Results 51 - 75 of about 1,900
Jebel Ali International Hotels rebrand after 30 years
Audio: The Jebel Ali International Hotels have undergone a rebranding process which will see a new image for the locally owned, Dubai based, company which has a 30 year heritage in hospitality. Talking to Phil Blizzard, David Thompson, COO of the new JA Resorts & Hotels explains, in part 1, the strategy behind the new brand, it's image and what it will mean to their guests.
British Airways Chairman - alliances, Qantas and 80 years in UAE
Audio: In a rare visit to Dubai the Chairman, British Airways, Sir Martin Broughton talks to Phil Blizzard about their heritage in the region and the newly formed Oneworld alliance with Qatar Airways, who they are sponsoring. He states that losing Qantas from the alliance "is not dramatic, since they were losing money" and talks about welcoming the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner into the British Airways fleet, especially with new routes coming on stream - including Beirut. Finally, he expresses concerns about the challenges the industry is facing - including the quadrupling of the BA annual fuel bill.
Abu Dhabi's TDIC 'lease to own' investments on Saadiyat Island
Audio: Property Talk looks at the residential developments from Abu Dhabi's Tourism Development & Investment Company and what they have delivered on Saadiyat Island. Phil Blizzard talks to Ahmed Al Fahim, Executive Director of Marketing, TDIC about the properties they have handed over, the investment opportunities, including their lease to own, and where investors are coming from.
Emirates service to Dallas Fort Worth increases bi-lateral trade
Audio: Trade between the UAE and the Dallas Fort Worth region of the USA has grown significantly since the introduction of direct flights by Emirates Airline in February 2012. Phil Blizzard talks to The Honorable Betsy Price, Mayor of Fort Worth about the trade and business ties between the two centres, the key industry sectors and future opportunities. She also provides a brief travelogue of her city and region - where you can see a long horn cattle drive and an original Rembrandt masterpiece, amongst many attractions.
Deloitte - The regional tourism landscape across the Middle East
Audio: The performance of the region's tourism sector is the focus of this interview with Dr Costas Verginis, Director, ME Travel Hospitality & Leisure Industry Leader, Deloitte. Talking to Phil Blizzard he reveals which countries have seen most growth in the first eight months of 2012, those which have faced challenges through regional and global issues and how Dubai has rebounded well - and whether it can be sustained. He also provides a forecast for the region's tourism industry for the rest of the year and 2013.
World Energy Summit, Dubai to address global energy poverty and sustainability
Audio: Dubai is hosting the first World Energy Forum to be held outside of the United Nations Headquarters, New York. The forum is to be attended by more than 20 heads of state, 40 ministers and over 2500 delegates. Phil Blizzard reports on the forum which will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from October 22nd to 24th, acting also as a platform for two other energy summits.
Damac welcomes the return of a buoyant Cityscape Global
Audio: "This is the Cityscape we have been waiting for" Niall McLouglin, Senior VP, Damac Holdings Co. LLC tells Phil Blizzard as the 11th edition of the region's premiere real estate event enters it final day. He talks about the seriousness of investors, in what he describes as a 'safer market' and Damac's change in strategy - serviced luxury apartments, of which they have 4,000 coming on stream.
World Routes - Emirates service to Dallas Forth Worth creates new opportunities
Audio: Emirates Airline flies to six cities in the USA and the addition of Dallas Fort Worth in February 2012 has created significant traffic, and trade, between to the two regions. Phil Blizzard talks to Jeffrey Fegan, CEO, Dallas Fort Worth Airport about the connectivity, trade and traffic generated by the new service. He also talks about the signing of the MOU between the airport and the Dubai Airport Free Trade Zone.
Deloitte - The regional business landscape as seen by CFOs
Audio: Economic trends as seen by Chief Financial Officers (CFO) across the MENA region are spoken about by James Babb, Clients and Markets Director, CFO, Program Leader, Deloitte Middle East. Talking to Phil Blizzard he focusses on the main concerns for CFOs, including fallout from the global economy, political tensions in the region and the requirement for CFOs to increase cash flow, plus M&A activity in the region.
Meydan developments announced at Cityscape Global
The announcements of new developments by the Meydan Group opened the 11th Edition of Cityscape Global at the Dubai World Trade Centre, which is said to be 50% bigger than last year. Reporting from real estate exhibition Phil Blizzard talks to analysts and developers about the state of the UAE real estate market.
World Routes - Ras al Khaimah Airport positioning itself as a hub to Dubai
Audio: A northern gateway to the UAE is the positioning of Ras al Khaimah International Airport and for airlines to see it as a second hub to the exceedingly busy Dubai International Airport. At World Routes, Abu Dhabi Phil Blizzard talks to Andrew Gower, CEO, Ras al Khaimah International Airport about their development, which will see passenger growth of 250,000 in 2012 to almost 1 million by the end of 2013, and the interest by major flag carriers in using Ras al Khaimah as a second hub in the UAE.
Abu Dhabi International Airport Midfield Terminal update at World Routes
Audio: The construction at Abu Dhabi International Airport of the Midfield Terminal Complex will increase the capacity at the airport, allowing it to handle more than 30 million passengers, annually. At the World Routes event Phil Blizzard talks to Ahmed al Haddabi, COO, Abu Dhabi Airports Company about the key features of the airports development programme and what hosting World Routes means to Abu Dhabi.
Gitex Shopper set to open at Dubai World Trade Centre
Audio: The regions largest technology retail extravaganza, Gitex Shopper, is expected to see more than 175,000 visitors attend the consumer IT and electronics show at its new home - the Dubai World Trade Centre. Phil Blizzard talks to Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO, DWTC about the event and what can be expected this year. Gitex Shopper runs from 29th September through to 6th October 2012.
Qatar Airways aggresive expansion results in small financial loss
Akbar al Baker with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner at the Farnborough Airshow
Audio: In this edition of Executive Views Phil Blizzard talks to Akbar al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways about their expansion plans, the delivery and problems associated with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the impact of high oil prices and the possibility of joining one of the three global alliances. He denies the airline is in talks with IAG, the parent body of British Airways, and gives his views on the venture between Emirates and Qantas. He also eludes to where his airline will be in 5 years' time, when they will be 20 years old.
Oryx Rotana, Doha quests linked to Qatar Airways route expansion
Audio: The Qatar Airways owned Oryx Rotana hotel in Doha is now two years old and is the transit hotel for the airlines business and first class passengers. In this edition of Travel Talk Phil Blizzard meets Kevork Deldelian, GM, Oryx Rotana who talks about their quest profile which is now 90% corporate travellers, the changes in travel trends and the importance of the MICE market. He also the benefits of their check-in service which is available on arrival at Doha International Airport.
Jado Pado's UAE e-commerce success leads to regional expansion
Audio: A little over a year since its inception, e-commerce website JadoPado has already relocated to a larger office and is looking to expand beyond the UAE into neighbouring GCC countries. Now well on the way to notching up 1,000,000 unique visitors within a year, Dhs9.3m gross sales and 4,483 orders, company founder Omar Kassim talks to Steven Bond about breaking ground in UAE, where giants such as Amazon have not dared to set up shop, and the challenges of tackling multiple Middle East markets.
The Address The BLVD launced by Emaar
Audio: Property Talk looks at the new hotel to be developed by Emaar in the Downtown Burj Khalifa distirct in Dubai. Phil Blizzard talks to Arif Amiri, CEO, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Retail and Head of Sales, about the key aspect of the 200 room hotel and its 542 serviced residences, along with the investment opportunities the development will offer.
'We have problems with the Dreamliner' says CEO, Qatar Airways
Audio: The long awaited arrival of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner to a Middle East carrier has been delayed due to "problems, both technical and quality of the cabin" says Akbar al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways. Talking to Phil Blizzard, in Qatar, the CEO outlines those problems and the processes which will, eventually, see Qatar Airways become the first carrier in the region to receive the Dreamliner.Apple iPhone 5 - slimmer, taller, faster
Audio: The reveal in San Fransisco by Apple of their newest iPhone shows that the new device will have a larger screen, lesser weight and greater connectivity. Phil Blizzard provides an insight into the 6th generation Apple iPhone 5 as we hear from Phil Schiller, Snr VP, Apple talking about the new device and in particular the Lightning connector. This report was recorded on the iPhone 4.
Tamweer President says positive trend in Dubai Real Estate to continue
Property Talk with Federico Tauber, President, Tameer continues as he talks to Phil Blizzard about the development of Princess Tower, the world's tallest residential building, as well the investor market. He also states his outlook for the real estate market over through to the end of 2013.
Princess Tower, Dubai Marina delivered as world's tallest residential building
Audio: Property Talk comes from the world's tallest residential building, the Princess Tower, Dubai Marina which stands at 414m. Phil Blizzard talks to Federico Tauber, President, Tameer, developer of the tower about the real estate market in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi and what he sees as the hot locations - Downtown Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina. He also expresses his views on the state of the commercial sector and in this part provides an overview of the Princess Tower.
Coporate Governance quidelines for SMEs
An overview of corporate governance for SMEs is provided by finance expert Khaled Mersi, Chief Business Officer & Chief Corporate Governance Officer, Just Falafel. Talking to Phil Blizzard he explains the importance of corporate governance for SMEs and how it should be implemented.
Mobile marketing set to boom, still slow in GCC
Audio: With mobile phone penetration soaring to over 200% in most of the GCC it seems remarkable that brands and advertising agencies are slow to strategise for mobile marketing. Steven Bond speaks to Sagar Shetty, founding partner of Clique Media and organiser of the 5th Bar Mobile Marketing Forum, about the opportunities and challenges of moving forward, despite the expectation that the industry will soon begin booming. Shetty also speaks of the need for education across the board in terms of how to implement effective campaigns - and the importance of moving away from spam SMS messages.
Jones The Grocer expands across UAE as it opens 7th store
Audio: Gourmet food retailer and restauranteur Jones The Grocer have just opened their 7th store and are eyeing rapid expansion across the UAE. Phil Blizzard joins Yunib Siddiqui, MD, Jones The Grocer, UAE to find out more on the origins of this Australian brand, its growth across UAE and their 900 plus product range.
Cybercrime expert links social media scams to 'classic crime'
Audio: After the dust has settled regarding 'Gauss', the cyber-threat targeting Middle East web users, Kaspersky's Head of Global Research and Analysis, Dmitri Bestuzhev discusses how the 'huge industry' of cybercrime has permeated social media. Steven Bond spoke to Bestuzhev at a press summit in Moscow where the cybercrime expert drew a clear line between oversharing on social media and classic crime, such as fraud and burglaries - and also shared tips on how to stay safe online.
Last updated: Tuesday, February 12 - 2013 at 17:25 UAE local time (GMT+4)






