The famous luxury ocean liner Queen Elizabeth II, which has been docked in Dubai since it was decommissioned from service with Cunard in 2008, is now to become a commercially managed hotel property under Accor’s MGallery Hotel Collection brand. Dubai’s state-owned PCFC Hotels (Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation) first began operating the ship as […]
Ras al Khaima welcomes the UAE’s first casino in deal with Las Vegas-based Wynn Resorts
In a first for the UAE, the emirate of Ras al Khaima will create a new Department of Entertainment and Gaming Regulation within its existing Tourism Development Authority to oversee what they are calling “integrated resorts,” or developments that will feature casinos and gaming. Gambling has thus far been banned across the UAE, so the […]
Dubai’s Burj Al Arab launches new guided tours open to the general public
For the first time since it opened its gilded doors 21 year ago, the hotel that bills itself as the world’s only “7-star” hotel is offering something for those who cannot afford to shell out enough dinars for a luxurious over-the-top stay here. The property just announced that it will begin offering tours to the […]
Dubai tourism arrivals are bouncing back big in 2021 following pandemic-defying numbers in 2020
The tiny Gulf emirate that packs a big punch continues to defy expectations as it reported welcoming 1.67 million international visitors in the first third of 2021, according to the Dubai Tourism Annual Visitor Report 2020. While Indians made up nearly 30% of those arrival numbers, visitors from Russia and Eastern Europe made up just […]
Arabian Travel Market takes 2020 show virtual, moves live event to 2021
Organizers of the annual Arabian Travel Market (ATM) have announced that the planned 2020 exhibition and conference will now become a virtual event to be held online June 1-3, 2020 while the next live in-person event will take place May 16-19, 2021 at the Dubai World Trade Center. Founded 1995 and originally hosted at the […]
UAE requests, BIE Exec. Cmte. recommends postponement of Expo 2020 Dubai
Following a request from the government of the United Arab Emirates to reschedule Expo 2020 Dubai, the Executive Committee of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), which oversees world expo events, has voted unanimously to recommend that the event be postponed until 2021. The final decision is now up to the BIE’s General Assembly, consisting […]
Sharjah unveils new eco-park
The UAE’s Sharjah emirate opened a new eco-park today in an effort to boost eco-friendly and sustainable tourism in the area. Officially named the Buhais Geology Park, the new attraction is located just off Highway E55 between Meleha and Al Madam near the country’s border with Oman. The park showcases the history of plant, animal, […]
Khalaf Al-Habtoor, Chairman of Al-Habtoor Group
Khalaf Al-Habtoor is the founder and chairman of Al-Habtoor Group, an Emirati holding company for businesses and investmetns in construction, real estate, vehicle sales and rentals, and education. Khalaf Al-Habtoor sat down for a revealing exclusive interview with Arab News to talk about his company’s plans to join in on the expected upcoming Saudi tourism […]
UAE offers new five-year tourist visa
The United Arab Emirates has approved the creation of a new five-year, multiple-entry visa for tourists who wish to visit the country repeatedly without having to apply for a new visa every three months. The new option was announced on Twitter by UAE Prime Minister, Vice President, and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammed bin […]
Visionary Emirates Airlines leader to retire after 35 years
Emirates Airlines has announced that its longtime visionary leader, Tim Clarke, will retire form his role as CEO of the company in June of 2020. Clarke has been at the helm of Emirates for more than 30 years, helping to transform the airline – and Dubai itself – from an upstart project to the global […]
