Save on summer
IN THE past, Dubai
was known as a winter
destination because
temperatures are cooler than
in the piping hot summer.
To boost it as a year-round
destination, Dubai Tourism
has launched an initiative
called ‘Summer is Dubai’.
The initiative gives guests
reduced accommodation
rates during summer months.
During this time, the already
bustling city will be filled
with even more activities,
festivals, shopping offers and
entertainment for the whole
family.
Hoor Al Khaja, Dubai
Department of Tourism and
Commerce Marketing (DTCM)
head of Middle East and
Africa, told TNW the campaign
had seen a lot of interest
from the South African
market as travellers get to
experience the “glitz and
glam” of the city at reduced
rates. She said high-end
luxury accommodation tended
to be marketed in the main
but this was a misconception
DTCM was trying to break by
catering for all budgets and
travel styles. Dubai is also tax
free so travellers can shop for
all the best brands without
breaking the bank, she adds.
Hoor says the gastronomy of
the city is also a big attraction
for South Africans. With 220
different nationalities and all
their different cuisines, there
is something for everyone,
she says.
Packages for all budgets
For the high-end market,
Holiday Tours will offer
accommodation packages
for Atlantis – The
Palm from September
27-October 17, 2015, for
R21 130pps (excluding
October 3-13 where a
supplement of R930pp
applies). Rates include
three nights in a deluxe
room with breakfast
daily, return flights
from Johannesburg on
Emirates, approximate
airport taxes, airport-hotel
transfers and tourist
visas. Between October
18 and November 8, rates
increase to R31 435pps,
then drop to R26 870pps
from November 9 to
December 3.
For those on a stricter
budget, Holiday Tours
offers a five-night package
at the Golden Sands
Hotel Apartments for
R13 680pps in a oneroom
studio apartment.
Prices include breakfast
daily, return flights
from Johannesburg on
Emirates, approximate
airport taxes, airport-hotel
transfers and tourist
visas. The offer is valid
from October 1-31.
A supplement of
R930pps applies from
October 3-13. Rates
increase to R13 899pps
from November 1 to
December 3.
Huge growth planned for Al Maktoum
Huge growth planned
for Al Maktoum US$32bn (R349bn) will be
spent on the expansion of
Dubai’s second-largest airport,
Al Maktoum International at
Dubai World Central.
The first phase, which will
take between six and eight
years, will consist of two
satellite buildings that will
collectively handle 120m
passengers annually and
accommodate 100 A380
aircraft at any one time.
With passenger traffic
expected to reach almost
100m at Dubai International
by the end of 2020, the
development of Al Maktoum
would provide the necessary
facilities to accommodate
passenger and cargo growth in
the years ahead, said a Dubai
Airports spokesperson.
Emirates will relocate
intercontinental hub operations
to Al Maktoum by the mid-
2020s. Other airlines, such
as low-cost operator, FlyDubai,
will continue to operate from
Dubai International.
Paul Griffiths, ceo of Dubai
Airports, said the development
was expected to support
more than 322 000 jobs and
contribute 28% to Dubai’s GDP
by 2020.
DTCM visits SA
Travel agents had the opportunity to meet with DTCM and suppliers at the annual Dubai
Tourism Roadshow last month, which took place in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. The
show was joined by Sheikh Mohammad Centre of Cultural Understanding to give attendees
the opportunity to learn about Emirati traditions and demystify the local culture by looking at
customs and the religious beliefs of the UAE. Suppliers that attended the workshop included
the Atlantis Hotel, Emirates, Vida Hotels and Resorts, Arabian Adventures and Alpha Tours, to
name a few. Pictured here (from left) are: Wendie White (director DTCM Southern Africa);
Abdulla Al Hussam (Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding); Hamad Al Habsi
(UAE Ambassador to SA); and Hoor Al Khaja (head of Middle East and Africa region, overseas
offices DTCM).
Emirates ups flights for festive season
EMIRATES will add four
extra flights on its Durban
route to handle increased
December/January traffic.
Fouad Caunhye, regional
manager, Emirates Southern
Africa, said: “The route
has a stronger business
component than other
routes in our network, where
leisure or VFR passengers
are the key drivers. We
see not only the typical
corporate passenger but
also SMEs connecting
onward to India and China.”
The four additional flights
between Durban and Dubai
will operate as follows:
On Wednesday, December
17, EK 3761 will depart
DXB at 04h10 and arrive
in DUR at 10h30.
EK 3762 will depart DUR
at 11h55 and arrive in
DXB at 22h25.
On Saturday, December
27, EK 3761 will depart
DXB at 02h25 and arrive
in DUR at 09h00. EK
3762 will depart DUR at
10h55 and arrive in DXB
at 21h35.
On Wednesday December
31, EK 3761 will depart
DXB at 11h50 and arrive
in DUR at 18h25.
EK 3762 will depart DUR
at 20h10 and arrive in
DXB at 06h50+1.
On Sunday, January 11,
EK 3761 will depart DXB
at 16h30 and arrive
in DUR at 23h05. EK
3762 will depart DUR at
00h35+1 and arrive.
News flash
Along with implementing a new brand in May this year, DTCM will launch a new website and app at
WTM in London. The new facility will enable visitors to book their entire trip through one platform.
RCI returns to Dubai
ROYAL Caribbean International
will return to the Gulf for
its fifth winter season with
16 roundtrip sailings from
December 2015 through
March 2016, visiting some
of the Arabian coast’s most
intriguing destinations on
seven-night itineraries.
Splendour of the Seas will
dock in its home port of Dubai,
followed by calls to Muscat,
Khasab and Abu Dhabi. A
seven-night cruise starts
from US$532pps (R5 897).
Fares exclude port taxes and
gratuities.
Splendour of the Seas
features The Centrum, which
has been equipped with the
latest sound and lighting
technology and is home to the
R Bar, a 1960s venue with
signature cocktails prepared by
a mixologist.
There are a variety of
restaurants, both finedining
and casual. For
younger cruisers, there is
the Adventure Ocean youth
programme. Those 12 years
and older can spend time in
the teen-only hangout and
disco and also join enrichment
classes, learning to mix music
or hop-hop dance moves.
RCI (represented in SA by
Cruises International) also
offers a 16-night Suez Canal
cruise from Barcelona to Dubai
on Quantum of the Seas.
Ports of call include Barcelona;
Civitavecchia and Naples;
Piraeus; the Suez Canal;
Aqaba and Dubai. Fares start
from US$1 799 (R19 944).
All aboard the Dubai tram
DUBAI will launch a new
tram system on November
11, the first tramway project
outside Europe to be
powered by a ground-based
electric supply system along
the track without the need
for overhead cables.
The initial phase consists
of a 10,6km-long track
starting from the Dubai
Marina and stretching up to
a tram depot near the Dubai
Police Academy.
The network will feature
17 passenger stations
and a fleet of 11 trams.
Each tram will have seven
coaches, including a
gold suite and one cabin
dedicated to women and
children. In phase two, 14
trams will be added to make
a total of 25 operating
trams.
The tram is expected
to transport 27 000
passengers daily at
the start of operations.
Passenger numbers could
increase to 66 000 a day
by 2020.
Multi-entry visas launched
IN AN effort to attract more
visitors to the UAE, the
government has amended its
visa structure.
“We’ve changed the prices,
length of stay and the ability
to have multiple entries,” says
DTCM’s Hoor Al Khaja.
The multiple-entry tourism
visa was launched in August.
It allows visitors who arrive at
Dubai International Airport or
Dubai World Central to take
a cruise from Mina Rashid,
Dubai’s port, to other
emirates and neighbouring
countries and return to Dubai
on the same visa rather than
having to obtain two or three
separate visas.
The new multiple-entry
tourism visa for cruise
passengers costs US$50
(R528).
December packages at One&Only
WORLD Leisure Holidays is
offering an all-inclusive Dubai
package for SA travellers this
December holiday season at
One&Only resorts.
The seven-night stay runs
from December 8-15. Guests
can choose accommodation
in a Palm Beach premier room
at One&Only The Palm from
R51 050, or a deluxe Arabian
Court room at the One&Only
Royal Mirage from R43 280.
Rates include flights from
Johannesburg to Dubai on
Emirates, return private car
transfers, a tourist visa (valid
for one month, all nationalities
except Gulf Cooperation
Council members), daily
American breakfast and a
booklet that highlights events,
shows and activities, per
booking
