement the lifestyle of high end buyers. The Invader brand standing alongside many of the world’s most prestigious marine companies taking part in the event is an outstanding example of that. As part of the show’s first ever Supercar Promenade, I’m sure that Invader will attract serious attention and provide substantial business opportunities.”

As with the rest of the exhibits at the event, the Supercar Promenade is more than a display cabinet, it is also chance for visitors to purchase one of a kind automobiles designed with world class craftsmanship.

“We are expecting in excess of 25,000 visitors at this year’s show and the Supercar Promenade is a fantastic addition to the event. The brands on show are the finest anywhere in the world and further strengthen the role of Dubai International Boat Show as an outstanding luxury showcase,” said Trixee Loh, Senior Vice President, Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of the event. “The world-class calibre of all our exhibitors is a true testament to the strength of Dubai as a regional trading hub, providing premier products to the international and domestic marketplace.”

Breaking last year’s record and further enhancing its position as one of the top five boat shows in the world, Dubai International Boat Show has already confirmed 33 regional and global launches of top yachting and boating brands, with plenty more expected before the show begins. This year will also see the event’s largest-ever gathering of SYBAss (Superyacht Builders Association) members, the world’s most prestigious superyacht association. Among the famous companies belonging to SYBAss are AMELS, Benetti, Burger Boat Company, Feadship, Fincantieri, Heesen Yachts, Lürssen, Oceanco, Sanlorenzo and Trinity Yachts.

This event’s Enhanced Superyacht Boulevard will display superyachts of 21 meters and above, while a Luxury Supplies and Services Area will exhibit the finest luxury interior designs, services and products. The 2011 Dubai International Boat Show will also feature an Equipment Suppliers and Services Area displaying deck fittings and fixtures, engines and navigation equipment and an External Area that will house high-speed powerboats, fishing and smaller leisure boats alongside water sports equipment, accessories and services.

Key exhibitors at Dubai International Boat Show 2011 will include leading local and international companies and brands such as Al Dhaen Craft, Al Hareb Marine, Al Masaood Marine, Al Shaali Marine, Al Yousef (Yamaha), AMIT, ART Marine, Atlantis, Australian International Marine Export Group, Autosport (Suzuki), Azimut, BehneMar, Benetti, Danish Yachts, Delma Marine, Ecoseas, Emirates Boats, Four Winns, Gargash Enterprises – Mercedes-Benz, Greenline Yacht Interiors, Garmin, Grady-White, Gulf Craft, Gulf Development Systems, Hatteras, ICE, IMG Boats, Luxury Sea Boats, Macky Marine, Majesty Yachts, Midnight Express Powerboats, Mourjan Marinas, Numarine, Pino Meroni, Princess Yachts, Raymarine, Riviera, Sessa Marine, Sunseeker, UBIFrance, Westport and many more.

Together with supporting partner Officine Panerai, manufacturers of world class timepieces, and Mercedes-Benz, the event’s official car for the second year running, the event will cater to the entire marine lifestyle audience.

The expanded 5th Dive Middle East Exhibition (DMEX), the only dedicated diving exhibition in the region, in association with Emirates Diving Association, also returns with a more impressive presence at 76% larger than last year. DMEX will bring together international manufacturers and local suppliers of sub-aqua diving equipment and services, with live demonstrations and daily ’try-a-dive’ sessions.

Competitions, prize giveaways and an exciting entertainment programme with exclusive live performances will be running throughout the show, with the popular feature ‘Heritage Village’ by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing providing an experiential glimpse back in time to Dubai’s rich history of maritime culture..

Dubai International Boat Show 2011 will be open to trade visitors and the general public from 4:00pm to 9:30pm daily. Interested parties are invited to visit www.boatshowdubai.com for more event details.

For more information www.boatshowdubai.com
 

Premier Inn  Dubai International Airport (DIA) Ranked No.1 Business Hotel In Dubai

Premier Inn, the UK’s leading value for money hotel brand, that has been operating in the Middle East since 2008, has now been ranked by TripAdvisor contributors as the number one hotel for business in Dubai.

The pioneering value for money hotel brand continues to transform the region’s hotel room market through a unique business model that offers a really comfortable room, unrivalled customer service and consistent value for money, even during periods of high demand.

Premier Inn’s Managing Director in the Middle East, Darroch Crawford said, “We are delighted to be ranked the number one business hotel in Dubai according to TripAdvisor. Premier Inn’s successful formula; offering a hotel service in prominent locations at value for money prices, will ensure that our customer base will continue to increase dramatically in the region”.

Premier Inn currently operates hotels at Dubai Investments Park, Dubai Silicon Oasis and Dubai International Airport, and has recently announced the acquisition of new sites in Qatar and at Abu Dhabi’s National Exhibition Centre and International Airport.

Crawford continued, “Our growth has remained consistent and on schedule since opening, in 2008, our first hotel at Dubai Investments Park. Our strategy has been to meet the increasing need for value for money in the business travel sector.”

Although in recent times companies have scaled down employee business travel across the world due to economic pressures, there is still a need to conduct business and service clients. Premier Inn’s unique value for money offering has ensured that businesses have been able to continue to send employees but at drastically reduced costs and, importantly, without a perceptible difference in service level.

Crawford concluded, “We keep a very close eye on sites such as TripAdvisor to ensure that we stay on top of what our guests are saying about us. Their comments are imperative to our business growth, and to be voted number one business hotel out of 401 demonstrates that we may be getting it right.”
 

Emirates Hockey League Cup Gets Premier Venue At Dubai Ice Rink

In a significant first, the Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink at The Dubai Mall will host the Dubai matches of the Emirates Hockey League Cup. The championship will span over several months, from November 2010 to April 2011, in which the local ice hockey teams from Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al Ain participate for the coveted cup.

A true showcase of UAE’s ice-hockey prowess, the Emirates Hockey League Cup is organized by the Abu Dhabi Ice Sports Club. A total of five hockey teams will play at Dubai Ice Rink throughout the duration of the league: Storms, Vipers, Theebs, Scorpions and Mighty Camels.

All the Dubai matches, including the grand final, will be hosted at Dubai Ice Rink, highlighting the venue’s world-class facilities to host international-standard ice hockey tournaments. With 1.5 inches (38 mm) of ice, Dubai Ice Rink has nearly three times the thickness of a National Hockey League ice rink.

Mr Faris Juma, General Manager, Dubai Ice Rink, said: “The UAE is establishing its strong imprint in global sporting events, backed by governmental support and superior infrastructure back-up. The UAE national ice hockey team has already gained international acclaim, winning the second Asian Ice Hockey championship recently.”

He added: “By hosting the Dubai matches and the finals of the Emirates Hockey League Cup, Dubai Ice Rink offers a world-class venue for these local teams to test their skills and display their talent, and prepare for future successes in the global arena. The venue and the league matches will further strengthen the sport of ice hockey in the UAE, encouraging more youngsters to pursue the sport.”

Hamad O. Al Sheryani, Executive Director, Abu Dhabi Ice Sports Club, said: “The Emirates Hockey League Cup is a showcase of our young and emerging talent. Dubai Ice Rink is one of the finest venues for the event matching the standards of any international arena. It will offer a truly world-class ambience for our teams to display their skills.”

The public will have free access to the run-up matches of the Emirates Hockey League Cup being held at Dubai Ice Rink. They can watch the matches from the stadium seating, which can seat over 350 spectators. For more details, call 04 448 5111 or visit www.dubaiicerink.com.

Dubai Ice Rink is one of the key leisure attractions managed by Emaar Retail in The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination. Other attractions include Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, with over 33,000 aquatic animals; SEGA Republic, the first and largest of its kind indoor theme park in the region; KidZania®, a children’s edutainment centre; and the 22-screen Reel Cinemas, the largest megaplex in the region.
 

Following The Success Of The Ramadan Experience: Asateer To Be Transformed Into A Premier Event Venue At Atlantis, The Palm

Atlantis, The Palm, the leading entertainment resort destination in the Middle East is honouring the success of Asateer by making it a permanent venue at the resort. Due to an incredible number of positive comments and requests from visitors during the holy month of Ramadan, Asateer will now be used as a premier private function venue for events such as weddings, fashion shows and product launches.

Serge Zaalof, Chief Operating Officer for Atlantis, The Palm said: ‘’The concept behind Asateer was to provide our guests with a traditional Ramadan experience in a luxurious setting.” He continued, “Throughout Ramadan, over 37,000 guests experienced Asateer and we had over 100 bookings for parties of 20 guests or more, proving to us that Asateer was a perfect venue for holding large scale events with a sea view and beach setting.”

Asateer, meaning ‘myths’, overlooks the Arabian Gulf and The Palm Jumeirah took over 300 workers 8 weeks to build and covers an area of over 2,625 m². Asateer has an independent entrance from Atlantis and a private parking area for over 500 vehicles including a helicopter landing pad. The stunning marble floors and water features at the entrance of Asateer are just part of the striking decor and ambiance of the venue, which upon request can be customized to suit the requirements or tastes of individuals for any event.

Reshma Tony, Office Manager for TECOM Investments said, “Everyone from our team enjoyed the excellent food and ambiance at Asateer, and I would like to commend the team at Atlantis on the service and quality maintained at this beautiful venue.”

Asateer already has a booking for a wedding this November. Fizah Pasha, the future bride commented, “Asateer provides the grandeur of a ballroom, but what makes it unique is the backdrop-the Dubai skyline. The chandelier lights in Asateer along with the entrance way make it all the more exquisite.” She added, “I can’t wait for my guests to walk in through that entrance and be swept away by the interior set against that beautiful backdrop. I went for iftar at Asateer, and I was amazed at how beautiful the entire tent was designed. The effort can be seen and was much appreciated by my family and I. The buffet was also served in a very nice and professional manner. Asateer definitely stood out from all the other tents we visited during Ramadan.”

Atlantis, The Palm transports guests into a dazzling, imaginative world, the resort encompasses a 46 hectare site with 17 hectares of water themed amusement at AQUAVENTURE, extensive fresh and salt-water pools and lagoon exhibits, an open-aired marine habitat second only to Mother Nature, a seemingly endless stretch of beach, luxury boutiques, numerous dining choices including four celebrity chef restaurants, an exciting nightlife experience, a Spa and Fitness Centre, and 5,600m² of meeting and function space. With its enviable location atop the crescent of The Palm Jumeirah, the opening of Atlantis is a landmark event, redefining tourism in Dubai as the first truly integrated entertainment resort.

For more information on Asateer or any events at Atlantis, please call +971 4 426 0376.

Etisalat Takes Barclays Premier League To HD

Etisalat today announced the launch of its Abu Dhabi Sports Package on eLife and E-Vision. Football fans can catch the live broadcasts of all 380 matches played in the upcoming Barclays Premier League in full high-definition (HD). The excitement of the Barclays Premier League is scheduled to begin on August 14.

Starting today, the Abu Dhabi Sports Package will be available at no additional cost, to any new customer subscribing to, or upgrading their existing single or eLife double play package to eLife triple play (Internet, fixed-line and TV service) for Master (8Mbps), Premier (16Mbps) or Max (30Mbps) packages. All other eLife triple play as well as E-Vision customers can enjoy watching the Barclays Premier League for only AED 29 per month for a 12 months subscription.

The Barclays Premier League will be available for customers to watch with both English and Arabic commentary, programming and analysis of the matches. Customers can watch their preferred match on any of the six channels that will broadcast all 380 games, live in HD. These include two Arabic channels – AD Sports 3 and AD Sports 4; and two English channels – AD Sports 5 and AD Sports 6. Two additional channels, AD Sports 7 and AD Sports 8, will relay matches in English or Arabic when more than four or five matches are being played at the same time.

Commenting on the new package, Khalifa Al Shamsi, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Etisalat said, “Etisalat is committed to bring the best possible services and entertainment to our customers, especially when it comes to enhancing their overall home entertainment experience with the broadcast of exciting global sports events. To add to this, we’re staying ahead of the curve by making sure that they get to enjoy them in high definition. HD technology introduced through Etisalat’s eLife triple play and E-Vision packages has already been met with great customer enthusiasm and we are confident that football fans in the UAE will enjoy an equally thrilling experience of watching the Barclays Premier League in HD with the Abu Dhabi Sports Package.”

He further added, “The Barclays Premier League is one of the most popular sports events, and we hope that the availability of Premier League matches via the Abu Dhabi Sports package will be an added incentive for TV viewers to enjoy HD quality entertainment.”

“This is in line with our efforts to support and partner with the sport locally and globally by giving our customers the privileged opportunity to watch the Premier League, not only on TV with eLife and E-Vision packages, but also the possibility of winning and watching it live from the stadium through our partnership with Manchester City Football Club (MCFC)”, added Al Shamsi.

Customers and Man City fans stand a chance to win by simply subscribing for MCFC news alerts through SMS ‘MC’ to 1110.

Humaid Sahoo Al Suwaidi, CEO of E-Vision said, “By offering Abu Dhabi Sports package through E-Vision, Etisalat is now offering the entire bouquet of options to football fans in the UAE, especially fans of the European leagues who can now subscribe and enjoy our services.”
 

Reel Cinemas To Offer ’Premier’ Experience At New Cineplex In Dubai Marina Mall On July 22

Emaar Retail LLC, a pioneer in innovative entertainment, leisure and retail concepts, is setting new standards in the entertainment industry by introducing the concept of ‘premier boutique cinemas’ to the UAE.

The first ‘premier’ Reel Cinemas cineplex will open in Dubai Marina Mall on July 22, 2010. The six-screen new cineplex can seat 544 people, and marks the regional growth and expansion of Reel Entertainment LLC, a premier provider of high quality cinema experiences and a subsidiary of Emaar Retail LLC.

Reel Cinemas at Dubai Marina Mall will offer a convenient and luxury cinema choice for residents in New Dubai including the communities of Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Lake Towers and Jebel Ali, as well as visitors from Abu Dhabi.

With the opening of the new cineplex at Dubai Marina Mall, Reel Entertainment LLC is moving to the next level in the theatre experience, bringing unmatched luxury to cinemas by focusing on offering a premier lifestyle choice for visitors.

This follows the setting of industry standards with the Reel Cinemas megaplex at The Dubai Mall, the largest of its kind in the region.

Mr Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Retail LLC, said: “The entertainment industry of Dubai is fast-gaining global recognition, with initiatives like film festivals and the emergence of a regional film production industry. This is complemented by world-class venues that offer a differential lifestyle experience.”

He added: “Reel Cinemas has already established industry benchmarks with the opening of our flagship 22-screen megaplex in The Dubai Mall. As we expand to Dubai Marina Mall, we have further scaled up the experience offered to visitors with the ‘Premier’ cinemas, which will serve as a referral point for the industry.”

All the six cinemas in the new cineplex at Dubai Marina Mall are exceptional in terms of ergonomics, offering cushy recliner seats that will assure a luxury cinema experience for visitors. They can also enjoy gourmet food and beverages delivered to their seats, marking a new trend in the film circuit in the region. Blankets and pillows are also provided for moviegoers at a nominal charge.

Reel Cinemas at Dubai Marina Mall is located on level 2 of the shopping and leisure destination. It follows the Hollywood Chic design concept that adds to the ambience and appeal of the cinemas. All cinemas have state-of-the-art projection and audio visual systems. An online booking function will be created for guests to pre-purchase movie tickets.

Dubai Marina Mall, a lifestyle shopping destination for residents and visitors of the Dubai Marina community, features 160 stores. The mall provides an exciting mix of tenants and includes supermarkets, fashion wear, accessories, jewellers, boutiques, book and toy shops and music centres.
 

Sultan Bin Tahnoon Receives Premier French Cultural Honour

His Excellency Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and of Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) today received the premier cultural honour of the Republic of France from the country’s Culture Minister, Frédéric Mitterrand.

The French Republic has made Sheikh Sultan a Commander of the prestigious L’Ordre des Arts et Lettres recognising his significant contribution to the enrichment of French and international cultural inheritance.

Commander is the highest order in the accolade and is presented to only 20 recipients every year.

“Sheikh Sultan’s leadership in securing a 30-year cultural accord with France which includes 30-year rights to the Louvre name has been far-sighted and will, in the long term, benefit culture and art lovers worldwide, many of whom will venture to this emirate when the Louvre Abu Dhabi opens its doors,” said Minister Mitterrand.

The presentation came as the Minister visited Al Ain, the emirate’s cultural heartland where Sheikh Sultan, who also chairs the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage (ADACH), showed him around the renovated Al Jahili Fort. The 119-year-old fort, sensitively restored by ADACH, is one of the UAE’s most historic buildings and the birthplace of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding President of the country and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

“This is a very welcome recognition of the strides Abu Dhabi has taken in developing, on Saadiyat Island, a cultural asset which will belong to the people of the UAE, the Middle East and the world,\\\” said Sheikh Sultan. \\\”It is, however, an honour that owes much to the vision of the emirate’s rulers, most notably Their Highnesses Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Executive Council Chairman, who laid the groundwork for the transformation of Saadiyat Island and the creation of its Cultural District.\\\”

Abu Dhabi is creating the world’s single largest concentration of world-class cultural institutions in Saadiyat Island’s Cultural District including the Louvre Abu Dhabi which is to open in 2013.

During his visit to Al Ain, Minister Mitterrand paid a courtesy call to His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region before visiting Al Ain Museum, the Palace Museum, Al Ain Oasis and returning to Abu Dhabi to take in the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.