Jetsettersblog

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

JET AIRWAYS STRENGHTENS ITS PRESENCE IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Jet Airways has strengthened its connectivity with the United Arab Emirates with the introduction of two new flights.

The Indian airline now operates its first daily flight from Thiruvananthapuram to Sharjah. Flight 9W570 departs Thiruvananthapuram at 10:00 hours local time, arriving in Sharjah at 12:40 hours. The return flight, 9W569, leaves Sharjah at 13:40 hours, arriving at Thiruvananthapuram at 19:00 hours local time. The flight commenced operation on the 31st October 2011. This new service will complement current operations from Kochi to Sharjah.

Jet Airways will also be adding a daily flight from Mumbai to Riydah, making it the first carrier to offer twice daily flights to the destination. Flight 9W526 will leave Mumbai at 14:00 hours, arriving in Riyadh at 16:00 hours. The inbound flight will depart Riyadh at 17:00 hours arriving in Mumbai at 23:15 hours. The flight will come into effect from the 14th December.

Jet Airways now serves 10 destinations in the Middle Eastern region including flights to Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai, Doha, Kuwait, Muscat, Sharjah, Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammamam.

JET AIRWAYS INCREASES SERVICES TO BANGKOK
Jet Airways will introduce a third early morning service to Bangkok from Mumbai effective from the 14th December, making it the only airline with triple frequency on this sector. The Indian airline has added the extra flight to meet growing demand for the route, benefitting both business and leisure travellers. Flight 9W70 will depart Mumbai at 07:45 hours and arrive in Bangkok at 13:30 hours. The return flight (9W69) will leave Bangkok at 14:30 hours and arrive in Mumbai at 17:30 hours. Passengers embarking on the service from Mumbai to Bangkok will enjoy the facilities on board the state- of the- art Boeing 737-800.

JET AIRWAYS CONNECTS MADURAI WITH BANGALORE AND CHENNAI
Jet Airways has added new daily flights from Madurai to Chennai and Bangalore which came into effect as of the 31st October. These extra flights have been introduced to meet the growing demand for travel between these cities. Flight 9W2769 departs Madurai daily (except Tuesdays and Saturdays) at 12:25 hours, arriving into Bangalore at 13:40 hours. While the return flight (9W2770) leaves Bangalore at 14:10 hours, arriving back in Madurai at 15:25 hours.

In addition Jet Airways now offers a daily service between Chennai and Madurai. The outbound flight (9W2725) leaves Chennai at 10:35 hours arriving in Madurai at 11:55 hours. While the inbound flight leaves Madurai at 16:10 hours arriving in Chennai at 17:30 hours except on a Tuesday and Saturday when it departs at 12:25 hours arriving in Chennai at 13:45 hours.

JETLITE INTRODUCES ADDTIONAL FLIGHTS FROM AHMEDABAD TO FIVE NEW DESTINATIONS
Ahmedabad is now better connected thanks to Jetlite’s (Jet Airways’ all economy subsidiary) new services to Bengaluru and Delhi with onward flights to Coimbatore, Kolkata and Lucknow. Jetlite will introduce the new Boeing 737 services in its winter schedule in response the growing demand for the respective destinations. The flights came into effect this November.

Guests will now be able to fly from Ahmedabad to Bengaluru and back in a day with the new daily morning service to Bengaluru. Flight 9W7021 will depart Ahemdabad at 06:20 hours arriving in Bengaluru at 08:15 hours. The inbound flight (9W7022) will depart Bengaluru at 21:20 hours and arrive in Ahmedabad at 23:20 hours.

Direct services from Ahmedabad to Delhi have also been introduced. The 9W7105 flight will depart Ahmedabad at 07:15 hours arriving in Delhi at 08:40 hours. Jetlite has also added two return flights from Delhi to Ahmedabad departing at 12:10 (flight 9W7001) and 18:35 (flight 9W7111). The inbound flights will arrive at 13:35 (flight 9W7001) and 19:55 (9W7111) respectively.

Guests will now be able to continue their journey onto Coimbatore and Kolkata via Bengaluru and Lucknow via Delhi.

JET AIRWAYS WELCOMES ITS 100th AIRCRAFT
Jet Airways’ 100th aircraft commenced service this month, marking a major milestone for the Indian airline. The latest addition to the fleet is a new next generation Boeing 737-800 with Sky Interiors configured with 8 Premiere and 162 economy seats.

The Boeing’s Sky Interior is in keeping with the airline’s commitment to continually innovate and differentiate its product for an enhanced in-flight guest experience. The aircraft is replete with the very latest Boeing 787 inspired shape, colour, décor and texture. The Sky Interior features cove lighting, larger windows and curved cabin architecture, providing a feeling of openness and space.

Dynamic light-emitting diode (LED) lighting can portray different colour schemes like a soft blue sky and a relaxing pallet of sunset colours. Other new features include new overhead pivot bins affording greater guest storage capacity. In addition to this, the new Boeing 737 – 800 aircraft possess superior on board, sound quality and clarity through new speakers that have been improved in each passenger row.

Ras Al Khaimah, U.A.E., – RAK Airways, a national carrier of the UAE, has expanded its route network with flights to Doha, Qatar. Effective July 5th 2011 RAK Airways will offer four flights a week to Doha.

RAK Airways CEO Omar Jahameh said, “By adding a sixth destination to our network we are providing travellers with a value offering to yet another exciting destination. The introduction of our Doha sector is in keeping with our strategic plan to add five new destinations to our growing route network before the end of the year.”

Jahameh explained the destination had been strategically chosen, “RAK Airways Doha flights will provide a value option to both business travellers, who can take advantage of the growing trade opportunities in Qatar and leisure travellers who will be able to enjoy all that the country has to offer especially in the lead up to the 2022 World Cup,” Jahameh concluded.

With the introduction of RAK Airways flights to Doha passengers from the Indian sub-continent will be able to take advantage of convenient connections to Qatar via Ras Al Khaimah.

Following Qatar’s recent 2022 World Cup win, business travellers are well placed to capitalize on the burgeoning opportunities in the country’s hospitality and tourism sector.

Doha is increasing in popularity as a tourist destination offering visitors a unique blend of cultural and entertainment attractions such as the Museum of Islamic Art and the Grand Mosque in addition to varied world-class shopping and dining options.

Included in the price of each RAK Airways flight to Doha is a full hot meal and beverages on-board all flights, a baggage allowance of 30kg per passenger as well as the normal hand baggage allowance and free shuttle service between RAK International Airport and the neighbouring emirates for each flight. RAK Airways also offers free parking for passengers who wish to drive to RAK International Airport which is 30 minutes away from Sharjah and 45 minutes away from Dubai.

Flights to Doha will be on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday leaving RAK International Airport at 14.45 and arriving in Doha at 14.45. Return flights from Doha will be on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday leaving at 15.45 and arriving at RAK International Airport at 17.45.

Bookings can be made online at www.rakairways.com; through phoning a 24-hour call centre on 971-7-2075000; through sales offices in Ras Al Khaimah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman and Umm Al-Quwain as well as Calicut, Cairo, Jeddah, Dhaka and Chittagong ; and through appointed travel agents.

RAK Airways is national carrier of United Arab Emirates established under Emiri Decree No: 3/2006. The airline is a private joint stock company incorporated in the RAK Investment Authority Free Zone with an authorized capital of AED 1.5 billion.

RAK Airways Chairman is Sheikh Omar Bin Saqr Al Qassimi; Sheikh Salem Bin Sultan Al Qassimi is the airline’s Vice Chairman and Omar Jahameh is RAK Airways Chief Executive Officer.

RAK Airways currently offers flights to Calicut, Jeddah, Cairo, Dhaka and Chittagong from Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.

The Rezidor Hotel Group announced two new hotels in the United Arab Emirates: the 471- key Radisson Royal Hotel, Dubai, and the 257-room Radisson Blu Resort, Fujairah Dibba. Previously managed by JAL Hotels Company, both properties will begin operation under Rezidor immediately. The hotels are owned by ACICO Industries and its subsidiary, a Kuwait-based publically listed company.

Radisson Royal Hotel, Dubai is located on the prominent Sheikh Zayed Road, the longest road in UAE and home to most of Dubai’s world-famous skyscrapers. The property’s 375 rooms include 96 suites ranging from 660 to 2,950 square feet. All rooms and suites offer views of either Sheikh Zayed or the sprawling Jumeirah beach. Interiors were designed by the Dubai-based Draw Link Group and were awarded by the International Interior Design Association. The property offers an all-day-dining restaurant and three specialty restaurants, a lobby lounge, pool bar and a night club. Additional property amenities include a Zen Spa, fitness center, and exclusive rooftop pool. For meetings and events, the hotel features eight meeting rooms and a ballroom that can accommodate up to 300 guests.

Located between the Hajjar Mountains and the Gulf of Oman, Radisson Blu Resort, Fujairah Dibba offers guests a 1,700-foot sandy beach, the longest in the Emirate. The 257 rooms range from standard to suites and are all equipped with Radisson Blu signature services such as complimentary high speed internet access. The property offers five restaurants, two bars, a lobby lounge and a beach lounge. The resort’s spa includes four terrace pools and a fitness center, and the property also has a dive center and dedicated pool and playground area for children. Business travelers will be able to use a multi-purpose hall and indoor conference space at the hotel as well as outdoor venues for up to 1,000 attendees. The Rezidor Hotel Group now has nine hotels and 2,600 rooms in operation in the UAE. For more information, visit www.rezidor.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.

Dubai-based Etihad Airways and American Airlines have announced that they will build on their existing codeshare relationship by offering their passengers the opportunity to earn frequent flyer miles on flights booked on each other’s flights. Members of Etihad Airways Etihad Guest frequent flyer program now can earn miles on eligible American Airlines flights.

Likewise, members of American Airlines AAdvantage program can earn miles on eligible Etihad Airways flights. The airlines plan to expand this agreement later this year to include mileage redemption across the two airline’s networks. The codeshare agreement between Etihad and American, in place since August 2009, delivers a combined codeshare network of more than 50 destinations worldwide.

On Chicago-O’Hare and New York-JFK-Abu Dhabi routes, AAdvantage mileage accrual is valid only on American-marketed/Etihad-operated flights. On Chicago-O’Hare, New York-JFK and Toronto-Abu Dhabi routes, Etihad Guest mileage accrual is valid only on Etihad-marketed and operated flights. For more information, visit www.aa.com/aadvantage

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates and the World’s Leading Airline[1], is now offering a special fare promotion from Bangkok to popular European destinations including Bangkok to Brussels, Frankfurt Geneva Manchester Milan Munich or Paris

There’s never been a better time for travellers to enjoy Etihad’s award-winning product and inspired service, with fares starting from only THB28,000* Baht in Coral Economy Class and THB84,000* in Pearl Business Class. This special fare is available for booking between today and 14 March 2011 at travel agents countrywide, and through www.etihad.com/th.

Customers who are currently members of Etihad Guest or enroll in the programme and travel return to Europe on this special deal, will earn sufficient Etihad miles to redeem a free Bangkok Airways domestic ticket.

For reservations and information, please contact your travel agent, or call Etihad Airways Tel. 02 253 0099 or BKKTKT@etihad.ae or visit www.etihad.com/th

Notes:

- Travel must be originated from Bangkok between 14 March – 15 June and must be completed by 30 June 2011;

- Fares are from Bangkok to Geneva;

- Complementary chauffeur drive service to and from Suvanabhumi Airport when travel in Pearl Business;

- Subject to seat availability in “Q” booking class for Economy and “W” booking class for Business;

- Terms and condition applied.

*prices mentioned above are exclusive of airport tax and fuel surcharge. Seats per flight are limited.

Australia-based Virgin Blue Group of Airlines has launched its inaugural V Australia flight to Abu Dhabi, becoming the first Australian carrier to operate to the Middle East in 20 years. The new V Australia Abu Dhabi service is a key part of the partnership between Virgin Blue Group of Airlines and Etihad Airways which will see the airlines offer a total of 27 weekly services between Abu Dhabi and Australia, including twice-daily services between Abu Dhabi and Sydney, daily Melbourne-Abu Dhabi flights and six frequencies per week between Abu Dhabi and Brisbane.

The V Australia Abu Dhabi service will operate three times per week from Sydney from February 2011 and three Brisbane-Abu Dhabi services per week by February 2012, using its new fleet of three-class economically and environmentally efficient Boeing 777-300ERs. VA29 will fly from Sydney to Abu Dhabi on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, departing at 4:05 p.m., and VA30 will fly from Abu Dhabi to Sydney on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, departing at 10:45 a.m.

Virgin Blue Group’s partnership with Etihad Airways delivers a combined global network of more than 150 destinations worldwide. This partnership is a key part of Virgin Blue Group’s plans to build an international network of airline partners that can provide global coverage along with frequent flyer earn and redemption capabilities to benefit guests. For more information, visit www.etihadairways.com

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Voyager will host a line-up of Public Broadcasting Station (PBS) and National Public Radio (NPR) personalities on its May 4 to 24 cruise.

The 20-day voyage will travel to ports in the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Israel and the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal.

During the voyage, the PBS and NPR enrichment team will share insights and anecdotes on politics, culture, personal finance, wellness and more. Guests can also attend book signings, movie screenings with commentary, VIP dinners, cocktail receptions and exclusive shore-side events, escorted by the guest lecturers.

Guests embark Seven Seas Voyager in Dubai, UAE, headed for Oman’s Port Qaboos — gateway to Muscat — before sailing across the Arabian Sea to Salalah, also in Oman.

Next, the cruise visits Petra from the port of Aqaba, Jordan, before calling at Egypt. In Safaga, an overnight allows guests to venture inland to Luxor before sailing to Sharm El Sheikh and Port Said, gateways to the Giza pyramids.

The political events in Egypt are being closely monitored by Regent Seven Seas and tourist sites, including the Egyptian Museum, have recently reopened.

From Egypt, the ship visits Ashdod and Haifa, gateways to the historic and Biblical treasures of Israel. Prior to disembarking in Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, guests can visit Sorrento and explore Pompeii, Capri or Amalfi Coast resorts.

Enrichment lecturers include Charlie Cook, publisher of “The Cook Political Report” and political analyst for the National Journal Group; Ari Shapiro, the White House correspondent and reporter for NPR; Michael Childers, a photographer with more than 200 magazine covers, including Vogue, Esquire, Life and GQ; Jacki Lyden, author and host of NPR’s “All Things Considered”; Dr. Michael Ledeen, Freedom Scholar at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and Wall Street Journal contributor; and Bill O’Leary, a staff photographer for the Washington Post.

In addition, there will be presentations from actor Michael York, who has appeared in 60 films, and Jack Hanna, a celebrity zookeeper and author of 10 books.

Fares for this voyage start at $13,499 per guest. Use the booking code “PTV at Sea.”

For more information, call 800-285-1835 or visit

www.ptvatsea.com

or www.rssc.com

The Abu Dhabi Festival will present a line-up of performers from across the world for the 2011 festival, according to festival organizers, Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF). With a program combining music, art, dance, jazz, ballet and fine arts, the festival will showcase excellence from across the artistic spectrum.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi, and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the festival will celebrate its eighth edition in 2011. The theme for the 2011 Festival will be “Harmony for Humanity,” reflecting the unifying spirit of the arts in bringing people together in shared appreciation beyond the boundaries of language, culture and difference.

Large-scale concerts, recitals and performances, exhibitions, workshops and debates, extending to community and education activities, the festival is a UAE-wide experience with activities scheduled across the seven emirates. Highlights of the Abu Dhabi Festival 2011 Main Program include “Mozart Masterpieces,” featuring the Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Wallonie, conducted and led by Augustin Dumay; the modern dance production “PUSH,” a Sadler’s Wells London Production; a ballet gala evening entitled “Max and Irina present Stars of the Bolshoi and Mariinsky”; Yefim Bronfman, the American pianist in a concert entitled “Bronfman and Brahms,” accompanied by the Russian National Orchestra, and conducted by Italian Nicola Luisotti; Al Jarreau; an opera gala featuring baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky and soprano Ekaterina Siurina with the Russian National Orchestra; and a Young Artists’ Day concert will showcase the best emerging talent in the UAE.

Each year, ticket income generated by the festival is donated to civil society groups. In 2011, the income will be divided between three beneficiaries — the Ewa’a Shelter for Women and Children, who are working to address the impact of human trafficking; the A Child A Promise Foundation, in support of their work with children in Palestine; and ADMAF Education, to support the development of future arts education initiatives. For more information, visit www.abudhabifestival.ae or www.admaf.org