Inside the Most Spectacular Dining Spaces at 2XL Furniture & Home Décor
A gorgeous table sets the stage for a stylish dinner and there is no dearth of inspiration and choices for spectacular dining rooms at the 2XL Furniture & Home Décor stores in the UAE this season. Befitting the most beautiful homes, the designers at 2XL have curated over-the-top collections combining stunning table settings, chandeliers, art and accessories from the brand’s latest lines.
Amit Yadav, Marketing Manager at 2XL, said, “It is the season for gala dinners and chic luncheons when your dining room takes center stage. Therefore, it is time to spruce up your dining spaces that are an expression of your persona. Our latest dining room collections are a celebration of imagination and creativity. Our goal at 2XL is to constantly reinterpret design with signature concepts to give our customers endless choice.Orchestrating fresh ideas, our team of designers have whipped up magical tablescapes ranging from the whimsical to the formal for the ultimate sensory experience.”
Whether you are looking for classic vintage or modern chic, 2XL Furniture & Home Décor has the perfect options for you. Here is what’s new:
Orion Dining Table with Mariano Dining Chairs
Make a modern design statement with the Orion dining table inspired by scenes of pulsating urban life. The rectangular top is made of solid mahogany in subtle oak beige colour and is mounted on a sleek brushed brass frame. This beautiful piece is paired with elegant Mariano dining chairs upholstered in 100 per cent polyester with matching brushed brass legs. The dramatic monochromatic palette of graphic black, white and beige mood keeps the light bouncing while providing dimension. Stylish details complete the cosmopolitan look.
Orion Dining Table: AED 3,717
Mariano Dining Chair: AED 1,569
Villandry Dining Table: AED 7,696
Villandry Dining Chair: AED 1,226
Chandelier Clear: AED 7,141
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 2XL Furniture & Home Décor
UAE based 2XL Furniture & Home Décor is a retailer of luxury home furnishings since 2000.
The retailer currently has 9 showrooms across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah and Al Ain. The 2XL product range includes exclusive bedroom, living and dining room furniture as well as exquisitely crafted décor items, unique gifting ideas, plush rugs and gorgeous wall art, divine bed and bath linen, eye-catching tableware, and a fun, functional kitchenware range.
The 2XL range is very classic and French-inspired. Each retail item has been carefully chosen exclusively for 2XL and denotes a lifestyle that is regal, sophisticated and of a finer taste. We have something to suit every home setting – from ornate gold-plated bedroom settings to the more subdued Parisian hues of shabby chic, quirky contemporary inspirations to more ethnic Eastern-inspired décor ideas.
For more information or to shop online please visit www.2xlme.com
Connect and tag us on @2xlfurniture
#2XLfurniture
Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai Wins 1st Runner Up Title in ‘The Middle East Housekeepers League of Champions’ Competition
The Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai took the first runner up spot after competing with 36 hotels in the ‘The Middle East Housekeepers League of Champions’ contest organized by the UAE Professional Housekeepers Group in partnership with The Hotel Show Dubai held at the World Trade Centre last 16 -18 September 2018.
Mr. Simon Moore, General Manager of Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai, said, “We are proud of our team that excels in delivering the highest quality of standards and immaculate service at the Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai. Their outstanding performances at the Middle East Housekeepers League Championship is a testament to their exceptional expertise and hard work.”
The competition put all housekeepers in the spotlight and their skills to the test, as teams from hotels around the country went head to head. The live competition pitched hotel groups, one against the other, as two staged hotel rooms were set-up back to back and then totally trashed. Two teams competed against each other to get the room spick and span in just 7 minutes. The judging criteria for the contest was based on speed, accuracy and skill.
The Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai team worked on the ‘Couple Birthday’ theme in finals. Hassan Khan, Virendra Singh Dhami, Mahindra Kumar Bhattarai and Tinmin Hlaing are the award-winning Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai housekeeping attendants who competed under the guidance and leadership by Anil Katru, Director of Housekeeping.
For hotel marketing contact: Sheryl Aquiatan Assistant Marketing Manager Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai Mob: 00971 56 506 0983 Tel: 00971 4 702 8888 sheryl.aquiatan@millenniumhotels.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
Millennium Hotels and Resorts, Middle East and Africa Millennium Hotels and Resorts is a dynamic, global hotel company, which owns, asset manages and operates over 130 hotels worldwide. With almost 40,000 rooms and a portfolio of brands; including Biltmore, Grand Millennium, Millennium, Millennium Place, M Hotel, Copthorne, Kingsgate, Millennium Executive Apartments and Studio M, that serve different market segments, representing quality and value in every class.
Currently operating 35 hotels in the Middle East and Africa, the Group has an extensive expansion strategy in place, with 40 hotels in the pipeline. Each property in the region is unique, catering to the varying tastes and needs of the international business and leisure traveller but with a consistent promise to provide a first class service and a rewarding experience for guests. Millennium Hotels and Resorts is committed to differentiating itself by embracing the true spirit of diverse traditions, with a sincere respect to historical heritage and local culture.
With the motto “More than Meets the Eye”, Millennium & Copthorne is committed to a customer-centric philosophy and complete guest satisfaction.
For more information, please visit www.millenniumhotels.com
Paulson Watches Launches the Pearl Diver
On October 1, 2018, Paulson Watches is releasing the Pearl Diver, one of the World’s toughest, lightest, slimmest dive watches.
The brand’s inaugural watch designed with a simple mission in mind: creating a capable dive watch that is lightweight and slim for a fair price. The Pearl Diver is a mechanical watch in a titanium case that takes an enduring dive watch design with stylistic touches that define this new brand.
The Pearl Diver is water resistant to 100m, which is of paramount importance to the brand’s founders who frequently dive and enjoy water sports. Additionally, the watch is outfitted with a unidirectional rotating ceramic bezel marked with lumed indices for easy reading in low-light situations.
Using lightweight Grade 5 titanium, the 45 gram weight of the Pearl Diver is kept to half of what a steel watch weighs while being much tougher and scratch-resistant. That light weight also makes it easier to comfortably do things like typing or running errands without being irritated by a heavy or bulky wristwatch. Furthermore, it was important to keep the thickness of the Pearl Diver at a height that allows it to easily tuck under a sleeve. At 10.7mm thick, there are not many mechanical dive watches out there that are slimmer at this price point.
On the dial are the polished, legible hands that are done in a blue Swiss Super-LumiNova, as is the “lollipop” shaped seconds hand. The design is kept simple and easy to read, but a subtle gradient black dial changes between various tones of dark grey, navy and indigo to keep things visually interesting and not flat. To ensure legibility and ease of reading, the sapphire crystal is treated with anti-reflective coating, so glare and bright situations are not a problem.
The Paulson Pearl Diver runs on a Japanese Miyota 9015 automatic movement. This 24-jewel movement can be hand wound and has a hacking seconds function, a 42-hour power reserve, and the Parashock anti-shock system. Reliable and tough, the 9015 can run for a weekend and is accurate to between -10 and -30 seconds per day.
The Pearl Diver is meant to be versatile which is why it comes with two straps. The black perlon strap is sporty and ideal for outdoor as well as water activities. For times like going to dinner or a night out with friends, the Italian black leather strap dresses the Pearl Diver up just enough. The signed buckle on both straps is done in Grade 5 brushed titanium.
The Paulson Watches Pearl Diver will launch October 1 on IndieGogo.com, with manufacturing beginning at the end of the campaign (expect about 4 months for the watch to be ready). The watch will retail for $395 plus shipping but early backers will be rewarded with early bird discounts.
Paulson Watches Ltd, is a Swedish Canadian family owned business. For more information on the Pearl Diver or for enquiries please visit: paulsonwatches.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.coms
A Unique Dining Experience at 2XL Showroom in Dalma Mall, Abu Dhabi
2XL Furniture & Home Décor organised a spectacular culinary experience for a select group of guests at the 2XL showroom at Dalma Mall in Abu Dhabi last evening. On the menu was a unique dining experience with plenty of fun including an exciting treasure hunt in the magnificent setting of 2XL.
Amit Yadav, Marketing Manager at 2XL, said, “We were delighted to host this wonderful event in the beautiful surroundings of our store in Dalma Mall. It gave people the opportunity to browse our latest collections while gathering some useful tips on dining decorum. Shoppers this season will find a wide repertoire of products at 2XL, from timeless pieces that blend classic and modern styles, to bold and unconventional creations. Inspired by French savoir-faire, each item is a piece of art.”
Visit any of the brand’s nine showrooms across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah and Al Ain to discover what makes 2XL’s offering so exceptional this season.
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 2XL Furniture & Home Décor
UAE based 2XL Furniture & Home Décor is a retailer of luxury home furnishings since 2000.
The retailer currently has 9 showrooms across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah and Al Ain. The 2XL product range includes exclusive bedroom, living and dining room furniture as well as exquisitely crafted décor items, unique gifting ideas, plush rugs and gorgeous wall art, divine bed and bath linen, eye-catching tableware, and a fun, functional kitchenware range. The 2XL range is very classic and French-inspired. Each retail item has been carefully chosen exclusively for 2XL and denotes a lifestyle that is regal, sophisticated and of a finer taste. We have something to suit every home setting – from ornate gold-plated bedroom settings to the more subdued Parisian hues of shabby chic, quirky contemporary inspirations to more ethnic Eastern-inspired décor ideas.
For more information or to shop online please visit www.2xlme.com
Connect and tag us on @2xlfurniture
#2XLfurniture
Alpha Destination Management Continues its Market Dominance Accelerating Growth & Expansion in Strategic Markets
As visitor numbers to the United Arab Emirates surge with strong growth from leading and emerging source markets, Alpha Destination Management, continues to dominate the tourism sector in the Arabian Gulf. Being a pioneer and the top destination management company (DMC) in Dubai, Alpha has played an instrumental role in the growth and development of tourism in the UAE and the wider GCC.
Mr. Ghassan Aridi, CEO of Alpha Destination Management, shared the company’s strategy and growth plans elaborating on the numerous opportunities in existing and new markets.
Firming Alpha’s Grip on Russian and CIS Markets
In the first half of 2018, Dubai reported a 70% year-on-year increase in the number of Russian arrivals with the country being one of the emirate’s biggest source markets. Driving this growth are several factors such as introduction of additional airline routes, visas on arrival for Russian travellers, new generation of leisure attractions and retail destinations, and a broad range of hotels and resorts along with tourism partners like Alpha.
Mr. Aridi, stressed, “Russian and the CIS markets have always been very significant for us. As Alpha is the number one destination management company in Dubai, right from beginning working closely with Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), we collaborated with the top two or three companies to drive Russian and CIS business into Dubai and other parts of the UAE. Over the last two decades the Russian market has grown tremendously delivering 530 thousand visitors to Dubai alone in 2017 recording 121% increase compared to 2016 and Alpha has always been at the forefront of this success. The figures for other emirates are equally remarkable.”
Commenting on some recent developments, Mr. Aridi revealed, “After the collapse of one of the biggest tour operators from Russia to Dubai, we took immediate action by entering into strategic agreements with international operators as well as some of Russia’s biggest companies to not only regain but expand our business across the CIS countries. In addition, we have several other lucrative deals lined up in the pipeline that are aimed at boosting tourism from the region into the UAE.”
Growth in Other Markets (GCC, Europe, Far East & India)
Over the years, the success of Alpha Destination Management has run parallel to the steady growth of the GCC countries and, in particular, the UAE. Capitalising on the massive opportunities in the travel and tourism sector across the region, Alpha catered to the requirements of its partners with a wide range of world-class services and products, that contributed to both the success of the company as well the destinations.
Mr. Aridi, said, “At Alpha we have established ourselves as one of the most credible and reputed brands in the tourism industry not only in the Gulf region but also on a global scale expanding into strategic markets worldwide. We now command a huge market share in the region leading some of the most significant markets to Dubai such as UK, Germany and other European destinations as well as the GCC, India, China and other prominent countries from the Far East.
The UK and Germany remain our key markets in western Europe delivering great growth. In 2017, 1.27 million travellers visited Dubai from the UK and 506 thousand from Germany. Both destinations are set to grow steadily with German tourists already registering 14% growth in first half of 2018.”
Mr. Aridi added, “Talking about the Far East and Asia, we have a new strategy especially for China and India to unlock their full potential as these countries will continue to be the most important growth drivers for our destination. India topped the list of travellers to Dubai recording two million annual visitors in 2017. Similarly, China saw 764 thousand nationals vising Dubai last year and has already recorded 10% increase in numbers in first half of 2018. We were among the first DMCs to penetrate China and now have the most comprehensive network being present in two or three major cities in the country. The Indian market has a lot more potential in terms of luxury travel. Therefore, we are looking at developing such niche markets. In addition, we have also got Indonesian and Korean markets in the loop. These moves have spurred impressive growth prospects for Alpha.”
New Attractions
Mr. Aridi stated, “At Alpha we have been catering to a wide mix of travellers in terms of demographics. Globally people are looking for authentic, curated experiences and our aim is to meet the expectations of both regional and international travellers. In order to support Dubai’s goal to attract 20 million visitors annually by 2020 and maintain a stable momentum of tourism growth, there needs to be focus on repeat customers. Getting customers back to destination requires diverse experiences as well as new packages and offers. Our strategy is to diversify activities by creating some new tours and attractions for the tourists – something different and unique. The helicopter is still one of our best tours and doing very well. We are now planning to put helipads all over the UAE and this will lead to excellent and fast link between the seven emirates.”
Prospects for 2019
Mr. Aridi, said, “We are looking at a strong end to 2018 and have a lot of growth ahead of us. Most of our markets are doing well, and we are confident that the coming year will be great. We are still enjoying excellent growth in the UAE – both the country and tourism.”
Mr. Aridi concluded, “Our goal is to continue our global expansion through our strong international partners and vast network and are making extensive investment in terms of technology and resources. Ultimately, we want to thrill our partners and customers with outstanding products, attractions and service. Alpha Destination Management’s success is built on our constant quest for perfection. We ensure the highest service standards by focusing on the key business differentiators that are defined to meet and exceed our clients’ expectations. Therefore, our team is dedicated to delivering the best in quality and service as required by these international companies.”
#AlphaTours #AlphaToursDubai #AlphaDMC #AlphaToursAe #Dubai #VisitDubai #Dxb #MyDubai #ilovedubai #travelgram #DubaiTourism #Travel #Tours
About Alpha Destination Management
Founded in 1996, by Mr. Ghassan Aridi and his partners, Alpha Destination Management is the leading destination management company and a pioneer in the tourism sector in the Arabian Gulf. Over the last two decades, the company has established itself as one of the most credible and reputed brands not only in the Gulf region but also in the international tourism industry. Controlling a significant market share of the lucrative tourism sector in the GCC, Alpha Destination Management is a market leader in the region with the largest annual turnover and wide network of international partners offering the highest levels of service and innovative and exciting experiences. Our extensive global and local knowledge and network, outstanding expertise and sound reputation is the key to success for us and all our partners.
For more information about Alpha Destination Management visit http://www.alphatoursdubai.com
Or call +971 4 701 9111
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
Alpha Destination Management GM Proposes ‘Greater Participation of Tech Start-Ups from Middle East’ at HITEC Dubai 2018
Dubai’s drive towards technology-powered future is aimed at becoming the Middle East’s biggest tech hub and a pioneer in smart services. This is attracting to the emirate the world’s leading technology companies and events such as HITEC Dubai 2018 organised in association with Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM). Co-produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) and Naseba, HITEC Dubai 2018 is the region’s largest hospitality Technology Exhibition and Conference and will be held on December 5 and 6, 2018 at the Madinat Jumeirah Dubai.
Speaking at the HITEC Dubai Advisory Council meeting recently, Mr. Samir Hamadeh General Manager of Alpha Destination Management, who is also a member of HITEC Council, stated, “New technologies are revolutionizing the travel industry with entrepreneurs targeting ever-narower niches in each sector of the industry. At the same time travel tech ecosystem is getting bigger with more diverse players getting involved and startups are an integral part of the structure. This is transforming our industry faster than ever, where small moves are creating massive disruptions. Events such as HITEC Dubai are the ideal forum to bridge the knowledge gap between startups and established brands as startups often face challenges both in commercializing their tech and in convincing target markets.”
Some of the most celebrated startup success stories that have emerged and inspired globally in recent years include names such as Dropbox, Airbnb and Reddit.
Talking about the Middle East, Mr Hamadeh said, “Careem, a Dubai-based ride-hail startup has enjoyed great success and expanded into 26 cities across the region and beyond. Another home-based hero firm is e-commerce retailer Souq, once called the Amazon of the Middle East and now literally so. Amazon acquired Souq last year.”
Elaborating on the need for greater participation from startups at HITEC Dubai, Mr. Hamadeh added, “It is important to engage startups from the Middle East in the show and listen to their ideas and concepts as well as give them an opportunity to connect with international technology leaders. After inception, accelerator and incubator programs and exposure in platforms such as HITEC Dubai can provide startups the springboard to realise the full potential of their ideas. This will not only encourage them but will also benefit the wider travel tech community.”
Startup investment in the UAE exceeded $1 billion in 2016 and continues to grow at a steady pace. UAE startups dominated the Middle East region attracting 70 per cent of all investment amounts in 2017. The industry gained huge momentum in the first half of 2018 and will end the year on a very favourable note with optimism for 2019. The growth of incubators and business accelerators like Turn8, ImpactHub, Astrolabs Dubai and In5 are all at the center of the drive to make Dubai the next Silicon Valley, with Dubai Internet City, the emirate’s designated technology and innovation zone, aiming for 10 per cent annual growth in the number of new business it hosts for 2018 and beyond. Further to that, technology giant Cisco recently demonstrated its confidence in Dubai when it opened an Innovation and Experience Centre.
#AlphaTours #AlphaToursDubai #AlphaDMC #AlphaToursAe #Dubai #VisitDubai #Dxb #MyDubai #ilovedubai #travelgram #traveltechnology #Hitecdxb #HFTP #DubaiTourism #Travel #Tours #naseba #technology
About Alpha Destination Management
Founded in 1996, by Mr. Ghassan Aridi and his partners, Alpha Destination Management is the leading destination management company and a pioneer in the tourism sector in the Arabian Gulf. Over the last two decades, the company has established itself as one of the most credible and reputed brands not only in the Gulf region but also in the international tourism industry. Controlling a significant market share of the lucrative tourism sector in the GCC, Alpha Destination Management is a market leader in the region with the largest annual turnover and wide network of international partners offering the highest levels of service and innovative and exciting experiences. Our extensive global and local knowledge and network, outstanding expertise and sound reputation is the key to success for us and all our partners.
For more information about Alpha Destination Management visit http://www.alphatoursdubai.com
Or call +971 4 701 9111
ABOUT HFTP
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) is a global non-profit hospitality association, headquartered in Austin, Texas, USA, that uniquely understands the industry’s problems. HFTP has members and stakeholders across the globe. HFTP assists its members in finding solutions to industry problems more efficiently than any organization via its expert networks, research, conferences such as HITEC and certification programs. HFTP also owns the world’s only hospitality specific search engine, PineappleSearch.com. HFTP is recognized as the spokes group for the finance and technology segment of the hospitality industry.
ABOUT NASEBA
Naseba offers global business facilitation services. The company creates growth opportunities by bringing together people, partners and ideas. It helps clients raise capital, enter new markets, secure partners, close sales and educate workforces. Naseba’s goal is to create opportunity and add economic value at every stage of its client’s journey. It does this through three key areas: investor services, commercial services and leadership services. Since inception in 2002, Naseba has facilitated deals totalling billions of dollars for its clients. The company has connected over 100,000 global executives through more than 1,000 proprietary business platforms and is an expert in growth markets.
For more information or to register for HITEC Dubai 2018
visit https://www.hitec-dubai.com/
Call Amir Abdin on +971 44 55 7920 or Rouf Hyder Beigh +971 44 55 79 32
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
SCALABLE SOLUTIONS AND REAL WORLD IMPLENTATION TO HEADLINE AGENDA FOR THIRD ANNUAL FINTECH SUMMIT IN DUBAI
Naseba summit to bring together fintech and BFSI thought leaders as 82% of financial services companies look to grow fintech partnerships in next 3-5 years
Dubai, 25 September 2018: The movers and shapers of the financial technology (fintech) world will return to Dubai on 30th October 2018 for the third annual Fintech Summit, organised by leading regional deal facilitation company Naseba.
With the region’s financial landscape rapidly evolving as disruptive technologies and the drive towards digitisation reshape business practices, activities and economies, this year’s event will once again provide a solid platform – and timely update – for banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) decision makers looking to remain agile amid a shifting topography.
Held under the banner theme of Enterprise Grade. Real World. Now, an influential line-up of over 20 high profile speakers will lead an intensive schedule of presentations, panel discussions, tech talks and round table discussions, alongside more than 15 solutions providers, with a supporting calendar of pre-scheduled business meetings and deal facilitation opportunities.
“Fintech innovation is gaining incredible momentum in the region, with governments and private sector companies eager to gain global competitive advantage and support sustainable economic development goals through next generation technology adoption. The UAE, and Dubai in particular, is fast-tracking investment and implementation in line with the National Innovation Strategy as set out by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to make the UAE a global hub for innovation, and today’s BFSI C-suite need to be ahead of the curve when it comes to implementation.” said Sandeep Chauhan, EVP, Global Head, Operations and Technology, Mashreq Bank.
Digital disruption is unavoidable. It’s happening because multiple technologies are rapidly evolving all the time. While this very human approach to business may seem at odds with Mashreq’s digital backbone, it does in fact drive every choice the business makes – even the creation of what Chouhan calls his ‘Digital Workforce’
The global banking industry will spend US$519 billion on technology this year, an increase of 4.1% on 2017 spend, with legacy system updates and next-generation back office solutions leading investment.
Recent research by Gartner put a figure of US$155 billion on MENA region IT spending in 2018, with banking and securities firms leading spending growth in the last 12 months (+3.6%), followed by insurance (+2.9%); and making significant investment into analytics, blockchain, artificial intelligence and software applications.
A 2015 Ernst & Young survey found that banks were primed to invest anywhere from US$5-20 million for digital initiatives and the BFSI sector in the Middle East is turning its attention to digital transformation, with Emirates NBD alone committing Dhs1 billion (US$272.3 million) over the next three years.
In its Redrawing the lines: FinTech’s growing influence on Financial Services report, PwC found that 82% of financial services companies plan to increase fintech partnerships in the coming three to five years, with an expectation of 20% ROI on their innovation projects.
An AT Kearney report also noted that consumer e-commerce activity is set to quadruple in the region by 2020 with performance marketing technology company Criteo reporting that 43% of e-commerce transactions in the MENA region are made through mobile devices.
Commenting on the regional landscape, Christopher Fernandez, CEO and Co-Founder of Block Gemini said that “blockchain is going to play a key role in the success of financial companies in the near future. The world banking sector will save up to $20 billion by 2022 through implementing blockchain. The GCC banks have already started using blockchain in remittance, trade finance, Islamic banking, and soon we are going to see a lot of applications and services on blockchain. We are very excited that the agenda issues facing BFSI decision makers are fast reaching a decision crunch point, and the summit is a proven catalyst in supporting action and facilitating effective partnerships and deals’
Taking place on board the Queen Elizabeth 2 at Port Rashid, the summit will open with a keynote presentation by Nasir Zubairi, CEO, The Luxembourg House of Financial Technology, examining artificial intelligence applications in the real world and the impact on banking.
This will set the scene for a packed schedule of hot topics delving deeper into issues surrounding blockchain implementation, cybersecurity and data storage, next generation retail banking and customer-centric digitisation, along with case studies including Singapore’s transformation into a global financial hub and the importance of driving innovation.
Speakers at the 2018 event include Sopnendu Mohanty, Chief Fintech Officer, Monetary Authority of Singapore; Alice Hlidkova, CEO, New Economies Pvt Ltd; Bryan Stirewalt, Managing Director, Supervision, Dubai Financial Services Authority; Nick Lee, Authorisation Director, BFSI, Abu Dhabi Global Markets; Abdul Malik Al Sheikh, Senior Advisor, Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority; Max Liu, Co-Founder & CEO, EMQ.
To learn more about the Fintech Summit please contact Amir Abdin – amirabdin@naseba.com
About Naseba
Naseba creates growth opportunities, connecting people, partners and ideas. Focused on deal facilitation, it helps clients: raise capital, close sales, enter new markets, secure partners and educate workforces. Naseba’s goal is to create opportunity and add economic value at every stage of its client’s journey. It does this through three key areas: investor services, commercial services and leadership services.
Since 2002, Naseba has facilitated more than a billion dollars’ worth of deals and has connected over 100,000 global executives through more than 1,000 proprietary business platforms in liquid growth markets.
Naseba is a signatory of the Women’s Empowerment Principles – Equality Means Business, produced and disseminated by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the United Nations Global Compact.
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
A Polynesian heaven inside Dubai Parks and Resorts
Hey readers ! I know its been a a while since I’ve done a travel post but thats only because my last fun destination was London in 2016 and that changed my life forever as most of you know.I met an amazing man that led me to do more trips to London the next 2 years and eventually we got married!! True Story! You’ll find loads of London info and inspo on my instagram so do go check out my insta posts and highlights. This time around I was back in Dubai after 3 long months (the longest I’ve stayed away from my home city) because I was semi-locating to London and everyday is a interesting episode of culture shocks and reverse culture shocks. One thing I realised when I came back to Dubai this summer was how much we take for granted the number of amazing staycation options Dubai has to offer (All of UAE for that matter)!! Something thats almost non-existent in the UK. I thought of trying out a new one this time and realised I had never been to any part of Parks & Resorts. So my sister and I packed our bags and decided to head to the Lapita resort. Located inside Dubai Parks and Resorts this Polynesian haven has got absolutely everything you’re looking for, be it a holiday with family or just a weekend staycation with your partner or a bunch of friends. The resort offers:
Rooms – Standard rooms, Deluxe rooms, suites and a deluxe 3 bedroom family villa.
Two pools
A LAZY RIVER !!! (Score!!!! Although it was under maintenance when we visited ): )
A kids play club
24 hours gym !!! (Assures me I’m not crazy to have always desired this)
5 F&B outlets, most of which are licensed
Walking distance to Legoland, Motion gate and other theme parks
Upon check-in our buggy took us to our lovely Polynese style pool facing deluxe room where we unwound and headed straight for the pool ( good timing: G&T on Happy Hour at the pool bar) The resort has a fresh serene island vibe and we soon forgot we were in Dubai. Had we not been under the scorching July sun, we would have definitely gone to one of the theme parks.
We ate our way through some delicious authentic dumplings, sticks and buns – all of it being bang on flavour and good portion size. Our highlight was of course making and eating the Hot-Pot, something we’ve never done before. So…….you walk your way through the ingredients aisle, filling your basket with veggies of your choice, followed by filling it up with noodles of your choice….followed by ending at the sauce station where you mix your own sauce!! how fun ! You take all of this to your table, while the broth and choice of meat is served at the table. Our server helped us start the inbuilt induction on our table ( which is at every table by the way) and took us through our private little HotPot masterclass. The end result was an aromatic steaming hot-pot full of flavour and ingredients, that I’m sure you’ll eat bowls and bowls of……we totally did. Watch the complete video here.
An important feedback we had for the team was that the extensive stock of ingredients and the massive kitchen sure allowed for lots more variety on the menu than they currently had, lets hope they incorporate this soon so we can go back to binge on some new dishes.
Stuffed to the brim, we had to take a walk ….whilst at it, we realised how beautifully calm and serene the resort felt at night.
Cut to – Waking up to breakfast …which deffo did not disappoint. The spread at Kalea was massive and cusines multiple. I swear I was there for the entire duration just lapping away. Crazy selection of breads, danish, smoothies, an omelet live station, waffle station with ….wait for it….a Nutella Dispenser!! OMG I died. Apart from that they served , Indian, Asian, Continental and Middle Eastern cuisines with a brilliant selection of dishes – trust me it was to die for.
Lapita – Dubai Parks and Resorts, Autograph Collection.
Dubai, UAE.
Tel: +9714 8109999
Toll Free: +971 800 62774688
Lapita Resort Dubai. Wearing: All things Mochi from Namshi
After pool comes food….Duh!! so we quickly changed and headed to Hikina- which is a pan asian hot pot and dumpling house, where the lovely team hosted us for a family style Asian dinner. The restaurant is massive and quite airy, with a huge dining capacity, an open kitchen which we all know we love and a cute little bar with some high tables and chais to enjoy a drink and build appetite.
The team were kind enough to give us a late check out that allowed us to take a nap after breakfast….Lollzz… and laze some more in the pool before we headed back to Dubai. – See I told you it felt like we were elsewhere. Do check out the Lapita highlight circle on my instagram to see detailed stories and fun boomies and do check out this video on our little staycation at the resort. Hope you’d book this for your next vaca or staca in Dubai and hope you enjoy it…xx
SWISS-BELHOTEL INTERNATIONAL APPOINTS HOTEL MANAGER FOR SWISS-BELRESIDENCES JUFFAIR
Bahrain – Swiss-Belhotel International has announced the appointment of Teodor Ardeleanu as the Hotel Manager for Swiss-Belresidences Juffair in Bahrain that is gearing up for a soft opening soon. Teodor brings over 18 years of diverse experience in the hospitality industry and has been widely recognized for his leadership skills and business acumen. Teodor began his career in Europe at the JW Marriott Bucharest in 2000 and swiftly rose in position. He moved to the Middle East in 2006 and continued his journey with the Marriott group working with many great hotels in the region.
Making the announcement, Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President, Operations and Development for the Middle East, Africa and India, Swiss-Belhotel International, stated: “We are delighted to welcome Teodor to our team. His extensive experience combined with his proven success in Bahrain will be an asset for us. We are confident with his exceptional expertise, Teodor will deliver our brand’s top service standards.”
Expressing his delight Teodor said, “I feel truly privileged to join Swiss-Belhotel International at this exciting time and very grateful to the group for giving me this fabulous opportunity. I look forward to working closely with the team as we prepare for the opening of Swiss-Belresidences Juffair.”
Prior to his new position, Teodor was the General Manager of One Bahrain Hospitality WLL as well as the Advisor to Chairman for ITICO Group of Companies and Owner Representative for Marriott Properties in Bahrain. Since 2016 he was the Management & Training Consultant for Ki Train Consultancy SPC. Teodor holds a Bachelor’s degree from University of Tourism and Hospitality.
Centrally located in Juffair – a popular hub for dining and shopping venues – Swiss-Belresidences Juffair is an upper midscale hotel-apartment complex boasting 129 spacious (1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments and penthouse) with superb facilities. The beautiful hotel features an array of leisure and entertainment facilities for families ranging from a business lounge, fabulous spa and health club to an outdoor swimming pool, cinema, games room for all ages and playground.
For further information visit http://www.swiss-belhotel.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
About Swiss-Belhotel International
Swiss-Belhotel International currently manages a portfolio of more than 150* 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-belhotel.com
*Numbers may fluctuate
KING’S COMFORT SURPRISES THE HOTEL SHOW VISITORS WITH NEW RANGE
King’s Comfort at its core is a family based locally grown business. The
dream was birthed in October 2014 by local visionary Andries Taljaard
who hails from Odendaalsrus. And saw its factory doors open in
Botshabelo. It quickly grew to a factory in Bloemfontein and
Johannesburg with plans of opening a manufacturing plant in Ghana in the
near future. Local businessman Emmanuel Archontakis joined the dream in
June 2016 and has been privileged to see the growth and expansion of
the brand. The Company believes in supporting local and know that local business
has so much to offer.
With a humble beginning but with Big Dreams, the company quickly
developed a national footprint. With more than 15 King’s Comfort branded stores
and over 50 wholesalers country wide, good quality, affordable
bedding is now within reach. In the Matjhabeng area alone it has two
retail outlets in Welkom, two outlets in surrounding townships and two
wholesalers.
The company offers a range of bedding that meets everyone’s needs.
It currently have hit the sweet spot with its Supreme range. It’s
affordable quality with a guarantee to back it. So clients can buy a bed
that is under R4000 that has everything and more of a R7000 bed. That’s
why they have given it 5 stars. It beats the competitors hands down.
Stronger base, better spring coils, double the Comfort layers, longer
warranty and a ridiculously cheaper price. Not too mention a 100 night
Comfort exchange.
Kings Comfort has always dreamt of supplying beds internationally. And
has seen doors open in the last while which have been amazing. All
credit to their award winning Zuéno bed which won them the Manufacturer
of the year award. At the Hotel Show in Dubai , it recorded maximum
number of visitors.
Contact KING’S COMFORT :
Emmanuel Archontakis
National Sales Director
+27 72 620 4199