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On Tuesday 20th June 2017, Atlantis, The Palm will celebrate The International Day of Yoga with a FREE ‘Underwater’ yoga class in front of the resort’s Ambassador Lagoon from 7:30am-8:30am.

Set to be the biggest underwater yoga class in Dubai, the morning will aim to deliver a completely unique experience for beginners, intermediate and advanced yoga practitioners, set against the mesmerising tranquility of the Ambassador Lagoon, the biggest aquarium in the Middle East and Africa. Due to limited spaces and high demand advance booking will be essential.

With events taking place across Dubai from 20th-21st June, The International Day of Yoga was officially formed three years ago after India highlighted the importance of yoga to the United Nations. It brought together 176 countries to sign a resolution, marking the 21st as the official day of yoga.

Surrounded by a majestic 65,000 sea creatures, guests to the special class will have the opportunity to rejuvenate and restore in a unique aquatic surrounding practicing Hatha Yoga, a discipline that helps bring peace to the mind and body. The class is open to all different levels* and aims to improve strength, flexibility and balance, involving beautiful, calming sequence of postures, breathing exercises and relaxation of body tension.

A study released by researchers from the National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth University and the University of Exeter has shown that contemplating fish in an aquarium has an effect in reducing levels of stress and anxiety and provides health benefits including lowering blood pressure.

The class includes complimentary access to The Lost Chambers Aquarium until 10:00am, a yoga mat, towels and a bottle of water and due to limited space and high demand, booking is essential. For more information or to reserve a space visit https://www.atlantisthepalm.com/marine-water-park/lost-chambers-aquarium or call 04 426 2000. The class will continue in The Lost Chambers Aquarium every Tuesday and Friday for 120AED per guest.

* The class is open to those 16+ years of age

** Access to The Lost Chambers Aquarium will be from 8:30am-10am on Tuesday 20^th June only and will be granted to those taking part in the yoga class.

A few things you didn’t know about The International Day of Yoga

1. The International Day of Yoga is celebrated annually on the 21st June since its inception in 2015.
2. An international day for yoga was declared unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 11 December 2014.
3. The 21st June was selected as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and shares special significance in many parts of the world
4. From the perspective of yoga, the summer solstice (21st June) marks the transition to Dakshinayana. The first yogi (Adi Yogi), is said to have begun imparting the knowledge of yoga to the rest of mankind on this day, and became the first guru.
5. During the first International Yoga Day celebrations in Delhi, the Prime Minister led more than 35,000 participants performing yoga.

Rove Hotels, the contemporary lifestyle brand by Emaar Hospitality Group, has unveiled its fourth hotel, with a focus on the fast-growing meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) tourism sector of Dubai.

The home-grown Dubai hotel brand continues to offer strong value for business and leisure travellers, as Rove Trade Centre joins the portfolio of three other operational properties under Rove Hotels – Rove Downtown, Rove City Centre and Rove Healthcare City – all enjoying strong occupancy levels.

Six more Rove Hotels are being developed, also in strategic locations across the city, each meeting the needs of visitors from across the world seeking value lifestyle experiences in Dubai. This will take the total number of rooms under Rove Hotels, developed as a joint venture between Emaar Properties and Meraas Holding, a Dubai-based holding company, to over 3,700 by 2020.

Rove Trade Centre, as the name underlines, is defined by its location next to the Dubai World Trade Centre, which has an impressive calendar of big events throughout the year. Moreover, the new hotel is only 10 minutes away from the Dubai International Airport, and near the Dubai International Financial Centre, Rove Trade Centre is situated at the intersection of the two commercial hubs of the city – the traditional hubs of Bur Dubai and the fast-emerging new central business district.

Offering a design-influenced lifestyle experience for value-conscious business travellers, Rove Trade Centre has 270 rooms and will also appeal to leisure travellers who can access Dubai’s leading tourism, retail, food and beverage, and leisure destinations such as Downtown Dubai, City Walk and the Satwa/Jafiliya and Karama neighbourhoods.

Olivier Harnisch, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Hospitality Group, said: “Rove Hotels addresses a very clear industry requirement: the need to offer contemporary lifestyle hospitality experiences for value conscious business and leisure travelers visiting the city. We will continue to develop hotels in central locations, assure hyper-connectivity and mobility through Metro and public transport, and deliver lifestyle amenities that are relevant to our guests.”

He added: “Rove Trade Centre, like all other operating Rove Hotels, also brings a unique positioning to the market. Dubai’s MICE sector is reporting robust growth, and with the preparations of Expo 2020 gaining momentum, the city is welcoming business professionals who are discerning yet value conscious. Rove Trade Centre is uniquely positioned for welcoming MICE visitors as well as business guests and leisure travellers offering them the distinct Rove experience, complemented by its central location and tech-driven environment.”

As with all Rove Hotels, Rove Trade Centre also has its own unique design, and it employs art to tell stories that offer Instagrammable moments throughout the hotel. Of the 270 rooms, 30 percent are interconnected, adding the convenience of families. Every room has a 48-inch interactive TV screen with a smart media hub that serves as the perfect fit for the tech-savvy traveller. Free Wi-Fi access, comfortable mattresses, sofa beds for extra guests, mini-fridge, safety locker and a modern bathroom with power rain showers are standard.

With the needs of business guests in mind, Rove Trade Centre offers smart services for the modern traveller including the convenience of late check-out at 2pm. A 24-hour gym, a welcoming pool and sun deck cultivate a relaxing ambience. The hotel also has a 24-hour self-service Laundromat, boutique convenience store, luggage store rooms and safety deposit boxes, all adding to the independent lifestyle of its guests.

Rove Trade Centre also feature The Daily, the much-admired all-day neighbourhood hangout at Rove Hotels properties, with quality coffee and healthy globally inspired food served till late.

The hotel also offers flexible set-ups for meetings and events with well-connected meeting rooms. Guests can choose their space of choice for meetings and networking events which can be booked by the hour. A Pit Stop is also offered for more relaxed gatherings. The Daily is available for lunch during meetings. Coffee, tea and water are complimentary.

Rove Hotels are for the modern nomad who roams freely, and is interested in exploring the city’s identity, as well as for those who travel for business or leisure.

Dubai has emerged as one of the top 10 destinations for international meetings, according to the latest edition of the International Meetings Statistics Report published last week by Union of International Associations (UIA). The report ranked 1,157 cities globally based on the total number of international meetings that took place during the year. Previously ranked 14^th in the 2015 edition, Dubai has moved up the list to claim the 10^th spot with a total of 180 meetings taking place in 2016, reflecting a growth of 24% in comparison to 2015.

Dubai is the only city in the Middle East and Africa to appear in the top 25 in the rankings, further underlining its status as the region’s number one destination for international meetings and conferences.

Issam Kazim, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said: “With these latest UIA rankings it is once again clear that Dubai is now not only the regional leader in the sector, but also a major destination on the global stage for business events. We will continue to strengthen our business events offering, and strive towards transforming Dubai into a global knowledge hub.”

The total number of meetings assessed include those that are organised by international organisations, as well as ones organised by national organisations or branches but with significant international character. Dubai’s current standing reaffirms the city’s status of being a premier destination to host business events, and reflects the tremendous growth experienced over the past five years. In 2012, Dubai ranked 26^th with a total of 76 international meetings that took place in the city. Dubai’s business events offering has since evolved; the city’s world-class infrastructure and global connectivity adds to the overall appeal resulting in a 138% increase in international meetings hosted since 2012.

Steen Jakobsen, Director, Dubai Business Events, said: “Dubai’s business events industry has undoubtedly grown over the past decade, and we are very proud that the city is being regarded as one of the top 10 international meetings destinations by UIA, competing with over 1,100 worldwide destinations for the spot. We have worked very hard to achieve this status, with strong support from public and private partners, including Dubai World Trade Centre, hotels, Emirates Airlines, flydubai and other meetings industry suppliers, and are aiming to continue enhancing our offering to remain competitive and further propel Dubai’s ranking in the years to come.”

The latest UIA rankings report comes on the back of Dubai’s recent announcement to launch the Dubai Association Conference which will be held on 11-12 December 2017 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. A first-of-a-kind in the region, the conference acknowledges the crucial role associations play in Dubai’s socio-economic development and its transition to a knowledge-based economy. Guided by the theme of ‘Building a Community’, the Dubai Association Conference will host association executives from regional and international associations, government representatives, university faculties and students as well as other professionals who are keen to develop associations.

In addition to the Dubai Association Conference, Dubai is also set to host key international business events this year, including: Academy of International Business Annual Meeting, Fédération Internationale des Déménageurs Internationaux (FIDI) Annual Conference, Annual Congress of the Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology, and the International Primary Immunodeficiencies Congress.

The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel, the newest addition to AccorHotels’ distinctive MGallery by Sofitel collection of contemporary boutique hotels, is set to become the first holistic wellbeing resort in the Middle East. The exciting new property is scheduled for soft launch in summer 2017 and has recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the German Medical Wellness Association. 

 The MoU was signed in the presence of Lutz Lungwitz, President of German Medical Wellness Association and Vanessa Waldow, Director of Sales and Marketing, The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel. This collaboration has followed the recent partnership agreement signed with Dubai Health Authority (DHA) which is set to boost wellness tourism in United Arab Emirates.  

With Wellness Tourism projected to grow by more than 9% by year end (2017), nearly 50% faster than overall global tourism, the market is well prepped for the opening of the UAE’s first holistic wellness resort. Part of MGallery by Sofitel’s Serenity Collection – an assortment of boutique hotels worldwide, who’s architecture and locations are inspired by serenity, The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel, promises true relaxation and restorative wellbeing.

Situated along the exclusive coastline of Palm Jumeirah’s East Crescent, the idyllic resort will offer guests a unique and tranquil environment in the heart of vibrant Dubai. The beachfront destination will showcase 255 luxurious rooms and suites, designed with natural elements, earthy tones and harmonising feng shui, synonymous with serenity and calmness. Guests will be able to enjoy world-class dining options including a specialty restaurant highlighting local epicurean delicacies and a unique café – offering a selection of healthy food and beverage options made from local, organically sourced products.

Featuring the world’s first ever Rayya Wellness Center offering 360 degree holistic wellness solutions, guests can choose from a variety of all-inclusive retreat packages, expertly designed for each individual to embark on a journey of relaxation and rejuvenation to improve mind, body and spirit. Rayya Fitness will showcase a state of the art gym, tennis court and yoga rooms whilst Rayya Spa will feature a distinctive array of wellbeing therapies and signature spa treatments using the finest organic products exclusive to the resort.

The German Medical Wellness Association is a non-for-profit umbrella organisation for Medical Wellness in Germany. A key target for the association is the development of international health hotels & resorts, the trade in goods and services in the medical technical division, tourism programs, and international exchange programs.

President Lutz Lungwitz welcomes the collaboration and says, “The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel is a unique concept in the area and will showcase a new way of health-tourism in the Middle East, closing the gaps that were once present for health and wellness tourism, and positioning the UAE as an esteemed wellness destination.”

Samir Arora, General Manager, The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel, said: “We are proud to introduce the first holistic wellness resort in the UAE, the property provides guests an unrivaled resort experience, different to anything else offered in the Middle East. We are delighted to be recognised by an international body responsible for more than 20 years of success in advancing the wellness concept worldwide. Wellness is a self-responsible strategy we are all accountable for, The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel allows for each guest to become an architect of his or her own wellness.”

Dubai International Hotel, conveniently located within one of the world’s busiest spaces, the Dubai International Airport (DXB), has announced an extensive refurbishment and upgrade program. The 530-room hotel will undergo refurbishment of rooms in Concourse C, resulting in a more stylish and contemporary accommodation for transit passengers. The hotel’s renowned Food & Beverage outlets located within the premise of the bustling Airport are also scheduled for re-invention, with ‘Safar’ being transformed into an International Food Village with offerings from across the globe.

Dubai’s most loved ‘McGettigan’s Irish Pub’ will shift from its original location at Concourse C to the new Food Village and shall continue to welcome guests 24/7. ‘The Gallery’ is also scheduled to undergo a complete makeover and diners can now expect to soak into a cozy vintage vibe in a new hops bar.

Apart from the promise of world-class dining, Dubai International Hotel offers travelers an opportunity to rest and refresh at any of the 72 treatment rooms of the Timeless Spa, strategically located all across Concourses A, B, and C. The Airport Hotel’s Ahlan ‘Meet & Greet’ – Dubai International Airport’s premier Concierge Service, and award-winning Ahlan First Class and Business Class Lounges continue to offer travelers the friendliest and personalized welcome into Dubai.

Recognized as the ‘Best Airport Hotel’ 2016 by Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Awards, and ‘Regional Winner – Luxury Airport Hotel’ 2016 at the World Luxury Hotel Awards, Dubai International Hotel has a rich culture and offers a gamut of services for the discerning traveler. The customer-oriented Airport Hotel has bagged numerous awards in the recent past including ‘Recognition of Excellence’ 2016 by HotelsCombined, ‘Certificate of Excellence’ from 2012 to 2016 by Trip Advisor and ‘Best Airport Hotel in the Middle East’ 2011 by World Airport Skytrax Awards. Other recent accolades include top-notch current TripAdvisor ratings such as the Number 1-rating in the Spa & Wellness category and Number 2 in the Specialty Lodging – Hotels category. Ahlan First Class Lounge is also currently rated Number 1, while Ahlan Business Class Lounge follows closely at Number 2 in the Dubai Restaurants category. McGettigan’s Irish Pub is ranked at Number 3 and Asian specialty restaurant ‘Cho Gao Transit’ completes a formidable Dubai International Hotel Top 4 finish at Number 4.

Dubai International Hotel offers overnight as well as hourly rates for Rooms. Timeless Spa, Ahlan and F&B services are open to all passengers transiting through Terminal’s 1 and 3 of the Dubai International Airport.

France’s AccorHotels has announced plans for the largest Sofitel property in the Middle East in Dubai’s Wafi area.

The agreement, signed with development partner MKM Commercial Holdings, will see the property open in early 2019, adding to the existing 14 hotels in the brand’s regional portfolio.

Sofitel Dubai Wafi will feature 501 rooms, including 86 suites ranging from 55sqm to 526sqm, and an additional 97 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom serviced residences.

Dining options will include an Asian speciality restaurant, gastro pub, a destination restaurant, bar and lounge on the 43rd and 44th floors, a French lobby café, all-day restaurant and pool par.

A spa, gym, outdoor pool, private cabanas, kids club, 10 meeting rooms and a 1,115sqm ballroom are among the other facilities.

HH Sheikh Manna Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, chairman of MKM Commercial Holdings, said he was confident the property would complement the areas’ existing Raffles hotel, also managed by Accor following its $2.9bn acquisition of FRHI last year.

“Within the United Arab Emirates, we’ve established a strong presence with four operational hotels across landmark locations including Abu Dhabi Corniche, Downtown Dubai, the Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Residences, and now Wafi – a major shopping destination set to undergo a comprehensive retail and leisure expansion,” said Sami Nasser, COO, luxury brands, AccorHotels Middle East.

Accor has made a number of other hotel announcements in the region in recent months including the introduction of the Mama Shelter brand and the opening of the world’s largest Mercure hotel in Dubai.

Atlantis, The Palm and MasterCard are giving Dubai residents and visitors a mouthwatering offer across the resorts eateries. From 4th June throughout summer until 15th October, MasterCard holders will receive 25 % off their total food and beverage bill.

From creative cocktails in YUAN, Atlantis steak at Seafire, or fine dining at the resorts underwater restaurant, Ossiano, paying with MasterCard will take a huge bite out of the final bill. The fantastic offer will only be available to those on a table of eight or less and will be available across the resorts seven signature restaurants including YUAN, Seafire, Ronda Locatelli, Bread Street Kitchen and Bar, Nobu, Ossiano, and Ayamna. In addition, smaller eateries and outdoor dining venues are also taking part, including TBJ burger joint, Shawafel, Asia Republic and Nasimi beach.

Terms and conditions of the MasterCard offer:

The offer is not valid on brunches or Asateer tent dining
The offer is not applicable for banqueting or at any Aquaventure restaurant
The offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, promotion or discount.
Offer is valid for in-house and outside guests.
Payment must be made directly at the restaurant using your MasterCard
Offer must be paid in full using a valid MasterCard debit or credit card
The available discount must be requested by the MasterCard card holder. Discounts will not be granted automatically when paying with a MasterCard

Terms and conditions apply. To view all terms please visit https://www.atlantisthepalm.com/special-offers/mastercard

In another technology first, Emaar Hospitality Group, the hospitality and leisure business of Emaar Properties PJSC, has introduced panoramic, 360 virtual tours of its hotels in Dubai.

The 360 virtual tours, captured in high-definition photographs and videos, offer visitors the opportunity to experience the unique value propositions of each hotel, discover its myriad facets and make an informed decision – be it for booking hotel stays, restaurants or pampering oneself at spas.

The 360 virtual tours cover properties under the premium luxury hotel and serviced residences brand, Address Hotels + Resorts; the upscale lifestyle hotel and serviced residences brand, Vida Hotels and Resorts; and the new contemporary mid-scale hotel and serviced residences brand, Rove Hotels.

Olivier Harnisch, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Hospitality Group, said: “Introducing innovative digital experiences is part of our strategy to further enhance the guest experience. The 360 virtual tours open doors to the delightful and exceptional lifestyle offerings at our hotels, enabling visitors anywhere in the world to make informed decisions and plan their stay in vivid detail. We will continue to explore newer opportunities to strengthen our online engagement with our guests, underlining our commitment to provide value-added customer-centric experiences.”

The 360 virtual tours take visitors through the spectacular architecture that define properties under Address Hotel + Resorts, including Address Boulevard, Address Dubai Marina, Address Dubai Mall, Address Montgomerie, and Palace Downtown. The 360 virtual tours also take visitors through the exceptional ambience offered by Vida Downtown and Manzil Downtown, as well as the three Rove Hotels that are currently operational in central locations across the city – Rove Downtown, Rove City Centre and Rove Healthcare City.

To view, simply click on the hotel websites, which can be navigated via www.addresshotels.com; www.vidahotels.com; and www.rovehotels.com. The master-brand pages will take you to individual hotel sites, where you can take the interactive tours.

Each virtual tour, assembled through panoramic photography and videography, will provide all the features of the hotel in vivid details. From the exteriors to the interior, whether it is the lobby, restaurants, lounges, spas, event spaces, or the intricate details of rooms and suites, you can experience it all online.

The launch of the 360 virtual tours of all hotels is part of the ambitious digital transformation that Emaar Hospitality Group is bringing through several innovative initiatives. The objective is to enable visitors to become familiar with the hotels and understand the real value that awaits them. They can then simply make their bookings via the website itself, adding to their convenience.

The virtual tours can also be experienced over smartphones through the new native Apps that Emaar Hospitality Group has launched. Setting an industry-first, these Apps powered by Go Find It Technologies SA, enhance the digital lifestyle experiences of guests at Address Hotels + Resorts, Palace Downtown, Vida Hotels and Resorts, Manzil Downtown and Rove Hotels. The Apps of Address Hotels + Resorts, Vida Hotels and Resorts, Palace Downtown and Manzil Downtown have gone live with the Rove Hotels App to go live shortly.

Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain have been rated by international tourists as their favourite attractions in the UAE,  according to the latest Arabian Falcon Holidays survey participated by 1,212 respondents.

More than 70 per cent of international tourists said they were keen to stay longer in Dubai and explore more. This clearly reflects Dubai’s fast growing popularity as an international tourist destination. The desire to stay longer is over and above the one to two weeks’ vacation they already booked in Dubai based on the AFH survey which included only non-residents.

Dubai’s shopping malls, Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, The Palm, and Dubai restaurants are the next favourites amongst the surveyed international tourists.

Al Mohannad Sharafuddin, Founder of Arabian Falcon Holidays (AFH), the largest independent timeshare player in the Middle East, said: “The strong vision of Dubai’s leadership has led the emirate to outpace global growth in tourism. Increased investments toward attracting tourists to Dubai, focus on ensuring happiness for all, alongwith 100 per cent customer satisfaction through initiatives such as the launch of Smart Happiness Index, make Dubai a highly attractive destination that offers an unmatchable experience to international tourists.”

“Speedy and comfortable procedures, starting right at the time you enter the airports, a friendly and efficient customer service in addition to a large number of unique destinations offering attractions for all age groups and interests, make Dubai the place of choice for families and businesses alike,” Sharafuddin added.

The growth in tourism has been particularly remarkable after His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE’s Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, approved the Dubai Vision 2020 for the tourism sector. This lays a strategic roadmap with the goal of attracting 20 million tourists (doubling the number welcomed in 2012) and AED 300 billion in tourism revenues annually by 2020.

To achieve this, Dubai will focus on three key areas: positioning the emirate as a leading family, event and business destination.

The preferences of international tourists, as revealed by the AFH survey, showed that family destinations top the list of favourites.

Dubai Garden Glow, Jumeirah Beach, Jumeirah Mosque, Desert Safari, Burj Al Arab, Waterparks, Dubai Parks and Resorts and Global Village are also amongst the hot favourites for international tourists.

The AFH survey also brought out the emerging trend of preference for longer stays amongst tourists. Nearly 50 per cent of the tourists spent four to seven days in Dubai, while 23 per cent stayed up to two weeks and 8.5 per cent of international tourists stayed longer than two weeks in the emirate, according to the survey.

“With a clear vision and a strategic roadmap that focuses on various aspects to attract tourism, Dubai is setting exemplary standards in tourism. Through its numerous achievements Dubai has brought many dreams to reality, and at this pace of growth, we eagerly wait to see its further accomplishments by 2020,” Sharafuddin concluded.

Hospitality industry in Dubai recorded an increase in April across all key performance indicators, including the highest revenue per available room, as hotels across the Middle East North Africa region experienced mixed results.

In Dubai, hotels reported RevPAR of US$ 273, an increase of 18.7 per cent in April compared to the same 2016 period, and also posted the highest occupancy at 88 per cent and the highest average room rate of US$ 310, said EY in its MENA Hotel Benchmark Survey report.

“Numerous events such as the Arabian Travel Market and the Arabian Hotel Investment conference attracted visitors from across the Mena region and may have helped boost the city’s hotel performance,” Yousef Wahbah, MENA head of Transaction Real Estate at EY, said.

Across the region, higher occupancies at lower average room rates affected hotels’ overall revenue per average room. “With the start of Ramadan at the end of May, it can be expected that MENA cities will experience a softer performance until the Eid holidays at the end of June,” said the report.

Abu Dhabi’s hospitality market witnessed a drop in RevPAR by 4.8 per cent in April 2017, which can be attributed to the drop in ADR from US$ 133 in April 2016 to US$ 120 in April 2017. However, occupancy increased by 4.5 per cent in April 2017 when compared to the same month last year.

According to official data issued by Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Dubai’s hospitality industry is poised to enter a new growth trajectory with hotel rooms predicted to surge to 140,000-160,000 keys by 2020 from 93,030 as of January 2015.

As the UAE’s tourism and leisure sector, a key pillar to prop the nation’s post-oil economy, is projected to reach Dh 237 billion by year 2026, the Emirates hospitality sector is witnessing a big boom with nearly 100 hotel projects now under construction.

According to Market research firm STR, there are currently 99 hotels being built in the UAE, the highest in the region. The ongoing projects represent 17 per cent of the 556 properties in the Middle East that are either under construction or in the final and planning stages. The new hotels will boost the country’s supply by another 28,898 rooms. In 2017 alone, around 16,000 hotel keys are expected to be handed over in the UAE.