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Tourism boost for UAE amid boom in summer staycations


Hoteliers across the UAE are reporting bumper tourism numbers as residents and overseas visitors make the most of seasonal summer offers.

From beachside resorts to city destinations, hotels across the country have slashed prices to entice guests during the hot summer months, with deals such as the annual Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) – which sees cut-price deals across the emirate throughout July and August – contributing to a “substantial” surge in bookings.

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Eduard Jimenez, regional director for commercial at Premier Inn Middle East, told Al Arabiya English that their summer demand “is stronger than last year…particular among guests booking staycations in the UAE.”

“Our current top sources market for bookings is the UAE, followed by India, United Kingdom and Egypt,” he said. “Bookings for June to September are 20 per cent up on the same period last year, with guests taking advantage of major events like Dubai Summer Surprises and Premier Inn’s recent flash sales, which always lead to a surge in demand.”

Pretty much every hotel in the city, whether a three-, four- or five-star like the Atlantis, The Palm or Park Hyatt Dubai, are letting Kids Go Free this summer, with up to two children al-lowed in an adult room at no extra charge, eating free on the same meal plan as parents, and getting free access to the kids’ club, if the hotel has one.

Dany Cherfane, director of sales and marketing, Grand Plaza Mövenpick Media City, said they have witnessed “a substantial increase in the number of summer staycations: in 2023 compared to previous years.

“The demand has been remarkable, especially from GCC markets traveling with families. The positive growth can be attributed to Dubai’s city-wide ‘Kids Go Free’ offer (as part of Dubai Summer Suprises), which has created a compelling incentive for residents and region-al travelers to explore the city’s hospitality offerings.”

“UAE residents as well as GCC holidaymakers are enticed by unmissable offers that cater to their preferences for convenient and enjoyable holidays.”

“The surge in summer staycations not only provides an opportunity for residents to unwind but also bolsters local tourism. By choosing to stay within the UAE, residents contribute to the economy and support the hospitality sector. Dubai’s positive regional and global reputa-tion, combined with strategic offers, has attracted both domestic and international travelers, resulting in increased footfall and expenditure in various tourism-related sectors. This influx of visitors positively impacts the local economy and contributes to the overall growth and vitality of the tourism industry.”

Suhaila Saqer Obaid Ghubash, executive director for festival and events at Dubai Economy and Tourism, told Al Arabiya English this year Dubai Summer Suprises has seen a wealth of attractive hotel offers to entice UAE residents to spend their money closer to home.

“Dubai is renowned for its luxury hospitality, and every year during Dubai Summer Surpris-es (DSS), we make sure that residents and visitors can experience more of the city’s world-class hotels and resorts for less, with special offers and packages,” she said. ““It seems like this summer, more of Dubai’s residents than ever are taking advantage of these DSS deals to book staycations in some of the incredible destinations that maybe they wouldn’t splash out on at other times of the year.”

“What we see as a particular draw this year is not just the breadth of hotels with unbeatable deals – including some top rated five-star favourites – but also the promotions aimed at fam-ilies with children, with very attractive Kids Go Free offers across a whole host of hotels and attractions.”

Ghubash said, in many destinations, these offers mean free stays and free meals for kids up to the ages of 11, 12 or 13 depending on the hotel, in addition to low room rates, and addi-tional incentives such as money off spa treatments, or free entry to attractions like Wild Wadi for those staying in Jumeirah hotels, or Ski Dubai for Kempinski Mall of the Emirates visitors for example.

“We want to make sure that visitors to Dubai, as well as residents of the city, know how much there is to see and do here over the summer months,” she added.” That goes far be-yond great hotel deals, to incredible indoor entertainment, concerts and performances, retail offers, chances to win and much more. Dubai Summer Surprises is the perfect platform to showcase the very best of the city over the summer.”

“As well as providing a real incentive for residents in Dubai and other emirates to consider a stay in their home market, these DSS deals are also proving to be highly attractive to visitors from international source markets, including our GCC neighbours, which is good news for the city’s hoteliers, retailers, and other businesses.”

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Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

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At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

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US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM

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