Jumeirah Retail becomes first authorised distributor for gold coin engraved with Burj Al Arab image. First souvenir gold coin for Dubai to be available at Dubai Duty Free
Dubai, August 11, 2007: Visitors and residents to the UAE will soon be able to take home an exciting memento of Dubai that is truly representative of the visionary leadership of the Emirate. Dubai's first souvenir gold coin 'Visions of Dubai' will be available in the local market from September this year.
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) announced that it has appointed Jumeirah Retail, part of Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hotel and hospitality management company and Dubai Duty Free as authorised distributors for the "Visions of Dubai" series of souvenir gold coins. Produced in Dubai under the guidance of DMCC, the first coin in the series features the image of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on one side, while Burj Al Arab is engraved on the other. Other coins in the series will feature landmark images of Dubai that also reflect the spirit and identity of the emirate.
"With over 16 million visitors in the first half of 2007, Dubai has become one of the most popular destinations for tourists and shoppers from across the world," said Colin Griffith, Executive Director for Gold and Precious Metals, DMCC. "The 'Visions of Dubai' series of gold coins will serve as high-value tokens that visitors can purchase and take home as mementos and gifts."
He added: "We are pleased to announce the appointment of Jumeirah Retail, part of Jumeirah Group, as the first authorised distributor of these gold coins. Since the first coin in the collectible series features Burj Al Arab, it is appropriate that Jumeirah Retail has become the first authorized distributor of the coin. DMCC also welcomes Dubai Duty Free, one of the top three airport retailers in the world, as an authorised distributor of the 'Visions of Dubai' series. Both these organisations have long been associated with the promotion of Dubai as a leisure destination, and we are confident that they will prove exceptional partners in this latest DMCC venture."
Marcel Hendricks, General Manager of Jumeirah Retail, said: "It is a great honour that Burj Al Arab, the world's most luxurious hotel and an iconic Jumeirah Group property, is featured on the first 'Visions of Dubai' gold coin. We are very proud to have been appointed as authorised distributors of the coins in Burj Al Arab's dedicated Al Dukan retail store, and we look forward to working with DMCC to continue to promote such innovative products to visitors and residents alike."
Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director, Dubai Duty Free, said: "The demand for gold among passengers travelling through Dubai International Airport is greater than ever. In the first half of 2007, sales in the gold category at Dubai Duty Free grew by 35 per cent to US$45 million. With such a strong demand, I am sure that the 'Visions of Dubai' series of gold coins will prove to be a great success."
'Visions of Dubai' was recently unveiled to more than 200 invited guests at a trade launch held at Burj Al Arab. Attendees were also invited to submit applications to become official distributors for Dubai's first souvenir gold coin.
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About Dubai Multi Commodities Centre - Gold and Precious Metals
The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, a strategic government initiative, rated 'A' by Standard & Poor's, integrates the refining, manufacturing and trading of gold in Dubai, as well as introducing the trading of other precious metals such as platinum, palladium and silver. DMCC is facilitating the development and expansion of the regional precious metals market. DMCC is working with partners, regionally and internationally, to promote the highest global standards in product and service development, while encouraging greater transparency to the benefit of all market participants. DMCC's planned market infrastructure, including free zone status, secure vault facilities, purpose built refineries and workshops and assay facilities, will strengthen Dubai's position as the leading regional centre for gold and precious metals.
About Jumeirah Retail:
Jumeirah Retail comprises of 14 retail stores selling Jumeirah merchandise throughout Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts.
About Jumeirah Group:
Jumeirah properties are regarded as among the most luxurious and innovative in the world and have won numerous international travel and tourism awards. The fast growing Dubai based luxury international hospitality management group encompasses the world renowned Burj Al Arab, the world's most luxurious hotel, the multi-award winning Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Madinat Jumeirah and Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa in Dubai, the Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London and the Jumeirah Essex House on Central Park South in New York.
The group's activities are however, not restricted to hotel and resort management. The Jumeirah Group portfolio also includes Wild Wadi, regarded as one of the premier water parks outside of North America, and The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, the region's only third level academic institution specializing in the hospitality and tourism sectors.
Building on this success, Jumeirah Group became a member of Dubai Holding in 2004, a collection of leading Dubai based businesses and projects, in a step that aims to initiate a new phase of growth and development for the group.
Jumeirah's ambitious expansion plans to grow its portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts worldwide to 57 by 2011 are well underway with projects currently under development in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Aqaba, Doha, Phuket, Shanghai, Bermuda and London.
About Dubai Duty Free:
Dubai Duty Free opened for business on December 20th 1983 and achieved first year sales of US$20 million. In 2006, sales reached US$712 million, representing a 20% increase over the previous year and underlining the operations global position as one of the top duty free in the world in terms of turnover.
As a result of its growth and development, Dubai Duty Free currently employs almost 2,000 staff representing 37 nationalities and speaking 33 different languages.
Dubai Duty Free also runs innovative and successful promotions: the world famous Finest Surprise Luxury Car draw and the Millennium Millionaire. Both promotions have captured the imagination of travelers around the world and their popularity shows no sign of abating.
To date, Dubai Duty Free has received more than 140 awards from industry, media and government bodies which bear testimony to the operation's retail success.
The operation is highly committed to promoting Dubai through a series of high level sporting events such as The Dubai Tennis Championships which is owned and organized by Dubai Duty Free. Other sports benefiting from the operation's sponsorship and support include major golf tournaments, including the industry-focused Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup, horse racing, international powerboat racing, rugby and basketball.
Looking towards the future, Dubai Duty Free will continue to grow and expand in line with the multi-billion dollar expansion plans at Dubai International Airport. Plans are well underway for the 8,000 square metres retail operation in Concourse 2 which will open in 2008 and this will be followed by a further 4,000 square metre operation in Concourse 3.
Dubai Duty Free is also planning the retail operation in the impressive Dubai World Central which will eventually handle 120 million passengers.
For further information on DMCC, please contact:
Nicholas Nesson
Gunjan Chaurasia
ASDA'A Public Relations
Exclusive Affiliate of Edelman
Middle East & North Africa
Dubai
UAE
Tel: 971-4-3355969
Fax: 971-4-3356080
Mob: 971-50-4785324
Mob: 971-50-2797034
Email: n.nesson@asdaa.com
Email: g.chaurasia@asdaa.com
Anne Bleeker
Director of Public Relations & Communications
Jumeirah Group Corporate Communications
PO Box 73137
DubaiUAE
Tel: 971-4-3155406
Fax: 971-4-3016655
Email: anne.bleeker@jumeirah.com
Visit us at: www.jumeirah.com
Sinead El Sibai
Marketing Department
P.O Box 831
Dubai
UAE
Tel: +9714-2162435
Fax: +9714- 2244455
Email: sinead.elsibai@ddf.ae
© Press Release 2007
