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Ice Land Water
Park in RAK to open this week |
24.09.10
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A
hotly-anticipated ice-themed water park, complete with the world’s
largest man-made waterfall, will open its doors to the public this
week.Ice Land Water Park, in Al Hamra, Ras Al Khamaih, will hold its
official opening ceremony on Wednesday from 6pm until midnight.The
ceremony will be attended by Shaikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown
Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.
The water park, which cost $100 million (Dh367 million) to build, is
the first phase of a project called WOW RAK, which is expected to
boost tourism in Ras Al Khamaih and contribute to the regeneration
of the emirate.
“Designed to accommodate up to 10,000 visitors, Ice Land Water Park
underlines Ras Al Khaimah’s continuing thrust to offer a premium
selection of business, leisure and lifestyle amenities and to
attract more visitors to the emirate,” said Mohammed Sultan Al Qadi,
Managing Director and CEO RAK Properties — one of the firms behind
the joint venture.
“Ice Land Water Park will certainly reinforce the growing reputation
of Ras Al Khaimah as a safe, secure and exciting place to live, work
and play.”
The park will include a 120-ft tall manmade fountain, which will see
100,000 gallons of water cascading down each minute.
In addition, there will be 49 other rides and attractions, including
a 30,000 sq-ft ‘rain dance pool’, which will include a variety of
discos and rain showers. Among the other attractions at the 125 acre
park are snorkelling with fish by man-made coral
reefs, a football
pitch which doubles up as a rain shower, and Jacuzzis in an
igloo-shaped building. A four megawatt power generator will cover
electricity at the park, in addition to a desalination plant capable
of producing 525,000 gallons of water a day. A water filtration
system will be used to maintain the four million gallons of pool
water.
“The Ice Land Water Park currently qualifies among the top five
parks in the world in terms of size and the attractions offered,”
said Balwant Singh Chawla, managing director of Polo RAK Amusement —
the company which will manage the park.
“We hope that with the addition of more facilities planned to take
place within one year it will be among the top three water parks in
the world.”
Prices range from Dh175 for an all-access child day pass, to Dh225
for adults, according to the company’s website.
The second phase of WOW RAK, a chalet-style seaside resort and a
shopping mall, is expected to open in autumn 2011.
The mall is said to include the UAE’s first 4D cinema. The final
phase, a theme park called ‘Planet Earth’, is expected to be ready
for customers by autumn 2012.
khaleejtimes(C) |
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The Grand opening
of unique Atlantis Hotel will take place on September 24 this year |
21.08.08
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This phenomenal
new ocean-themed resort built around the myth of the lost continent of
Atlantis is home to some distinct and unique attractions, including
65,000 fish and marine species, The Lost Chambers and Aquaventure. A
truly diverse and exciting resort, it combines a thrilling atmosphere
with distinctive surroundings, chic restaurants and bars and
incomparable leisure facilities. As the first resort to open on The
Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis, The Palm is set to be the ultimate resort
destination in Dubai when it opens in Autumn 2008.
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The Dubai Tennis
Stadium will open its doors to the best-ever player line-up when the
Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships get under way on Monday. |
25.02.08
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Justine Henin,
the defending champion and four-time winner here is the top seed.
But challenging her dominance in Dubai will be Russian pair Maria
Sharapova and Svetlana Kuznetsova along with the Serbian pairing of
Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic.
Henin has been a regular in Dubai and has won every time she has come
here starting in 2003, except in 2005 when she did not come.
Ivanovic, hugely popular on the tennis circuit due to her nature and
poise, was a suspect entry here following an ankle injury scare during
last week's Qatar Open.
But organizers Dubai Duty Free were quick to calm down fears that the
20-year-old Serbian may not play in Dubai.
Gulf News.(C) |
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28 dolphins are
on the way to their new home in Dubai. |
20.10.07
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The animals who
lost their freedom will entertain the visitors of Atlantis Hotel
just in a year period. As hotel representative announced the hotel 11
acres dolphinarium will conform to the best world standards.
In spite of the fact that all the procedure of purchase and delivery
of the dolphins is legal and made on proper way, some public wild
animals defending organizations tried to prevent the deal but failed.
CITES representative has confirmed that dolphins were taken from
Solomon Islands to Dubai legally. The General Secretary of CITES
Mr.William Wynestickers declared on last Monday that "the volume of
dolphin worldwide trading is under control and do not harm the
nature".
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Dubai has been
placed on the third position on the list of world’s most expensive travel
destinations. |
30.08.07
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A survey by the
UK-based corporate travel consultant, HRG, said Dubai continued to
experience growth in average room rates, having climbed four places to
become the third most expensive city after Moscow and New York City.
The survey is based upon a combination of industry figures, actual
room nights booked and rates paid by HRG’s clients during January-June
2007.
Rates in Dubai again are on the rise, even though there has been
massive new investment in the opening of hotel developments. The
country is now a major focus for the inbound leisure market, which
impacts the number of rooms available for the corporate market, and
with demand outstripping supply the growth in average rates looks set
to continue for the foreseeable future.
According to a new hotel industry survey, Dubai has leapt up from
seventh most expensive city in the world in less than a year -
leapfrogging Rome, London, Paris and Milan in the price stakes.
Between January and June last year, the average room rate of a hotel
in Dubai was 315USD. This year it's a whopping 338USD.
According to the annual Mercer Human Resource Consulting Cost of
Living Survey, Dubai broke into the top-most expensive cities, tying
for the 25th spot with Helsinki in Finland. Dubai is now among the top
25 most expensive cities in the world. The emirate ranked 25th, up
from 73rd place, jumping 48 places in the space of just a year. The
survey ranks 144 countries, measuring the comparative cost of more
than 200 indicators including housing, food and transportation.
(C) DTCM Newsletter |
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Dubai Airport to
enforce liquids ban from 17 June 2007. |
10.06.07
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The Dubai
Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) says that its regulations will be
in line with international regulations, which are: All liquids must be
in individual containers not greater than 100ml capacity.
All containers must be placed in one transparent re-sealable
transparent bag, no larger than 20cm x 20cm in size. The containers
must fit comfortably inside the bag so it can be fastened closed.
Only one bag per passenger is allowed. The bag must be clear and
re-sealable, such as ‘ziplock' bags or bags with pressable seals.
Larger bags or bags that are non-sealable, such as fold-over sandwich
bags are not allowed.
Each passenger must remove their clear plastic bag from their hand
baggage and place it in on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening.
Liquids in containers of more than 100ml capacity can be packed in
your checked in baggage.
Travellers flying from Dubai International Airport will not be allowed
to bring on board containers containing liquids that are larger than
100ml.
The rules apply to all liquids, including drinks, water, creams,
pastes such as toothpastes, gels, shampoos and perfumes. Exceptions to
these rules are made for medicines and special foods, such as baby
foods, which are required during the flight. These do not need to be
carried in a plastic bag although they must be presented at the
security check.
Liquids such as perfumes, spirits and so on can still be bought at
Dubai Duty Free. They will be sold in two-litre tamper-evident bags
that passengers are advised not to open before they are screened.
(C) DTCM Newsletter |
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The 14th edition
of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) started on 1May. |
01.05.07
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The 14th edition
of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) –billed as the world’s third
biggest tourism fair after the WTM in London and ITB in Berlin – got
underway at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre
on May 1.
The four-day annual show was opened by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin
Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and
Chairman of Emirates Group.
With a stand measuring 908 square metres and 68 booths, Dubai is
making its largest-ever showing at the ATM. The fair is being held
under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai,
and the auspices of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce
Marketing (DTCM).
ATM-2007 is more significant to Dubai as it comes at a time when the
emirate’s booming tourism industry is steaming ahead with spectacular
growth levels. Dubai hospitality industry posted an all-time record
revenue of AED11 billion from the 6.5 million guests hosted by 423
hotels and hotel apartments in the year 2006.
This will be the largest-ever stand space taken by the DTCM. There
were a total of 108 co-participants from Dubai’s booming tourism
industry, including hotels and tour operators. A 100 square metre
space had been allocated to create Dubai Heritage Village to promote
the rich heritage and culture of the emirate.
More than 2,600 exhibitors from 62 countries are participating in the
ATM-2007.
Eight destinations will participate for the first time. This year’s
show will occupy 24,600 square metres of space, up 11 per cent on last
year. At this year’s show there are more than 114 new exhibitors from
34 countries, including first-time representations from China and
Peru.
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(C) DTCM Newsletter |
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Burj Dubai
skyscraper reached 509 Meter mark. |
23.10.07
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Under
development since the past three years to reach an unspecified height,
Burj Dubai is now the tallest structure in the Middle East and Europe
and at 110 levels it shares the honour of having the largest number of
floors, alongside Sears Tower in Chicago.
The 380-metre high tower is also the world's ninth tallest building.
Burj Dubai is only one meter shorter than the Empire State Building -
the second tallest in the US and is on its course to become the
world's tallest building.
It is the centerpiece of the US$20-billion Downtown Burj Dubai, a
mixed-use project in the heart of Dubai featuring residences,
commercial space, hospitality projects and several retail outlets
including The Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping and
entertainment destination.
To date, 267,426 cubic meters of reinforced concrete and 49,684 tones
of reinforcing steel have been used in the construction of Burj Dubai.
Over 3,000 workers are currently employed at the Burj Dubai site. Ten
cranes and the world's fastest high-capacity construction hoists are
used to move men and material.
Burj Dubai is now taller than Taipei 101 the former tallest buiding in
the world.
Burj Dubai will be a stellar achievement in engineering; the curtain
wall of Burj Dubai will be equivalent to 17 football fields; the
concrete used will be equivalent to a sidewalk 1,900 km long and the
tower's peak electricity demand will be roughly the same as 360,000
light bulbs of 100 watts operating at the same time.
When completed, Burj Dubai will be the tallest building in the world
in all four categories recognized by the Council on Tall Buildings and
Urban Habitat (CTBUH), which compiles and ranks the world's tallest
buildings. CTBUH ranks buildings on the basis of spire height, the
highest occupied floor, roof height and pinnacle height.
Burj Dubai will also mark the advent of a new lifestyle choice for
Dubai residents and visitors. It will comprise 1,000 residences,
commercial spaces, leisure facilities and The Armani Hotel.
(C) DTCM Newsletter |
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Dubai's Palm
Monorail has officially opened to the public, becoming the first such
transport system in the Middle East. |
05.05.09
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The monorail spans
the length of Palm Jumeirah, running runs from the Gateway Towers
station at the trunk of Palm Jumeirah to Atlantis Aquaventure Station
on the crescent.
It has cost $381m to build and was due to open in April, but was
delayed while facilities linked to the monorail were completed.
It has the capacity to carry some 40,000 passengers around Nakheel’s
man-made island,
Nakheel has plans to ultimately connect the service to the Dubai Metro
after the introduction of Road and Transport Authority's Al Sufouh
tramline, which will offer direct llinks to Dubai Airport.
Developed by a consortium of leading international companies, led by
the Marubeni Corporation, the Palm Monorail's system is fully
automatic and driverless, although an attendant will be on board at
all times.
The monorail will initially carry up to 2,400 passengers per hour per
direction in four separate trains, each made up of three cars. At full
capacity, the figure will rise to a maximum of 6,000 people in nine
vehicles.
State-of-the-art technology has been employed to overcome a number of
challenges including running 1,000m of rail over-sea, meeting Dubai's
unique climatic conditions, and protecting the communities of the Palm
Jumeirah from noise pollution by using a virtually silent track
system.
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Dubai Shopping
Festival launch party cancelled. |
12.01.09
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The launch
ceremony planned for the Dubai Shopping Festival 2009 has been
cancelled as a mark of solidarity to the people of Gaza.
The announcement was made on Monday by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al
Maktoum, chairman of the Dubai Shopping Festival Office (DSFO) Supreme
Committee.
It follows the directive by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum, who cancelled all New Year's Eve outdoor celebrations in the
emirate.
However Sheikh Ahmed added that all other DSF 2009 activities would go
on as planned from Jan. 15 to Feb. 15.
“DSF 2009 coincides with a turbulent period of political turmoil in
the Middle East and as per the directives of His Highness Sheikh
Mohammed bin Rashid, the festivities marking the beginning of DSF
stand cancelled as an act of solidarity towards the people and our
brothers in Gaza,” he said.
He added: “DSF has witnessed a series of successes in the past 13
years that has effectively made it a distinguished regional
phenomenon...DSF 2009 will be another milestone in the festival’s
illustrious history."
The 32-day event promises some of the best shopping discounts in a DSF
edition yet and prizes worth millions of dirhams will be given to
shoppers every day.
(c) Arabian
Business
Download the Festival program.
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US$22.3 m floating
bridge, first of its kind in the region, to be ready in March 2007. |
05.11.06
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A floating bridge, first
of its kind in the region, will be built over Dubai Creek as part of
the government's 'quick solution' plans to ease traffic congestion in
the city.
The 300-metre-long bridge, which will have three lanes on each
direction, will cost US$22.3million.
It will be built with
20-metre wide hollow concrete blocks that will float on the water.
Construction will start in September and it will be ready in March
2007.
The holding capacity of the bridge will be 3,000 vehicles per hour per
direction.
It will be built between Al Maktoum and Al Garhoud Bridges, stretching
from the intersection near Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club in Deira to
the intersection to be built on Riyadh Street between Dubai Courts and
the Creek Park in Bur Dubai.
The rolling segment allows the bridge to open and close at intervals
of 20 minutes to allow ships and dhows to pass. There will be enough
space for abras and small boats to pass without the bridge opening.
The bridge will help reduce 37 per cent of vehicular movement on Al
Maktoum Bridge. Currently more than 150,000 vehicles use the bridge
every day and are considered the main cause of traffic jams in the
area.
"The bridge will provide a vital link to motorists crossing the creek
and ease traffic on existing creek crossings," said Mattar Al Tayer,
Chief Executive Officer of the RTA.
"His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President
and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai has approved the
construction of the bridge, which will be later replaced with a
permanent bridge," Al Tayer said
(C) Gulf News |
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Residents across
UAE celebrate Eid with family and friends. |
23.10.06
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Throughout the UAE on
23rd of October, residents of all nationalities celebrated the first
day of Eid Al Fitr with family and friends, offering prayers for peace
and prosperity.
For Muslims across the UAE, the day commenced at 6.40am, with Eid Al Fitr
prayers held at mosques and Eid Mussallah (prayer) grounds, attended
by thousands of worshippers. Families and friends gathered at parks and
beaches across all emirate, with adults busying themselves with
barbecue preparations, while the children entertained themselves
playing, in areas such as parks, beaches, and etc.
Hundreds of Muslim and non-Muslim families and friends spent the day
at Safa Park in Jumeirah, with many women in new, brightly coloured
clothes, men in traditional attire and children playing with their Eid
gifts crowding inside the lush grounds in the brilliant sunshine. |
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Holy month of Ramadan
started on September 13 rd, 2007 or 1428 of Hijri calendar. |
06.09.07
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Ramadan is the ninth
month of the Islamic calendar. Islam uses a lunar calendar—that is,
each month begins with the sighting of the new moon. Because the lunar
calendar is about 11 days shorter than the solar calendar used
elsewhere, Islamic holidays "move" each year. Muslims believe that
during the month of Ramadan,his change is only
compulsory for all government bodies. Private sector companies on the
other hand are given the option to change their weekend or not.
Allah revealed the first verses of the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam.
Around 610 A.D., a caravan trader named Muhammad took to wandering the
desert near Mecca (in today's Saudi Arabia) while thinking about his
faith. One night a voice called to him from the night sky. It was the
angel Gabriel, who told Muhammad he had been chosen to receive the
word of Allah. In the days that followed, Muhammad found himself
speaking the verses that would be transcribed as the Qur'an.
At many mosques during Ramadan, about one thirtieth of the Qur'an is
recited each night in prayers known as tarawih. In this way, by the
end of the month the complete scripture will have been recited.
Fasting
Muslims practice sawm, or fasting, for the entire month of Ramadan.
This means that they may eat or drink nothing, including water, while
the sun shines, normally till 17 50. Fasting is one of the Five
Pillars (duties) of Islam. As with other Islamic duties, all able
Muslims take part in sawm from about age twelve.
During Ramadan, most restaurants are closed during the daylight hours.
(but take-away available in many of them for non-Muslims)
Families get up early for suhoor, a meal eaten before the sun rises.
After the sun sets, the fast is broken with a meal known as iftar.
Iftar usually begins with dates and sweet drinks that provide a quick
energy boost.
Fasting serves many purposes. While they are hungry and thirsty,
Muslims are reminded of the suffering of the poor. Fasting is also an
opportunity to practice self-control and to cleanse the body and mind.
And in this most sacred month, fasting helps Muslims feel the peace
that comes from spiritual devotion as well as kinship with fellow
believers.
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The United Arab Emirates
Government has decided to shift weekend from Thursday-Friday to
Friday-Saturday
starting September 1, 2006 |
30.08.06
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This change is only
compulsory for all government bodies. Private sector companies on the
other hand are given the option to change their weekend or not.
Related service affected would be the UAE entry visa from the
Immigration Department.
Effective September 1,
2006, working days for visa processing should be counted as Sunday,
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (5 days).
Other government related services will also be affected. |
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Strategic alliance of
Nakheel, Jumeirah International Group
and Trump Organization. |
30.07.06
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The construction itself
will be done by US Trump Organization and Nakheel, one of the biggest
company in the Middle East. Jumeirah International Group will take
over the management of both Donald Trump Hotel and luxurious Jumeirah Shoreline Hotel & Yacht Club.
This 5 star property will have 200 rooms, as well as 200 apartment and
the longest private beach in Dubai |
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Bawadi project in
Dubailand
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26.04.06
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Tatweer, a unit of Dubai
Holding, said the project will boast the largest concentration of
leading hotels in the world and help Dubai cope with the 15 million
tourists it hopes to attract by 2010.Called Bawadi, the project will
nearly double the current number of hotel rooms through several themed
hotels and also develop entertainment centres, shopping malls, theatres,
restaurants and convention centres.
The centrepiece of Bawadi will be the world's largest hotel,
Asia-Asia, which alone will comprise 6,500 rooms, combining 5,100
four-star and an additional 1,400 five-star rooms.
Asia-Asia will be a part of the first phase of development, which
includes total spending of Dh12 billion by Tatweer in hotel and
infrastructure, and will be completed by 2010.
The capacity of Bawadi will be 29,200 rooms, out of which 12,450 will
be developed by Tatweer's 12 themed hotels, with another 16,750 rooms
developed by independent investors in another 19 hotels.
Together, the hotels are expected to host 3.3 million guests by 2016,
that will be more than 21 per cent of the total number of tourists
that Dubai expects to receive by that time. |
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$4.2 billion Dubai Metro
light rail
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24.03.06
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Work on the $4.2 billion Dubai Metro
light rail project has started with
another 47 kilometers section to be added to serve more
communities. Called the Blue Line, it will provide links to Dubai
International Airport and the new airport coming up at Jebel Ali. The
third line of the system will be operational in 2011.
The
Red Line will be ready by September 2009 and the Green Line by March
2010. Both lines will have a total length of 69.7 kilometers.
The
Green Line will be extended to the Business Bay and the Red Line will be
extended to Jebel Ali Port. Work on the Red Line is being carried out
and the construction of the Green Line will start by this year-end.
Dubai
Metro will have 42 stations, including nine underground stations. A
total of 87 trains with a passenger capacity of 600 commuters each will
operate across the emirate of Dubai at intervals of 225 seconds.
The
integrated system is expected to be used by over 46,000 passengers per
minute during the peak hours and over 118,000 passengers per minute at
peak hours by 2020.
The
trains will be completely electronic, which will aid in punctuality and
logistical control, thereby accomplishing high traffic absorption rates.
The stations will boast state-of-the-art architecture and will have its
own car park, taxi stand and bus stop for rapid change-over.
The
environment-friendly, noise-free project is of immense significance to
the emirate, as it is designed to meet the growth in population,
estimated at 6.5 per cent annually. The population will increase from 1
million in the current year to 3.5 million in 2020 along with a
three-fold increase in the number of vehicles from the present 350,000
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