UAE: Baskin Robbins Ice Cream Rumour To Negatively Affect Popular Ice Cream Chain

Its hot, the temperature’s above average, and the last thing you need is mould on your ice cream.

A video has been circulating on social media recently, an alleged resident of Dubai claims to have found mould in their tub of Baskin Robbins ice cream.

In the video, the so-called resident also blames Dubai Municipality for not implementing stricter rules against food establishments.

In response, Dubai Municipality launched an investigation into the allegations and announced that this rumour is completely false.

On its official Facebook page, Dubai Municipality confirms that the video was filmed in one of the Gulf countries and not in Dubai, or the UAE.

Dubai Municipality confirms that it has an integrated system consisting of strict procedures to ensure control of all traded food in the emirate.

The municipality also uses the self-monitoring method on food institutions to ensure full compliance with all specifications and legislations adopted in the country,it said.

The municipality also said it deplores those who publish any false information without confirming the source.

Meanwhile, An Indian nurse was found dead in her apartment in Karama on Saturday, family sources said.

The deceased has been identified as 30-year-old Santhi Thomas, who hailed from the state of Kerala.

According to a family friend, it was Santhi’s husband who found her hanging from the ceiling fan in their apartment when he got back from work.

He said Santhi, who has a three-year-old daughter, had been married for four years and had joined her husband in Dubai over two years ago. She was working with a private hospital.

“Santhi’s parents said the couple had some discord between them and the child is living with her father’s parents. They said she had earlier booked a ticket to go home and it was cancelled,” the family friend said.

Dubai Police, which is investigating the case, has interrogated the husband, he added.

Police has not commented.

Meanwhile, Before you head off for your summer holiday and fly to your dream destination, here’s a quick checklist to keep your house safe and your utility bills to a minimum this summer.

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has launched its annual ‘Tips before Travelling’ campaign as part of its efforts to raise awareness on the sensible use of electricity and water, reducing waste, and following safety guidelines.

Now in its fifth year, the move is part of Dewa’s annual ‘Let’s Make this Summer Green’ campaign.

Since many families leave the UAE during summer for long periods of time, ensuring that these guidelines are kept will not only conserve natural resources but also give residents peace of mind.

“As part of its role as a socially-responsible government organisation, Dewa puts environmental protection and sustainability of natural resources at the forefront of its priorities.

We organise an integrated set of initiatives, programmes and activities throughout the year to raise awareness about the importance of rationalising energy and water use and adopting a conscious and sustainable lifestyle,” said Khawla Al Mehairi, Vice-President of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Dewa.

Amal Koshak, Senior Manager of Marketing Communications at Dewa, said the tips are quick and easy to do and beneficial.
“Simple tips that can be followed at home before travelling for summer vacations are a quick and effective way to protect natural resources, reduce costs, and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

For example, not repairing a small leak in the kitchen that wastes one drop of water each second, could lead to wasting 32,000 gallons of water per year,” Koshak said.

Toilets can account for almost 30 per cent of all indoor water use, more than any other fixture or appliance, according o Dewa.

But even more worrisome is an average of 20 per cent of toilets leak. It is better then to check toilets periodically for leaks and repair them promptly before leaving UAE.

If you have a swimming pool which and don’t want to drain it, cover it to reduce evaporation. An average size pool left uncovered can lose as much as 1,000 gallons (3,785 litres) of water per month.

UAE: Dubai's e-tourism With Enhancement Of Mobile Apps

Dubai has increased its e-footprint in the tourism sector to pamper tech-savvy travelers, experts said at the recent Arabian Travel Market Fair in Dubai.

One of the biggest trends in e-tourism this year is the enhancement of mobile apps, particularly in the hospitality industry, says Cody Morris Paris, associate professor of social science at Middlesex University Dubai.

For example, Dubai's tourism authority and Hong Kong-based hotel smartphone service company Tink Labs signed an agreement on April 25.

Hotels in Dubai will offer our Handy Travel smartphones in their rooms with all the necessary apps installed to discover Dubai, says Salha Soussi, Tink Labs' senior sales manager of the Gulf Region.

"The smartphone is provided free of charge in the room and has to be given back by the hotel guest once he checks out."

Paris says: "The clearly defined, well-executed and innovative destination-marketing campaigns emerging from Dubai tourism are very effective."

Dubai attracted nearly 15 million overnight visitors last year, a 5 percent increase over 2015, the city's tourism authority reports.

Dubai hopes to attract at least 20 million visitors by 2020, when it'll host the World Expo.

It has been running the MyDubai campaign to encourage social media users to post images of the city in recent years.

Popular attractions include the world's highest tower, Burj Khalifa, and the seven-star hotel, Burj Al Arab.

Dubai's tourism apps Visit Dubai and Dubai Calendar address and cater to the widespread shift from desktop to mobile devices among global consumers, providing tourists information, says the tourism authority's annual report for 2016, which was released at the fair.

Over 52 million engaged with the tourism authority on social media last year, a 60 percent increase over 2015, the report says.

The number of social media followers also surged, and travel volumes increased in the first three months of 2017, year-on-year.

Dubai is the first Arab city to introduce free WiFi on public transportation like on buses and the driverless Dubai Metro as well as at popular tourism spots and public beaches.

Smartphone users can charge their devices at public Smart Palms - solar-powered, palm-shaped trees made of concrete and equipped with recharge slots for smartphones and tablets.

Paris expects such services to further develop.

"Enhancements featuring direct messaging, location-based services and other tools that allow for more personalized, direct and on-demand services will greatly enhance the level of services provided to guests, as well as provide greater efficiency in providing that service," he says.

"The UAE as a whole has one of the strongest place brands in the world and tourist-experience-enhancing technologies have been adopted by people of all ages."