UPFRONT

ABU DHABI LIFTS QUARANTINE MEASURES FOR ALL VACCINATED TRAVELLERS

ABU DHABI now welcomes fully vaccinated tourists and residents travelling from all countries around the world, as well as unvaccinated visitors from ‘Green List’ countries, with no quarantine measures in force. Vaccines must be approved by the World Health organisation (WHO). Through the Abu Dhabi Green Pass, tourists can register their international vaccination certificate or vaccination exemption document for verification five days before their travel date, via the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) Smart app or via ica.gov.ae website.

Applicants receive an SMS confirmation that includes a link to the Alhosn app, which must be downloaded prior to travel. The Alhosn app displays users’ vaccination status and PCR test results, which are required to activate the Abu Dhabi Green Pass.

Upon arrival, travellers receive a Unified ID number from airport immigration, or via the ICA Smart app or website; this completes the registration on the Alhosn app. Following a PCR test at the airport, visitors can activate the Green Pass, allowing them entry to all public spaces in the emirate. Visit VisitAbuDhabi.ae, ica.gov.ae and alhosnapp.ae.

UAE launches ‘Green Visa’ to attract foreign investment and talent

THE UAE has launched a national campaign to attract foreign investment and talent.

It includes a new ‘Green Visa’, enabling expatriates to work in the country without being sponsored by an employer. The ‘United Global Emirates’ initiative targets investors, highly skilled workers, entrepreneurs and start-ups, as well as graduates. Green visa holders will be able to sponsor their parents and children up to the age of 25 on their permits.

Expo 2020 Dubai ups its safety measures

EXPO 2020 DUBAI, the largest event to be staged in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region and the rst World Expo hosted in the Arab world, has opened its doors. e six-month event, the largest global gathering since the start of the pandemic, has introduced enhanced entry measures to protect the safety of the millions of visitors it anticipates.

To enter the Expo site, ticket holders aged 18 and above are required to present proof of having received any COVID vaccine recognised by their national government or a negative PCR test taken within the previous 72 hours.

While non-vaccinated visitors are strongly encouraged to get tested before coming to Expo, a facility adjacent to the Expo 2020 is conducting free PCR tests on presentation of a valid Expo 2020 ticket, with results expected within four hours.

e measures build on existing protocols to ensure the health and safety of all Expo visitors, participants and sta , including on-site sanitisation stations, mandatory face-masks indoors and outdoors and two-metre social distancing rules. All Expo and international participant sta , volunteers, contractors and service providers must be vaccinated. For a full guide to Expo 2020 Dubai and convenient hotels, see pages 20-41.

3

million

The number of visitors to Dubai from January to July 2021

61%

Average hotel occupancy from January to July 2021, the third highest globally

Etihad enhances Verified to Fly

ETIHAD AIRWAYS has upgraded its Verified to Fly service to o er a more streamlined and personalised o ering through its website, etihad.com.

Seven days ahead of travel, all guests receive a personalised email informing them of the documents required for their destination. These travel documents can now be uploaded directly to the ‘Manage my Booking’ page of etihad.com up to 72 hours before departure.

The new website functionality replaces the email upload system, which was launched by the airline

EMIRATES LAUNCHED A380-operated flights from Dubai to Istanbul on October 1, marking the first time the double-decker jet has flown passenger operations to the Turkish city. The daily service departs Dubai at 10.45am, arriving in Istanbul at 2.25pm. The return service departs Istanbul at 4.25pm and arrive in Dubai at 9.50pm. The three-class A380 o ers 14 private suites in First Class, 76 mini pods with lie-flat seats in Business Class, and 427 seats in economy.

in May 2021. The new upload process guides travellers through the process of uploading and shows the specific documents needed to get verified for their chosen destination.

Once uploaded, the documents are checked and guests receive an email confirming they have met all requirements for their flight. Additionally, travellers can check the status of their submission at any time by logging onto Manage my Booking at etihad.com.

Etihad requires all passengers to show a negative PCR test to protect the in-flight environment.

Emirates launches A380 Istanbul ights

EMIRATES RESUMES SERVICES TO KSA AND ST PETERSBURG

EMIRATES HAS RESTARTED services to Saudi Arabia and will resume ights to St Petersburg in Russia from October 8. KSA services include doubledaily ights to Riyadh, a daily service to Dammam, daily A380 ights to Jeddah and three weekly ights to Medina. Flights between Dubai and St Petersburg will operate four times a week until October 21 when the frequency increases to daily. All ights will operate on the Boeing 777-300ER in a three-class con guration.

12 PRIVATE PET TRAVEL TAKES OFF AT VISTAJET

PRIVATE AVIATION COMPANY VistaJet has expanded its VistaPet programme following an 86 per cent increase in the number of animals ying with their owners over the last two years. e VistaJet team of more than 200 cabin crew have now been trained in all areas of pet rst aid, as well as pet behaviours, ensuring loyal companions receive the same care as their owners.

“Rabbits are a recent new breed of pet own by VisaJet, and while dogs continue to make up the majority of animal passengers, the number of cats has spiked 357 per cent from 2019 to 2020,” revealed Matteo Atti, EVP Marketing and Innovation at VistaJet. e VistaPet programme also includes pre- ight fear of ying courses in partnership with e Dog House, balanced in- ight menus to keep animals healthy and hydrated, a so and safe cabin, plus in- ight amenity kits that include treats by Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux.

And for a seamless journey that continues in destination, the aviaiton company has teamed up with pet-friendly hotel groups such as Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, where furry friends are o ered tailored menus and amenities, as well as massages and private cabanas.

Tuck into the great British roast on board BA

BRITISH AIRWAYS customers are being welcomed back on board with new ‘Best of British Menus’ and the star dish is the great British roast, available in First and Club World. The October menu features roast chicken, as well as lamb hot pot and Welsh rarebit with chutney, topped o with a new dessert menu celebrating the British apple season with treats such as apple mousse with granny smith sorbet and British apple compote with vanilla custard and crumble. Gastro pub classics are also on o er.

VAN GOGH AND AFTERNOON TEA AT HOTEL CAFÉ ROYAL

LONDON’S ICONIC HOTEL CAFÉ ROYAL is welcoming back GCC citizens and expats with an art-themed package. Included in the stay is a visit to the city’s latest resident showcase, Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, and an afternoon tea inspired by the Dutch painter’s famous artwork. Tuck into Crab and Dill sandwiches on Lemon Bread reflecting Van Gogh’s 1887 piece, Two Crabs, and sweet delicacies such as a Vase with Twelve Sunflowers (sunflower seed praline, salted caramel); The Starry Night (pink grapefruit compote, orange marmalade); and a pecan crunchy, co ee mousse and taro sponge Van Gogh Self-Portrait, served on its own easel.

Rove City Walk is music to your ears

Citadines Culture Village opens in Dubai’s Al Jaddaf district Hyatt brand returns to Cairo with Pyramid Heights debut

ROVE CITY WALK has opened opposite Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena featuring 566 Rover rooms, including interconnecting family rooms to accommodate larger groups, and amenities such as e Daily dining venue, an outdoor pool with sundeck, 24-hour gym, high-speed Wi-Fi, co-working spaces, and complimentary self-parking. e property, ideal for those attending events at the mega venue, is characterised by “artsy modern design themed around music”.

CITADINES CULTURE VILLAGE DUBAI has opened its doors in the city’s Al Jaddaf district, just 10 minutes from Dubai International airport. e 81-room property, operated by e Ascott Limited, o ers a swimming pool, gymnasium, residents’ lounge, internet corner and breakfast lounge. Guests are being o ered a 50 per cent discount on stays and the opportunity to triple their ASR points as part of the Ascott Star Rewards loyalty programme (discoverasr.com). HYATT REGENCY CAIRO WEST has opened in the Pyramid Heights Business Park, featuring 250 contemporary guestrooms, including 26 suites, Regency Club rooms with lounge access and extra bene ts, and spa rooms with amenities such as a hot tub, sauna and a massage table. Hotel highlights include eight dining outlets, the Raa Spa, a 500-capacity Grand Ballroom with 360-degree projection technology and e Arena, an outdoor space with views of the Giza Pyramids and the capacity for 3,000 guests.

Top chef to boost culinary o ering at Accor hotels

ACCOR HAS ENTERED an exclusive partnership with celebrity Chef Maroun Chedid, famous for his numerous appearances on Lebanese station MTV, and more recently on MBC as jury of the internationally acclaimed show Top Chef. If you’re a guest at one of Accor’s 402 hotels in the Middle East, Africa and Turkey, it means you will soon be able to enjoy his signature dishes, including the Carnaroli Risotto ‘Siyadiyeh’, Pumpkin & Pistachio Ravioli, Slow-cooked Veal Cheek with Oriental Spices or the King Crab, Tahini, Citrus to name few. The partnership will see Maroun’s restaurants and concepts rolled out at select properties across the region. Considered a culinary genius, the chef’s style is best described as ‘Cuisine du Terroir’, reflecting how he has mastered European techniques to elevate Mediterranean and Lebanese gastronomy.