Monday, September 16, 2024

Al Hokair Group Steps Up Expansion of MENA Hotels & Resorts

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Al Hokair Group Steps Up Expansion of MENA Hotels & Resorts

Saudi-based hospitality and entertainment group Al Hokair has chalked out aggressive plans for expansion of MENA Hotels & Resorts across the Middle East that will be unveiled during the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai. Confirming the group’s presence at the show from 22 to 25 April 2018, Mr Sami Al Hokair, Managing Director Al Hokair Group & MENA Hotels & Resorts, stated, “Al Hokair is a trusted name in hospitality and we are eager to capitalize on the massive opportunity for growth in the industry with our brand MENA Hotels & Resorts. Focused on high-growth markets, our expansion is driven by long-term sustainability while strengthening our diverse portfolio of brands.”

MENA Hotels & Resorts is currently present in KSA, UAE and Jordan with seven hotels, boasting 1015 keys, in operation. The brand is expected to double its existing portfolio of hotels by 2019 with a strong development pipeline. Mr Fadi Mazkour, Co-Founder, Regional Director of MENA Hotels & Resorts, said, “MENA Hotels & Resorts is a distinctive collection of properties offering a comprehensive mix of lifestyle brands, from luxury to budget, all reflecting the pulse of Arabian Hospitality delivered by world-class hoteliers. We are well-placed to serve any market segment with a balanced portfolio of five superb brands that have been developed to respond to the needs of today’s guests. The service excellence seamlessly translates into every aspect of MENA Hotels & Resorts, ensuring the highest quality and standards at all our hotels. In keeping with the Arabian culture and traditions all our properties are strictly committed to provide a safe and comfortable environment for families.”

Founded in 1975, under the leadership of Sheikh Abdulmohsin Al Hokair, Al Hokair Group boasts a portfolio of 80+ entertainment centres and 40+ hotels comprising more than 5000 rooms spread across KSA, UAE and JORDAN. Occupying over 882,226 sqm of space and employing over 4100 experienced professionals, the group serves over 8 million people annually.

Al Hokair Group will be present at Arabian Travel Market from 22 to 25 April on stand ‘HC 0570’ in Sheikh Saeed Hall in Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

About Al Hokair Group Founded in 1975, under the leadership of Sheikh Abdulmohsin Al Hokair, Al Hokair Group boasts a portfolio of 90+ entertainment centres and 40+ hotels comprising more than 5500 rooms spread across KSA, UAE and JORDAN. Occupying over 882,226 sqm of space and employing over 4100 experienced professionals, the group serves over 12 million people annually.

For more information about Al Hokair Group visit www.alhokair.com For more information about MENA Hotels, visit www.menahotelgroup.com

For media contact: Hina Bakht Managing Director EVOPS Marketing & PR Mob: 00971 50 6975146 Tel: 00971 4 566 7355 Hina.bakht@evops-pr.com www.evops-pr.com

Deyaar Hands Over Mont Rose Project

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Deyaar Hands Over Mont Rose Project
Deyaar Development PJSC (“Deyaar”), one of Dubai’s leading property developers and real estate service providers, has started the handover process for the two residential towers in its iconic Mont Rose project which marks Deyaar’s first handover of 2018. Located in Dubai Science Park, the Mont Rose is a contemporary residential and hotel-apartment project. It comprises three towers: Mont Rose residential towers A and B, and one hotel-apartment tower, the Millennium Deyaar Mont Rose Apartments, which will be managed by Millennium & Copthorne, one of the fastest-growing hotel groups in the region. The hotel tower will begin operation in September 2018. Saeed Al Qatami, CEO of Deyaar said: “Delivering a project to our owners at the beginning of the year sets the tone for what we aim to accomplish in 2018. Mont Rose is one of our iconic projects, which is situated to take advantage of Dubai’s up-and-coming areas – including the Expo 2020 site. Deyaar is committed to delivering quality projects that meet our exacting standards, in terms of build, location, and return on investment.” Owners were invited to an orientation event to go through the handover process and the necessary procedures and to inspect their units before receiving their keys. Through this event, Deyaar aims to facilitate the delivery of units to new owners and familiarise them with their new units. Deyaar also expects to deliver The Atria in Q2 2018. Currently near completion, The Atria is located in Business Bay and comprises a four-star hotel apartment tower and a residential tower. The project has 347 serviced apartments managed by the Millennium & Copthorne Group, and 219 residential units. Residents will have access to facilities such as a luxury spa, fine dining restaurant, gymnasium, and an infinity pool that overlooks the iconic Burj Khalifa. Listed on the Dubai Financial Market and majority-owned by Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB), Deyaar is one of Dubai’s leading developers, with real estate ventures spanning key growth corridors and prime locations within the emirate. Over the years, Deyaar has delivered an extensive portfolio of commercial and residential properties, all offering the highest levels of service and quality.

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL BEIRUT SCOOPS TOP AWARDS AT HORECA 2018

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FOUR SEASONS HOTEL BEIRUT SCOOPS TOP AWARDS AT HORECA 2018
The talented Food and Beverage Team at Four Seasons Hotel Beirut is celebrating their recent win at HORECA 2018, after taking home 21 awards. Just like every year, the Hotel was in the limelight, with its team excelling in cooking, art of service and other competitions, acquiring medals and certificates of appreciation for their creative skills and high professionalism. Four Seasons Hotel Beirut won five gold medals in the perfect steak challenge, two courses Lebanese menu competition, plated desserts presentation and Lebanese sandwich competition. Six silver medals were won for the burger challenge, best croissant, best baguette, Lebanese sandwich, table service and meat flambage. A further four bronze medals including best chocolate egg display, table service and napkin folding were won and six merit awards across several categories including hot and cold tapas, manouche saj challenge, best éclair, best macaron and wine decanting were also awarded. “We are thrilled by the diversity and calibre of awards received by our team at HORECA this year. A result of the Hotel’s ever-growing investment in continually striving to nurture its established and upcoming talent. We congratulate all the winners who have come out on top after a thorough judging process. Their win will surely serve as an inspiration to their colleagues at the Hotel,” says Regional Vice President and General Manager Rami Sayess. HORECA is the country’s largest annual exhibition held for the hospitality, catering and food industries and boasts one of the region’s most sought after competitions. Visitors from the city were invited to watch more than 100 talented chefs compete in different categories ranging from five-course menus to novelty cakes, live cooking of signature dishes, carving competitions and the creation of decorative showpieces, before being judged by a panel of international experts.

ETISALAT, SINGTEL, SOFTBANK AND TELEFÓNICA CREATE GLOBAL CYBER SECURITY ALLIANCE

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ETISALAT, SINGTEL, SOFTBANK AND TELEFÓNICA CREATE GLOBAL CYBER SECURITY ALLIANCE
  • Members to share cyber risk intelligence and security capabilities to protect enterprises from evolving cyber threats worldwide.
  • Alliance has presence in over 60 countries, combined 1.2 billion customers, over 20 SOCs and more than 6,000 security experts.
  • Combined capabilities with this Alliance would make it one of the world’s leading managed security services platform.
Etisalat, Singtel, SoftBank and Telefónica today signed an agreement to create the first Global Telco Security Alliance to offer enterprises a comprehensive portfolio of cyber security services. The alliance will be one of the world’s biggest cyber security providers, with more than 1.2 billion customers in over 60 countries across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. Through their combined resources and capabilities, the group can protect enterprises against the rising cyber security risks as the information security environment becomes increasingly complex. Through the alliance, members can achieve operational synergies and economies of scale that will eventually help lower costs for their customers. The group’s members operate 22 world-class Security Operation Centres (SOCs) and employ more than 6,000 cyber security experts. To expand their global footprint, the alliance is open to bringing in new members over time. Under the agreement, the group will share network intelligence on cyber threats and leverage their joint global reach, assets and cyber security capabilities to serve customers worldwide. Leveraging each member’s respective geographic footprint and expertise, the alliance is able to support each other’s customers anywhere and anytime, allowing them to respond rapidly to any cyber security threats. To enhance their cyber security portfolio, the members will also look into the possibility of developing new technologies such as predictive analytics using machine learning and advanced cyber security for the Internet of Things. The alliance will also consider developing a joint roadmap for the evolution of their security portfolios and explore joint investments in security products and services, SOCs, platforms, start-ups and R&D. Supporting quotes from the Global Telco Security Alliance members: Francisco Salcedo, Senior Vice President at Etisalat Digital said: “With digital technologies gaining widespread adoption and driving innovation across industry verticals, the security landscape has evolved. Organizations now face a new breed of threats and need to manage digital risks in their environments. Today’s strategic alliance will give us a unique opportunity to work hand in hand with our telecom counterparts and deliver innovative security services for digital risk management.” “We need swift and coordinated global responses to defend enterprises that operate across transnational borders as cyber threats are increasing in frequency, scale and sophistication,” said Art Wong, Chief Executive Officer of Global Cyber Security at Singtel. “Singtel and its US-based subsidiary Trustwave are both well-established security leaders across the Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas. The group’s resources, combined with those of its alliance partners, will provide a robust cyber security platform to protect our global customers, allowing them to thrive in the digital economy.” Andrew Schwabecher, Head of the Cloud & Cyber Security Division at SoftBank Corp. said, “Hackers have well-established and organized communities where they cooperate to produce cyber threats—it’s time that the world’s largest network of operators formed a global alliance to strengthen our defense against these attacks. SoftBank is excited to join the initial alliance partners including Singtel, Telefonica and Etisalat, to offer enhanced security to our customers and advance our cyber defense.” “The Security Alliance will help all its members to deliver disruptive innovation to secure our customers’ digital lives,” said Pedro Pablo Pérez, VP Security at Telefónica and CEO of Telefonica’s cybersecurity unit ElevenPaths. “For Telefónica, it’s a major step ahead in complementing our ability to develop as an intelligent Managed Security Service Provider and to continue to deliver outstanding growth.” About Singtel Singtel is Asia’s leading communications technology group, providing a portfolio of services from next-generation communication, technology services to infotainment to both consumers and businesses. For consumers, Singtel delivers a complete and integrated suite of services, including mobile, broadband and TV. For businesses, Singtel offers a complementary array of workforce mobility solutions, data hosting, cloud, network infrastructure, analytics and cyber-security capabilities. The Group has presence in Asia, Australia and Africa and reaches over 685 million mobile customers in 22 countries. Its infrastructure and technology services for businesses span 21 countries, with more than 428 direct points of presence in 362 cities. For more information, visit www.singtel.com Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SingtelNews About Etisalat Group Etisalat Group is one of the world’s leading telecom groups in emerging markets. Etisalat’s current market cap is 152 billion AED (41 billion USD). With reported net revenues of AED 51.7 billion and net profit of 8.4 billion for 2017, Etisalat ranks amongst the most profitable telecom groups in the world. Its high credit ratings at AA-/A+/Aa3 reflect the company’s strong balance sheet and proven long-term performance. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Etisalat was established four decades ago in the UAE as the country’s first telecommunications service provider. An international blue-chip organization, Etisalat provides innovative solutions and services to 142 million subscribers in 16 countries across the Middle East, Asia and Africa. About SoftBank Corp. SoftBank Corp., a subsidiary of SoftBank Group Corp. (TOKYO:9984), provides mobile communication, fixed-line communication, and Internet connection services to consumers and corporate customers in Japan. Leveraging the innovative technologies of other SoftBank Group companies, SoftBank Corp. is also expanding into AI, smart robotics, IoT, FinTech, cloud security and other business sectors. To learn more, please visit www.softbank.jp/en/corp/group/sbm/ About Telefónica Telefónica is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world in terms of market capitalization and number of customers. With its best in class mobile, fixed and broadband networks, and innovative portfolio of digital solutions, Telefónica is transforming itself into a ‘Digital Telco’, a company that will be even better placed to meet the needs of its customers and capture new revenue growth. The company has a significant presence in 20 countries and a customer base of 344 million accesses around the world. Telefónica has a strong presence in Spain, Europe and Latin America, where the company focuses an important part of its growth strategy. If you would like to know more about the Telefónica, please visit www.telefonica.com

JPMorgan Chase Declares Preferred Stock Dividend

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JPMorgan Chase Declares Preferred Stock Dividend
PMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) (“JPMorgan Chase” or the “Firm”) declared dividends on the outstanding shares of the Firm’s preferred stock issues as follows:
Preferred Stock Series Distribution (per Preferred Share) Distribution (per Depositary Share)
5.45% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series P $136.25 $0.340625
6.70% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series T $167.50 $0.418750
6.30% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series W $157.50 $0.393750
6.125% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series Y $153.13 $0.382825
6.10% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series AA $152.50 $0.381250
6.15% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series BB $153.75 $0.384375
The dividend payment date is June 1, 2018, to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 2, 2018. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.6 trillion and operations worldwide. The Firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, JPMorgan Chase & Co. serves millions of customers in the United States and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under its J.P. Morgan and Chase brands. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com. Investor Contact: Jason Scott, 212-270-7325 Media Contact: Joseph Evangelisti, 212-270-7438

Martin Sorrell has stepped down as CEO of WPP with immediate effect

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Martin Sorrell has stepped down as CEO of WPP with immediate effect
Sir Martin Sorrell has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer of WPP with immediate effect. Roberto Quarta, Chairman of WPP, becomes Executive Chairman until the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer. Mark Read, Chief Executive Officer of Wunderman and WPP Digital, and Andrew Scott, WPP Corporate Development Director and Chief Operating Officer, Europe, have been appointed as joint Chief Operating Officers of WPP. Sir Martin will be available to assist with the transition. The previously announced investigation into an allegation of misconduct against Sir Martin has concluded. The allegation did not involve amounts that are material. In accordance with his at-will employment agreement, Sir Martin will be treated as having retired on leaving WPP, as detailed in the Directors’ Compensation Policy. His share awards will be pro-rated in line with the plan rules and will vest over the next five years, to the extent Group performance targets are achieved. Roberto Quarta said: “Sir Martin has been the driving force behind the expansion of WPP to create the global leader in marketing services. During this time, the Company has been successful because it has valued and nurtured outstanding talent at every level – within and well beyond our leadership teams. On behalf of the Board I would like to recognise these achievements and thank Sir Martin for his commitment to the business over more than three decades.” Sir Martin Sorrell said: “Obviously I am sad to leave WPP after 33 years. It has been a passion, focus and source of energy for so long. However, I believe it is in the best interests of the business if I step down now. I leave the Company in very good hands, as the Board knows. Mark and Andrew and the management team at all levels have the knowledge and abilities to take WPP to even greater heights and capitalise on the geographic and functional opportunities. I will particularly miss the daily interactions with everyone across the world and want to thank them and their families for all they have done, and will do, for WPP.” This announcement contains inside information. The person responsible for arranging for the release of this announcement on behalf of WPP is Marie Capes, Company Secretary. Contact: Richard Oldworth, Buchanan Communications +44 (0)7710 130 634 / +44 (0)20 7466 5000

International Expansion Continues with Six Flags-Branded Park in Saudi Arabia

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International Expansion Continues with Six Flags-Branded Park in Saudi Arabia

New Park Slated for 2022 Debut Will Be Part of Qiddiya, the Kingdom’s New Entertainment Destination

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: SIX), the world’s largest regional theme park company, and the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, today announced plans to develop a Six Flags-branded theme park in the city of Riyadh. Six Flags has entered into an arrangement with the PIF to develop, design and license the Six Flags brand for Qiddiya—Saudi Arabia’s first entertainment, sports and cultural destination—which is expected to open in 2022. “Innovation is synonymous with the Six Flags brand, and our international licensing business provides a unique opportunity to continue our strong global growth,” said David McKillips, President of Six Flags International Development Company. “We see great potential in the Saudi Arabian market and look forward to collaborating with the PIF to create a world-class entertainment destination for Saudi’s young and dynamic population.” Located 40km from downtown Riyadh, Qiddiya will provide an unprecedented leisure option for the seven million plus residents of the Saudi capital. The Public Investment Fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia said, “The entertainment sector has an important role to play in the transformation of Saudi Arabia’s economy. The Six Flags-branded theme park in Riyadh and other similar developments will create new employment opportunities and harness the talent, energy and imagination of Saudi youth. Our investment in this sector is in line with our mission and delivers on a key element of Vision 2030.” Michael Reininger, Chief Executive of Qiddiya, commented, “Our goal is to create an exciting one-of-a-kind destination that will draw visitors from throughout Saudi Arabia to experience record-breaking roller coasters, innovative rides and attractions, as well as the sporting and cultural facilities that Qiddiya will offer. By partnering with a global leader, we know that we are going to deliver something exceptional.” Terms of the arrangement were not disclosed. About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company with $1.4 billion in revenue and 20 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. For 57 years, Six Flags has entertained millions of families with world-class coasters, themed rides, thrilling waterparks and unique attractions. For more information, visit www.sixflags.com. Follow us on Twitter @SixFlags Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/sixflags About the Public Investment Fund: The Public Investment Fund (PIF) seeks to become one of the largest and most impactful sovereign wealth funds in the world, enabling the creation of new sectors and opportunities that will shape the future global economy, while driving the economic transformation of Saudi Arabia. To achieve this, the PIF is building a world-class, diversified portfolio through investments in attractive, long-term opportunities across sectors and asset classes at both the domestic and international level. Working alongside global strategic partners and renowned investment managers, the PIF acts as the Kingdom’s main investment arm to deliver a strategy focused on achieving attractive financial returns and long-term value for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in line with Vision 2030. About Qiddiya The vision of Qiddiya is to be the iconic entertainment destination of the Kingdom, the home of activity, discovery and engagement. Backed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, Qiddiya will be built 40km from downtown Riyadh. Visitors will have access to ground breaking recreational and educational facilities across six innovatively designed clusters: Theme Parks; Wheels and Wings; Scenic and Animal Encounters; Water and Snow; Sports; Events, Culture and Education. Groundbreaking will be in 2018, and the first phase of the development will be launched in 2022.

Emaar Hospitality Group and ARADA join hands to launch three distinctive hotels in Aljada, Sharjah’s new lifestyle hub

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Emaar Hospitality Group and ARADA join hands to launch three distinctive hotels in Aljada, Sharjah’s new lifestyle hub
Emaar Hospitality Group to operate Address, Vida and Rove hotels in ARADA’s flagship destination Aljada in Sharjah
• A joint venture between KBW Investments and Basma Group, ARADA launched Aljada, a 24 million sq ft mixed-use megaproject, in September 2017
• Emaar Hospitality Group’s three hotel and serviced residences brands will enrich the hospitality offering of Aljada setting a new benchmark in the emirate’s hospitality sector
• Address Aljada Sharjah (150 rooms), Vida Aljada Sharjah (175 rooms) and Rove Aljada Sharjah (300 rooms) to support emirate’s growing tourism sector

In a significant deal that will boost the hospitality landscape of Sharjah, ARADA, a joint venture between KBW Investments and Basma Group, today signed a management agreement with Emaar Hospitality Group, the hospitality & leisure subsidiary of Emaar Properties PJSC, to launch three new hotels in Sharjah.
The three hotels under Emaar Hospitality Group’s premium lifestyle Address Hotels + Resorts, upscale lifestyle Vida Hotels and Resorts, and the contemporary midscale Rove Hotels will be located in Aljada, a 24 million square foot integrated lifestyle destination, and a new leisure and entertainment hub for Sharjah.
The agreement was signed by HE Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of ARADA, HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal, Vice Chairman of ARADA, and Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, in the presence of senior officials of the two companies as well as Emaar Hospitality Group.
Under the terms of the agreement, Emaar Hospitality Group will manage Address Aljada Sharjah with 150 rooms, and Address Residences Aljada Sharjah, an exclusive selection of only 150 serviced residences, located in Aljada’s Central Hub, the heart of the megaproject. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the 1.9 million square foot Central Hub will be a new focus for leisure and entertainment in the UAE, and a significant addition to an Emirate that is already widely regarded as the cultural capital of the Arab world. Aljada’s Central Hub will be a major destination for tourists and residents in its own right, offering a carefully selected mix of world-class offerings, complemented by community facilities and an array of retail and dining experiences.
In close proximity is the Vida Aljada Sharjah with 175 hotel rooms and Vida Residences Aljada Sharjah with 120 residences. Located within Aljada’s Business Park is the 300-room Rove Aljada Sharjah. The serviced residences under Address and Vida will be offered for sale in the fourth quarter of 2018.
His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi said: “Our flagship development, Aljada is a first-of-its-kind integrated lifestyle destination in Sharjah that will add tremendous value to the economy. Hospitality is one of the core aspects of the mega-development. With the growth in tourist arrivals to Sharjah, and the emirate’s status as a cultural hub, there is strong potential for building a robust hospitality infrastructure. Our agreement with Emaar will bring proven hospitality competencies to this spectacular development that will transform Sharjah’s economy.”
Mohamed Alabbar said: “ARADA is redefining the residential and commercial landscape of Sharjah with Aljada, its ambitious master-planned destination that will catalyse all sectors of the economy. Through our partnership, we are bringing three distinctive hotel experiences that will meet the requirements of visitors and residents. This is a great example of the collaborations we foster to create iconic destinations of the future. Our three hotel brands – Address, Vida and Rove – have set high industry standards and will be a sterling addition to Aljada.”
Olivier Harnisch, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Hospitality Group, added: “Sharjah has unique touristic value that is defined by its cultural museums as well as natural attractions. With our three hotel brands marking their entry to Sharjah for the first time, we are not only expanding our footprint in the UAE but also contributing the strengthening the tourism sector of the emirate. While Address Aljada Sharjah will appeal to luxury travellers, Vida Aljada is for the new generation of entrepreneurs and travellers, and Rove Aljada Sharjah brings the midscale offering. All hotels stand out for their brand philosophy and design approach, and are located centrally adding to the connectivity and mobility of our guests.”
Address Aljada Sharjah brings the same ‘where life happens’ approach to ensure that guests receive the highest service standards in a central location. The hotel will have all modern amenities such a selection of exclusive restaurants, including The Restaurant at Address Aljada Sharjah as well as a fitness centre, meeting rooms and more. Address Hotels + Resorts has already announced its expansion to operate hotels in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Turkey and the Maldives as well as the UAE.
Vida Hotels and Resorts is a refreshingly different upscale lifestyle hotel and residences brand for the new generation of business executives, entrepreneurs and leisure travellers. Vida, meaning ‘life’ in Spanish, embraces warmth, simplicity and creativity in design-led spaces. Vida Aljada Sharjah will deliver its differentiating value proposition in Sharjah with a wide range of amenities and lifestyle choices. Emaar Hospitality Group has expanded the footprint of Vida to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt in addition to several new hotels in the UAE.
A contemporary midscale hotel brand that reflects the pulse of Dubai, Rove Hotels is a joint venture between Meraas and Emaar Properties PJSC. Designed for the new generation traveller who recognises value, stays connected through technology and gravitates towards culturally-inspired surroundings, Rove Hotels defines a new niche in Dubai’s vibrant hospitality sector. Rove Hotels already has five operational properties in well-connected locations across Dubai – Rove Downtown, Rove City Centre, Rove Healthcare City, Rove Trade Centre and the most recent addition, Rove Dubai Marina, which opened in April.
Launched in September 2017 by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the AED 24 billion Aljada has swiftly become Sharjah’s fastest-selling residential community. Delivered in phases starting in 2019, the entire project is expected to be completed by 2025.
The Aljada masterplan is carefully designed with walkability and wide green spaces in mind, allowing residents, workers and visitors the ability to live, work, play and be entertained within a fully integrated and sustainable community. Aljada is ideally situated on the last major plot of undeveloped land in the heart of Sharjah, with exceptional connectivity to surrounding areas, and is an all-encompassing district that comprises considerable retail, leisure and entertainment options, in addition to a wide range of residential and commercial offerings.

Dubai Parks and Resorts reports another record quarter

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Dubai Parks and Resorts reports another record quarter
DXB Entertainments PJSC (DFM:DXBE) today announced that Dubai Parks and Resorts, the region’s largest theme park destination, welcomed 851 thousand visits during the first quarter of 2018, an increase of 45% compared to the first quarter of 2017, and an increase of 55 thousand visits compared to the last quarter of 2017. This sets a new record quarter visitation figure. The first quarter’s record visitor figures follows a successful fourth quarter of 2017, when Dubai Parks and Resorts attracted close to 796 thousand visits. The Lapita™ Hotel average occupancy rose to 62% in the first quarter of 2018, compared to 22% for the same period last year, and 48% in the fourth quarter of 2017. 2018 is the first full year of operations for Dubai Parks and Resorts and the growing visitor numbers and hotel occupancy reflect the ramp up in operations and the implementation of coordinated resident and international sales and marketing strategies. Mohamed Almulla, CEO, DXB Entertainments, said, “We are pleased to have grown our first quarter visitation by 45% when compared to the same period last year, a clear sign our new strategy is delivering results.  Visitor numbers are steadily increasing as we continue to focus on our core markets of GCC residents, annual pass holders and international visitation. “It is important to note that in a normal annual cycle the fourth quarter should deliver the highest visitor numbers as it is the peak tourist season for the city of Dubai and therefore quarter-on-quarter improvement is a further sign of our continued growth. “Theme parks are seasonal in nature and whilst we expect to deliver year-on-year growth, we anticipate the warmer second quarter to deliver lower visitation than the cooler months of the first quarter. “Dubai Parks and Resorts is great product and a world class destination and we are excited about our growth potential as we progress through our first full year of operations.” ENDS For further information, please contact: Marwa Gouda, Head of Investor Relations, DXB Entertainments PJSC +97148200820 IR@dxbentertainments.com Jon Earl, Managing Director, FTI Consulting +97144372104 jon.earl@fticonsulting.com Anca Cighi, Director, FTI Consulting +97144372111 anca.cighi@fticonsulting.com DXB Entertainments PJSC DXB Entertainments PJSC (previously Dubai Parks and Resorts PJSC) is a Dubai-based operator of leisure and entertainment destinations and experiences. The Company is traded on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) under the trading symbol DXBE. We bring together a diverse portfolio of world-class brands to offer entertainment in the areas of theme parks, family entertainment centres and retail and hospitality. DXB Entertainments is the owner of Dubai Parks and Resorts, the region’s largest integrated theme park destination, with five Theme Parks (Six Flags Dubai under development), two Hotels (LEGOLAND® Hotel under development), and one retail and dining facility all spread over 30.6 million sq.ft of land, with an estimated AED 13.2 billion in development costs. DXB Entertainments also manages six Dubai-based mid-way attractions in addition to a chain of cinemas, all owned by Meraas. With a diverse portfolio of 16 leisure and entertainment assets, DXB Entertainments is the largest leisure and entertainment company in the region. For more information, go to: www.dxbentertainments.com Dubai Parks and Resorts Dubai Parks and Resorts, owned by DXB Entertainments PJSC, is the Middle East’s largest multi-themed leisure and entertainment destination comprising  four separate theme parks: MOTIONGATE™ Dubai, the region’s largest Hollywood-inspired theme park, featuring immersive rides and attractions based on Hollywood hits; LEGOLAND® Dubai, a unique, interactive theme park for families which brings the well-known LEGO® brick to life in a playful learning environment; and BOLLYWOOD PARKS™ Dubai, a first-of-its-kind theme park that showcases rides and attractions based on some of Bollywood’s biggest blockbusters. It also hosts the LEGOLAND® Water Park, the region’s first water park catering to families with children aged 2-12. Expected to open in late 2019, Six Flags Dubai will be destinations fifth theme park and the regions first Six Flags themed park. The entire destination is connected by Riverland™ Dubai, the free to enter themed recreational hub with a multitude of dining, shopping and unique entertainment options, that connects the theme parks, perfect for friends and families of all ages.  Guests can stay at the Lapita™ Hotel, a Polynesian themed family hotel part of the Marriott Autograph Collection. Located on Sheikh Zayed Road opposite the Palm Jebel Ali in Dubai equidistant to Dubai and Abu Dhabi International Airports, the destination offers over 100 rides and attractions For more information, go to: www.dubaiparksandresorts.com

FIRST QUARTER SALES UP 11 % AT DUBAI DUTY FREE

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FIRST QUARTER SALES UP 11 % AT DUBAI DUTY FREE
Perfume sales reached over Dhs276 million (US$75.7 million), accounting for 14% of total revenue in the first quarter of 2018.
Dubai Duty Free announced first quarter sales of Dhs1.91 billion (US$523.46 million) representing an 11% over the same period last year and signaling a positive start to 2018 on the back of record sales of Dhs7.05 billion (US$1.93 billion) in 2017. Sales for March reached a new monthly record of Dhs660.36 million (US$180.92 million), which represents a 10% increase over March 2017. So far this year, monthly sales are in excess of Dhs600 million (US$164.38 million), with an average daily sale of Dhs21.23 million (US$5.82 million). Commenting on the positive sales performance, Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free said: “We are very pleased with the first quarter of the year sales and are focused on reaching our targets for the year. Sales are ahead of passenger numbers at Dubai International Airport and we are seeing double digit growth across a wide number of categories.” Sales across all three Terminals at Dubai International Airport showed an upward trend, including a 14% increase in Terminal 2 and a 13% increase in sales in Terminal 3. Liquor, Perfumes and Tobacco held the top three spots category-wise in the first quarter of the year. Perfume sales reached over Dhs276 million (US$75.7 million), accounting for 14% of total revenue. Sales of Tobacco was up by 37% to Dhs220 million (US$60.33 million) while Cosmetics was up by 25% to Dhs183 million (US$50.04 million) accounting for 10% of total sales. Other categories showing robust growth included Electronics, up 34% to over Dhs169 million (US$46.41 million) while Watches rose by 16% to Dhs127 million (US$34.80 million). “There are a number of factors behind the sales growth, including the refurbishment of Concourse C, which will be fully completed shortly and other ongoing projects,” said Mr. McLoughlin. “While the introduction of VAT and Excise duty in our Arrivals Duty Free has resulted in a drop in revenue in these areas, the fact that VAT is not applicable for the majority of sales in Departures has contributed to an increase in certain categories for departing and transit passengers.” Looking ahead, Dubai Duty Free will continue to enhance its retail operation in 2018 including the expansion of the Passenger Terminal Building at Al Maktoum International, a Fashion revamp in Terminal 3-Concourse B and refurbishment of Terminal 1 – Concourse C. In the meantime, the operation is continuing with its busy events and promotional calendar, which includes the Dubai Duty Free Stakes taking place at the Newbury Racecourse in the UK on 20 and 21 April, followed by the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival (28th -30th June) and Dubai Duty Free Irish Open (5th-8th July) to be held in Ballyliffin, Co. Donegal.

LAURENT A. VOIVENEL SPEAKS ON BUSINESS BEYOND 2020 AT 10TH ANNUAL GM CONFERENCE BY HOZPITALITY GROUP

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LAURENT A. VOIVENEL SPEAKS ON BUSINESS BEYOND 2020 AT 10TH ANNUAL GM CONFERENCE BY HOZPITALITY GROUP

DUBAI – Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President, Operations and Development for the Middle East, Africa and India for Swiss-Belhotel International, participated today in a panel discussion on Business Beyond 2020 at the 10th Annual GM Conference by Hozpitality Group.

Addressing the gathering, Laurent stressed, “Dubai is among the top four most visited cities in the world and was recently named the ‘Rising Giant’ in the global hospitality industry. The city is rapidly emerging as a world-class leisure and entertainment destination. Expo 2020 has given a great boost for development of tourism infrastructure and attractions in the emirate which willserve as a new foundation for growth of tourism.”

According to industry experts, the legacy of Expo 2020 will expand well beyond the event. Laurent agreed and added, “The Expo is just one stop along the way. The huge investment in airports and hotels, broadening portfolio of attractions and facilities, diversification of source markets and collaboration between various business sectors are all accelerating the pace of Dubai’s growth into the future.

With this growth the competitive landscape for the hotel industry is also changing. Laurent stated, “We are in an era of shared economy. Rate pressures owing to supply and demand chain dynamics, expanding middle class in key source markets, growth of low-cost carriers, changing requirements of travellers based on changing demographics, continued challenges from OTAs, emergence of new forms of competition such as Airbnb, rapid digitalization and advancing technology are all pushing our industry towards a new ecosystem defined by collaboration, quality and consumer value.”

Laurent continued, “This change requires a new strategic approach from hoteliers – one that enables hotels to understand market trends and build the internal capabilities needed to succeed in a new environment. The more we tailor our products to offer local experiences and value for money the better conversion we can expect. There is need to build on experiential travel and hospitality.”

According to World Travel and Tourism Council statistics, Dubai’s hospitality sector is forecast to experience strong, sustained growth over the coming years, with occupied room nights set to reach 35.5 million annually in 2019, representing a robust 10.2% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the next 20 months.

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Swiss-Belhotel International will be present at Arabian Travel Market from 22 to 25 April on stand ‘HC1130’ in Sheikh Saeed Hall in Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

 For media contact: Hina Bakht Managing Director EVOPS Marketing & PR Mob: 00971 50 6975146 Tel: 00971 4 566 7355 Hina.bakht@evops-pr.com www.evops-pr.com

About Swiss-Belhotel International Swiss-Belhotel International currently manages a portfolio of more than 145* hotels, resorts and projects located in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Australia, New Zealand, Bulgaria, Georgia, Italy and Tanzania.  Awarded Indonesia’s Leading Global Hotel Chain for six consecutive years, Swiss-Belhotel International is one of the world’s fastest-growing international hotel and hospitality management groups. The Group provides comprehensive and highly professional development and management services in all aspects of hotel, resort and serviced residences. Offices are located in Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, China, Europe, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. www.swiss-behotel.com *Numbers may fluctuate

In a first: Saudi Arabia hosts Arab Fashion Week

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In a first: Saudi Arabia hosts Arab Fashion Week
RIYADH: Jean Paul Gaultier and Roberto Cavalli are in Saudi Arabia — headlining the kingdom’s first ever Arab Fashion Week, an event that opened Tuesday to equal parts excitement and controversy. Two weeks later than initially planned, the Saudi Arabian edition of Arab Fashion Week joins designers from Europe and the Arab world over the course of four days — including the kingdom’s own Arwa Banawi, whose The Suitable Woman line is adored by fashionistas across the region, and Mashael Alrajhi, the eponymous gender-inclusive label of a rarely-seen Saudi sheikha.
Foreign and Saudi women attend the opening ceremony of Arab Fashion Week, on April 10, 2018, at Ritz Carlton hotel in Riyadh. / AFP PHOTO / FAYEZ NURELDINE

Foreign and Saudi women attend the opening ceremony of Arab Fashion Week, on April 10, 2018, at Ritz Carlton hotel in Riyadh. / AFP PHOTO / FAYEZ NURELDINE

Princess Noura Bint Faisal Al-Saud, honorary president of the Arab Fashion Council in Riyadh, joined designers, influencers, and industry insiders from Ukraine to Lebanon for the inaugural season of fashion week at the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh, the hotel now infamous as the holding place of hundreds of royals and businessmen arrested in a state-sponsored corruption crackdown. “Fashion has always an interest of Saudi Arabia,” Princess Noura told AFP at the event.
Women attend the opening ceremony of Arab Fashion Week, on April 10, 2018, at Ritz Carlton hotel in Riyadh. / AFP PHOTO / FAYEZ NURELDINE

Women attend the opening ceremony of Arab Fashion Week, on April 10, 2018, at Ritz Carlton hotel in Riyadh. / AFP PHOTO / FAYEZ NURELDINE

“It has not been something that wasn’t on the table or in the picture,” she added. “Our fashion council is trying to bring the fashion industry in Saudi Arabia to a whole new level, a whole new industry.” Listed as an international fashion week alongside Paris and Milan, Arab Fashion Week offers exclusively see-now-buy-now collections and pre-collections. Until this week, it had been hosted exclusively by Gulf fashion capital Dubai. But unlike Dubai, the Riyadh shows are not open to cameras, and attendees remain women-only.
Women attend the opening ceremony of Arab Fashion Week, on April 10, 2018, at Ritz Carlton hotel in Riyadh. / AFP PHOTO / FAYEZ NURELDINE

Women attend the opening ceremony of Arab Fashion Week, on April 10, 2018, at Ritz Carlton hotel in Riyadh. / AFP PHOTO / FAYEZ NURELDINE

The ultraconservative kingdom has witnessed rapid policy change since the June appointment of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, son of the king and heir to his throne. As of this summer, women will be allowed to drive in the kingdom. The crown prince has also hinted that the abaya, the long loose robe worn by women from the neck down, may not be compulsory.
A labourer prepares signs ahead of the opening ceremony of the Arab Fashion Week, on April 10, 2018, at Ritz Carlton hotel in the Saudi capital Riyadh. / AFP PHOTO / FAYEZ NURELDINE

A labourer prepares signs ahead of the opening ceremony of the Arab Fashion Week, on April 10, 2018, at Ritz Carlton hotel in the Saudi capital Riyadh. / AFP PHOTO / FAYEZ NURELDINE

“We are so excited today to be announcing a history and new era for the kingdom, and for the entire Arab world, which is Arab Fashion Week,” said Jacob Abrian, CEO of the Arab Fashion Council. A second edition of Saudi Arab Fashion Week is already scheduled for October. Dubai will continue to host its own parallel Arab Fashion Week, with the sixth edition slotted for May 9-12.

Data Abuse Bounty: Facebook Now Rewards for Reports of Data Abuse

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Data Abuse Bounty: Facebook Now Rewards for Reports of Data Abuse
Today, Facebook is launching the Data Abuse Bounty to reward people who report any misuse of data by app developers. We committed to launching this program a few weeks ago as part of our efforts to more quickly uncover potential abuse of people’s information. The Data Abuse Bounty, inspired by the existing bug bounty program that we use to uncover and address security issues, will help us identify violations of our policies.   This program will reward people with first-hand knowledge and proof of cases where a Facebook platform app collects and transfers people’s data to another party to be sold, stolen or used for scams or political influence. Just like the bug bounty program, we will reward based on the impact of each report. While there is no maximum, high impact bug reports have garnered as much as $40,000 for people who bring them to our attention. We’ll review all legitimate reports and respond as quickly as possible when we identify a credible threat to people’s information. If we confirm data abuse, we will shut down the offending app and take legal action against the company selling or buying the data, if necessary. We’ll pay the person who reported the issue, and we’ll also alert those we believe to be affected. This program is the first of its kind so it will change as we learn and get your feedback. For more information, please visit: facebook.com/data-abuse

Emirates sets new record with over 1 million Wi-Fi connections on board in March

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Emirates sets new record with over 1 million Wi-Fi connections on board in March

Emirates has set a new record with over 1 million Wi-Fi connections made on board its flights in March alone. During the month, 1,037,016 Emirates customers connected to the internet during their flight.

The connections were mainly made over mobile devices with over 94% of users connecting with a smartphone –twice as many connections were made on an iOS mobile phone as compared to an Android mobile, and about 2% with a tablet. The remaining connections were made with laptops and other devices. Wi-Fi connectivity is available on over 98% of the Emirates fleet, including all A380s, 777-300ERs and 777-200LRs. Customers in all cabin classes receive 20MB of free Wi-Fi data. Emirates Skywards members enjoy special benefits depending on their membership tier and class of travel, including free Wi-Fi when travelling in First Class or Business Class. Over 94% of passengers connecting to Wi-Fi on board Emirates in March took advantage of the complimentary offer and logged on free of charge. The highest data usage from a single passenger was made by an Emirates Skywards member who stayed connected throughout their flight from Dubai to Johannesburg, consuming 4.9 GB of complimentary data. Emirates continually invests in improving bandwidth on board by upgrading the connectivity solution on the fleet. Staying connected has become a mainstay and an expectation on Emirates flights and the demand for Wi-Fi on board has been steadily increasing each month. The route with the most Wi-Fi connections in March was EK215 from Dubai to Los Angeles with over 6,000 customers connecting in flight. Emirates has been at the forefront of innovation with connectivity and inflight entertainment on board. It was the first airline to allow mobile phone use inflight in 2008, and the first to install TV screens in every seat on every aircraft in its fleet in 1992. Today, the airline provides one of the most comprehensive and state-of-the-art entertainment and connectivity services in the skies. ice, Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system, now offers over 3,500 channels of entertainment, including over 700 movies from around the world. This unmatched variety of content will continue to grow, offering Emirates customers even more choice.

About Emirates

Our Media centre contains all of our business updates, including the latest press releases and articles and our contact details. The Emirates story started in 1985 when we launched operations with just two aircraft. Today, we fly the world’s biggest fleets of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, offering our customers the comforts of the latest and most efficient wide-body aircraft in the skies. We inspire travellers around the world with our growing network of destinations, industry leading inflight entertainment, regionally inspired cuisine and world-class service. Find out more.

International Expansion Continues with Six Flags-Branded Park in Saudi Arabia

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International Expansion Continues with Six Flags-Branded Park in Saudi Arabia
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: SIX), the world’s largest regional theme park company, and the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, today announced plans to develop a Six Flags-branded theme park in the city of Riyadh. Six Flags has entered into an arrangement with the PIF to develop, design and license the Six Flags brand for Qiddiya—Saudi Arabia’s first entertainment, sports and cultural destination—which is expected to open in 2022.
Located 40km from downtown Riyadh, Qiddiya will provide an unprecedented leisure option for the seven million plus residents of the Saudi capital. The Public Investment Fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia said, “The entertainment sector has an important role to play in the transformation of Saudi Arabia’s economy. The Six Flags-branded theme park in Riyadh and other similar developments will create new employment opportunities and harness the talent, energy and imagination of Saudi youth. Our investment in this sector is in line with our mission and delivers on a key element of Vision 2030.” Michael Reininger, Chief Executive of Qiddiya, commented, “Our goal is to create an exciting one-of-a-kind destination that will draw visitors from throughout Saudi Arabia to experience record-breaking roller coasters, innovative rides and attractions, as well as the sporting and cultural facilities that Qiddiya will offer. By partnering with a global leader, we know that we are going to deliver something exceptional.” Terms of the arrangement were not disclosed. About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company with $1.4 billion in revenue and 20 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. For 57 years, Six Flags has entertained millions of families with world-class coasters, themed rides, thrilling waterparks and unique attractions. For more information, visit www.sixflags.com. Follow us on Twitter @SixFlags Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/sixflags About the Public Investment Fund: The Public Investment Fund (PIF) seeks to become one of the largest and most impactful sovereign wealth funds in the world, enabling the creation of new sectors and opportunities that will shape the future global economy, while driving the economic transformation of Saudi Arabia. To achieve this, the PIF is building a world-class, diversified portfolio through investments in attractive, long-term opportunities across sectors and asset classes at both the domestic and international level. Working alongside global strategic partners and renowned investment managers, the PIF acts as the Kingdom’s main investment arm to deliver a strategy focused on achieving attractive financial returns and long-term value for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in line with Vision 2030. About Qiddiya The vision of Qiddiya is to be the iconic entertainment destination of the Kingdom, the home of activity, discovery and engagement. Backed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, Qiddiya will be built 40km from downtown Riyadh. Visitors will have access to ground breaking recreational and educational facilities across six innovatively designed clusters: Theme Parks; Wheels and Wings; Scenic and Animal Encounters; Water and Snow; Sports; Events, Culture and Education. Groundbreaking will be in 2018, and the first phase of the development will be launched in 2022. Twitter: @Qiddiya

Contacts

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation Media Relations: Sandra Daniels, 972-595-5178 sdaniels@sftp.com or Investor Relations: Stephen Purtell, 972-595-5180 spurtell@sftp.com

Space Hotels’ affiliates: a fine example of the importance of web reputation

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Space Hotels’ affiliates: a fine example of the importance of web reputation
According to an analysis carried out by Travel Appeal, the web reputation of the group’s hotels is clearly superior to other Italian hotels.

With regards to online reputation, we are all well aware of the important influence it has on the choices we make every day. When we are looking for a particular restaurant, store or supermarket, the first thing we do is a web search to see what users have said about it. How can a business become aware of its own web reputation? Space Hotels, the Italian group with over forty years’ experience in the hospitality sector, has been keeping pace with change and has built advantageous working relationships to monitor and respond to the evolving needs of its clientele. Thanks to a recent project with Travel Appeal, Space Hotels has been able to confirm the satisfaction of its clients via the web.

Through an analysis of over 60,000 comments on the web and over 270,000 reviews from September 2016 to October 2017, Travel Appeal identified the level of satisfaction of guests who stayed at Space Hotels’ affiliates and then extrapolated data related to client satisfaction, which were very positive. In fact, 88% of Space Hotels’ affiliates showed a positive sentiment with respect to the 83.6% seen for Italian hotels in general. This result comes from an analysis that looked at hospitality in general, hotel location, staff helpfulness, guest rooms, cleanliness, meals and services offered, as well as access to and cost of Wi-Fi. Some of the specific results were: hotel location 94.5% vs 89.1% for Italian hotels in general; staff helpfulness 95.5% vs 90.7%; cleanliness 93.8% vs 88.3%. These excellent levels of guest satisfaction are the result of Space Hotels’ longstanding commitment to its clientele. The analysis method. The heart of Travel Appeal is an artificial intelligence system that collects, evaluates and analyses thousands of pieces of online information precisely and completely in real time. It then transforms the results into intelligent and concrete suggestions and actions to be taken immediately in order to improve one’s reputation. Travel Appeal uses a semantic engine specialised for the hospitality sector (accommodation, meals, attractions, culture, transport, etc.) that can “read” individual comments, find specific words and interpret the opinion given. Every comment contributes to the overall percentage of the sentiment; i.e., the level of positive perception of a hotel. Travel Appeal Travel Appeal is a B2B startup owned by H-FARM that collects and analyses online data regarding the travel sector in real time. It uses an artificial intelligence system that interprets and transforms data into practical advice that tour operators can use to improve their positioning and digital reputation, thus having a positive impact on their revenue and the management of their priorities and operations. Travel Appeal offers both software to individual businesses (hotels, B&Bs, campgrounds, restaurants, museums, etc.) and specific analysis solutions to groups, chains, consortia and local authorities (DMO, DMC, tourist bodies, etc.). Travel Appeal has recently created a new “virtual assistant” based on its chatbot that allows hospitality operators to simplify and improve interaction with their clients and collect further data on their behaviour in order to optimise marketing. Travel Appeal was founded by Mirko Lalli in January 2014 and now has a staff of 30 and two offices, one at the H-FARM Campus in Treviso and one in Florence.   About Space Hotels Space Hotels, a hospitality group founded in 1974, has a unique collection of over 60 three to five star hotels in 35 business and leisure destinations throughout Italy. The Space Hotels offer includes: business or leisure stays; organisation of meetings and conferences; fine cuisine by some of the best Italian chefs; relaxation, massages and saunas in elegant spas and wellness centres. Room rates always include complimentary Wi-Fi, breakfast and a bottle of water. Reservations can be made through a toll-free number 800.813.013, the GDS (code SX) or the website www.spacehotels.it.

Hotels to spend AED2.45 million by 2022 to broaden bandwidth and retain techy traveller loyalty

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Hotels to spend AED2.45 million by 2022 to broaden bandwidth and retain techy traveller loyalty
  • ravel tech tops the bill at Arabian Travel Market this year, following 12% annual growth
  • Average 300-room hotel in Dubai faces AED2.45 million bill to upgrade Internet connectivity over coming five years
The average 300-room hotel in Dubai will be faced with a bill for AED2.45 million over the coming five years, as bandwidth capability is multiplied to meet rising guest demand, according to the latest data published ahead of Arabian Travel Market 2018, which takes place at Dubai World Trade Centre from April 22-25. The figure, calculated by Colliers International, is based on the average guest now connecting up to three separate devices to a hotel’s WiFi during their stay, increasing the overall strain on existing bandwidth within each property. Adding to this pressure, the data further reveals that hotels failing to maintain current standards will jeopardise guest loyalty, as 68% of guests reveal they would not return to a hotel with poor internet access, research found. Simon Press, Senior Exhibition Director, ATM, said: “To maintain current connection speed and quality each hotel must make multi-million dirham investments in new technology, systems and capabilities. Bandwidth investment is a key trend predicted to transform the regional hospitality industry over the next five years.” Discussing the defining evolutions of the hospitality technology, the Travel Tech Show will return to ATM 2018 with more than 30 dedicated international exhibitors and an influential agenda of discussion and debate in the Travel Tech Theatre, sponsored by Sabre Corporation, a leading provider of technology to the global travel industry. Travel technology is the fastest growing region at ATM with a 12% increase in exhibitors in 2017, compared to the previous year. On the show floor, attendees will be able to meet with exhibitors such as TravelClick, Travelport, GT Beds, The Booking Expert, INPLASS, XML Holiday, and DidaTravel Technology Ltd. Exhibiting for the first time at ATM will be Travelflex, a cryptocurrency that aims to solve the scalability issues which other coins are facing at the moment. Press said: “Once again ATM 2018 is set to welcome the leading brands, personalities, innovators and disruptors in travel technology today. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary this year we will be reflecting on how far the hospitality and travel industry has come since the first online travel agency (OTA) emerged. However, as our line-up of seminar sessions and exhibitors proves, our focus remains fixed on the future of the industry.” Looking to the future, the introduction of more chatbots across hotels to deal with common guest queries before, during and after booking is expected, with Colliers predicting as much as 79% of all B2C interactions will be performed by these bots within Middle Eastern hotels by 2020. Another key development is the piloting of Bluetooth beacons across hotel lobbies and public spaces, allowing for on demand flash marketing to be sent via hotel apps. In addition, virtual payment systems are tipped to be highly influential with fintech developments such as Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay eliminating the number of cash payments. Colliers predicts half of hotel payments will be made using either mobile or virtual payment platforms by 2021. Press added: “Much of the innovation we have seen across the travel industry is focused on easing the passenger journey, with flexibility, personalisation and authenticity all key to enhancing a guest’s overall trip and we see that reflected throughout this new research.” Kick starting discussions in the Travel Tech Theatre, a social media specialist panel will explore how to create a Unique Selling Proposition on social media and how to integrate it as a successful driver of business sales. 72% of travellers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia with an Instagram account, purchased an overseas trip during the past year and a session led by the social media platform will highlight how powerful visuals can inspire potential travellers and drive business. While other sessions taking place in the Travel Tech Theatre include the Digital Future Summit and Smart Tourism 2020. Celebrating its 25th year ATM is considered by industry professionals as a barometer for the Middle East and North Africa tourism sector, welcomed over 39,000 people to its 2017 event, including 2,661 exhibiting companies, signing business deals worth more than $2.5 billion over the four days. About Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is the leading, international travel and tourism event in the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. ATM 2017 attracted almost 40,000 industry professionals, agreeing deals worth US$2.5bn over the four days. The 24th edition of ATM showcased over 2,500 exhibiting companies across 12 halls at Dubai World Trade Centre, making it the largest ATM in its 24-year history.  www.arabiantravelmarketwtm.com Next event 22-25 April 2018 – Dubai. About Reed Exhibitions Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events business, enhancing the power of face to face through data and digital tools at over 500 events a year, in more than 30 countries, attracting more than seven million participants. About Reed Travel Exhibitions Reed Travel Exhibitions is the world’s leading travel and tourism event’s organiser with a growing portfolio of more than 22 international travel and tourism trade events in Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Our events are market leaders in their sectors, whether it is global and regional leisure travel trade events, or specialist events for meetings, incentives, conference, events (MICE) industry, business travel, luxury travel, travel technology as well as golf, spa and ski travel. We have over 35 years’ experience in organising world-leading travel exhibitions. Media contact NATHALIE VISELE Director Tel: +971 4 365 2711 | Mobile: +971 50 457 6525 E-mail: nathalie.visele@shamalcomms.com Office 106, Arjaan Office Tower, Dubai Media City PO Box 502701 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates Website: www.shamalcomms.com

Saudi Aramco and Indian consortium “RRPCL” sign MoU to develop Ratnagiri mega refinery and petrochemicals complex on India’s west coast

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Saudi Aramco and Indian consortium “RRPCL” sign MoU to develop Ratnagiri mega refinery and petrochemicals complex on India’s west coast
President & CEO Amin H. Nasser: “Investing in India is a key part of Saudi Aramco’s global downstream strategy, and another milestone in our growing relationship with India.” Saudi Aramco signed today a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with “Ratnagiri Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd.” (RRPCL), a consortium of Indian oil companies which includes The Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCl), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL), to jointly develop and build an integrated mega refinery and petrochemicals complex at Ratnagiri, in the state of Maharashtra. Saudi Aramco may also seek to include a strategic partner to co-invest in the mega refinery. The strategic partnership brings together crude supply, resources, technologies, experience, and expertise of these multiple oil companies with an established commercial presence around the world. A pre-feasibility study for the refinery has been completed and the parties are now finalizing the project’s overall configuration. Following the signing of the MOU, the parties will extend their collaboration to discuss the formation of a joint venture that would provide for joint ownership, control, and management of the project. The refinery will be capable of processing 1.2 million barrels of crude oil per day. It will produce a range of refined petroleum products, including gasoline and diesel, meeting BS-VI fuel efficiency norms. The refinery will also provide feedstock for the integrated petrochemical complex, which will be capable of producing approximately 18 million tons per annum of petrochemical production. In addition to the refinery, cracker and downstream petrochemical facilities, the project will include associated facilities such as a logistics, crude oil and product storage terminals, raw water supply, as well as centralized and shared utilities. Ratnagiri Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd. (RRPCL) will rank among the largest world refining and petrochemicals projects and will be designed to meet India’s fast-growing fuels and petrochemicals demand. The project cost is estimated at around $44 billion. “Investing in India is a key part of our company’s global downstream strategy, and another milestone in our growing relationship with India,” said Saudi Aramco President and CEO Amin H. Nasser, who also noted the opening in 2017 of Aramco Asia’s New Delhi office with a mandate to expand Saudi Aramco’s international portfolio in this key economic growth region. “The signing marks a significant development in India’s oil and gas sector, enabling a strategic joint venture and investment partnership that will serve India’s fast-growing demand for transportation fuels and chemical products. Participating in this mega project will allow Saudi Aramco to go beyond our crude oil supplier role to a fully integrated position that may help usher in other areas of collaboration, such as refining, marketing, and petrochemicals for India’s future energy demands,” said Nasser.

T-Mobile to Offer iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition

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T-Mobile to Offer iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition
T-Mobile will offer iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition, the new generation of iPhone in a stunning red finish. Customers will be able to pre-order starting Wednesday at www.t-mobile.com, with the devices launching at T-Mobile stores Friday, April 13. For more information on iPhone at T-Mobile, visit www.t-mobile.com/apple. Media Contacts T-Mobile US Media Relations MediaRelations@t-mobile.com

Sprint Unveils Six 5G-Ready Cities; Significant Milestone Toward Launching First 5G Mobile Network in the U.S.

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Sprint Unveils Six 5G-Ready Cities; Significant Milestone Toward Launching First 5G Mobile Network in the U.S.
Starting in April, Sprint (NYSE: S) customers in select U.S. markets will experience the future of wireless as the company prepares to deliver the nation’s first 5G mobile network in the first half of 2019. Customers in Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles will begin experiencing 5G-like capabilities, including significant increases in data speed and capacity, as Sprint rolls out advanced network technology called Massive MIMO. Sprint will aggressively expand to additional markets including Atlanta, Houston and Washington, D.C. later this year. In 2018 and 2019 Sprint expects to deploy thousands of Massive MIMO radios, significantly increasing network capacity for millions of customers across the country. Massive MIMO is a critical bridge to Sprint’s 5G network. 5G technology promises to connect people, places and billions of things with blazing fast speed, ultra-reliable, low-latency wireless service. This breakthrough technology will enable new levels of innovation and progress including cloud robotics, telemedicine, connected cars and drones, augmented and virtual reality and more. “The race to 5G is heating up, and let me be clear, today’s announcement is a huge step toward Sprint being first to offer a 5G mobile network,” said Marcelo Claure, Sprint CEO. “Our deep spectrum position gives us an incredible advantage no other carrier has in the U.S. We’re making significant investments using state-of-the-art technology, and working with leading chip and handset partners to deliver an incredible Next-Gen Network for our customers.” The Power of Massive MIMO on the Sprint Network Sprint’s first 5G-ready Massive MIMO cell sites are capable of delivering up to 10 times the capacity of current LTE systems, significantly increasing data speeds for more customers in high-traffic locations. With Massive MIMO at the foundation of Sprint’s Gigabit LTE and 5G service, Sprint can keep meeting its customers’ demand for unlimited data and high-bandwidth applications. Customers will have a great experience using 6K and 8K TV, and applications such as HD Virtual Reality.   “Massive MIMO is a game-changer for TDD-LTE networks that’s being used by leading operators around the world to deploy Gigabit LTE and 5G,” said Dr. John Saw, Sprint Chief Technology Officer. “For more than a year we’ve been testing this new technology, and in a few short weeks we’ll be bringing the power of Massive MIMO to Sprint customers beginning with some of the largest markets in the country.” All Sprint customers using a 2.5 GHz (band 41) device will benefit from the increased capacity and speed provided by Massive MIMO. In addition, Sprint is working with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, and device manufacturers to launch 5G mobile devices in the first half of 2019. The recently announced Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ X50 5G modem supports 5G NR for Sprint’s 2.5 GHz (n41) spectrum band. Sprint will deploy 64T64R (64 transmit, 64 receive) Massive MIMO radios using 128 antennas working with technology leaders Ericsson, Nokia, and Samsung Electronics. The Massive MIMO radios from all three suppliers are software-upgradable to 5G without additional tower climbs. The Massive MIMO radios support split-mode service, enabling Sprint to offer both 4G LTE and 5G on the same radio. With 204 MHz of spectrum and more than 160 MHz of 2.5 GHz spectrum in the top 100 markets, Sprint is uniquely positioned with enough capacity to deliver a nationwide 5G mobile network using licensed spectrum. Because of Sprint’s large spectrum holdings it is also one of the only operators in the world with enough capacity to operate LTE and 5G simultaneously over 100-200 MHz on the same Massive MIMO radios. Nishant Batra, Head of Product Area Network Infrastructure at Ericsson, said: “Our 5G-ready Massive MIMO technology helps ensure a smooth network evolution for Sprint with its easy-to-adopt and install features. Sprint can get the most out of its vast 2.5 GHz spectrum holdings, boost the capacity of its LTE network, and deliver top-quality and high-speed data services to its customers.” Marc Rouanne, President of Mobile Networks, Nokia, said: “With Nokia’s 5G-ready massive MIMO radios, Sprint will build high capacity for its customers, especially in densely populated locations such as city centers and high-rise buildings. This powerful technology will be easy for Sprint to deploy on its 2.5 GHz spectrum, boosting data traffic, and we are looking forward to helping Sprint develop new levels of innovation in cloud robotics, augmented reality and more.” “After testing massive MIMO solutions in a real world situation with Sprint last year, and seeing impressive capacity gains using the same amount of spectrum, we are excited to reach this new milestone with the deployment of Samsung 5G ready MIMO solutions on Sprint’s network,” said Mark Louison, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Networks Division at Samsung Electronics America.  “As this technology advances to even greater levels of speed and capacity, we look forward to enabling Sprint customers to experience the full benefits of network innovation.” Massive MIMO is a key part of Sprint’s Next-Gen Network strategy. Sprint is significantly increasing its investment to dramatically improve coverage, reliability, and speed across its nationwide network and launch the first 5G mobile network in the U.S in the first half of 2019. The Next-Gen Network build includes upgrading cell sites to triband service using 800 MHz, 1.9 GHz, and 2.5 GHz, adding thousands of new cell sites to expand coverage, and densifying the network with more small cells to increase capacity and speed. About Sprint: Sprint (NYSE: S) is a communications services company that creates more and better ways to connect its customers to the things they care about most. Sprint served 54.6 million connections as of December 31, 2017 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; leading no-contract brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.
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