Tiger Woods makes strong start to Dubai Desert Classic
31 January 2008
By Leslie Wilson Jr, Sports Editor
Published: January 31, 2008, 13:18
Source: Gulfnews.com
Dubai: Tiger Woods made the strongest possible start in his bid to reclaim the Dubai Desert Classic title he won in 2006 when shooting a seven-under-65 in Thursday's opening round at the Emirates Golf Club.
With several players, including defending champion Henrik Stenson, having teed-off in the afternoon foursomes, Woods ominously topped the early leaderboard.
The American world number one looked to be in imposing form putting for five birdies on the front nine and following it up with a steady return trip where he added two more birdies.
Three players, Sweden's Pelle Edberg, Spaniard Angel Miguel Jiminez and Frenchman Thomas Levet were two strokes behind on 67.
India's Shiv Kapur was among seven players who had completed their opening round on four-under-68.
Stenson, who won the Classic last year, had also made a strong start, with two birdies on his opening three holes.Dubai aims to continue growth
23 January 2008
Staff Report
Published: January 23, 2008, 00:41Dubai: The travel and tourism industry has signalled continued growth for 2008 even though it could be moderately affected by repercussions of the global credit crunch, according to industry business leaders.
A recent research conducted by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and Oxford Economics (OE) noted that the industry has entered the year on the back of another solid performance in 2007.
Jean-Claude Baumgarten, president of the WTTC, said: "Tourism growth has been particularly rapid in developing countries in 2007, with the fastest average growth in tourism arrivals in the Middle East region at 12.9 per cent, according to UNWTO.
"These countries are not only recognising the development potential of travel and tourism but their citizens are also seeing rapid economic growth which makes international travel a feasible and desired option."
Baumgarten's statement came at a media briefing yesterday during a flash visit to Dubai as part of preparations for the World Travel and Tourism Council Summit.
The event will be held in Dubai under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in April.
Khalid Bin Sulayem, Director-General of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), said: "A continued policy for tourism has helped Dubai's travel and tourism industry accelerate and this growth will also help it rise above a possible economic downturn."
On the global scale, international tourism arrivals increased last year by nearly six per cent, which adds up to nearly 900 million tourists, according to UNWTO.
This marked the fourth successive year in which arrivals growth exceeded its long-standing trend of four per cent.
The research developed by the WTTC and OE indicated that tourism spending per capita incomes has more than matched these increases. International air passenger traffic also rose 9.3 per cent year on year in November, according to IATA.
Nonetheless, the travel and tourism industry will face challenges in 2008. The deteriorating economic conditions are causing concern for the industry.
However, the slowdown is likely to have a limited impact owing to the growth of emerging markets and the easing of monetary policy by central banks.
Higher energy prices are a two-pronged challenge as they squeeze household budgets globally and raise the cost of a key input.
Baumgarten said rising oil revenues would give producing countries wider opportunities to boost their tourism investments.
Dubai Strategic Plan for 2015 has identified tourism as one of its leading catalysts for economic development. Dubai succeeded in promoting itself as a leading destination for regional and international tourists.
Doughnut-shaped luxury hotel to be built in Dubai
09 January 2008
Dubai , which is probably one of the most amazing cities in the world, will soon have another miracle to boast of. A doughnut-shaped hotel will be built on Dubai shoreline.
The eye-opening building will become a part of Dubai Promenade project. Nakheel, which runs the construction, will make an artificial peninsula for the new five-star futuristic hotel. About 650,000 cubic meters of sand and 750,000 tons of rocks will be used for the peninsula.
Doughnut-shaped luxury hotel to be built in DubaiDubai Promenade will be located between the seafront and Dubai Marina complex. It will be adjacent to Dubai International Marine Club. As a result, Dubai Promenade will offer magnificent panoramic views, beautiful walkways, and architecture to create different residential and commercial environment.
The new complex will be able to comfortably accommodate 10,000 guests. The construction will start in the first quarter of the current year.
In addition to a selection of commercial and residential towers, cafes, restaurants and retail offerings will span the length of the entire waterfront. Dubai Promenade will have its own marina with more than 60 berths.
Ali Bin Damithan, senior general manager at Dubai Promenade, said: “When masterplanning Dubai Promenade, we were keen to create a feeling of open space, capitalising on the waterfront views. As well as being a premium location for offices and retail, public access to the promenade will provide a unique location for families to stroll and enjoy seafront views. The hotel’s unprecedented shape and structure will be spectacular and no other skyline in the world offers anything like it.”
Source: agencies
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