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Starry-eyed traveller
Artist and astronomer Namira Salim plans to be the first UAE resident to fly into space with Virgin Galactic. Salim explains why the $200,000 trip will be worth it, and the new perspectives that tourist-astronauts will gain.
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Business: the space frontier
Space tourism is more than a gimmick, with the potential to become a lucrative industry, according to Stephen Attenborough, Commercial Director, Virgin Galactic. Attenborough says many investors have already expressed interest in orbital flight, the next stage of the venture.
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Driving prices down to earth
Increased competition will help drive air ticket prices down, according to Virgin Atlantic Chairman Sir Richard Branson, whose airline made its first landing in Dubai this week. Sir Richard says that being the launch customer of a new aircraft is hard work, and revealed one of the "not pretty" toilet-related teething problems that Virgin suffered.
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A far away resort
Far west of Abu Dhabi, near the border with Saudi Arabia, is the Danat Resort Jebel Dhanna: part of the emirate's ambitious project to develop tourism. Manoj Kanwal, General Manager of the resort, explains why the remote location was chosen.
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Arab tourism insight
What are the key emerging trends in Arab travel and tourism? And will rival regional tourism projects weaken or strengthen the market? Chris Chackall, Group Exhibition Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions, gives insight into the Middle East travel sector, as well as the new features coming to ATM2006.
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Media City gets a hotel
The first hotel has opened up in Dubai Media City, targeting business visitors to the emirates. The Radisson SAS offers a full range of facilities, from broadband wireless to spa treatment rooms and a rooftop swimming pool. AME Info brings you the first exclusive pictures and an interview with general manager Siegfried Nierhaus.
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Jumbo demand for aviation
The Middle East aviation sector has a wide range of demands, from passenger planes to VIP helicopters and military craft. Gregor Kursell, International Media Relations, EADS, says there has been strong interest in the Eurofighter, as well as communications satellite.
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Bombardier up and away
Bombardier is the segment leader for business jets in the Middle East, with a 51 per cent share. Trung Ngo, VP Marketing & Communications, Bombardier, says the market continues to grow, driven by the need to service a high frequency, small and medium density regional market.
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ME jets away
Demand for private and corporate jets continues to grow in the Middle East, with greater corporate profits on high oil prices. Mike Berry, Managing Director, ExecuJet Middle East, says convenience and cost-saving are the main motivators for buying a company jet, but inaccessible regions in the Middle East and unimproved runways are also important reasons.
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VIP airborne luxury
Imagine flying around the world in the airborne equivalent of a luxury hotel: with suites, offices and even a gym. Exactly that was on display at the Dubai Air Show 2005, with Lufthansa Technik showcasing a model of the new Airbus A380 fitted out as a high-end VIP jet. CEO August Henningsen says the target market is corporates, royal families, and specialist, luxury travel operators.
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Etihad may hurt Emirates
There is a danger of overkill in the Middle East aviation sector, as governments massively invest in new airlines, warns Virgin Atlantic chairman Richard Branson. Branson says the amount of money that Abu Dhabi is pouring into Etihad could damage the situation for Emirates in Dubai.
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Etihad defies oil gloom
Soaring oil prices are hurting airlines worldwide, with most contingency plans now inadequate. If doomsday "peak oil" predictions come true, does it mean an end to affordable air travel? Ian Ferguson Brown, Marketing Communications Manager, Etihad Airways, believes the future is still bright, particularly for newer airlines, and is continuing to add new destinations.
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Media hotel for Dubai
Dubai Media City's first hotel, the Radisson SAS, opens in late 2005, targeted predominantly at business travellers and professionals. Siegfried Nierhaus, General Manager, Radisson SAS, Dubai Media City explains the hotel's positioning.
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Screening in Singapore
Singapore Airlines is partnering with Singapore Medicine to offer healthcare packages to Middle Easterners, but can it compete with existing preferred destinations such as Europe? Jose Thachil, Marketing Manager, Singapore Airlines, looks at Singapore's advantages, as well as how the airline is coping with current sky-high fuel prices.
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Threats to ME hotel investment
Land ownership problems, a lack of transparency and proper corporate governance, and restrictive agency laws are major obstacles to foreign investment in the Middle East hotel sector, according Sarmad Zok, CEO, Kingdom Hotel Investments. Zok says far-reaching reforms are needed to stimulate FDI in the region.
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