DUBAI -- A group of seven Middle Eastern journalists concluded a four-day Dubai familirisation trip, sponsored by Emirates Airline and the One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai that took them to some of Dubai's most attractive tourist destinations and allowed them to stay at the exquisitely luxurious hotel and visit the hotel's sprawling lawns, courtyard and facilities yesterday.
The journalists, representing some of the region's leading daily newspapers and weeklies, came from Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Syria. They all took-in the Emirate of Dubai's fascinating appeal and relished the magnificent array of attractive sights, activities and comfort this splendid new metropolis of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has to offer.
It is, indeed, a destination that has something to offer for everyone and every taste. Whatever the budget and whatever the requirement, it is well and truly catered for in Dubai. From health and beauty spas, fitness centres and oriental hammams or ayurvedic massages to fabulous theme parks, shopping malls and souks both modern and traditional this Emirate has it all in abundance and more; not to mention a whole host of restaurants, providing culinary delights to suit every palate.
To take advantage of the many delights on offer, the popular and annually held, Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS), which aims at entertaining families with children, provides live entertainment, competitions, workshops and numerous interactive programmes, in keeping with specially selected weekly held themes.
Other attractions, of which there are too numerous to mention, include go-karting at Dubailand's Autodrome, watersports and aquaventures, dune dinners with desert safaris over sand dunes, helicopter flights giving superb aerial views of Dubai, bus tours with the Big Bus Company and traditional tours to cultural attractions. Those with a thirst of excitement and adventure can visit anyone of a host of game and water adventure theme parks, while shoppers are spoilt for choice at local bazaars, the Gold Souk and any one of a number of superb shopping malls. All of this takes place in this vibrant, eclectic metropolitan Emirate that is Dubai.
Besides the excellent comfort, service, amenities, coziness and privacy that the One&Only Royal Mirage offers (this exclusive resort is composed of The Palace, Residence and Spa -- recipient of the 'Leading Small Hotels of the World', and Arabian Court), there are scheduled weekly activities and permanent fixtures offering only of the very best.
After taking a tour of the hotel, the journalists were invited to attend a press meet at the Emirates Group Headquarters. This was followed up with tour of the Emirates Flight Catering facilities - considered to be the largest single airline caterer in the world, holding the record of providing 89,000 meals in one day, on July 31, 2009.
They also visited the exclusive Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa that features wildlife, such as Oryx, Arabian Gazelles, Desert Foxes and Hunting Falcons, along the perimeters of this eco-friendly secluded resort, which has proven to be a popular retreat for notables and celebrities and which is open to the public. The award-winning resort is owned by the Emirates Group and has received global recognition as part of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR).
The group concluded their tour with a leisurely evening boat-ride, aboard a traditional Arabian Dhow, along the khor (waterway) that separates Deira Dubai from Burj Dubai. An excellent way to view the Emirate's impressive lighted skyline, full of imposing glittering skyscrapers, ancient courts and attractive streets and enjoy a tasty meal cooked to perfection. Special offers, great packages and great fun, in the backdrop of this dynamic, wondrous metropolis, makes Dubai a top-of-the-mind destination for tourists and visitors alike.
By Ali Ahmed al Riyami
© Oman Daily Observer 2009
