Hot Dubai Safari will be a ‘frozen zoo’

Animals roaming in the wild and air-conditioned rocks keeping them cool are not just the highlights of Dubai Safari that is expected to open its doors to visitors in September. It is also set to become one of the largest ‘frozen zoos’ in the world that can help preserve the genetic pool of animals and prevent their extinction.

“The new Dubai Safari will hold a ‘frozen zoo’,” Tim Husband, the technical director of Dubai Safari told Gulf News.

“[It will have] first a sperm bank and later on an embryo bank, where we will hold genetic materials of many different species so that we will be able to not only help with our own collection but in time to help with other collections [in zoos] around the world. The goal is to have one of the largest frozen zoos in the world,” he said.

There are only a few frozen zoos in the world. To become a leading one among them, Dubai Safari will have a state-of-the-art laboratory that will store sperm, tissue samples and embryos of animals in liquid nitrogen. The cryopreservation of genetic materials will be done in sub-zero temperatures. The preserved sperm will be provided to other zoos as well for animal reproduction programmes such as artificial insemination.

Computer dating for animals

To prevent inbreeding or mating of related animals, which leads to decreased biological fitness of a population, Dubai Safari will also incorporate modern technology in its breeding programme.

“Every animal will have a chip put in it and carry an ID number. If you scan the chip, you will get all the details stored in the stock book of the animal,” said Husband.

The stock book will have the full profile of each animal, including details of other animals related to it. “You feed the ID number of the animal and bang it comes up on the computer that this animal is related to this one and this one and not related to this and that, etc.”

Dubbing it as “computer dating for animals,” Husband said the technology-assisted breeding programme that prevents inbreeding will help ensure that the frozen zoo in Dubai Safari has the best quality gene pool of animals.

“If something happens to any animal’s population, we will have the gene pool here to release them into the wild.”

Husband said the breeding programme will start as soon as the stock of animals is in and the frozen zoo will start as soon as the lab is ready.

Dubai Safari is slated to house almost 3,500 animals in its first phase. Around 500 of them have already arrived at the nearly 120-hectare facility in Al Warqa which aims to be the biggest wildlife conservation project in the region.

A conservation centre will be part of the project. It will support field research and educational activities.

Apart from providing educational tours to school students at Dubai Safari, Husband said, guides will be sent to schools in Dubai to talk about animals and conservation programmes.

“I want to really push to have a kids’ club where they can come here one day during weekend and get to be with the guides to explore more about wildlife conservation,” he said.

A frozen zoo is a zoo that has the laboratory facility for cryopreservation of animal genetic resources. Sperms, oocytes, embryos and somatic cells are generally preserved by cooling to very low temperatures (typically -80 °C using solid carbon dioxide or -196 °C in liquid nitrogen) for using them again for animal reproduction.

Hot Dubai Safari will be a ‘frozen zoo’

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How landmark projects impact Dubai real estate value

The influence that an iconic project can have on its locale is often quite dramatic. Apart from becoming a magnet for activity and development, trophy properties or iconic projects have the ability to change the value of nearby real estate. In Dubai, dozens of iconic projects in the past years have kept the city in a constant flux, with its ‘city centre’ shifting from Deira in the 1980s, to Bur Dubai, to Dubai Marina and now Downtown Dubai.

“In Dubai, flagship projects appear to create the demand and momentum for the construction of entire districts, in contrast to modern landmarks and recognisable flagships elsewhere, which have been created more organically, often within pre-existing city centres,” David Godchaux, CEO of Core- Savills, tells PW.

Several iconic projects are under way in Dubai, including the World Expo 2020 site, the Dubai Metro extension and Meydan One. Many other developments have been launched with much fanfare and publicity, claiming to become the world’s tallest tower, the highest observation wheel and the most expensive apartment, among others.

“Although this is very rare throughout the world, the closest similar examples are major regeneration projects, such as Greenwich Peninsula in London,” says Godchaux. “Previously a brownfield site, it is now the largest regeneration project in Europe. In Saudi Arabia, Kingdom Tower is currently under construction and other examples include the Pearl in Qatar, Marina Bay Sands in Singapore and the Cinta Costera in Panama City.”

The caveat is that big projects need to be more than just big to make a sizeable difference to the property values in the area. Projects such as the Dubai Opera District, The Tower in Creek Harbour and others also add various lifestyle aspects such as retail and community amenities for both residents and visitors. “They collectively enhance the environment to broaden the offering to the visitors and residents,” Nick Maclean, managing director of CBRE Middle East, tells PW. “That is an important part of making Dubai a complete market for ‘live, work and play’.”

Infrastructure, food and beverage offerings, retail and entertainment come together to create value, but some projects are inherently attractive despite not having trophy additions. Maclean says, “In so far as the [Dubai Water] Canal is concerned, one of the key reasons of its impact is the increase in quantity of waterside apartments and villas. That will almost certainly enhance the value of individual units on either side.”

Projects such as City Walk change the lifestyle in an area, making it more attractive to a demographic other than the ones originally served. “In City Walk, it’s not just enhancing the value of residential property,” says Maclean. “There was significant residential value in Jumeirah already. It is, in fact, creating a new format retail where people can live close by. The residential values are not yet fully realised. Once the retail offering is balanced and stable, we expect it to become interesting to live, shop and be entertained.”

Impact

Godchaux says that while there is an immediate gain in sentiment, actual price enhancements take time. “There has been no immediate spike in prices, but we believe in the short term there will be more of a sentimental boost,” says Godchaux. “Few investors and end users will naturally want to be among the first to invest or live there, like we saw 13 years ago with the launch of Dubai Marina. Over the next few years, with momentum building and more developments delivered in this part of Dubai, we expect to see this market maturing, with prices increasingly anchored on or linked to market fundamentals and driven by offer and demand rather than just sentiment.”

An important addition to the list of iconic projects, according to Maclean, are commercial landmarks. “Landmark schemes in the commercial sphere include the ICD Brookfield Place in Dubai International Financial Centre. That is a real trophy project — very big in scale and most significant to occupiers in the region,” he says. “It is a tempting buy for investors and occupiers.”

Large projects by their sheer scale result in a change in perception about the area. The Dubai Opera District, City Walk and the Dubai Water Canal may affect prices in Downtown, Jumeirah and other nearby areas in the long and short term.

“Over the past two or three years there has been price softening across Dubai in general, but in particular in Downtown and Jumeirah,” says Godchaux. “Excluding the Burj Khalifa, the average price was about Dh2,100 per square foot in Downtown; it is now on average around Dh1,700 per square foot. The new projects coming on board in these areas are building momentum and, once they become more mature, we are very optimistic they will have a positive impact on pricing.

“Where we see a lot of affordable or mid-market stock coming in the outer areas of Dubai, the stock coming in this part of the emirate is more prime and we don’t see an oversupply of this at the moment, which should support price appreciation with the demand naturally increasing as the momentum builds up around the Canal, City Walk and Dubai Opera.”

Dubai has seen examples of large projects, such as the Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Marina, which have had varied impact on property prices in the area. “The mall has enhanced the value in Barsha. However, it is not the most expensive location. The mall is important, but it’s not truly reflected in the value of the properties,” Maclean says. “In Dubai Marina, the property value enhanced because of the facilities around it.”

Citing the upcoming Jumeirah Central, Maclean says projects that are designed holistically have a bigger impact on real estate value. “The concept is designed to attract people to live, work and play. The concept of the scheme is very important,” says Maclean. “The facilities and components do not just enhance but maintain value. Over time the premium for new accommodation goes away. However, if the development is right with all the facilities, it continues to maintain value.”

Enhancing and maintaining value is ultimately a combination of factors, says Godchaux. “The question everywhere always is how much momentum and demand the flagship project – and its resulting surrounding development – will be able to generate and, more importantly, how to carry that demand steadily through the duration of the project,” he says. “Price is an important factor, but infrastructure and reaching the critical size that will give the project credibility are far more essential.

“There are almost no examples of this being accomplished in a short period of time outside Dubai.”

Iconic projects in the making

Jumeirah Central

A mini city development announced by Dubai Holding, Jumeirah Central will be completed in 2020-21. With

47 million sq ft of gross floor area, the project will be home to 35,000 residents. Its 9 million sq ft of retail space and 7,200 hotel rooms make it a sizeable landmark along Shaikh Zayed Road. A showcase for urban planning, the project comprises a cycling network passing through 33 parks and open-air spaces, while “aerial gondolas” provide an alternative mode of transport.

Dubai South

Launched in 2006 as the world’s first purpose-built aerotropolis, with Al Maktoum International Airport its centre, Dubai South is set to open thousands of homes, shops and offices.

Bluewaters Island

The Meraas Holdings project off Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) has the world’s highest observation wheel, Ain Dubai, as its centrepiece. Featuring retail, residential, hospitality and entertainment zones, Bluewaters Island will operate a mono rail system, in addition to direct road access from Shaikh Zayed Road and a pedestrian bridge linking the island to the JBR beachfront.

Palm Jumeirah

The Palm continues to introduce new elements, including an 11km waterside walkway that recently opened. The trunk and crescent are seeing many high-profile additions. The Nakheel Mall is an ongoing project too.

Dubai Creek Harbour

This is keenly watched by birding enthusiasts who are regular visitors at the nearby wildlife sanctuary in Ras Al Khor. Its centrepiece is The Tower, which will have a 360-degree observation deck. The Emaar development will also have 2km of creek-side waterfront, 679 million sq m of residential space, 851,000 sq m of commercial space, 22 hotels and 11.16 million sq m of retail.

How landmark projects impact Dubai real estate value

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Dubai airport sends back 'handful of people' after Trump ban

A “handful of people” have been stopped from flying to the United States from Dubai International Airport following a U.S. travel ban on seven Muslim-majority countries, the airport operator’s chief executive said on Monday.

“The effect has been very minimal at the moment. We don’t have the exact figures but literally a handful of people have had to be looked after and repatriated to their point of origin,” Dubai Airports Chief Executive Paul Griffiths told the Dubai Eye radio station in an interview on Monday.

Dubai airport, is the world’s busiest for international travel and the hub for Emirates, the world’s largest long-haul airline.

President Donald Trump on Friday suspended the entry of people from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. The decision caught airlines off guard, leading to challenges in enforcing the new rules.

Emirates said on Sunday it had to change staffing on U.S.-bound flights “to comply with the latest requirements” and earlier said that “a very small number” of its passengers had been affected by the ban.

Abu Dhabi International on Sunday directed questions on the number of passengers affected by the ban to its hub carrier Etihad Airways.

Etihad earlier said “a number of our passengers” had been affected and that it had “taken steps to ensure there will be no issues for flights departing over the coming weeks.”

The airline did not provide further details.

Dubai airport sends back 'handful of people' after Trump ban

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Dubai mortgage market doubles in size over seven-year period

The number of homes changing hands in Dubai may be slipping, but the mortgage market is in rude health, having doubled in size over the past seven years, according to a report released yesterday.

The Reidin/Global Capital Partners report states that mortgages as a percentage of sales activity have now reached 55 per cent, which it said represented a structural shift towards more mature markets, such as the US and UK, where cash sales account only for 30 to 40 per cent of transactions. In 2012, the ratio of mortgages-to-sales activity in Dubai was below 20 per cent.

Sameer Lakhani, the managing director of research consultancy Global Capital Partners, said that the greater reliance on mortgages to finance home loans may be a contributing factor to the lower levels of transactions, as they take longer to complete.

He also said that deals involving mortgages were less volatile than cash-only deals.

“So obviously you will see a lower velocity of transactions, but these are more stable and less speculative in nature,” he said.

Overall property transaction value in Dubai fell by nearly 3 per cent to Dh259 billion last year from Dh267bn in 2015, and the number of transactions fell to 60,595 last year compared with 63,719 deals a year earlier, Dubai Land Department figures show.

The Reidin report showed that villas are much more highly leveraged than apartments, with the number of mortgages taken out on villa properties last year exceeding the total value of villas sold.

Mr Lakhani said that this provided evidence that those living in larger homes had started to refinance to extract equity from properties that may have appreciated in value since their initial purchase.

“That’s a typical, normal phenomenon that you see in the West,” he said. “People top up, people refinance.”

It also showed that banks no longer had a preference for “government-sponsored” developers like Nakheel, Emaar and Dubai Properties, with the number of loans secured against properties built by private developers exceeding those linked to the government for the first time last year. The weight of money also shifted from established communities like Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Lakes Towers to newer, mid-income areas like Jumeirah Village Circle and International Media Production Zone.

Mr Lakhani said the overall increase in home loans showed that there is finance available in the market for those looking to buy their own homes, despite the concern expressed by a number of consultancies about available liquidity in the market.

“There was a time when banks were reluctant, but that has passed,” Mr Lakhani said. “In 2008, when the market tanked and we had our first boom/bust cycle, at that time banks were not willing to lend at all. There was a huge contraction in liquidity. This time around you’re not seeing it. Banks are stepping up to the fore,” he said.

A report by Phidar Advisory last week cited liquidity constraints as a factors that continues to place downwards pressure on Dubai house prices, which it expects to continue falling this year as a result of the strong dollar, to which the dirham is pegged, and the fact that a “jobless” recovery is not creating demand to fill a growing supply pipeline.

It said that any interest rate hikes in the US “should increase the cost of debt in Dubai, which increases development and investment costs … In a market already struggling with liquidity constraints, rising interest rates will be a deterrent, unless yields adjust upwards, which, even with stable rents, would push down property prices,” it said.

Phidar said liquidity constraints are likely to ease this year as a result of bond issuances to plug fiscal deficits of neighbouring states like Saudi Arabia – a key source market for Dubai property buyers.

According to broker CBRE’s Dubai Annual Market Update, the volume of sale transactions in Dubai’s residential market dropped by about 13 per cent last year to 41,776 compared with 48,000 in 2015.

Dubai mortgage market doubles in size over seven-year period

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Sensation Dubai 2016 - With Kristina Fidelskaya

Kristina Fidelskaya Presents – Sensation Dubai 2016

Enjoy from minute 8.20 the Exclusive Interview with Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano at Sensation Dubai 2016

Interviews by Imen Besrour

Brought you by: Dubai Fashion Tv

Sensation Dubai 2016 - With Kristina Fidelskaya

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Dubai South to bring out its first E-bus by early 2017

Zero carbon buses to ply on route

Zero carbon E-buses with self-charging features will play Dubai South from next year as part of the community’s efforts to develop a smart and sustainable living environment, Dubai South management announced on Monday.

The community management on Monday signed a deal with Transit Australia Group (TAG) that will supply the first E-Bus next year. The deal is part of Dubai South’s steps toward building a low carbon footprint city.

The zero-carbon bus is part of the next generation of mass transit vehicles and is said to cost 80 per cent less to maintain than a standard diesel bus.

Pegged as a game changer for public transport, the new bus utilises advanced battery and regenerative braking technology.

The environmentally friendly bus can be charged at the depot and while in service, and has a range of at least 300km and capacity for 50 passengers.

Design innovations of the bus include bench seats that can be reversed to allow passengers to face each other and socialise, as well as USB connections to allow passengers to charge mobile phones.

Ahmad Al Ansari, Acting CEO of Dubai South said: “The signing of this agreement brings us a step closer in fulfilling our ambition of building a sustainable urban destination with technology, innovation, and smart planning at its core.”

He added: “At Dubai South we are pioneering an ambitious smart city transformation guided by people’s happiness. The aim is to build a smart city that enables its people to do smart things with minimum ecological impact and the environmentally friendly e-bus is a positive step in that direction.”

Dubai South to bring out its first E-bus by early 2017

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28 Christmas dining deals in Dubai

From Christmas Eve to the 25th to Boxing Day, if you want a festive meal out in Dubai this year, we’ve got you covered.

7 CHRISTMAS EVE MEALS

1. Chamas

If the thought of eating extra turkey before December 25 is too much to handle, head to Chamas and celebrate the Brazilian way. You’ll receive 18 variations of churrascos. If that doesn’t stretch your tummy before the big day, then nothing will.

Crowne Plaza Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, Dhs315 with soft drinks, Dhs415 with house drinks, 6pm to 11.30pm. Tel: (800) 276963. Taxi: Crowne Plaza Dubai. chamasdubai.ae

2. Splendido

Prepare your stomachs for the big day with a specially created five-course menu full of seasonal Italian favourites, all set to the sounds of live Italian music.

The Ritz-Carlton Dubai, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai, 7pm to 11pm, Dhs575. Tel: (04) 3186150. Taxi: The Ritz-Carlton at JBR. ritzcarlton.com

3. Crescendo

The Anantara Festive Choir will be serenading guests as they tuck into a buffet of seasonal favourites, and there’ll be activities for the children too.

Anantara The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, 6.30pm to 10.30pm, Dhs310 with soft drinks, Dhs450 with house drinks, Dhs550 with sparkling wine, Dhs699 with champagne, Dhs175 under-12s, under-sixes free. Tel: (04) 5678888. Taxi: Anantara The Palm. dubai-palm.anantara.com

4. Seasonal Tastes

The Westin takes Christmas Eve seriously with a farm-to-table brunch featuring a host of cooking stations serving up traditional roast turkey as well as a variety of lighter international options.

The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City, Dubai, noon to 3pm, 6pm to 11pm, Dhs250 with soft drinks, Dhs350 with house drinks. Tel: (04) 4355577. Taxi: The Westin Dubai. alhabtoorcityhotels.com

5. Bayside Restaurant And Terrace

Bring contemporary European flair to your Christmas Eve meal with German delicacies complete with party hats, crackers and favours.

Steigenberger Hotel Business Bay, Al Abraj Street, Dubai, 6pm to 11pm, Dhs395, Dhs550 with house drinks. Tel: (04) 3690000. Taxi: Steigenberger Hotel. steigenberger.com

6. Rüya

Rüya’s regular brunch has been wowing crowds for over a month now, so we bet their festive take will be equally good. This glamorous Anatolian newcomer will be throwing a family-friendly brunch complete with themed dishes and a host of festive touches, including presents for children.

Tower 1, Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina, Dubai, 11am to 4pm, Dhs225 with soft drinks. Tel: (04) 4399123. Taxi: Grosvenor House. ruyadubai.com

7. La Serre

Couples looking for a cosy Christmas Eve should check out the French menu at La Serre. Lovebirds can try an a la carte menu, with mains including whole seabass in pastry and duck with roasted pears.

Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, noon to 3.15pm, 7pm to 11.15pm. Tel: (04) 4286966. Metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. laserre.ae

CHRISTMAS DAY

1. Les Cuisines

For those who love a fabulous festive feast (complete with mulled grape on arrival), Les Cuisines in the Sofitel Dubai Downtown is offering up a street food menu brunch with food from around the world, complete with a live band to get things moving.

Sofitel Dubai Downtown, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs150 with soft drinks, Dhs230 with house beverages, Dhs595 for champagne package, Dhs75 under-12s, under-fives free. Tel: (04) 5036666. Metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. sofitel.com

2. Nosh

Whether you prefer your Christmas in lunch or dinner form, Nosh has you covered with two seatings: one at 12.30pm and one at 6.30pm. You’ll find a selection of fresh seafood, oysters, sashimi and foie gras, alongside turkey with all trimmings.

Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, 6.30pm to 10.30pm, Dhs199 with soft drinks, Dhs299 with house drinks. Tel: (04) 4380000. Taxi: Mövenpick JLT. facebook.com/movenpickJLT

3. Cabana

Forget the winter wonderland view, embrace the sunshine and views of the Burj Khalifa as you enjoy an a la carte menu at Cabana.

The Address Dubai Mall, Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs295 with soft drinks, Dhs395 with house drinks, Dhs150 under-12s, under-sixes free. Tel: (04) 8883444. Metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. theaddress.com

4. Aspen Chalets

Push the boat out by booking a ‘ski chalet’ for up to 12 people and enjoy Christmas dinner in front of a roaring fire, overlooking the snow of Ski Dubai.

Kempinski Hotel Mall Of The Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, four hour booking slots throughout the day, Dhs1,450 with house drinks, Dhs725 under-12s. Tel: (04) 3410000. Metro: Mall Of The Emirates. kempinski.com

5. The Daily

Christmas Day is a good chance to check out this Downtown newcomer, which opened to much fanfare this summer. It features a range of festive favourites from roasts to Yule log, and the dress code features Christmas jumpers.

Rove Hotel Downtown Dubai, Al Sa’ada Street, Zabeel 2, Dubai, 11am to 3.30pm, Dhs99, Dhs49 under-12s, under-sixes free. Tel: (800) 7683. Taxi: Rove Hotel Downtown Dubai. rovehotels.com

6. Manava

Enjoy beach and pool access with this festive brunch, which features a host of roast and seafood stations, a caroling choir and a visit from Santa.

Sofitel The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs485 with soft drinks, Dhs595 with house drinks, Dhs260 under-20s, Dhs130 under-11s, under-fives free. Tel: (04) 4556677. Taxi: Sofitel The Palm. sofitel.com

7. Namu

Billed the ‘Grinches’ Brunch’, this one is for those looking to buck tradition, serving up a menu of Korean and Japanese cuisine without a turkey or tinsel in sight.

W Dubai, Al Habtoor City, Dubai, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs450 with soft drinks, Dhs550 with house drinks, Dhs650 with champagne. Tel: (04) 4366666. Taxi: W Dubai. namudubai.com

8. Gaucho

The Argentinian favourite has created a special festive set menu featuring the all-important steak, and will also be serving its full a la carte menu.

Gate Village 5, DIFC, Dubai, noon to 11.30pm, Dhs380. Tel: (04) 4227898. Taxi: Gate Village. gauchorestaurants.com

9. Flow Kitchen

All the seasonal favourites are on offer here, while children aged three to 12 enjoy free access to the hotel’s Fairmont Falcon Kids’ Club.

Fairmont The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, Dhs355 with soft drinks, Dhs495 with house drinks, Dhs185 under-12s, under-sixes free. Tel: (04) 4573457. Taxi: Fairmont The Palm. fairmont.com

10. Dusty’s

A special festive version of one of Dubai’s new brunches, the Departures Brunch will feature all manner of seasonal and international dishes, served on the largest terrace in DIFC.

Al Fattan Currency House, DIFC, Dubai, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs350 with soft drinks, Dhs450 with house drinks, Dhs550 with prosecco. Tel: (04) 3545435. Taxi: Al Fattan Currency House. dustysdxb.com

11. Brasserie Quartier

Extending onto ‘Le Patio’, this chic Christmas lunch will feature oysters, salmon, carving stations and live jazz.

St Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor City, Dubai, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs495 with soft drinks, Dhs695 with house drinks, Dhs895 with champagne, Dhs250 under-12s, under-fours free. Tel: (04) 4355555. Taxi: St Regis Dubai. alhabtoorcityhotels.com

12. Raffles

Some say Christmas is for kids. If that’s true for you, head to Raffles where they’ve set up gingerbread houses and an ice cream igloo for children. There’s also a promise of a visit from Santa himself. Grownups can enjoy the buffet selection in the ballroom and grounds.

Raffles Dubai, Sheikh Rashid Road, Dubai, 12.30pm to 4.30pm, Dhs475 with soft drinks, Dhs685 with house drinks, Dhs250 under-12s. Tel: (04) 3248888. Metro: Dubai Healthcare City. raffles.com

13. Al Fresco Garden

Perfect for impressing guests, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray will be hosting seasonal celebrations with a BBQ. The views across the Palm Jumeirah might not scream traditional Christmas, but the turkey and all the trimmings will certainly help.

Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs375 with soft drinks, Dhs495 with house drinks, Dhs695 with champagne, Dhs185 under-12s, under-fours free. Tel: (04) 4530444. Taxi: Jumeirah Zabeel Saray. jumeirah.com

14. Prime68

There’s no danger of going hungry at this steakhouse. Along with a stunning evening view of Dubai Canal you’ll eat a festive six-course dinner with dishes ranging from pigeon pie to pan-seared sole.

JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Business Bay, Dubai, 6pm to midnight, Dhs750 with house drinks. Tel: (04) 4140000. Taxi: JW Marriott Marquis. marriott.com

15. The Christmas Cruise

Looking for a festive day out with a difference? Spend the day cruising on a luxury yacht and enjoy a full Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, as well as five hours of drinks and entertainment. We’re told there’ll even be trees, real snow and an unusual visit from Santa…

Dubai Marina, Dubai, 2pm to 7pm, Dhs750 with soft drinks, Dhs950 with house drinks. Tel: (050) 2002290. Taxi: Dubai Marina Yacht Club. fswevents.com

BOXING DAY LUNCHES

1. McGettigan’s

Your digestive system hasn’t earned a break just yet – get stuck into St Stephen’s Day festivities at any one of McGettigan’s outlets, complete with live sports and huge breakfasts for those in need of a pick-me-up.

Next to Bonnington Tower, JLT, Dubai, noon to 3pm. Tel: (04) 3780800. Taxi: McGettigan’s JLT. mcgettigans.com. ALSO: Souk Madinat Jumeirah and Dubai World Trade Centre.

2. The Ritz-Carlton DIFC

We’re already fans of an afternoon tea at What’s On; throw in a little festive magic and we’re in heaven. Guests can tuck into mince pies and Christmas cookies at this special festive high tea in the Lobby Lounge. Don’t panic, scones are still on the menu.

Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai, 2pm to 6pm, Dhs160. Tel: (04) 3722323. Taxi: Ritz-Carlton DIFC. Ritzcarlton.com

3. West 14th

Fed up of turkey yet? Grilled kebabs, lamb kofta, grilled cream Dory and other Arabic flavours up for grabs at West 14th’s post-Christmas barbecue buffet will have your appetite back before you know it.

Oceana Beach Club, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs175. Tel: (04) 4477601. Taxi: Oceana Beach Club. west14th.ae

4. The Pool Bar

Enjoy a relaxed poolside BBQ stacked with seafood, meats and Arabic specialties, as well as carols, children’s activities and a final visit from Santa Claus.

Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach, JBR, Dubai, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs250 with soft drinks, Dhs350 with house drinks, Dhs125 under-12s, under-sixes free. Tel: (04) 4498781. Taxi: Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach. movenpick.com

5. BOCA

The Mediterranean favourite has created a family-style sharing menu for the festive season, with dishes including braised beef short rib with gnocchi and vegan paella.

Gate Village 6, DIFC, Dubai, noon to 1am, Dhs245 with soft drinks, Dhs345 with house drinks, Dhs540 with champagne, under-eights free, all in three-hour slots. Tel: (04) 3231833. Taxi: DIFC Gate Vil-lage. boca.ae

6. Epona

Round off the festivities with a breakfast buffet overlooking the club’s equestrian activities, with food to please the whole family.

Dubai Polo And Equestrian Club, Dubai Studio City, Al Qudra Road, Dubai, 8am to noon, Dhs99, Dhs50 under-11s, under-sixes free. Tel: (04) 3627880. Taxi: Dubai Polo And Equestrian Club. poloclubdubai.com

28 Christmas dining deals in Dubai

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New aerial footage of Dubai and Abu Dhabi from the skies - video

In the day-to-day, it can be easy to forget just how beautiful the UAE can be.

But new footage published by Joel E Schaeffer, an aerial cinematographer with Dubai Film, will help refresh your memory. The shots from the sky, taken in 2016, showcase some of the country’s most iconic scenes – dune buggies in the desert, the Dubai skyline at night, the lights on the Palm Jumeirah.

 

Over the last 5 years, Dubai Film has collaborated with companies like Shotover Camera Systems to develop the very best technology in the world for Aerial Filmmaking. As a result, we are able to offer the greatest amount of options when it comes to shooting from the air for anyone in the region.

Whether it is Full-Size Helicopter Solutions or scaling down in size to the RC Drones, we have the right tools for whatever the job.

The above reel is compiled from some of Joel E Schaeffer’s aerial operation over the last 2 years in Dubai with the Shooter F1 & Shooter K1.

In addition to being an operator, Schaeffer is a certified technician by Shotover Camera after undergoing their rigorous and advanced training program.

CAMERA: RED Digital EPIC-M – Dragon 6K Phantom Flex 4K Sony F55

Lenses: Angenieux 24-290 T2.8 Fujinon 14.5-45 T2 Premium Fujinon 18-85 T2 Premium Fujinon 75-400 T2.8-3.8 Premium Canon 30-300 T3

New aerial footage of Dubai and Abu Dhabi from the skies - video

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Dubai cracks down on rogue property agents

Dubai is attempting to crack down on rogue estate agents who put up advertisements for properties on which they have not been instructed to promote in an attempt to get a cut of the fees.

In an announcement yesterday, the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (Rera), the regulatory arm of Dubai Land Department, said that brokers will only be allowed to market properties in Dubai for sale or lease if they have a written agreement from the property’s owner.

The move has already been announced to property brokers in the summer and forms part of new advertising rules for estate agents that came into effect in October.

They require anyone wishing to issue “real estate announcements” to get Rera approval.

Rera said that to receive a permit to advertise a property through print and radio advertisements as well as on social media, agents must submit Form A – a contract between the owner and the broker that authorises him to start marketing.

أراضي دبي تنظم العلاقة بين الملاك والوسطاءDubai Land regulate the relationship between owners and brokers#dubai #uae #دبي #الاماراتpic.twitter.com/DvJyg2GtV7

— دائرة الأراضي – دبي (@Land_Department) December 4, 2016

“We regulate the process of advertisements within a specific agreement that defines the role of each party involved in any real estate sales or rent with total precision, which will guarantee the rights of all parties, including landlords, investors and brokers,” said Ali Abdullah Al Ali, the director of the real estate licensing department at Dubai Land Department.

Mario Volpi, the chief sales officer at Kensington Exclusive Properties, said that it was common in Dubai for rogue estate agents to duplicate official marketing material in an attempt to get a cut of the sales fees.

Dubai cracks down on rogue property agents

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Bollywood Parks Dubai: The ultimate guide

The colourful facades on either side of cobbled streets don’t just cover up the ugly, working parts of the Bollywood Parks Dubai but house retail and dining outlets and attractions. However, it’s the stained glass peacock that catches your eye first and then the murals of Bollywood stars in the entrance rotunda.

You don’t really need to be a Bollywood fan to enjoy the park, though. If you find yourself at a loose end to utilise half a day with the kids or visiting family and friends, then here’s where you can while away the time.

Combined with popular foods from the city of Mumbai – and then some more, at the fine dining restaurant Mughal-E-Azam – the park hopes to draw in a large footfall, mainly tourists.

“Yes, during the week it’ll really be difficult to bring in big crowds. But these parks are not [as such] built for the resident market. They are more for tourists who are either headed directly to Dubai or transiting through the city,” said Thomas Jellum, general manager of Bollywood Parks Dubai.

Spread over 158,000 square metres this is Dubai Parks and Resorts smallest property but with the maximum scope for expansion. When Gulf News tabloid! visited the site last Tuesday, final touches were being put to various areas for the Thursday opening. Retail operators and food kiosks (not the proper eateries though) had opened up for trial runs as we strolled through the five zones each categorised with iconic film attractions.

“The reason for [it being the smallest park] is that this is the first of its kind and we were not sure exactly what is going to be the most sought after – will it be the shows, the rides or something else? So we are ready for expansion and we have been looking at options, but have not decided [any] yet,” Jellum said.

It’s not just the attractions such as the Hard Rock-style café Rock On where the resident band promises to recreate the magic of the film’s band Magik or the high intensity chase ride Don Streets of Dubai or the Hunt for Gabbar Singh from the most beloved of Bollywood films, Sholay, that’s expected to draw in the crowds but also the food that will be on offer, said Jellum.

The fine dining Mughal-E-Azam would serve up royal Awadhi cuisine while you enjoy performances that will take you back in time to the Mughal courts. The Victoria Station will dish up some of the best known Indian street food that you can enjoy either sitting in the “train” or outside on the stations.

Or you can simply head off to the soon-to-open theatre Rajmahal which will showcase a homegrown Broadway-style Bollywood musical Jaan-e-Jigar. So go shooting the rogue Gabbar Singh in Ramgarh or “starring” in a movie Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara-style or better still flying with Hrithik Roshan – the 16 rides and attractions at the park promise to take you either back in time or on a flight of fancy with these hit films.

Rides and Attractions

Bollywood hits Don, Lagaan, Sholay, Krrish, RA.One, Dabangg, Rock On!! and Zindagi Na Milegi Na Dobara have inspired the immersive 3D and 4D experiences, as well as interactive live performances.

In Rustic Ravine hunt for Gabbar Singh at Ramgarh with 3D projection, themed show scenes and 4D effects; or head to the kid-friendly carnival in the Champaner village to ride a Ferris Wheel made in the form of cricket balls or a carousel before you play a game of cricket in the Thrill of Victory, a mostion-based simulator experience; or watch the Dabangg Stunt Spectacular, a live stunt show where you can see Chulbul Pandey fight off the bad guys through explosions and bullets to save his lady love.

Ride with RA.One and Krrish at the Bollywood Film Studios. Ra.One Unleashed is a 4D multisensory theatre experience which recreates the encounter between RA.One and G.One. Krrish Hero’s Flight will give you a virtual flying experience with panoramic views of famous Indian landmarks while Krrish fights off the bad guys. Or get backstage for a behind-the-scenes look of a Bollywood movie production based on the blockbuster Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. Experience deep sea diving, sky dive or run with bulls just like the stars in ZNMD, and take home a movie of your action.

A 3D immersive tunnel ride called Don, The Chase based on the movie Don, greets you in Mumbai Chowk. It takes you on a high speed car chase with thrills and twists as the rider’s chase Don.

Dining

The park offers food from fine-dining to Indian and international meals to fast-food options. Here are some you should not miss.

Mughal-e-Azam: Located within the Royal Plaza zone this fine dining restaurant – named after the iconic film that depicts the Mughal prince Salim’s love affair with the courtesan Anarkali – will serve Awadhi cuisine reminiscent of the royal kitchens accompanied with live performances of court dancing and classical singing. Head to the Raj Mahal (opening soon) after the meal to watch an opera-style musical Jaan-e-Jigar.

Rock On!! Restaurant and Nightclub: The music themed restaurant on Bollywood Boulevard, named after the 2008 Farhan Akhtar hit, will see a band inspired by Magik band from the film perform. Think of a Hard Rock Café but Bollywood-style. A separate entrance allows visitors to access the music lounge without entering the Park

Victoria Station: Dine in a train bogey stalled at the replica of Mumbai’s iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, a Unesco World Heritage Site. Enjoy fast food native to the city as the roof of the bogey turns into a stage for dance performances.

Spicy Dhaba: This food outlet in the Rustic Ravine zone will remind you of highway cafes of North India that serve rustic home style dishes and tandoori (oven-cooked) and grilled meats and vegetables around communal style dining areas.

Juhu Juice Bus: Get on top of this double-decker BEST bus replica to refresh yourself with fresh juices, sliced fruit and iced concoctions with traditional flavours.

Retail therapy

Take back a bit of colourful Bollywood memorabilia from eight retail stores and stand-alone carts around the park. From park merchandise to collectibles from Bollywood hit movies.

Chalte Chalte is a convenience store at the park entrance with a selection of themed-merchandise in addition to stocking drinks, snacks and sundries.

At Bollywood Studio Store find merchandise inspired from the film Rock On!!, movie posters and souvenirs.

Desi Emporium located along Bollywood Boulevard is stocked with themed merchandise and souvenirs while Maharani Sweets is the classical Indian ‘mithai’ (sweets) shop next to it.

Shahenshah offers high-end merchandise based on the film Mugha-E-Azam.

In Mumbai Chowk you will find Mumbai Bazaar next to the Juhu Juice Centre, which is interestingly housed atop a BEST bus replica, selling merchandise, accessories and souvenirs related to the film Don.

Bollywood Haat is your “village marketplace” in the Rustic Ravine selling handicrafts and souvenirs reminiscent of Lagaan, Sholay and Dabangg.

Pick Krrish’s iconic mask or souvenirs such as photo frames, mugs, keychains and magnets with Ra.One motifs from the Heroes Vault in Bollywood Studios area.

Snapshot is your photo pickup store.

Number crunch

200 performers will be putting up 20 typical tapori style acts and yester-year and south Indian hits through out the day in different zones

Over 1000 employees will be manning the grounds on a daily basis

Dont miss it

Single day passes are for Dh285. Multi-park and annual passes also available. Log on to bollywoodparksdubai.com. Dubai Parks are situated on Shaikh Zayed Road, opposite Palm Jebel Ali.

Bollywood Parks Dubai: The ultimate guide

‪#Dubai‬ ‪#MyDubai‬ ‪#DXBplanet‬ ‪#LoveDubai‬ ‪#UAE‬ #دبي‬

UIM XCAT World Series: Dubai 33 hold off Team Abu Dhabi 5 to seal victory in pulsating Abu Dhabi XCAT Grand Prix

Dubai 33’s Salem Al Adidi and Eissa Al Ali led from pole and fended off a fierce challenge from Team Abu Dhabi 5’s Rashid Al Tayer and Majid Al Mansouri to seal an impressive 3.16-second victory in Friday afternoon’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

This was the final round of the 2016 UIM XCAT World Series at the Abu Dhabi Breakwater.

The two boats were neck and neck throughout the red flag-interrupted race, but the Dubai boat managed to stave off the local challenge on two occasions when Al Tayer and Al Mansouri tried to use the long lap strategy to their advantage. The two boats were the class of the field, while T-bone Station’s Giovanni Carpitella and Ahmad Al Hameli managed to beat Lady Spain’s Joakhim Kumlin and Jay Price to confirm the final place on the podium. The result also gave Dubai 33 the runner-up spot behind the Victory Team in the UIM XCAT World Series points’ standings.

“I guess we must be happy with second position, but the win was the aim from the start,” said Al Tayer. “We thought we had the strategy mapped out perfectly. We took a long lap before them twice and thought we could nip inside and snatch the lead on both occasions. But, I guess, they were able to carry the speed and momentum down the straight and managed to stay in front.

“It was a very close race. We were evenly matched for speed.”

Arif Saif Al Zafeen and Nadir Bin Hendi stole a march on Team Abu Dhabi through the opening turns and first two laps, before flipping their Generation 2 four-stroke XCAT boat into retirement. The team had been having handling issues with the boat after Emaar Pole Position on Thursday. Carpisa Yamanay failed to start the race. Gold Coast Australia pitted early with technical issues. before continuing, and engine problems forced the Fujairah Team out of the running.

Team Abu Dhabi are sponsored by Etihad Airways and runs under the patronage of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, adviser to the Head of State and chairman of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC).

The Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC) now switches its attention to next week’s three-race UIM Class 1 World Powerboat Championship meeting that takes place between Tuesday and Friday.

2016 Abu Dhabi XCAT Grand Prix — results (unofficial):

1. Dubai 33 — Salem Al Adidi (UAE)/Eisa Al Ali (UAE) 40 min 44.36 sec

2. Team Abu Dhabi 5 — Rashid Al Tayer (UAE)/Majid Al Mansouri (UAE) @ 3.16 sec

3. T-bone Station 10 — Giovanni Carpitella (ITA)/Ahmad Al Hameli (UAE) @ 18.04 sec

4. Lady Spain 46 — Joakim Kumlin (SWE)/Jay Price (USA) @ 19.29 sec

5. Spirit of France (Yacht) 96 — Saul Bubacco (ITA)/Francois Pinelli (FRA) @ 44.63 sec

6. The Blue Roo (Team Australia) 8 — Brett Luhrmann (AUS)/Pal-Virik Nilsen (NOR) @ 1 min 07.19 sec

7. Swecat Racing 2 — Mikael Bengtsson (SWE)/Erik Stark (SWE) @ 1 min 10.30 sec

8. Raheeb 17 — Abdull Atif Al Omani (KWT)/Khalid Burabee (KWT) @ 1 min 49.92 sec

9. Gold Coast Australia 11 — Tom Barry-Cotter (AUS)/Ross Willaton (AUS) +4 laps

Fujairah Team 20 — Serafino Barlesi (ITA)/Alessandro Barone (ITA) +6 laps

Victory Team 3 — Arif Saif Al Zafeen (UAE)/Nadir Bin Hendi (UAE) +12 laps

Carpisa Yamanay 22 — Alfredo Amato (ITA)/Diego Testa (ITA) DNS

*New Star 9 — Mikhail Kitashev (RUS)/Dmitry Vandyshev (RUS)@ 2 min 09.03 sec

*not registered for points

UIM XCAT World Series: Dubai 33 hold off Team Abu Dhabi 5 to seal victory in pulsating Abu Dhabi XCAT Grand Prix

‪#Dubai‬ ‪#MyDubai‬ ‪#DXBplanet‬ ‪#LoveDubai‬ ‪#UAE‬ #دبي‬

UAE Population and statistical trends

The vast majority of UAE residents will continue to live in the cities, but the rural population is set to remain surprisingly steady at just under 20 per cent of the total. The expatriate proportion looks likely to remain around 80 per cent, which in the remote future of 40 years and beyond will give comfort to the growing Emirati population because they will be able to seek employment in their home country through natural replacement.

As expatriates settle in the country for longer, they will have to get much better at speaking Arabic than the current incumbents who largely fail that test. The combined conurbation of Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman will be the country’s largest population centre, with Abu Dhabi being large enough to form a natural nexus of its own.

UAE Population and statistical trends

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Hrithik Roshan in Dubai for Big5

The Bollywood star will be at the event on opening day as the face of a Dubai-based company

Hrithik Roshan spotted at Mehboob Studio in Mumbai on November 16. He will be in Dubai for Big5 on November 21.

Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan will attend Big5, the largest construction event in Middle East, that runs from November 21 to 24.

Roshan, who has signed up as the face of a Dubai-based pre-decorated wall and ceiling panel manufacturing company, will be at Dubai World Trade Centre on the opening day from 11am.

Hrithik Roshan in Dubai for Big5

‪#Dubai‬ ‪#MyDubai‬ ‪#DXBplanet‬ ‪#LoveDubai‬ ‪#UAE‬ #دبي‬

Pia Wurztbach in Dubai: Life lessons from a Miss Universe

Ahead of her first visit to the UAE, the reigning beauty queen talks about life, love, why she never gives up and, Steve Harvey

“It’s more than anything I expected it to be,” she says about winning the crown. “It has a lot of bonuses that I didn’t think would come my way. But I’m the type of person who, whatever you throw at me, I can make something out of it.”

It was the internet moment of 2015. When Miss Universe host Steve Harvey wrongly announced Miss Colombia as the winner of the pageant, then walked back on to the stage to say he’d made a terrible mistake, he became the target of online abuse. A lot of the anger was also directed at Miss Philippines, Pia Wurtzbach, the rightful winner.

What a lot of people didn’t know then was the battles the 27-year-old had to fight to be on that Las Vegas stage that night — and that no amount of criticism was going to rattle her.

“It’s because I’m very stubborn,” Wurtzbach says, laughing. “When I want something really badly, whether it’s good or bad, I never stop until I get it. It’s part of the way I was brought up. I was brought in an environment with a lot of challenges, so I wasn’t going to give up on that.”

Born in Germany to a German father and a Filipino mother, Wurtzbach’s parents separated when she was four. She moved with her mother back to the Philippines and, at a very early age, became the breadwinner of the family by doing odd modelling and acting jobs.

Soon, the pageant bug bit.

But the path to being a beauty queen in pageant-obsessed Philippines wasn’t easy. She was often criticised for her looks and she was told she was not Filipino enough. Wurtzbach placed fifth at the Binibining Pilipinas, the pageant that sends the country’s representatives to the Miss Universe contest, in 2013. She tried again the next year, and barely made it to the Top 15. Refusing to give up, she made another attempt, eventually winning the crown in 2015.

Of course, she had many moments of doubts, she says.

“There were many times I thought, ‘Is this really a good idea? Should I push through with this? Am I setting myself up for failure?’,” she recalls. “But it was important for me to stay realistic with my goals, and that’s what I did.

“I was still in the age range anyway. I would have been an embarrassment if I lost for the third time, but there were more pros and cons. That’s why I went for it.”

Wurzbach will share her inspiring story, and style and beauty tips, at an event at Dragon Mart 2 in Dubai on November 18. The event will mark her first trip to the UAE.

“l’ll be touring all the iconic buildings, trying out the amazing food and meeting people. I know there’s a massive Filipino community and I can’t wait to meet everyone,” she says.

Currently based out of New York as part of her Miss Universe tenure, Wurtzbach has made good on her promises of tackling the HIV/AIDS issues, actively campaigning for awareness and fighting the stigma of the disease.

She says she picked this cause because it hit close to home.

“When I was in the pageant in the Philippines, I noticed that a lot of the girls didn’t want to talk about this because they were scared about the repercussions or because they were misinformed. For me, it was very personal. When it hits really close to home, it impacts you in a very different way,” she says.

We haven’t won the fight against HIV, but we’ve definitely come a long way, she adds.

“If you look at the numbers from 20 years ago, there’s definitely been improvement. But we still need to focus on countries that have very strict regulations when it comes to testing and health care,” she says. “Yes, we are moving to different topics [about the disease] now. We have medicines to treat people to help them lead normal lives. But there are still countries that don’t have access to any of them. So we need to work on that.”

While life has changed since winning the crown, she says she’s not complaining.

“It’s more than anything I expected it to be,” she says. “It has a lot of bonuses that I didn’t think would come my way. But I’m the type of person who, whatever you throw at me, I can make something out of it.”

The only disadvantages are that it’s hard to date, she says, and she had to get used to flying a lot.

“I was a nervous flyer before, but now I’ve gotten used to it,” says Wurtzbach, who is rumoured to be dating Filipino-Swiss race car driver Marlon Stockinger.

But her biggest achievement as a Miss Universe, she says, is helping to bring the pageant home to the Philippines next year. The country last hosted the pageant in 1994.

Earlier this month, Philippines Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo confirmed her country would host the beauty pageant, with the coronation night to be held at the Mall of Asia Arena on Manila’s Diosdado Macapagal Highway on January 30.

Wurtzbach says she had to pull a lot of strings.

“First we had to come up with the idea, then we had to get the message out there to see if people were interested. Also we wanted the private sector to really get involved, and after a lot of visits, things started to fall into place. And the rest is history …

“I would love for the girls to tour around, see all the different islands,” she adds. “There is so much more to the Philippines than just Manila. The beauty is in the neighbouring islands. and I want to showcase the most of Philippines.”

As for Harvey, who is contracted to also host the next pageant, she says she’s still in touch with him regularly.

“I’m very excited for him to jump on board for the next pageant,” she says. “Of course, I’ll be there to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Don’t miss it

Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach will host a free-to-attend lifestyle event at Dragon Mart 2 at 6pm on Friday, November 18. She will share fashion and beauty tips followed by a meet-and-greet. The event will take place at the main atrium.

Pia Wurztbach in Dubai: Life lessons from a Miss Universe

‪#Dubai‬ ‪#MyDubai‬ ‪#DXBplanet‬ ‪#LoveDubai‬ ‪#UAE‬ #دبي‬

ENOC boosts safety at its service stations by installing bollards

As a part of its ongoing commitment to environment, health and safety (EHS), ENOC as a socially responsible organization has taken additional safety measures by installing bollards in front of all facilities across its service station network in UAE to protect customers, staff and assets.

In an effort to reduce the odds of vehicles crashing into stores, ENOC installed a total of 2,210 stainless steel cladded reinforced concrete bollards in all ENOC and EPPCO service stations.

The bollards are designed and built to withstand impact from vehicle crashing.

His Excellency Saif Humaid Al Falasi, Group CEO of ENOC, said: “We are committed to maintaining high standards of service excellence and safety and are continuously enhancing our service stations to make it a safe place for our employees and customers. The customer has, and always will be the core focus of ENOC, and these globally recognised practices ensure that we deliver on our corporate purpose.”

ENOC boosts safety at its service stations by installing bollards

‪#Dubai‬ ‪#MyDubai‬ ‪#DXBplanet‬ ‪#LoveDubai‬ ‪#UAE‬ #دبي‬

Dubai taxis to offer free Wi-fi in December

Starting December this year, commuters will enjoy free Wi-Fi service aboard vehicles run by Dubai Taxi Corporation, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on Wednesday.

The vehicles will enable customers to use interactive LCD screens, where satisfaction surveys will be run, to help upgrade taxi services.

Dubai Taxi Corporation has already started fitting the touch screens, along with the Wi-Fi service, to its taxi fleet.

“Customers will also be able, for the first time, calculate taxi fares in advance,” RTA said in its tweet.

The touch screens will come handy for passengers to check out major tourist attractions in Dubai, as well as commercials about RTA’s services.

RTA said the introduction of LCD screens and free Wi-Fi service is “in line with Dubai Government’s strategy to rank Dubai as [the] smartest city worldwide.

Dubai Taxi to install in-cab interactive LCDs, launch free Wi-Fi service from December pic.twitter.com/BXrLsQ8MQK— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 16, 2016

The move is in line with Dubai Government strategy to rank Dubai as smartest city worldwide& realize RTA’s 1st Strategic Goal ‘Smart Dubai’.— RTA (@RTA_Dubai) November 16, 2016

Customers will also be able, for the first time, calculate taxi fares in advance.#RTANews— RTA (@RTA_Dubai) November 16, 2016

Dubai taxis to offer free Wi-fi in December

‪#Dubai‬ ‪#MyDubai‬ ‪#DXBplanet‬ ‪#LoveDubai‬ ‪#UAE‬ #دبي‬

First ever UAE ‘mobile phone in the car’ behaviour research

Road Safety UAE and QIC Insured release the findings of their most recent YouGov research wave, shedding light on one of the most dangerous behaviours behind the wheel: the use of the mobile phone while driving.

Thomas Edelmann, Founder Managing Director of Road Safety UAE states: “It is alarming to see, that only 26% of motorists ‘never’ use their mobile while driving. Distracted driving is among the top causes of accidents, injuries and death on UAE’s roads and the use of mobile phones behind the wheel is one of the major sources of distraction.”

Most vulnerable are the 25-29 year olds and Sharjah residents. Westerners have the best habits in resting their mobile phone while driving.

74% of drivers use mobile phones for incoming calls, and 43% for outgoing calls, 19% for incoming messages like SMS, WhatsApp and similar, and 14% for outgoing messages.

Interestingly, older drivers respond most to incoming calls, while younger drivers lead in outgoing calls and messages.

Mobile calling and texting is so dangerous, because it combines the 4 forms of distraction:

1. Manual distraction (taking the hands off the wheel)

2. Visual distraction (taking the eyes off the road)

3. Distraction of the mind (taking your attention off the road)

4. Auditory distraction (taking your ears away from traffic sounds)

Frederik Bisbjerg, Executive Vice President MENA Retail, QIC Insured, states: “We are proud to be associated with this behaviour study, as it demonstrates the efforts of QIC Insured to actively support the creation of safer roads. For UAE’s motorists we have a very clear message: When driving, put your mobile phone in silent and put it away. No call or message can be so important to handicap your own safety, the safety of your passengers and the safety of other traffic participants around you!”

60% of respondents use their hands-free in 50% of their drives or more.

35% use the car’s built-in hands-free, 31% cable hands-free and 23% portable Bluetooth devices.

Of those drivers, whose cars have built-in hands-free, 75% actually use it, and the ones who don’t use it, claim better functionality and easier use of their hand held mobile phones.

The use of hands-free is more popular with older drivers.

“To improve the situation, the UAE needs ongoing education efforts, the creation and promotion of safe driving mobile phone applications (including an auto mute function) and a strict enforcement of the current rules and regulations with regards to the ban of mobile phones while driving. We appeal to all UAE traffic participants to obey to the above statement of Frederik Bisbjerg of QIC Insured: ‘When behind the wheel, put your mobile on silent, put it away!’”, Edelmann concludes.

The fieldwork for this study was done in August 2016 by YouGov, with a representative sample of 1,033 residents living in all seven emirates of the UAE. Details of the research project can be found in the ‘featured’ section on: www.roadsafetyuae.com

First ever UAE ‘mobile phone in the car’ behaviour research

‪#Dubai‬ ‪#MyDubai‬ ‪#DXBplanet‬ ‪#LoveDubai‬ ‪#UAE‬ #دبي‬

DXB voted world’s best airport for layovers at Conde Nast Traveller Awards 2016

Dubai International has been voted as the world’s Best Airport for Layovers for the second consecutive year at the Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards Middle East at a ceremony in Dubai on Monday.

Dubai was the top choice among the three final nominees chosen in the category by readers of the luxury travel publication, the other two being Doha’s Hamad International Airport, and Singapore’s Changi International Airport.

Speaking on the occasion, Anita Mehra, Senior Vice President, Communication and Reputation, said, “This recognition means a lot to everyone at Dubai Airports and all our stakeholders at DXB who work very hard together to ensure the comfort and happiness of our customers. DXB had a great start to the year with the opening of the US$1.2 billion Concourse D which not only elevated airport experience but also provided timely capacity for our growing traffic.”

DXB was voted as the favourite among international hubs based on the round the clock availability of a wide range of contemporary food and beverage options, a variety of top-class retail brands, the comfort of luxurious airside hotels, and unique relaxation concepts such as spa treatments and sleeping pods.

DXB voted world’s best airport for layovers at Conde Nast Traveller Awards 2016

‪#Dubai‬ ‪#MyDubai‬ ‪#DXBplanet‬ ‪#LoveDubai‬ ‪#UAE‬ #دبي‬

Abu Dhabi to host 2019 World Summer Games

The Special Olympics International Board of Directors on Wednesday held a meeting in Washington, D.C., hosted by Georgetown University, where they were pleased to award their flagship event and world’s largest humanitarian and sporting event of 2019, the Special Olympics World Games, to Abu Dhabi.

The Special Olympics International Board of Directors unanimously voted to award the World Games to Abu Dhabi based on a comprehensive bid proposal, a site visit by a Board Committee, and the country’s vision to create inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities throughout the UAE, the region and the world.

A press conference detailing the event will follow at a later date in Abu Dhabi.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, announced Abu Dhabi’s victory on Wednesday in a tweet: “UAE’s hosting of the 2019 Special Olympic World Games reflects the world’s confidence in UAE’s capabilities, youth & humanitarian image.”

” I congratulate UAE President, Emiratis & athletes on UAE’s winning the bid to host the 2019 Special Olympic World Games”— أخبار محمد بن زايد (@MBZNews) November 16, 2016

“UAE’s hosting of the 2019 Special Olympic World Games reflects the world’s confidence in UAE’s capabilities, youth & humanitarian image”— أخبار محمد بن زايد (@MBZNews) November 16, 2016

“We welcome the world’s best athletes to the UAE, congratulate Special Olympics leadership on promoting inclusion & tolerance through sport”— أخبار محمد بن زايد (@MBZNews) November 16, 2016

“I’d like thank special needs athletes for their achievements & distinguished record,which boosted our winning bid of hosting World Games”— أخبار محمد بن زايد (@MBZNews) November 16, 2016

“Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi is revolutionary for our movement and for the Middle East region,” said Timothy Shriver, Special Olympics Chairman.

“There’s no better or more profound location than Abu Dhabi to invite the world to come together in celebration of sport, in celebration of people of all kinds, and to demonstrate to the world that the lines of division can be erased. We are thrilled to be the first Olympics Games in the Middle East region of the world.”

Abu Dhabi to host 2019 World Summer Games

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UAE motorists vs mobile phones: who wins?

Residents from Sharjah use their phones the most when driving, according to recent survey

A recent YouGov survey has revealed that 25-29 year olds are more likely to use their mobile phones while driving, while 19 per cent of UAE motorists use it to send text messages.

Dubai: It is not uncommon to see UAE residents with their ears glued to their mobile phones, be it at the supermarket, the post office and even at the cinema.

But when it comes to road safety, how many motorists flout the traffic rules and use their mobile phones while driving? And how often do they text?

A recent YouGov survey has revealed how often UAE motorists use their mobile phones, and which emirate has the highest rate of offenders.

Thomas Edelmann, Founder and Managing Director of RoadSafetyUAE said: “It is alarming to see that only 26 per cent of motorists ‘never’ use their mobile while driving. Distracted driving is among the top causes of accidents, injuries and death on UAE’s roads and the use of mobile phones behind the wheel is one of the major sources of distraction.”

RoadSafetyUAE and QIC Insured on Wednesday released the findings of their most recent YouGov research wave, which showed that 25-29 year olds were the most vulnerable in using mobile phones while driving.

The majority of offenders who broke the traffic rules were found to be residents of Sharjah, followed by Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Western expats have the best driving habits, according to the survey, as they almost never used their devices while on the road.

The survey also found that 74 per cent of drivers use their phones for incoming calls, 43 per cent for outgoing calls, 19 per cent for incoming messages such as WhatsApp, and 14 per cent of motorists used it for outgoing messages.

Edelmann further said: “To improve the situation, the UAE needs ongoing education efforts, the creation and promotion of safe driving mobile phone applications (including an auto mute function) and a strict enforcement of the current rules and regulations with regards to the ban of mobile phones while driving.”

Research further discovered that older drivers were most likely to respond to incoming calls, while younger drivers lead in outgoing calls and messages.

Frederik Bisbjerg, Executive Vice President for Middle East and North Africa (Mena) Retail, QIC Insured, said: “For UAE’s motorists we have a very clear message: When driving, put your mobile phone in silent and put it away. No call or message can be so important to handicap your own safety, the safety of your passengers and the safety of other traffic participants around you.”

Hand-free devices and driving

60 per cent of respondents use their hands-free for more than half of their time on the road.

35 per cent use the car’s built-in hands-free, 31 per cent cable hands-free and 23 per cent use portable Bluetooth devices.

Of those drivers whose cars have built-in hands-free, 75 per cent said they actually use it.

The use of hands-free is more popular with drivers above 35 years old.

The fieldwork for the study was caried out in August 2016, with a representative sample of 1,033 residents living in all seven emirates of the UAE.

UAE motorists vs mobile phones: who wins?

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