The Dubai Road and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced that taxis will soon be exempt from the Salik road tolls.
The move, effective from December 2, is designed to cut fuel consumption. Passengers currently pay Dh4 when they pass through a Salik gate. Many taxi drivers have simply avoided the charge by taking longer routes.
Cirque du Soleil will return to Dubai next year before taking permanent residence at the Palm Jumeirah.
The Canadian-based circus will perform their popular show Alegria at the Ibn Battuta Mall from March 5 to April 9 2009. Ticketing information will be released at the beginning of December.
In 2011 the Cirque du Soleil will take up permanent residence at a purpose-built theatre on the Palm Jumeirah.
The QE2 is scheduled to arrive in Dubai later today. The world’s most famous cruise ship will be moored at Mina Rashid where she will be transformed into a luxury hotel to be anchored off the Palm Jumeirah.
She will be met on arrival in Dubai by a flotilla of boats including the MY Dubai, the luxury yacht of owned by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the Royal Navy’s HMS Lancaster.
Property developers Nakheel have announced a new residential development at International City.
Forbidden City will comprise 4,000 affordable studio, one and two bedroom apartments, plus around 50 shops, cafes, and restaurants. The architecture will be inspired by that of Imperial China and the development will be located between the Central District and the Lake District.
Completion is expected in the first half of 2011.
The United Arab Emirates, Singapore and the US are the best places for expatriates to work according to a survey by HSBC.
Countries were judged on criteria such as how long expatriates stayed in the country, their ability to earn and save, the level of luxury experienced, and the quality of accommodation.
Al Habtoor Engineering Enterprises has announced it has started building works on the Habtoor Island Resort and Spa on the Palm Jumeirah.
The resort will feature 217 rooms and suites, 91 luxury apartments, and 4 upmarket villas. Other features include 10 restaurants and bars, 2 ballrooms, meeting rooms, a spa, gym, and 3 tennis courts.
The Dubai Aquarium and Discovery Centre at the Dubai Mall has set a new world record even though it has not yet opened.
The 10 million litre aquarium now holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest acrylic panel. The panel measures 32.88 metres wide and 8.3 metres high and allows visitors uninterrupted views of more than 33,000 marine animals.
The Dubai Aquarium opens at 4 pm on Tuesday November 4. Entrance is free for visitors to the shopping mall.
The much-anticipated opening of the Dubai Mall has been delayed again. Developers Emaar say it will now open on November 4 2008 and not October 30.
In a statement on their website they say, ‘The Dubai Mall was prepared to open as planned for October 30. However, the additional days will ensure the final touches are in place to allow our visitors to fully appreciate and enjoy The Dubai Mall experience.’
The mall was originally scheduled to open in August.
One of the world’s most celebrated cruise liners is currently making her final voyage. The Queen Elizabeth II (QE2) will arrive in Dubai on November 26 when she will be handed over to new owners Nakheel.
After arriving she will undergo an extensive refurbishment to recreate her original interior décor and fittings. She will then become a floating hotel, berthed at a pier on the Palm Jumeirah.
The 70,000 tonne vessel was launched by the Queen Elizabeth II in 1967 and has carried more than 40 million passengers and made more than 800 transatlantic crossings.
Refad Hotels & Resorts’ flagship property, The Monarch Dubai, has been recognised at the prestigious World Travel Awards on Tuesday 28th October where it took out two of its categories making it one of the top hotel’s in the region.
The Monarch Dubai, one of Dubai’s leading luxury hotel’s, was named Middle East leading new hotel and its exclusive Monarch Suite has been named as the Middle East’s leading suite.
For the past 15 year’s the World Travel Awards have been recognising the world’s leading hotels. This year, more than 500 Middle East travel and tourism companies and organisations from across the region, representing every industry sector, took part in the ceremony.
The Monarch Dubai General Manager Henning Fries, said that as a flagship project, a lot of hard work and dedication had gone into getting The Monarch Dubai to this stage, where it is beginning to be recognised by its industry peers as a leader in its field.
‘We are very proud of what we have achieved here as a team,’ he said. ‘For a flagship operation to be included in such a prestigious event and even come away with honours, within just a year of opening, is a huge achievement and it proves that the Monarch concept is set for a bright future.’
Located at Dubai’s premier location of One Sheikh Zayed Road, The Monarch Dubai is positioning itself as a luxury hotel with a difference aimed at business and leisure travellers.
Fries said The Monarch Dubai differentiates itself from other hotels in the city by providing dedicated personal service consistent with its underlying philosophy of being a hospitality industry leader.
‘With a staff:guest ratio much higher than many leading European hotels, we are more than ready to exceed our guests’ expectations,’he said.
‘For example, the superb fine cuisine available in each of our eight restaurants and lounges can become a private banquet served in their suite by their own private butler who is on call 24/7. Personal trainers are on hand in the lavishly appointed gymnasiums to provide wellness assessments and individual fitness plans, while exquisite massages unique to The Monarch Dubai in the Middle East are on offer from the world-leading Mandara Spa.’