The Middle Eastern Luxury Sector Is an Ever-Expanding One. Adam Coulter Looks at the Latest Developments

Source: Selling Travel {Main} Edition: Country: UK Date: Tuesday 1, November 2016 Page: 54,55,56 Area: 1440 sq. cm Circulation: Pub Stmt 14925 Monthly Ad data: page rate £3,750.00, scc rate £19.50 Phone: 020 8649 7233 Keyword: Ras Al Khaimah

The Middle Eastern luxury sector is an ever-expanding one. Adam Coulter looks at the latest developments

remember quite clearly the feeling "dune bashing," as this crazy activity is known Unprecedented growth I had as the Toyota Landcruiser as in the Middle East, but the descriptions don't The United Arab Emirates, Qatar and I reached the top of the near-vertical do it justice; nor the thrill of hurtling down Oman lie seven to seven-and-a-half-hour sand dune we'd been driving up. a sand dune,your life in the driver's hands. flight time from the UK, and are served My stomach dropped as I looked down this We spent the afternoon in the deserts just by a number of direct daily flights. vast dune and even though I knew I was in safe outside of Dubai, urging Mohamed up ever- The UAE comprises seven emirates - hands, with an experienced driver, I felt terrified. higher dunes and thrilling at the drop once Dubai and Abu Dhabi being the best known, The car paused, Mohamed turned to me and we'd reached the top. It's also good to get out with Ras al Khaimah up-and-coming; said: "Ready?" I gulped and whispered: "Yes." of town for a few days; much as I love Dubai Oman and Qatar are separate states. He turned to my companions in the back and its attractions and sights, realizing that Combining two emirates in a short break and asked the same question. A barely audible there is more to the emirate than the biggest is possible, and Oman and Qatar are both response from them."OK let's go!"The 4x4 or the tallest or the newest, and to reconnect an add-on option, with regular flights, or teetered at the top for a moment then... straight with the land,adds another dimension to a trip. an exciting drive across the north of the down the dune, just like a rollercoaster with Next stop: Hatta Fort, an oasis which lies a UAE into Oman's Musandam Peninsula. everyone screaming in the back, me still terrified, couple of hours from the city, and is also home The region has some of the highest service but thrilled at the same time. I'd heard about to the gorgeous hotel of the same name. levels and most luxurious hotels in the world:

Reproduced by Gorkana under licence from the NLA (newspapers), CLA (magazines), FT (Financial Times/ft.com) or other copyright owner. No further copying (including printing of digital cuttings), digital reproduction/forwarding of the cutting is permitted except under licence from the copyright owner. All FT content is copyright The Financial Times Ltd. Article Page 1 of 3 373790047 - ILOSTR - A24436-1 Source: Selling Travel {Main} Edition: Country: UK Date: Tuesday 1, November 2016 Page: 54,55,56 Area: 1440 sq. cm Circulation: Pub Stmt 14925 Monthly Ad data: page rate £3,750.00, scc rate £19.50 Phone: 020 8649 7233 Keyword: Ras Al Khaimah

unspoilt beaches and world-class attractions; Mutrah Souq : One of the oldest markets diving, driving, hiking, sailing, camping, duty in Oman dates back about 200 years. free shopping and excellent cuisine. It is Cruising: New cruise terminals have also extremely safe and child-friendly. O opened in Abu Dhabi and Dubai; In the past 20 years Dubai has witnessed Norwegian Cruise Line will make its first stops in unprecedented growth and a massive increase the region later this year. in tourist numbers. It has a number of world Monsoon winds: From June to December firsts, including the tallest building in the O in Salalah in southern Oman, the khareef world, Burj alArab; an indoor ski slope; man- monsoon winds blow in heavy rains that see the made islands; and some of the largest and mountains covered in lush green vegetation. most opulent hotels in the world. In October The Empty Quarter: or'Rub Al Khali' in it added two new attractions: Legoland ©Arabic, is the world's largest desert and Dubai and the 400-acre Dubai Safari Park. shared by Oman, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Abu Dhabi is the capital of the U.A.E.,and the j^ Dubai Parks and Resorts: The seven emirates. Its approach to development CW multi-gate theme park complex is the has been more measured, with an emphasis on emirate's latest multi-attraction and is ideal for cultural institutions such as the opening of the first timers to Dubai. Qasr Al Muwaiji museum in the second city of Al Ain last November; and the opening of the world's What's nets first outpost of Paris' Louvre Museum, next year. X Airlines: British Airways (britishairaays.com) is Oman is a diverse country, with high mountains, launching a new direct flight from Heathrow to rocks and canyons, deserts and 10,600 km of Muscat this month. Oman Air (omanair.com) will coastline. It also has seasons with milder, wetter, start direct flights from Manchester in 2017. winters in the south. Muscat is the capital ft Hotels: OMAN - Dusit International is set to and is ideally placed for the Indian Ocean open dusitD2 Palm Mall Muscat in 2017 (dusit.com). coastline for scuba diving, dolphin-watching, The newly-opened Al Baleed Resort Salalah turtle nesting, sailing and kite surfing. (salalah.anantara.com) is a luxury villa resort, the first Qatar's capital, Doha, is served by regular of its kind in Salalah, in the south of Oman. flights from the UK on Qatar Airways. It boasts a QATAR - Mondrian Doha (morganshotelgroup. number of luxury hotels, with big names including com/mondrian/mondrian-doha), Mandarin Oriental Mondrian, Melia and Westin on the way. Upcoming Doha (mandarinorientaLcom), Centara Grand attractions include the Mall of Qatar, Doha Doha (mandarinorientaLcom) and The Waldorf Festival City and the National Museum of Qatar. Astoria Doha (waldorfastoria3.hilton.com). The little-known emirate of Ras al Khaimah DUBAI - St Regis Dubai (stregisdubai.com), Palazzo provides a glimpse into how Dubai and Abu Versace Dubai (palazzoversace.ae),The Westin Dhabi once were. There is little in terms Dubai Al Habtoor City (westindubaialhabtoorcity.com), of sightseeing, but tourism is gradually Wyndham Dubai Marina (wyndhamdubaimarina.com), developing with a handful of high-end Jumeirah Al Naseem (jumeirah.com), Royal Atlantis hotels springing up, amongst them, Anantara, (theroyalatlantisresidences.com), Bulgari (bulgarihotels.com). Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Banyan Tree. ABU DHABI - Upcoming hotel openings include the 428-room Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Perfect ten Hotel & Residences Emirates Pearl (abudhabi.grand. hyatt.com), which is under construction opposite Saadiyat Islands: This nine-kilometre Emirates Palace, and the Fairmont Marina Oribbon of white sand in Abu Dhabi is a Resort & Residences (fairmontmarinaresidences. nesting site for endangered hawksbill turtles. com), which will open in 2017. Qatar openings: A number of hotels, RAK - Al Marjan Island,a stunning archipelago ©activities and experiences are due to encompassing an area of 2.7 million square open in the next 12 months, including the Mall metres and extending 4.5 km into the sea, of Qatar, Doha Festival City and the National is currently being developed. Hotel groups Museum of Qatar. building properties on the island include Monnlain hiking: Trek up to the summit Anantara, Crowne Plaza and Marriott. ©of JebelJais.in RAK.the UAE's tallest peak, Attractions: DUBAI - The first phase of which stands 1,934m high. H Dubai Opera (dubaiopera.com), a 2,000-seat venue Water sports: Ras Al Khaimah is a for opera, theatre, concerts, art exhibitions, O hotspot for thrilling water sports - take orchestra, film, sports events and seasonal your pick from scuba diving,sailing, jet skiing, programmes opened in September. wakeboarding, parasailing.flyboarding and more.

KAK's Saqr Park: The park is great for Dubai Park and Resorts (dubaiparksandresorts. Left: Dune bashing is a popular pastime throughout families with lush greenery and scenic com) new Land of Shrek opened in October. the Middle East. Above (from top): Etihad Towers © and the Emirates Palace; camel racing; Sheikh Zayed views, amusement rides and arcade games. ABU DHABI - The new Louvre Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque. Abu Dhabi

Reproduced by Gorkana under licence from the NLA (newspapers), CLA (magazines), FT (Financial Times/ft.com) or other copyright owner. No further copying (including printing of digital cuttings), digital reproduction/forwarding of the cutting is permitted except under licence from the copyright owner. All FT content is copyright The Financial Times Ltd. Article Page 2 of 3 373790047 - ILOSTR - A24436-1 Source: Selling Travel {Main} Edition: Country: UK Date: Tuesday 1, November 2016 Page: 54,55,56 Area: 1440 sq. cm Circulation: Pub Stmt 14925 Monthly Ad data: page rate £3,750.00, scc rate £19.50 Phone: 020 8649 7233 Keyword: Ras Al Khaimah

• (louvreabudhabi.ae) will open next year on Saadiyat tour operators in the north west to promote Island. Its permanent collection will comprise the new Manchester to Muscat direct flight more than 600 pieces of art, from Oman Air launching next year." displayed across 23 galleries. Asma Al Hajri, Deputy Director General, Int. Tourism Warner Bros. World Promotions, Oman Ministry of Tourism Abu Dhabi (wbworldae) is to "Compared to the same period in 2015, open on Yas Island in 2018. J§ the number of hotel nights that Brits RAK - A five-star luxury mountain camp, stay in Ras Al Khaimah's hotels has zip line and a via ferrata climbing route along increased by nearly 26%. Ras Al Khaimah has a Jebel Jais.the UAE's tallest peak is opening soon. growing portfolio of five-star hotels and resorts at QATAR - The National Museum of Qatar four-star prices, whether guests are looking for a (qm.org.qa) will showcase Qatar's past family stay, pampering retreat or indulgent luxury." and future when it opens in 2017. Haitham Mattar, CEO of the Ras Al Khaimah Training: Since its launch more than 900 Tourism Development Authority British agents have signed up to the Qatar Tourism Authority's online destination training Where to book it programme 'Tawash' (tawashqatar.com). 8 GOLD MEDAL-0800 014 7777 22 Shopping Malls: ABU DHABI -AlMaryah Three nights at the five-star Ritz Carlton Abu Central on Al Maryah Island will feature the first Dhabi,Grand Canal,in a Deluxe Room on a B&B. international Macy's Price from £679 per department store, person (saving £420 and Abu Dhabi's first "It's not too late to book tickets per person). Travel Bloomingdale's.The for the Formula 1 Etihad Airways dates are 4 January- second, on Reem Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas 29 March 2017, book Island, will boast Marina Circuit (November 25-27). 90 days prior to travel the world's largest goldmedal.co.uk

indoor snow park. Etihad Holidays has packages 8 TRAVEL2 - 0800

Both are scheduled that include flights and 0224 182 to open in 2018. race tickets" Five nights at the QATAR - Mall of five-star Chedi NABEEL AL ZAROUNI, UK COUNTRY MANAGER Qatar, a shopping and TCAABU DHABI Muscat, Serai Room retail destination, with bed and is currently under construction. breakfast with return private transfers is priced from £1,299 per person. Travel includes return Tourism talk flights from London Gatwick.and valid for travel between 3 January - 8 April, 2017. "The luxury market will always be an travel2.com §8 important one for Abu Dhabi. Flagship events like the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix attract a high-end WHO FLIES THERE clientele, and Louvre Abu Dhabi will be a huge emirates.com; ba.com; virgin-atlantic.com; etihad.com; draw for discerning travellers looking to add some omanair.com; qatarairways.com culture to their stay. The choice of high-end hotels is forever growing" Nabeel Al Zarouni, UK Country Manager, TCA Abu Dhabi. "The Oman Ministry of Tourism's strategy has always been to attract the premium tourist. We are working hard to educate the trade about our premium product offering. During WTM we will be sharing our stand with some of our premium accommodation partners and ground- handlers. We are also developing a marketing campaign with luxury tour operator If Only and will develop a specific training programme Top left: Omani boys and a traditonal Omani village in the mountains. Left: Falconry is the most popular sport in the for luxury Middle East Above: Abu Dhabi's Guggenheim, opening in 2017