Qatar Airways new Boeing 777-200LR

New routes and new aircraft for Emirates and Qatar Airways

This round up of Travel News from across the region is dominated by the major airlines Qatar and Emirates launching new routes and aircraft deliveries, plus an interesting development from Abu Dhabi's Etihad as Phil Blizzard reports.
Listen to the 'New routes and new aircraft for Emirates and Qatar Airways' audio clip
United Arab Emirates: Tuesday, August 31 - 2010 at 09:58 | Duration: 2:34
Dubai International Airport at night

UAE airports see significant passenger growth

Airports in the UAE report significant growth during July, with Dubai International Airport recording a 14% increase in passengers and Abu Dhabi International Airport registering a record breaking 1 million plus passengers. Phil Blizzard reports on the growth, with comments from Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports.
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United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, August 25 - 2010 at 15:43 | Duration: 3:28

Emirates Aviation College open week

The key aviation college in the region has an Open Week, until August 26th, to showcase it's wide range of programmes. Phil Blizzard talks to Phil Blizzard talks to Dr Ahmad Al Ali, Vice Chancellor, Emirates Aviation College, about the courses they offer, prospects for students and the development of the college, not only in Dubai, but overseas as well.
Listen to the 'Emirates Aviation College open week' audio clip
United Arab Emirates: Sunday, August 22 - 2010 at 16:01 | Duration: 6:54

Philippines - The Nation of Islands

The award winning Philippines form this featured travel destination as Phil Blizzard looks at what the 'Nation of Islands' has to offer from the perspective of the Middle East traveller. Flying time is around 8 hours and GCC airlines provide around 18,000 seats a week.
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United Arab Emirates: Sunday, August 08 - 2010 at 10:01 | Duration: 4:01
Deepak Ohri, CEO, Lebua Hotels talks to AME Info.com

Lebua Hotels explore Middle East opportunities

As investment in the Middle East's hospitality sector begins to pick up, Peter Ward talks to Deepak Ohri, CEO, Lebua Hotels, on why the region is once again being viewed as a key destination for luxury hotels.
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United Arab Emirates: Monday, August 02 - 2010 at 09:18 | Duration: 5:41
Mr. Omer Kaddouri and Mr. Sherif Madkour at Centro Barsha entrance

First Centro in Dubai opens for Rotana Hotels in Barsha

A modern, stylish and affordable business hotel is the philosophy behind Rotana's Centro brand. At the opening of their first Centro in Dubai Phil Blizzard talks to Sherif Madkour, Manager, Centro Barsha, about the hotel, the brand and the large volume of hotels in the Barsha district of Dubai.
Listen to the 'First  Centro in Dubai opens for Rotana Hotels in Barsha' audio clip
United Arab Emirates: Tuesday, July 06 - 2010 at 16:23 | Duration: 5:00
Amwaj Rotana - Dubai

Amwaj, Rotana's first beachside hotel in Dubai opens

The Rotana Group of hotels has officially opened its first beachside property in Dubai. Located in the rapidly developing area of Jumeirah Beach Residence, the Amwaj Rotana is aiming to attract not only the leisure traveller, but also the business sector. Phil Blizzard previews the hotel on its opening day with Michael Kempf a director with their management team.
Listen to the 'Amwaj, Rotana's first beachside hotel in Dubai opens' audio clip
United Arab Emirates: Tuesday, June 29 - 2010 at 16:42 | Duration: 4:35
Phil Blizzard in an Armani suite talking to Marc Dardenne, CEO, Emaar Hospitality Group and Emaar Hotels & Resorts

Armani Hotel, Dubai achieves high occupancy

Marc Dardenne, CEO, Emaar Hospitality Group and Emaar Hotels & Resorts talks to Phil Blizzard about the first month of operation of the world's first Armani Hotel. With suite occupancy reaching 85%, at times, he talks about the allure of the property in Downtown Burj Khalifa and also talks on what is available with-in the hotel for the business professional, including the Armani Club
Listen to the 'Armani Hotel, Dubai achieves high occupancy' audio clip
United Arab Emirates: Monday, June 28 - 2010 at 12:55 | Duration: 6:41
Emirates SkyCargo freighter makes the first landing at Maktoum International Airport

First flight into Al Maktoum is Emirates SkyCargo

Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International has received its first aircraft landing with the accolade going to Emirates Flight EK9883 and a SkyCargo Boeing 777. Phil Blizzard reports on this piece of aviation history with remarks from HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority & Chairman of Dubai Airports, Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports and Ram Menen, Emirates' Divisional Senior Vice President Cargo.
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United Arab Emirates: Monday, June 21 - 2010 at 16:31 | Duration: 4:45
Phil Blizzard talking to Ghaith al Ghaith, CEO, Flydubai

Flydubai first anniversary for world's fastest growing airline

Phil Blizzard takes a look at the flight path of low cost carrier Flydubai, which celebrates its first anniversary and is expanding at such a rate as to make it the fastest start-up airline in the world. The report features HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman, Flydubai and Ghaith al Ghaith, CEO, Flydubai.
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United Arab Emirates: Tuesday, June 01 - 2010 at 09:33 | Duration: 3:17
 Philippe M. Rubod, General Manager, The Palace, talks to AME Info

The Palace, RAK pt 2 - investing in a luxury vacation

Investing in a luxury vacation in terms of a ROI is an interesting concept and one not associated, perhaps, with tourism. Philippe M. Rubod, General Manager, The Palace discusses this with Phil Blizzard along with the MICE market opportunities and the challenges on opening a hotel with such high expectations.
Listen to the 'The Palace, RAK  pt 2  - investing in a luxury vacation' audio clip
United Arab Emirates: Sunday, May 23 - 2010 at 13:39 | Duration: 5:08
The Palace, Ras al Khaimah

The Palace, RAK pt 1 - luxury hotel to open

Hamra Hotels in the northern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah are on track to open a luxurious beachside hotel in 2010. Philippe M. Rubod, General Manager, The Palace, talks to Phil Blizzard about the hotel's location and the various aspects of luxury it will offer.
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United Arab Emirates: Sunday, May 23 - 2010 at 10:41 | Duration: 6:00

Flydubai pleased with first-year performance

Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of low-cost carrier Flydubai, talks with Jeff Florian about the success that the carrier has achieved in its first year of operation, the new routes it will be adding, and the lessons it learned during the downturn.
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United Arab Emirates: Thursday, May 20 - 2010 at 09:45 | Duration: 4:25
Lake Como Italy

Lake Como's CastaDiva Resort targets Middle East

The luxurious CastaDiva Resort, Italy, stands on the side of Lake Como surrounded by Hollywood stars. Steeped in heritage and culture, in particular music, this unique resort caught the ear of Phil Blizzard who spoke to Gregor Zielhardt, Deputy Director of Sales, to hear more about the resort's elegant and refined luxury environment.
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United Arab Emirates: Sunday, May 16 - 2010 at 16:02 | Duration: 4:42
Phil Blizzard talks to Richard Vaughan, DSVP, Commercial Operations Worldwide, Emirates

Emirates flying high to Prague and Madrid following ash crisis

Emirates will increase their European destinations this summer by adding Prague and madrid to their network, having just commenced a service into Amsterdam. Richard Vaughan, DSVP, Commercial Operations Worldwide, Emirates talks to Phil Blizzard about their new services and also how they managed the volcanic ash crisis. They also talk about the FIFA World Cup from a marketing and traffic perspective, along with route expansion in Africa.
Listen to the 'Emirates flying high to Prague and Madrid following ash crisis' audio clip
United Arab Emirates: Tuesday, May 11 - 2010 at 15:16 | Duration: 4:03