Dubai Silicon Oasis Signs Mou With Dubai Department Of Tourism And Commerce Marketing

Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) today announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) to provide best of class services and support for companies aspiring to develop hospitality ventures within the DSO.

According to this agreement, DTCM will take the responsibility for licensing and categorizing hotels according to DTCM regulations. It will also ensure the implementation of all other procedures related to tourism events activities.

The MoU was signed by Dr. Mohammed Al Zarouni, Chief Executive Officer of DSOA, and Mr. Khalid A. bin Sulayem, Director-General of DTCM, in the presence of senior officials from both organizations.

Dr. Mohammed Al Zarouni, Chief Executive Officer of DSOA, said: “Since the establishment of Dubai Silicon Oasis we have endeavored to develop the technology park into a fully integrated community that offers enabling services and facilities to all our customers. Consequently, we have been engaged with several governmental departments and signed various agreements and contracts that will serve to achieve the ambitious objectives for our business partners.

“Through this partnership, DTCM will be responsible for licensing companies aspiring to develop hospitality ventures at DSO. In addition, it will also oversee tourism related events and activities that will complement the overall deliverables of the technology hub.”

Khaled A. bin Sulayem, DTCM Director General said: “This agreement falls in line within the framework of cooperation and strategic partnership between the DTCM and public and private sector organizations to enhance the tourism industry standards and services. This will go a long way in enlarging the scope of tourism industry and help regulate the hospitality sector to better the tourism product offering of Dubai.”

“Companies that are interested in hospitality business will benefit from the DTCM’s expertise and efforts to promote and market Dubai across the word. This partnership between DSO and DTCM will help create better synergies for better tourism standards and regulations for the hospitality sector,” he said.

DSO is a free zone technology park for semiconductor, microelectronics and other high technology-based companies looking to set up their regional headquarters and R&D facilities in the Middle East and North Africa region. DSOA is the regulatory body for DSO, the region’s premier integrated innovations hub for high-tech industries.

Amadeus appoints Regional Business Development Director to oversee MEA operations

Amadeus, a global leader in technology and distribution solutions for the travel and tourism industry, today announced the appointment of Nasser Batha as Regional Business Development Director for Amadeus in Middle East & Africa.Batha will lead the development and execution of sales and account management strategies for Amadeus’ operations in Saudi Arabia and will oversee expansion of market share, bookings and drive the company’s growth objectives in the region. Batha’s new role will also involve working with the sales team in identifying new business opportunities and supporting them with the sales cycle process.He will report into Fernando Cuesta, Executive Director, Amadeus Middle East and Africa.Batha has more than 25 years of travel industry work experience including successful stints at Emirates Airlines, where he was the Area Manager for Dubai and Northern Emirates, and at KLM as Director of Marketing for Middle East, Central and South Asia. Prior to joining Amadeus, Nasser worked with Al Shamel Holding in Dubai where he was the Chief Operating Officer.“Batha’s broad experience in the regional travel and tourism industry and his commercial drive combined with operational capabilities will strengthen Amadeus presence and its ability to deliver the right products and solutions to our valued customers. We are confident that with his background and leadership skills Amadeus will be able to identify potential growth opportunities and further diversify our business and revenues in the region,” said Fernando Cuesta, Executive Director, Amadeus MEA.Nasser holds a Masters degree in Business Administration and is fluent in English, Arabic, and Hindi.

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.

DP World’s UAE Region Wins ’Middle East’s Leading Cruise Port 2009’

Dubai’s Port Rashid Cruise Terminal, operated by the UAE Region of global port operator DP World, has won the World Travel Award as ‘Middle East’s Leading Cruise Port 2009.’The World Travel Awards for the Middle East region were held in Dubai on May 5th, 2009. The awards recognise exceptional contributions to the global tourism industry, and are based on votes cast by travel agents and industry professionals in 160 countries.

Mr. Tariq Bin Khalifa, Commercial Director for DP World, UAE Region, said:
“The World Travel Awards are well-known standard within the industry. We are extremely pleased to have won this honour, and to celebrate the achievements of the travel and tourism sector, which is critical to maintaining Dubai as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations.”
 

Swine Flu Will Not Affect UAE Tourism Sector

With the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico, the United States, and other countries around the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned this week that a global flu pandemic was imminent.As the UAE serves as a prominent global business and tourism centre, of major concern now is what kind of impact swine flu will have on the tourism industry.Tourism is a major contributor to GDP in the UAE and confirmation of any cases of the virus would weigh heavily on the sector, as well as on the oil price as people cut back on travel. However, according to H.E Saeid Bin Ahmed Al Buti, Chairman of Al Dhiafa Holding, while the influenza pandemic must be taken seriously because of its capacity to spread rapidly to every country in the world, there is currently no actual threat of swine flu to the UAE.“Of main concern, naturally, is the effect of this type of pandemic on the tourism industry specifically. However, the situation is being monitored closely, and the government is taking all precautionary steps to prevent swine flu from entering the country, particularly since the UAE is a hub for tourists and business travelers from around the world.”In a preventative effort, the UAE Health Ministry has set up two committees to encounter any threat of swine flu. The Technical Health Committee on Combating Swine Flu will be tasked with developing health plans and policies, precautions and preventive procedures to combat swine flu in accordance with the communicable diseases law, while The Supervisory Committee on Combating Swine Flu will be tasked with preparing proposals and recommendations for the national strategy to combat swine flu, following up on the implementation of plans to observe ports of entry as well as coordinating with WHO and other international and regional relevant organizations.Says Al Buti: “The UAE leadership’s directives are clear in such world pandemic cases, and the authorities have commenced – after ensuring that the UAE is free from swine flu – taking appropriate preventive precautionary measures. Government’s quick action to prevent entry of the disease into the UAE is reassuring, and reaffirms its commitment to sustaining the tourism industry. By keeping a close surveillance on people coming from the infected parts of the world, and by banning the import and sale of pork in the country, travelers can rest assured that the UAE is still a safe destination.”