An employee has been jailed for six months for engaging in sexual intercourse with a tourist, who claimed that she was raped in her hotel room after inviting him over for a drink.
The 24-year-old American tourist was in town for a three-day holiday when she met the 29-year-old Moroccan employee on board a Dubai-bound flight in December.
The 29-year-old defendant and the American woman became friends and she invited him over for a drink at her hotel room in Dubai Marina.
Having obtained prior permission to bring over his cousin, the two Moroccans visited the tourist at her luxurious hotel room where they drank liquor all night.
When the 24-year-old woman woke up in the morning, she claimed to have realised that she had been raped.
Once she went out of her bed and walked into the main hall, the two men left the hotel immediately.
The American woman complained to the police and alleged that the accused had asked her for a phone charger and, when she took him to her room, he punched her and forced himself on her.
The Dubai Court of First Instance convicted the accused of having sex with the 24-year-old American.
Presiding judge Fahd Al Shamsi said the accused, who contended that he had consensual sex with the victim, will be deported.
The 24-year-old tourist testified that she invited the accused over to her room after they became friends on the aircraft.
He took permission to accompany his cousin and we drank liquor all night. When he asked me for a phone charger, I accompanied him to the bedroom to give him the charger … he punched me and I lost consciousness. As I woke up in the morning, I noticed that I had been undressed and raped.
There were traces of semen on my thigh … once I walked out to the room, they both left instantly. I went out of the room and alerted the hotel’s security about what had happened. I also told them that my Dh5,500, earrings and passport were stolen, she testified.
A policeman said the hotel’s front desk manager notified them that a problem happened between the tourist and her Moroccan visitors after they got drunk.
The ruling remains subject to appeal.
Tourism Observer
Tourism, Travel, Hospitality, Conservation: News,Stories And Experiences From Allover The World
Showing posts with label Dubai Marina. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dubai Marina. Show all posts
Sunday, 18 November 2018
Tuesday, 7 August 2018
UAE: Rotana To Manage Sarajevo And Dubai Hotels
Marking its latest offering in Dubai's thriving hospitality market, Rotana is now officially managing Cayan Tower, the ninth tallest residential high-rise building in the world, under its The Residences by Rotana brand.
In addition, the company will operate Bosmal Arjaan by Rotana in Bosnia and Herzegovina to make its foray into Southeast Europe.
Situated on a prime location in the Dubai Marina district, the Cayan Tower features 490 and 7 retails spanning 73 floors of the award-winning skyscraper.
The awe-inspiring architectural wonder with a dynamic twisting shape spirals in a smooth curve by an astonishing 90 degrees to give every apartment a stunning view of the Arabian Sea or Dubai Marina.
The property brings Rotana's existing portfolio of properties in Dubai to 14.
Strategically located at the Bosmal City Centre complex in Bosnia and Herzegovina's capital city, Sarajevo, Bosmal Arjaan by Rotana will be the second tallest residential tower in the Balkans region when it opens by the end of 2018.
Managed under the 'Arjaan Hotel Apartments by Rotana' brand, the property will feature 130 two and three-bedroom units, in addition to a gymnasium, two indoor pools, a sauna, a Turkish bath, and multiple treatment rooms.
With the opening of the elegant and contemporary hotel, Rotana will increase its portfolio under Arjaan Hotel Apartments by Rotana brand to 3,143 rooms.
Cayan Tower brings Rotana's total inventory under The Residences by Rotana' brand to 939 keys and will be a significant addition to our portfolio in Dubai, said Omer Kaddouri, President & CEO of Rotana.
Furthermore, the signing of the agreement to manage the upcoming Bosmal Arjaan by Rotana is a major milestone in Rotana's journey as this property brings us even closer to Europe.
Featuring striking tourism attractions and robust economic and business prospects, South-eastern Europe has been increasingly attracting leisure and corporate travellers.
With our first property in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we are strategically positioned to cater to the growing number of short and long-term visitors in the country, he added.
The company currently has an operational portfolio of 16,964 keys and a strong pipeline of 11,087 keys in different cities internationally.
Tourism Observer
Tuesday, 18 April 2017
UAE: New Hotel Introduces Women’s Duchess Floor
The newly opened five-star hotel and residences on Palm Jumeirah that brought British luxury to Dubai has launched Duchess Floor, an exclusive area dedicated to female guests.
DUKES Dubai, the quintessentially British five-star hotel has debuted its Duchess Floor, which features 20 exclusive rooms on its third floor. With private lift access, the floor features women’s only public spaces, as well as discreet and private access to rooms.
Full-length windows provide sweeping views of the Palm Jumeirah with the Burj al Arab to the east and the stunning Dubai Marina skyline to the west.
The entire floor is adorned with Liberty Fabrics, providing elegant touches through silks, textiles and drapes in each ocean view room, while on the third floor, the Champagne and Tea Lounge will offer a Duchess breakfast exclusively for the hotel’s female guests.
The Duchess initiative was borne out of DUKES Collection Managing Director Debrah Dhugga’s own business travel experience and will be showcased at this year’s Arabian Travel Market (24-27 April at Dubai World Trade Centre), from stand: HC0270.
Dhugga identified a niche for five-star hotel brands to create a tailored experience specifically for women travelling alone, with a focus on comfort, service, style and quality.
She said: “As somebody who travels regularly either for business or for leisure with friends and female relatives, I could clearly see a gap in the market for a women’s only area in a luxury hotel.
The Duchess Floor combines the safety and security of a private residence, with beautifully elegant décor and bespoke facilities, in order to provide female guests with a sense of sanctuary when they stay at DUKES Dubai.”
We have used Liberty Fabrics throughout our Duchess rooms, bringing their iconic prints to the Palm Jumeirah for the first time. The Duchess Floor features a variety of sumptuous, rich-coloured Liberty Fabrics taken from the brand’s chic Chesham Cabinet Collection, a new timeless interiors collection of fabrics inspired by remarkable cabinets and dolls’ houses from the 17th to 19th centuries.
Dhugga added: “A Liberty print is instantly distinguishable and a true beacon of London living. This is the first time Liberty Fabrics have been incorporated within a hotel on this scale, and we can’t wait to show off the results of our partnership, starting in Dubai.”
Liberty Fabrics are a subsidiary of the London brand Liberty and have a dedicated home-space in their iconic store on Regent Street. Liberty Fabrics joins independent family perfumer Floris, Paxton & Whitfield cheese, hair and beauty salon Toni & Guy, William Edwards china and Andrew Martin interiors, who have all agreed brand partnerships with the new hotel. Even the classic British taxi, the Hackney Carriage, features outside the hotel to transport guests around Dubai.
Owned and operated by Seven Tides, DUKES Dubai is the first international property for the DUKES Collection brand.
The 279-room hotel and 227-hotel apartment complex opened to the public at the end of March 2017, on the main trunk of Palm Jumeirah, overlooking the Arabian Gulf, Burj Al Arab and Dubai Marina.
DUKES Dubai, the quintessentially British five-star hotel has debuted its Duchess Floor, which features 20 exclusive rooms on its third floor. With private lift access, the floor features women’s only public spaces, as well as discreet and private access to rooms.
Full-length windows provide sweeping views of the Palm Jumeirah with the Burj al Arab to the east and the stunning Dubai Marina skyline to the west.
The entire floor is adorned with Liberty Fabrics, providing elegant touches through silks, textiles and drapes in each ocean view room, while on the third floor, the Champagne and Tea Lounge will offer a Duchess breakfast exclusively for the hotel’s female guests.
The Duchess initiative was borne out of DUKES Collection Managing Director Debrah Dhugga’s own business travel experience and will be showcased at this year’s Arabian Travel Market (24-27 April at Dubai World Trade Centre), from stand: HC0270.
Dhugga identified a niche for five-star hotel brands to create a tailored experience specifically for women travelling alone, with a focus on comfort, service, style and quality.
She said: “As somebody who travels regularly either for business or for leisure with friends and female relatives, I could clearly see a gap in the market for a women’s only area in a luxury hotel.
The Duchess Floor combines the safety and security of a private residence, with beautifully elegant décor and bespoke facilities, in order to provide female guests with a sense of sanctuary when they stay at DUKES Dubai.”
We have used Liberty Fabrics throughout our Duchess rooms, bringing their iconic prints to the Palm Jumeirah for the first time. The Duchess Floor features a variety of sumptuous, rich-coloured Liberty Fabrics taken from the brand’s chic Chesham Cabinet Collection, a new timeless interiors collection of fabrics inspired by remarkable cabinets and dolls’ houses from the 17th to 19th centuries.
Dhugga added: “A Liberty print is instantly distinguishable and a true beacon of London living. This is the first time Liberty Fabrics have been incorporated within a hotel on this scale, and we can’t wait to show off the results of our partnership, starting in Dubai.”
Liberty Fabrics are a subsidiary of the London brand Liberty and have a dedicated home-space in their iconic store on Regent Street. Liberty Fabrics joins independent family perfumer Floris, Paxton & Whitfield cheese, hair and beauty salon Toni & Guy, William Edwards china and Andrew Martin interiors, who have all agreed brand partnerships with the new hotel. Even the classic British taxi, the Hackney Carriage, features outside the hotel to transport guests around Dubai.
Owned and operated by Seven Tides, DUKES Dubai is the first international property for the DUKES Collection brand.
The 279-room hotel and 227-hotel apartment complex opened to the public at the end of March 2017, on the main trunk of Palm Jumeirah, overlooking the Arabian Gulf, Burj Al Arab and Dubai Marina.
Tuesday, 11 April 2017
UAE: Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai Opens
Viceroy Hotel Group (VHG) unveiled Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai, a stunning beachfront resort, showcasing sweeping, unobstructed views of the surrounding city, from the Dubai Marina to the Burj Khalifa.
Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai is home to 477 rooms and suites, including 352 guestrooms, 85 suites and 40 hotel apartments located across 16 floors.
The arrival of Viceroy in Dubai marks the modern luxury hospitality group’s second foray into the UAE, bringing a fusion of California cool with Dubai sensation.
The opening of Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai marks the next step of VHG’s aggressive and expansive growth strategy over the next few years, with forthcoming properties slated for Argentina, Chicago, Colombia, Panama, Portugal, and Turkey.
Home to eight spectacular food and beverage outlets, Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai features:
BLVD on One: A vibrant, global brasserie led by executive chef Robert Nilsson
Elevate: The 13th floor’s elegant wine bar and hideaway with an unpretentious, youthful vibe
Maiden Shanghai: A contemporary, authentic Chinese menu with Cantonese, Sichuan, Shanghai and Beijing influences
Quattro Passi: Founder and two Michelin-starred chef Antonio Mellino brings an outpost of his highly-acclaimed London Mayfair institution and Nerano restaurant off the Amalfi Coast offering culinary theater and innovative Italian cooking inspired by the fresh flavors of Campania
The Beach Club: Light bites, drinks and seductive tunes
The Delisserie: The buzzy, neighborhood cafe with light meals such as Danish open-faced sandwiches and modern high tea
The Lobby Lounge: Morning coffee, afternoon tea, and light meals
The Pool Bar: Refreshing beverages, innovative mixes, mocktails and cocktails served from this twin outlet located on each side of the 60-meter social pool
Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai’s 1,675 sq. m. spa simultaneously evokes the rolling Arabian sand dunes and golden beaches of Santa Monica. It’s a fitting reflection of Viceroy’s Los Angeles roots, further enhanced by a menu that combines LA infused treatments and holistic, locally-inspired massages and hammam treatments.
Topline services include exclusively designed signature experiences with advanced anti-aging offerings from Natura Bisse; cleansing hammam rituals from the traditional marocMaroc line; and reinvented Hammam experiences from Terres D’Afrique.
Fabulous enhancements include treatments with Knesko 24k nanogold technology, a first in Dubai.
Further amenities include fourteen treatment rooms and four open air cabanas alongside a hammam, spa pool, relaxation lounge, Spa Cafe, fully-equipped gym with the latest Artis Collection from Techonogym, personal training services and wellbeing sessions.
Suspended on the 14th floor and featuring panoramic views across the Arabian Gulf, Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai’s 600 sq. m. Vista Ballroom serves as the perfect backdrop for any occasion – from glamorous fashion shows and photo shoots to dazzling weddings and corporate events – and accommodates up to 350 guests.
Three fully-equipped meeting rooms with a combined capacity of 245 sq. m. offer views toward the coastline and Burj Al Arab.
Especially for the younger guests, there are enriching and educational experiences at Generation V, Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai’s colorful kids’ club, as well as a dedicated children’s pool for hours of fun in the water.
For parents wishing to enjoy a romantic date night, babysitting services are also available.
Opening rates for Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai start from $259 USD, plus applicable taxes and services fees.
Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai is home to 477 rooms and suites, including 352 guestrooms, 85 suites and 40 hotel apartments located across 16 floors.
The arrival of Viceroy in Dubai marks the modern luxury hospitality group’s second foray into the UAE, bringing a fusion of California cool with Dubai sensation.
The opening of Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai marks the next step of VHG’s aggressive and expansive growth strategy over the next few years, with forthcoming properties slated for Argentina, Chicago, Colombia, Panama, Portugal, and Turkey.
Home to eight spectacular food and beverage outlets, Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai features:
BLVD on One: A vibrant, global brasserie led by executive chef Robert Nilsson
Elevate: The 13th floor’s elegant wine bar and hideaway with an unpretentious, youthful vibe
Maiden Shanghai: A contemporary, authentic Chinese menu with Cantonese, Sichuan, Shanghai and Beijing influences
Quattro Passi: Founder and two Michelin-starred chef Antonio Mellino brings an outpost of his highly-acclaimed London Mayfair institution and Nerano restaurant off the Amalfi Coast offering culinary theater and innovative Italian cooking inspired by the fresh flavors of Campania
The Beach Club: Light bites, drinks and seductive tunes
The Delisserie: The buzzy, neighborhood cafe with light meals such as Danish open-faced sandwiches and modern high tea
The Lobby Lounge: Morning coffee, afternoon tea, and light meals
The Pool Bar: Refreshing beverages, innovative mixes, mocktails and cocktails served from this twin outlet located on each side of the 60-meter social pool
Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai’s 1,675 sq. m. spa simultaneously evokes the rolling Arabian sand dunes and golden beaches of Santa Monica. It’s a fitting reflection of Viceroy’s Los Angeles roots, further enhanced by a menu that combines LA infused treatments and holistic, locally-inspired massages and hammam treatments.
Topline services include exclusively designed signature experiences with advanced anti-aging offerings from Natura Bisse; cleansing hammam rituals from the traditional marocMaroc line; and reinvented Hammam experiences from Terres D’Afrique.
Fabulous enhancements include treatments with Knesko 24k nanogold technology, a first in Dubai.
Further amenities include fourteen treatment rooms and four open air cabanas alongside a hammam, spa pool, relaxation lounge, Spa Cafe, fully-equipped gym with the latest Artis Collection from Techonogym, personal training services and wellbeing sessions.
Suspended on the 14th floor and featuring panoramic views across the Arabian Gulf, Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai’s 600 sq. m. Vista Ballroom serves as the perfect backdrop for any occasion – from glamorous fashion shows and photo shoots to dazzling weddings and corporate events – and accommodates up to 350 guests.
Three fully-equipped meeting rooms with a combined capacity of 245 sq. m. offer views toward the coastline and Burj Al Arab.
Especially for the younger guests, there are enriching and educational experiences at Generation V, Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai’s colorful kids’ club, as well as a dedicated children’s pool for hours of fun in the water.
For parents wishing to enjoy a romantic date night, babysitting services are also available.
Opening rates for Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai start from $259 USD, plus applicable taxes and services fees.
Thursday, 27 October 2016
UAE: 1,800 Units Approved, Dubai Tourism
With more than 1,800 units now approved and in operation across the city, Dubai's holiday home sector is on track to expand its capacity to cater to diversifying visitor segments.
Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) said the growth of this sector is being driven by effective government regulations designed to increase competitiveness, transparency, safety and standardisation.
The holiday home sector has emerged as a new segment in Dubai's thriving tourism industry on the back of Dubai Tourism's decision earlier this year to allow private homeowners to apply for a holiday home permit and start leasing their properties directly.
Dubai Tourism said since the introduction of updated regulations in May, 109 homeowners had submitted applications for a holiday home permit, of which 39 have now been approved, enabling them to enter the market.
"These join the 78 approved holiday home operators already doing business in Dubai. Moving forward, Dubai Tourism anticipates further growth across the sector," Dubai Tourism said.
"To maintain standards, Dubai Tourism regularly inspects registered homes, which are classified as either 'standard' or 'deluxe' depending on their offering. At present, 83 per cent of the more than 1,800 approved holiday homes are rated standard and 17 per cent deluxe. Units are spread across the city, with the highest concentrations currently in Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach and Downtown Dubai," said Khalid bin Touq, executive director, tourism activities and classification sector, Dubai Tourism.
How to obtain licence
To obtain a licence, homeowners must ensure their property meets the required quality, health and safety standards, while also offering all necessary amenities and guest services, as well as insurance coverage and wider community integration.
"Owners are also accountable for ensuring the property meets all legislative requirements and complaint management policies, and is accurately listed to visitors and sufficiently maintained. Dubai Tourism inspections ensure that holiday homes are standardised. Home owners that do not comply with regulatory demands may be issued with penalties," it said.
Dubai's holiday home initiatives are part of the emirate's objectives to further diversify and increase its hospitality offering in line with its Tourism Vision to attract 20 million visitors per year by 2020.
Holiday homes also complement the positive growth trends in the city's wider hotel and hotel apartment segment, catering to diversifying traveller demographics and needs, and ensuring Dubai provides accommodation options to suit all types of visitors.
As envisioned by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the city has emerged as the world's fourth-largest destination for tourism, boosted the tourism sector's size six-fold and assigned the government departments to work as one team to place Dubai on the world tourism landscape.
"With demand increasing, overall projected occupancy rates until 2018 are expected to be maintained at a strong 77 per cent approximately, ensuring Dubai's hotel industry retains its attractiveness while allowing the emirate to build stronger competitiveness as a global tourist destination," Helal Saeed Almarri, director-general of Dubai Tourism, said.
Dubai has raised its hotel capacity to more than 100,000 rooms, and tourist arrivals to more than 14.2 million in 2015. The new target is to achieve 134,00 rooms by the end of 2018.
Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) said the growth of this sector is being driven by effective government regulations designed to increase competitiveness, transparency, safety and standardisation.
The holiday home sector has emerged as a new segment in Dubai's thriving tourism industry on the back of Dubai Tourism's decision earlier this year to allow private homeowners to apply for a holiday home permit and start leasing their properties directly.
Dubai Tourism said since the introduction of updated regulations in May, 109 homeowners had submitted applications for a holiday home permit, of which 39 have now been approved, enabling them to enter the market.
"These join the 78 approved holiday home operators already doing business in Dubai. Moving forward, Dubai Tourism anticipates further growth across the sector," Dubai Tourism said.
"To maintain standards, Dubai Tourism regularly inspects registered homes, which are classified as either 'standard' or 'deluxe' depending on their offering. At present, 83 per cent of the more than 1,800 approved holiday homes are rated standard and 17 per cent deluxe. Units are spread across the city, with the highest concentrations currently in Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach and Downtown Dubai," said Khalid bin Touq, executive director, tourism activities and classification sector, Dubai Tourism.
How to obtain licence
To obtain a licence, homeowners must ensure their property meets the required quality, health and safety standards, while also offering all necessary amenities and guest services, as well as insurance coverage and wider community integration.
"Owners are also accountable for ensuring the property meets all legislative requirements and complaint management policies, and is accurately listed to visitors and sufficiently maintained. Dubai Tourism inspections ensure that holiday homes are standardised. Home owners that do not comply with regulatory demands may be issued with penalties," it said.
Dubai's holiday home initiatives are part of the emirate's objectives to further diversify and increase its hospitality offering in line with its Tourism Vision to attract 20 million visitors per year by 2020.
Holiday homes also complement the positive growth trends in the city's wider hotel and hotel apartment segment, catering to diversifying traveller demographics and needs, and ensuring Dubai provides accommodation options to suit all types of visitors.
As envisioned by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the city has emerged as the world's fourth-largest destination for tourism, boosted the tourism sector's size six-fold and assigned the government departments to work as one team to place Dubai on the world tourism landscape.
"With demand increasing, overall projected occupancy rates until 2018 are expected to be maintained at a strong 77 per cent approximately, ensuring Dubai's hotel industry retains its attractiveness while allowing the emirate to build stronger competitiveness as a global tourist destination," Helal Saeed Almarri, director-general of Dubai Tourism, said.
Dubai has raised its hotel capacity to more than 100,000 rooms, and tourist arrivals to more than 14.2 million in 2015. The new target is to achieve 134,00 rooms by the end of 2018.
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