Jetsettersblog

Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts entered into another partnership, this time with Qatar Airways, based in Doha. As of now, members of the Privilege Club, the airline’s frequent flyer program, can collect air miles each time they stay at one of 27 Swissôtels in 15 countries worldwide.

“This new partnership is our way of expressing how much we value our guests in this region,” said Stephanie Hilgers, executive director partner marketing, FRHI and Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts. “The Middle East is an important market for us with ever greater potential. What is more, we are due to open our first hotel in this region, Swissôtel Makkah in Saudi Arabia, in the middle of this year, so that is another good reason for cooperating with the successful Qatari airline.”

Qatar Airways flies from Doha to numerous Middle Eastern destinations including Amman and Abu Dhabi, as well as other destinations around the world such as Berlin, Zurich, Moscow and Shanghai.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts announced a new marketing alliance with Qatar Airways. As part of the new partnership, Fairmont guests on qualifying stays will now have the opportunity to earn 500 Qmiles or more in Qatar Airways’ Privilege Club program. Qualifying stays are subject to hotel availability at published rack, corporate or package rates. Members of the luxury hotel chain’s guest recognition program, Fairmont President’s Club, will also have the option of earning additional frequent flyer Qmiles.

Following the opening of the Radisson Blu in Athens earlier this month, Rezidor announced that the existing Ramada Plaza Doha in Qatar will be converted to a Radisson Blu in the third quarter of 2012. The 583-room property is located on a prominent intersection in the city center. Food and beverage outlets include six bars and 12 restaurants.

The hotel also features 2,000 square meters of conference space. Recreational facilities include two gymnasiums, two pools, saunas, squash, tennis, basketball, badminton, and treatment rooms.

The 583-room Ramada Plaza Doha will be converted into a Radisson Blu in the third quarter 2012. Radisson Blu is Rezidor’s core brand in the upper upscale market segment, offering contemporary architecture & design and signature service concepts. The property will undergo an $18 million renovation before reopening as a Radisson Blue

The future Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha is located on a major intersection in the city centre with excellent access to the international airport and West Bay business district. It is one of the largest hotels in Doha, with 583 rooms and suites in different styles. Food and beverage outlets include six bars and 12 restaurants. For meeting and events, the hotel comprises 2,000 square meter of conference space; leisure facilities include two gymnasiums, three pools, saunas, squash, tennis, basketball, badminton, and treatment rooms.

Officially Appointed by UAE National Olympic Committee

DUBAI, UAE -29th November 2011: MMI Travel has been officially appointed by the UAE National Olympic Committee to sell tickets and packages in the UAE for the Olympic Games 2012.

Next year, millions of people will visit the city of London to watch this amazing sporting extravaganza as top athletes from around the globe compete in world-class sporting events in some of London’s iconic venues. MMI travel, one of the Middle East’s leading sports travel management companies will enable sporting enthusiasts from our region to be part of this unforgettable experience.

From those simply wanting to purchase a ticket, to customers who would like to have a complete tailor-made travel package, MMI Travel can help as they have been selected to be the region’s “Authorised Ticket Reseller (ATR) in UAE for Olympics 2012″. Complete packages include flights, hotel accommodation and game tickets, with the added convenience of transfers too.

For sports fans are looking to have an extra special visit to the Olympic Games, MMI Travel has a second option. As “Authorised Marketing Agent of Prestige Ticketing in UAE for sale of Official Hospitality packages for Olympics 2012″ they offer travellers a top notch experience with hospitality access at the venue.

“This appointment recognises MMI Travel as the leading sports travel management agency in the Middle East. It emphasises the value that MMI Travel has provided to the Sports Industry and its considerable experience in arranging specialist sports travel packages”, said Abdulla Tawakul, Senior Vice President for MMI Travel.

“The UAE National Olympic Committee has entrusted MMI Travel with this responsibility based on our credible experience in sports tours management. As the Authorised Ticket Reseller we will be the selected retailer for all event tickets as well as the ‘Prestige Experience’, which promises exceptional food, service and hospitality within the official Games venues. The hospitality, combined with great accommodation, flights and transfers makes this a truly premium product and give customers a day they will never forget,” said Mayank Dhingra, MMI Travel’s General Manager.

“We selected MMI Travel for this appointment due to their excellent reputation and considerable knowledge in the region” said Saeed Abdulghaffar Hussain, Secretary General. “This is the first time in the history of the UAE National Olympic Committee that an official travel agent has been appointed to manage ticket sales and inclusive packages, for the general public. We felt that MMI Travel was the perfect company for us to partner with for the Olympics 2012″.

Ticket and package sales are on sale now and are subject to availability. For more information please contact MMI Travel’s expert planners on +971 4404 5859, e-mail sports@mmitravel.ae  or visit www.mmitravel.com

Qatar Airways is holding a sale on roundtrip flights from the U.S. to over 100 destinations worldwide. Economy Class prices are up to 25 percent off the normal fare, while Business Class fares are up to 20 percent off ticket prices. Tickets are good for travel between Nov. 21 and May 31, 2012. The sale ends Nov. 17.

The savings are based on roundtrip fares, including taxes and fees with certain conditions attached.

Huge Demand Expected, with all Rooms Offering Sea Views and Genuine Butler Service

The St. Regis Doha, due to open in the coming months, will distinguish itself through its unique focus on service and the customer experience, according to Hal Philp, the recently-appointed Deputy General Manager.

With its executive team now in place, the St. Regis Doha is fully engaged in a pre-launch phase of recruitment, training and refinement, to ensure that the hotel is able to deliver superlative service upon opening.

Part of the Al Gassar Resort in Doha, the St. Regis Doha will be one of a select family of St. Regis properties in the world, and one of the first-ever in the Middle East.

“We are incredibly focused upon offering the level of service that our international guests expect, and so we are investing in the preparation necessary to ensure that everything within the hotel is up to St. Regis standards,” said Philp, who joins the Doha team from St. Regis Shanghai, and brings with him a wealth of experience of the luxury brand.

“Every guest is an individual with specific tastes and different ideas about what they want from their time in Doha, and our aim is to ensure that we are totally prepared to make their time an enjoyable one,” he added.

One of the major attractions of the new hotel will be its world-famous butler service, which will see every guest at the hotel greeted and supported by their own butler throughout the duration of their stay.

In addition, the St. Regis Doha will also offer concierge and personal shopper services, to ensure that guests are taken care of during their stay. Hal Philp has recently personally led a recruitment tour to interview hospitality professionals from key destinations around the world to fill these and other key positions.

All 336 guest rooms, including 70 suites, will have sea-views in an area of incredible marine beauty, as well as access to a diverse range of world-class facilities.

A planning committee is in place to work towards the hotel opening, with teams assigned to account for every detail.

Tareq Derbas, General Manager, St. Regis Doha, said: “With our complete executive team on-board, we are now positioned to move seamlessly towards the opening phase. Our service philosophy is to provide a truly bespoke experience for our guests, so we are investing in an intensive preparation stage to ensure that we are ready to deliver an immaculate product for our guests.”

With a splendid heritage dating back more than 100 years to the grand opening of The St. Regis New York by the esteemed Astor family, the St. Regis brand incorporates rich traditions into every aspect of customer service, from its century-old butler service to the tradition of fresh flowers in every room.

Today St. Regis hotels and resorts can be found across the globe, including landmark hotels in London, New York, Singapore, Bali – and soon Qatar.

Bright Sky Press is set to publish a book about the Middle Eastern nation of Qatar called “Qatar: Sand, Sea and Sky,” by Diana C.K. Untermeyer. The book will appear on the market in January 2012. It is an intimate account of the culture, the people and the landscape of the Muslim nation.

Against the backdrop of the Arab Spring, Qatar has emerged as an important partner to the U.S. and stands as a stable and open society in an era of seismic regional change. This prescient book depicts the dramatic landscape, Qatar’s ancient history and the country’s thoughtful path to the future. Untermeyer spent three years in Qatar as the wife of a U.S. ambassador. Her experience frames the anecdotal account of a geographically and politically significant nation as it grapples with change. Henry Dallal’s photographs tell the story visually. The book includes an introduction by Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the current chair of the Qatari Foundation Reach Out to Asia and daughter of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the current Emir of Qatar.

Untermeyer lived in Qatar from 2004 to 2007. In Qatar, she served as an active volunteer and participated in numerous equestrian sports, particularly endurance horse racing. Born in Wyoming, she graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Virginia in 1984. After graduation, she became an avid whitewater kayaker and worked in the White House. She currently lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband, Chase, and their daughter, Elly. “Qatar: Sand, Sea, and Sky” is her first book.

Dallal has been passionate about photography since the age of 9, when his father gave him a Box Brownie. He has received commissions to photograph Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Anne, and his work has been exhibited at Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace, Blenheim Palace, the Naples Museum of Art (Florida), the Royal Geographic Society and the Smithsonian Institution. Born in Iran, he has made London his home since moving there from Colorado in 1994. For more information on Dallal’s work visit www.henrydallalphotography.com.  For more information on Bright Sky Press, visit www.brightskypress.com

MSC Cruises is now offering 50 percent off one guest per stateroom on seven-night winter cruises to Arabia when booked by July 31. Rates begin at $649 for the first person and $324.50 for the second, plus government fees and taxes. Kids 17 and younger sail for $99.

MSC Lirica will operate the “Arabian Adventure” cruises, which sail roundtrip from Abu Dhabi or Dubai and call at Muscat, Oman; Al Fujairah, United Arab Emirates; Khasab, Oman; and overnight stays in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Weekly departures are from Oct. 30 through March 4. For more information, click the ship.

10 Reasons To Go Sailing In The Capital Of The United Arab Emirates

With Abu Dhabi readying itself to welcome the impressive Volvo Ocean Race fleet to its sun-drenched shores this coming New Year, we look at the top 10 reasons to go sailing in this watersports haven.

The Weather
With beautiful sailing weather for nine months a year (September- June), Abu Dhabi boasts the perfect blend of almost-continuous sunshine, warm blowing winds and flat, azure waters. Whatever size craft you are skippering, windy shamal gusts or lighter sea breezes will make every experience an enjoyable one.

Island Spotting
With more the 200 natural islands hugging over 400 kilometres of pristine coastline, Abu Dhabi is blessed with stunning natural diversity. From the historic Delma Island, where archaeologists have discovered evidence of human existence dating back 10,000 years to the tourist-friendly Maya Island, which hosts a weekly beach party, Abu Dhabi boasts a complete spectrum of island life.

Those wanting something a little more developed can try the stunning Sir Bani Yas Island, home to the Arabian Wildlife Park which houses the world’s largest population of Arabian Oryx, and cheetahs, giraffes and ostriches, and the site of the ultra-luxurious Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara.

Marina Life
With more than 40 marinas expected to come online in the emirate over the next two decades, Abu Dhabi has already made strong headwind in establishing itself as a major sailing leisure destination with several world-class marinas now open.

The benchmark is the magnificent 143-berth Yas Marina, home to the Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Its unique setting, surrounded by Yas Marina Circuit, is the perfect vantage point for racing action or a quiet drink at the Yas Marina & Yacht Club, fine dining at Cipriani’s, a casual bite to eat at Stars ‘N Bars and exciting nightlife at Allure.

For those with a taste for the finer things in life, then Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi’s signature hotel, boasts one of the most prestigious yachting addresses – Yachts Marina. Located on the western side of this opulent ‘Palace’ in a private bay, the marina can moor 186 boats, with separate berthing for eight superyachts.

Just a short sail from here is the InterContinental Abu Dhabi Marina – one of the emirate’s most picturesque marinas. With 24 hour security and a members’ car park, this 191-berth destination is also home to the stylish Yacht Club with its contemporary design, open terrace and Pacific Rim fine dining options.

And for those wanting to explore the UAE’s vast coastlines, then visit Ghantoot Marina & Resort.

Set beautifully on a private waterway, this is a premium marina development just 20 minutes from Dubai and 40 minutes from Abu Dhabi city, making it the ideal mid-way point.

Nature
It isn’t just Abu Dhabi’s breathtaking natural landscapes which capture imaginations on a sailing trip, the emirate’s waters are teeming with a whole host of marine life, with exotic fish, coral and turtles a common site. In addition, there are seven species of dolphin and eight species of whales recorded in the UAE’s waters with the much-loved bottlenose dolphin a regular sight off any bow. Abu Dhabi also has the world’s second largest population of the endangered dugong, so keep your eyes peeled for these charming creatures.

Keeping Alive The Legacy
For generations, Abu Dhabi has been at one with the sea. Ports throughout the emirate – from the small western marine hub of Delma Island, to the UAE capital – were home to fishing and pearling fleets and active boat yards where highly skilled craftsmen forged the traditional ‘dhow’, which quickly became noted as one of the sturdiest vessels afloat.

With the days of needing to ply their trade all along the sweeping coastline now long behind them, modern day sailors now have the chance to recreate this adventurous past at their own leisurely pace, and listen to the Arabian sea-shanties of yesteryear float on the warm ocean breezes.

Meet People
Abu Dhabi has an active and intimate sailing and watersports community that’s extremely welcoming of new recruits or those just passing through. So make sure you swing by one of the many clubs – you’ll never know who you may meet.

Brush Up Your Skills
With warm sunshine, blue waters and expansive coastline, Abu Dhabi’s waters are abuzz with year-round activity. Home to a full range of sailing vessels, from beginner’s Toppers and seasoned-veteran’s Catamarans to traditional Arabian dhows, Abu Dhabi is a great destination for those honing the basics or wanting to push themselves to the limits.

Keep Fit
What better way to stay in shape than out on the high seas. Whether it’s solo sailing in a Laser or hoisting sails on a 50-foot pleasure yacht, sailing’s a great way to stay slim and trim. And with Abu Dhabi boasting a wealth of stunning beach clubs, why not take advantage of the many health club facilities and gymnasiums on offer, to make sure your pool-side look is as hot as the weather.

Witness A Traditional Dhow Race Up-Close
Today there is rarely a more inspiring sight than that of stately Arabian dhows with billowing, white sails full ahoist. These traditional sailing vessels continue to ply the seas as they have done for hundreds of years in annual races which commemorate the days when pearl diving fleets, which had been at sea for months, would challenge each other to see which would be the first home with the season’s precious haul. Keep in touch with abudhabievents.ae to find out when the next races are on.

Unbelievable Fishing
Whether it is deep-sea fishing or just throwing a line off the back of the boat that appeals, Abu Dhabi is home to a wealth of fish species such as dorado, kingfish, queenfish, sailfish and tuna. For those who don’t like to get their hands dirty, Abu Dhabi also boasts a plethora of mouth-watering seafood restaurants, such as Finz at the Beach Rotana, Pearls & Caviar at Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri, and Sayad at Emirates Palace; to whet the appetite after a long-day out at sea. Enjoy the fishing!

Caption 1: Emirates Palace Marina

Caption 2: InterContinental Abu Dhabi Marina
NB: High resolution images available on request

- Ends -

For more information please contact:
Fiona Campbell
Account Executive
Results PR
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7953 7449
Email: fiona.campbell@resultspr.co.uk

Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority
About Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA): ADTA has wide-ranging responsibilities for managing and assisting the development of the emirate’s tourism industry and the marketing and promotion of the emirate as a world-class destination of distinction. Its responsibilities include; destination marketing; infrastructure and product development and regulation and classification. A key role is to create synergy in the international promotion of Abu Dhabi through close co-ordination with the emirate’s hotels, destination management companies, airlines and other public and private sector travel-related organisations. For more information visit: www.abudhabitourism.ae