Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, owned by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition’s Company, has been touted as the largest exhibition venue in the Middle East, boasting 73,000 square metres of indoor event space.

ADNEC delivers an estimated AED3.1bn in economic impact opportunity each year, and has increased the number of events it stages year on year. “The number of events staged at ADNEC has gone up nearly nine-fold in just four years, from 14 events at the old exhibition facilities to 119 events last year,” said HE Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, managing director of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company.

“I am very pleased to say that under the guidance of our chairman, HE Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, and our board of directors, we have had the opportunity to make an integral and ongoing contribution to supporting the emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the UAE. Our events provide a platform for the world to converge thereby bringing Abu Dhabi and the UAE to the world’s attention.”

For Al Dhaheri, ADNEC’s success is also down to its working relationship with Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and its Advantage Abu Dhabi Programme. “We work very closely with the ADTA to constantly refine Abu Dhabi’s business tourism offering. Already our close engagement with ADTA has resulted in bringing a number of important events to Abu Dhabi including the World Green Tourism Abu Dhabi and World Ophthalmology Congress and Routes. We intend to build on these successes in the coming months.”

At the top of ADNEC’s agenda is emiratisation. Al Dhaheri says the event sector in general provides direct and indirect employment to thousands, adding: “Our emphasis at ADNEC in particular is to ensure that emiratisation is at the very heart of our business operations. We have already surpassed our targeted 30 per cent nationalisation among positions identified as being suitable for nationals. We aim to increase this to 35 per cent by the end of 2010.”

As managing director, Al Dhaheri has taken a number of steps to bring ADNEC onto the world stage by hosting and participating in delegation visits. “Two recent examples are the visits of the New Zealand Minister of Commerce and the Azerbaijani Minister of Economy to ADNEC. The visits give us an opportunity to not only highlight our event capabilities, but also more broadly, representing Abu Dhabi as well as emphasising the varied benefits of engaging strongly with Abu Dhabi – one of the most progressive and strategically important Arab cities.

“Besides these, through our involvement in other ventures, whether these are projects such as the recordbreaking Capital Gate tower, or ExCeL London, the UK capital’s largest exhibition venue, which we own, ADNEC’s activities are geared to support Abu Dhabi’s own emergence on the world stage.”

Going forward, Al Dhaheri says ADNEC is looking at ways of boosting the group’s events calendar. “We work very closely with the ADTA as well as other public and private sector players in this direction. In addition to our exhibitions and conferences, we are working on building an active calendar of public entertainment events.”

There’s little noise, apart from the occasional boisterous peacock. And the view for miles around is simply green turf and volcanic mounds.

As well as being worlds-apart in terms of stress-levels, this 25-year-old hotel also gives the impression of being from an older, altogether quainter era.

Unlike many Dubai outlets, the staff actually seem to enjoy their jobs; and, from this, stems superior, authentic service.

BYGONE ERA

The Hatta Fort is actually a four-star hotel, so you won’t get the bling touches you may be used to in the country’s city hotels, but if it’s peace, quiet, and something more authentic you’re looking for, then you’ll find it here.

Set in 80 acres of manicured gardens, the main hotel cluster with two small swimming pools, two restaurants and courtyard, is rendolent of a toy-town.

But once you enter your private villa, the resort suddenly becomes very grown-up: the rooms are tastefully decorated in Ottoman-influenced style – with ‘style’ being the operative word.

LUXURIOUS LIVING

Sumptuous soft furnishings complement high-end rustic furniture, providing the perfect setting for a romantic break. And, stocked with Elemis products, fine finishes and a large indulgent tub, the bathroom also deserves a special mention.

Add to this, the breathtaking views from the individual terrace and a well-stocked mini-bar and you’ve all the ingredients you need for a private and luxurious weekend away.

OUTSIDE OPTIONS

Should you want to leave the villa (you won’t want to), the hotel offers a variety of sporting options – from tennis, to golf and archery – as well as a range of massages and beauty treatments at its spa. Outside excursions are available too, including guided 4×4 tours, mountain and Wadi excursions.

Because of its snug size and out-of-the-way location, Hatta Fort could be suited to team-building parties and corporate events. It’s an easy and stylish way to get the whole company into one location.

So if it’s glitz and glamour you’re looking for, then stick to Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road. However, if getting away from it all and service with integrity appeals to you, you’ll love this mountain retreat.

Commerce-magazine.com spoke to airline executives and a hotel chief at Arabian Travel Market about what the future holds for their respective businesses. Our first interview is with Stefan Pichler, CEO of Jazeera Airways.

What are the plans for the second half of 2010?
Pichler: We have launched a modified and new strategy for the fiscal year 2010. We have four pillars of this strategy; the first is capacity containment, which means spreading the risk and reducing frequencies in markets we were overexposed and adding frequencies in other markets, so there is room for improvement.

The second is we are working on a product to improve our yields and have seen some promising results in the first three months of this year, so we are hoping to enhance that further based on the distribution of capacity.

The next stage is enlarging our sales, which started with online and calls, but now we are distributing by GDS (global distribution system – a worldwide booking system for all travel-related products such as airline tickets and hotels), which started in April, and we are also trying to grab a bigger share of the travel trade market.

It will be three or four years before we have 40-50 per cent of our turnover via travel trade in this part of the world. We are also simplifying our fare structure with only one economy class fare, so we have very attractive fares in the market to hopefully help us gain market share. The last pillar is cost dealership and we have the cheapest unit costs in the region; it’s a day-to-day exercise to keep this cost leadership position.

You mentioned overexposure, so which markets were you referring to?
Pichler: In general we had a lot of capacity in the last year in some of the GCC markets, with a lot of competition and we have reduced our exposure there. But it’s the capacity in the Middle East, non-GCC markets which is what it is all about.

What impact has the $28.5 million loss Jazeera reported for the year to March 31, 2010 had on the airline?
Pichler: The loss is mostly due to restructuring the airline because we started 2009 with two hubs in Kuwait and Dubai and then had to get out of the hub in Dubai as we did not have the traffic rights we had before. We couldn’t fly to other countries where we wanted to fly, so the retrenchment to a single hub led to restructuring.

What is the expected financial performance for 2010?
Pichler: We are striving to have a significantly better financial performance this year.

How badly have low-cost carriers been hit by the economic downturn?
Pichler: Low-cost carriers can offer lower fares because they have lower costs, so when customers try to save money when travelling with airlines, they look at the budget and we are able to accommodate travel needs for the lower end. So, low-cost airlines are the winners of this current market situation.

What’s your take on the outlook for budget carriers in this region?
Pichler: Right now, low-cost carriers in this part of the world account for about 5 per cent of the market and I am pretty sure in the next three years it will grow up to 15 per cent or further. A lot of the markets are pretty regulated, but there is no Open Skies (unrestricted services to other countries) so that restricts growth. One of the drivers is Open Skies and a deregulated Dubai. I hope we get there in the short-to-medium term, which will enhance growth.

What restrictions does not having Open Skies place on Jazeera Airways?
Pichler: If you look around the map between the GCC there is Open Skies, but there are also a lot of restrictions in the Middle East and non-GCC countries. Historically all the markets were restricted and then they open up when governments understand deregulation of air travel brings more benefits in terms of GDP growth than the benefit of protecting the national carrier. When this has sunk in markets will open up.

What’s the latest on plans to sell 200 million Jazeera shares to increase the airline’s share capital?
Pichler: We bought an aircraft leasing company (Sahaab Aircraft Leasing for KD25.6 million) in February and in order to make this acquisition and have a well-funded balance sheet we have to increase our capital. Now, this works in Kuwait with a decree from the Amir, so we will have that in time and then it’s done. If you look at our shares after we announced that up until now, they have been rising so our shareholders buy into our story.

So you expect the stakeholders are satisfied with the proposal?
Pichler: The company’s long-term development is essential and, therefore, all the stakeholders in the airline should be happy. We have made the acquisition and we just have to maintain a sound debt-to-equity ratio and funding as an airline, and that’s what we’ll do.

Dubai Airports says it is trying to tempt airlines operating from Dubai’s existing airport to relocate to Al Maktoum International either this year or next. What would persuade you to move?
Pichler: We have had a lot of talks with the airport guys and told them whenever we can fly from Al Maktoum to where ever we want to fly then we are in. When they give us unrestricted air traffic rights from Al Maktoum we are in. That was our proposal and it still is.

Please click on the next page for an interview with Richard Vaughan, divisional senior vice president commercial operations worldwide, Emirates Airline.

Abu Dhabi continues to enhance its reputation as a regional hub for the finer things in life as it rolls out major initiatives and festivals for films, books, music and the arts. Dominic Ellis report.

Can anyone keep pace with Abu Dhabi’s cultural offering? Cast your eye over the past few months alone, and the events have flowed thick and fast with the Abu Dhabi Festival 2010, film-making competitions, ongoing heritage initiatives and an international book fair – the latter being something of the elder statesman, recently chalking up its 20th edition.

That’s before you even talk about the plethora of high-profile projects, spearheaded by the Louvre and Guggenheim, coming up on Saadiyat Island. Every city has a cultural offering but few places seem to be quite so adept at accommodating so many different elements and genres, juggling present needs and future demand, as the UAE capital.

That’s down in no small part to the work of The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), under the aegis of chairman HE Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, whose holistic vision spans everything from archaeological assets to the development of Emirati and international arts, music, literature and cinema. It seems extraordinary to think that the body only turns five in October, such has been its wide-ranging impact, and makes you wonder just how influential it will be by the time it reaches adolescence.

Even the abbreviated highlights of the Abu Dhabi Festival 2010 programme spanned the entire length of one of the pages in UAE daily The National.

This year the festival went to town on the 200th anniversary of Chopin’s birth by hosting a bicentennial opening gala and two other concerts dedicated to the Polish composer, performed by Nobuyuki Tsujii and Yundi Li. With two regional works making their world premieres (from Wadih el Safi and Naseer Shamma), a Night at the Ballet and The Sound of Music included, and London Symphony Orchestra bringing the curtain down on April 6 and 7, the international schedule screamed quality and diversity at every beat.

Not to be outshone, the Al Ain Classics Festival – notching up its 10th anniversary – put on one of its most diversified Arabian and classical programmes to date, and certainly helped bridge the cultural-heritage arenas by hosting it in the Al Jahili Fort, which is now enjoying an enhanced profile after its December 2008 renovation.

Besides featuring an evening with legendary Lebanese singer Majida Al Roumi, programme highlights included the UAE debut of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, led by rising British conductor Daniel Harding and Turkish pianist Fazil Say, and French conductor Guillaume Tourniaire’s adaptation of La Finta Giardiniera.

Conscious of making opera more accessible to the masses, the libretto was translated into Arabic, an Arabic actor introduced the plot and Arabic subtitles were available, in collaboration with KALIMA, ADACH’s translation initiative.

It’s been an equally busy period on the literary front, with the 20th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair taking place in March, organised by ADACH and Kitab, a joint venture between ADACH and Frankfurt Book Fair.

The fair, which hosted 840 publishers – triple the number of 2007, 32 per cent up on last year and 350 of them overseas – displayed more than 500 titles and recorded 263,000 visitors, as well as 500 local and international media.

Its remit stretched far beyond book publishing – although there were 60 book-signing events – and served as a forum for promoting inter-cultural dialogue and knowledge among the industry and public.

ADACH used the fair to launch the Future Library project, which offers electronic services in different parts of the Emirate, and established a private company to facilitate Arabic books distribution regionally and globally, an Arab world first. Up to 200,000 titles are predicted to be registered in its database in phase one.

A new paradigm is desperately needed; a survey of some 600 Arabic-language publishers found just two per cent were happy with their distribution.

Qalam, ADACH’s initiative to nurture and promote Emirati creativity through writing, has published  20 new titles, and the Poetry Academy participated in the fair with 25 specialist titles.

For the second time, the fair played host the Antiquarian book show, displaying valuable and rare manuscripts, maps and photos older than 700 years.

H E Juma Al Qubaisi, director of Abu Dhabi International Book Fair and director of the National Library at ADACH said: “The authority has accomplished a lot in the field of culture since it was established four years ago. All book industry elements are a key component of the cultural strategy of Abu Dhabi.”

The fair didn’t pass without its challenges. Around 20 Arab publishing houses were denied entry due to piracy activities, reaffirming the emirate’s stance on copyright laws. But the over-riding sentiment was positive – not least at the till, where total sales of books, other publications and software topped more than AED37m, with deals made on the sidelines reached AED25m. The fair is a magnet not just for bookworms but schools, universities and government agencies.

Encouragingly, the majority of space has already been booked, and organisers are looking at increasing space again – it went up from 16,722sq m in 2009 to 20,192sq m this year – to meet demand.

Film is one area which has certainly found its voice through the Abu Dhabi Film Commission (ADFC), an initiative by ADACH. As part of its New Voices annual development programme, announced in December last year, which aims to produce up to six half-hour documentaries for regional TV, it recently announced four emerging filmmakers who made it to the final stage – Farazdak Al Kaabi, Amna Ehtesham Shahid, Rola Shamas and Natalie Al Shami – who will work in pairs and receive mentoring through the production by documentary professionals including award-winning directors, photographers and sound engineers. The four half-hour films should be ready to air by May 2010.

The ADFC will also be taking four emerging UAE-based filmmakers, directors and producers to the Hot Docs Documentary Film Festival in Toronto this month,  with five UAE-based filmmakers attending Cannes Film Festival.

The commission was an official sponsor of the Sundance Institute for the first time this year and through its agreement with the festival, it will offer the filmmakers unique access to festival events, screenings, filmmaker forums and panels, as well as meetings with industry professionals.

In addition, ADFC recently announced the 20 finalists for its Aflam Quaseera Production Fund, a competition designed to promote up-and-coming writers, directors and UAE-based production companies in creating short films for international screenings and eventual broadcast.

The international tie-ups seem to know no boundaries. The Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF) – which is firmly committed to cross-cultural dialogue – recently announced its participation in the Dominican Republic’s Cultural Week with a full programme of artistic events on the occasion of the inauguration of the Dominican Republic’s first embassy in the UAE, which opened on the country’s 166th anniversary of independence.

The “Colors of the Dominican Republic” exhibition at the Ghaf Art Gallery, under the patronage of HE Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, featured 33 of the nation’s leading artists who each contributed one of their works.

This year’s Arabian Travel Market offers opportunities to network with top-tier travel professionals and scout out hot destinations.

Arabian Travel Market is the annual event aimed at unlocking travel and tourism business potential within the Middle East.

This year’s exhibition, held from May 4 to 7, will showcase a diverse range of local and global accommodation options, tourism attractions and new airline routes.

Despite the dampened travel market last year, ATM enjoyed one of its highest turnouts in 16 years in 2009.

The event hosted 2,100 exhibitors and stand-sharers from 69 countries, including 70 new-to-market representatives.

More than 2,200 members of the general public visited the exhibition on Consumer Day; traditionally held on the last day, it allows exhibitors to target and interact with consumers directly.

This year also looks promising as the event is currently at running at 98 per cent exhibitor capacity, thousands of exhibitors expected to showcase their wares next month, representing products and services from six continents.

This sign-up is supported by solid representation from Middle Eastern countries, including Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the UAE and Yemen.

For the first time, Ras al Khaimah will be exhibiting exclusively, as will Bangkok Metropolitan area, Turkish Airlines and China Southern Airlines.

“For Arabian Travel Market in 2010 we will be introducing a new concept,  ‘Zone 8’, provides a more relaxed area for informal networking away from the hustle and bustle of the main floor. The area provides increased opportunities for visitors to interact with various destinations first hand through a series of live shows, which will serve to showcase new destinations and products,” said Mark Walsh, group exhibitions director Reed Travel Exhibitions, which hosts Arabian Travel Market.

“A number of other initiatives will also be returning for 2010, reaffirming Arabian Travel Market’s continued commitment to investing in content, and ensuring it provides a one-stop-shop for all industry needs. An expanded seminar programme, Travel Agents Day and Careers Day will be held again. And an increased year-long web presence and networking facilities will be part of this year’s show in a newly enhanced format.”

However, Walsh says that 2009 was undoubtedly one of the toughest and most turbulent in recent times, with very few countries and industries across the globe coming through unscathed.

“We must look to the future and the Middle East travel industry is showing strong signs of recovery. The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) recently released a report suggesting that the worst is over for global tourism, and that the industry – as a whole – is on the road to recovery in 2010,” he says.

“I think this is testament to the resilience of our sector – a sentiment which is further compounded by the fact that we will be one of the first to help lead the global economy out into the light.”

Walsh says the region on a whole has the potential to grow as a tourism hotspot, with each country offering unique draws.

“If we take Bahrain as an example they have just hosted the opening of the Formula One season with The Bahrain Grand Prix, which is one of the biggest events of the year and has delivered a huge level of awareness and profile for the Kingdom of Bahrain over the past five years,” he says.

“Qatar is making waves, positioning itself as a weekend destination, for business, sports and education tourism. It is estimated that 95 per cent of travellers to Qatar come on a business visit or to attend an international conference or one of the various exhibitions held in the country. Qatar Tourism Authority’s strategy of growing the tourism industry by 20 per cent by the year 2012 will be achieved by attracting travellers flying through Doha, thanks to Qatar’s key location between Europe, Africa and Asia.”

He also mentions Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia as rising tourism destinations based on their growing infrastructure plans, urbanisation and economic diversification. “Saudi Arabia is steadily growing, providing not only a destination for business travellers but also into the religious tourism sector, with many of the world’s biggest hotel chains announcing plans to open in KSA in the coming years,” he adds.

Walsh says that Dubai and Abu Dhabi still continue to be the star attraction. Despite the recession, Dubai is still known for its “seven-star” facilities and hospitality offerings but is beginning to branch out with the aim of attracting budget-conscious tourists, with its introduction of mid-market hotel brands. Abu Dhabi continues to prosper with its mix of rich heritage alongside major sporting events, positioning the emirate as a sports tourism destination.

“One sector that flourished in 2009 and will continue to do so in 2010 is the cruise industry. This was a hot topic at last year’s Arabian Travel Market with Royal Caribbean International announcing its plans to enter the region for the first time with a dedicated Gulf itinerary. Its first ship, Brilliance of the Seas, arrived in Dubai for its inaugural cruise on January 18,” Walsh says.

Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Oman have invested in new cruise terminals so they can accommodate the growing number of cruise passengers.

“The Middle East’s ability to buck the trend is its greatest strength as is its ability to adapt and reprioritise to identify and capitalise on new growth trends. Despite reports that the number of hotel projects planned in the Middle East showed a decline of 17 per cent in the third quarter of 2009, some companies bucked the trend. Rezidor Hotel Group had a record year in the GCC, having opened eight hotels with a further 15 planned in 2010,” he says.

The fact Dubai International Airport reported it received 40.9 million travellers last year, maintaining its position as the world’s fastest-growing airport, and both Etihad Airways and Emirates airlines announced new routes for 2010, also bodes well for a growing post-recession travel market.

The Dubai government has raised the sporting stakes with its new Meydan racecourse – but hospitality and corporate services will be just as crucial to its success. Commerce reports.

In today’s commercially driven era, no sporting attraction can survive without some measure of ancillary attractions – and that message is magnified the more successful your brand becomes. What happens off the field, or track, is as commercially important as events on it.

Spend a few minutes in the vast new Meydan racecourse and it’s clear the sky-high investment reflects a desire to be not only the premier venue in racing, but monument to all things leisure and corporate.

Such are the breadth of attractions and services, it’s set up as a punter-pulling magnet all year round, with enough to appeal to ardent race goers, casual fans and even those with little interest in racing – and that’s important given the brevity of the winter racing season and longevity of Gulf summers.

The Meydan hotel, which shot up in 20 months, takes centre stage next to the 60,000-capacity grandstand, which now overlooks two racetracks, one featuring an all-weather Tapeta surface. Other attractions include an IMAX cinema, and Meydan museum and gallery.

Picking all the winners on Dubai World Cup night on March 27 would probably be easier than finding an investment figure for Meydan.

Article continues below…

Clearly, there’s been no expense spared; the exclusive Steinway piano in the lobby cost around AED1m alone and the Swarovski crystals in the lift change colours. The 279-room facility is being billed as the first five-star trackside hotel globally.

“Meydan isn’t just a racing hotel – it’s a hotel by the racecourse,” said Abdin Nasralla, vice president of Meydan Hotels & Hospitality, making the subtle, but crucial distinction. “The key is to market Meydan to international and local markets – the domestic market is very important to us, we had 24,000 turn up for the first race night. We think the overall market is picking up, we’re getting plenty of enquiries and where there’s enquiries, there’s demand.”

Race-loving nations such as Britain, Japan, the US and South Africa are the core international target markets in terms of short-stay business, while local business will evolve around meetings, workshops, conferences, banqueting, corporate functions and team-building programmes.

The hotel can also leverage on the grandstand next door – which has 70 corporate suites, capable of handling between 15 and 250 people and everything from meetings to car launches.

“Our banqueting hall will take 250, plus the same number on the terrace, and within 18 months we aim to complete our main conference room which will hold 2,500/3,000 with full facilities.”

But in the short-term he believes Meydan’s restaurants will be drawing the most interest, in particular the 4,500-capacity rooftop Bubble Lounge restaurant which is 787ft long.

Room rates are still to be finalised, but Nasralla said it would be on a par with five-star business rates. “We cannot be off side as that will damage us – the World Cup has special rates, but I promise that customers will never suffer.”

Combating an “out of town” perception will be another challenge, although Nasralla believes all the infrastructural investment in the area will pay dividends. “I like to say we’re a downtown hotel in the free zone – as Meydan is a free zone. The highways mean we’re only 10 minutes from the airport and five minutes from Dubai Mall.”

The first rooms are due to open the first week of March with the whole hotel ready for the Dubai World Cup showcase on March 27. Reflecting Meydan’s arrival, prize money has been increased to US$10m this year.

Beyond all the luxury trappings is a facility grounded in functionality; its 4,800 solar panels will ultimately power 75 per cent of the hotel’s water and electricity.

And this is just the start. Meydan aims to be “a city within the city” by 2014 and the overall project model in the basement makes interesting viewing – particularly when you realise everything in front of you, from horse head-shaped Godolphin Towers to the plethora of high rises and marinas, has still to be built.

Is it all feasible in today’s post-crunch world? For now, there’s no doubt Dubai, the master of reinvention, has done it again.

Oasis Beach Tower

Situated in the heart of new Dubai on the Jumeirah Beach strip, the Oasis Beach Tower offers easy access to some of the emirate’s top restaurants, beaches, shopping malls, tourist attractions and business centres.  Approximately 25 minutes from the international airport and Dubai City Centre, the tower’s central location provides guests with the convenience of inner-city living close to all the sought-after destinations and attractions.

Easy access to various business centres makes Oasis Beach Tower ideal for business travellers. The tower neighbours numerous business hubs such as Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Knowledge Village, Jebel Ali Free Zone, and Dubai Investment Park.

Located on the second floor, the five fully-equipped meeting rooms with contemporary design are suitable for both conferences and meetings. Elsewhere, a refreshment area and pre-function space can cater to small and large groups of up to 150 delegates.

The conference venues have the latest communication equipment, audio and visual aids, including video conferencing, secretarial support for typing and other clerical facilities and hand held lapels or cordless microphones. Built-in ceiling mounted data projectors for laptop presentations, high-resolution screens and whiteboards are also available.

Oasis Beach Tower guests can stay in luxury hotel apartments, while the Thyme Restaurant offers tailor-made functions, events and banqueting or up to 250 delegates. Cocktail canapés, buffets and set menus are available based on the client’s requirements. www.jebelali-international.com

Yas Hotel, yas island

The Yas Hotel, positioned on the Yas Marina Circuit, provides an unforgettable setting for meetings and events.

It boasts 14 dining and entertainment options, as well as 1,760sq m conference and banqueting space, and a ballroom – not to mention the best seat in the house to watch the end-of-season Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November.

The hotel features six meeting rooms and four boardrooms, all equipped with projectors, mobile video and tele-conferencing facilities, a TV broadcasting infrastructure, centralised AV control system, wireless touch panels, internet and microphones.

All six meeting rooms offer up to 52sq m of space and have the ability to interconnect up to two rooms, doubling the size. The four boardrooms measure between 36sq m and 42sq m and offer a fixed boardroom table setting.

All of the hotel’s conference and events facilities have access to general services including the Business Centre and “Car Spa”. www.theyashotel.com

Emirates Palace

Emirates Palace, located on 1.3km of private white sandy beach and surrounded by 85 hectares of beautifully landscaped gardens, is a 30-minute drive from Abu Dhabi airport and a one-and-a-half hour drive from Dubai airport.

The total meeting and conference space exceeds 7,000sq m and includes an auditorium accommodating 1,100 guests, a luxurious grand ballroom divisible into three sections with total seating for 2,400 guests, plus a range of more than 40 meeting rooms.

The outdoor function space measuring more than 10,000 square metres provides ample al fresco opportunities. The six large terraces, sprawling lawns and a variety of pre-function areas provide many possibilities for breaks, cocktail receptions and banquets.

Copious technology is present in all meeting and function rooms; each comes  equipped with a projector, motorised drop down screen, plasma screens, microphones, audio-visual systems, wireless and wire data systems, video conferencing system, IP camera and broadcast camera connectivity. www.emiratespalace.com

ADNEC

ADNEC (Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre) made history when the modern exhibition centre was built in a record eight months and was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE in February 2007. Dubbed “The most modern exhibition centre in the world”, ADNEC has a total of 11 halls, equating to 55,000sq m of exhibition space.

Currently the largest exhibition venue in the Middle East, ADNEC is becoming well known for high-profile and large-scale exhibitions. It also, however, caters for smaller, specialist shows and provides help and support to enable such shows develop. The flexible, flat-floored, interconnected halls offer endless possibilities for all types of exhibitions and events; these facilities are complemented by extensive conference and banqueting facilities.

Staging more than 75 major events a year – including IDEX Gastech, the World Future Energy Summit, Cityscape Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi International Yacht Show – ADNEC brings in more than 1.8 million visitors annually. www.adnec.ae

Crowne Plaza, Yas Island

The Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island is set alongside the picturesque Links  Abu Dhabi  Golf Course.
The close proximity of Abu Dhabi International Airport and the city centre makes the hotel an easily accessible location for business travellers.

This new hotel features ten meeting rooms, and a total 7,847 sq ft of meeting space. The luxurious 500 sq m ballroom can cater for up to 600 people reception-style.

All events and conference spaces come equipped with the latest technology including free-of-charge  wireless internet access, DVD player, flip charts, video projector, lectern, wireless microphone, overhead projector and in-house catering. The venue also features a dedicated on-location meetings and events team.

The hotel is within walking distance of the new Formula1 Yas Marina Circuit and all its facilities, in addition the hotel’s business travellers can benefit from being near to ADNEC where annual exhibitions are held. www.ichotelsgroup.com

A sturdy, reliable performer, the Honda CR-V 2010 ideal for ferrying your wife and children around.

Getting behind the wheel of a Honda CR-V 2010 is like watching a decent movie: an enjoyable experience at the time, but not one that lives long in the memory once it finishes. That’s how I felt shortly after handing back the keys to the slightly revamped SUV.

The car drives well, looks quite nice and is comfortable to travel in. Beyond that, however, there is no ‘wow factor’. Any conversation about ultimate driving experiences is unlikely to include the CR-V 2010. But to dismiss the model out of hand would be a disservice to Honda.

Practicality is important for anyone considering an SUV. As such, cars like the CR-V are not supposed to be dream drives, but safe, reliable vehicles that owners can happily ferry their families around with few concerns. In that respect, the CR-V is an ideal car.

The four-wheel drive vehicle comes with a 2.4 litre, 168 horsepower engine capable of producing 5800 reps per minute. While not the most powerful SUV, the CR-V is certainly no slowcoach. From a stationary position, the car rapidly ploughs through the gears when squeezing the accelerator.

Honda’s modified CR-V has undergone a slight revamp with the manufacturer giving both the interior and exterior a facelift. Aesthetically, it’s a sturdy looking motor that appears right at home among the huge Hummers and 4×4s clogging up the UAE roads. Smooth edges round off bulky panels that stretch along the vehicle’s framework. While clearly not the smallest car, the CR-V shouldn’t prove too difficult to park. It would, however, be nice to have parking assistance to help guide the vehicle into tight spots. Still, if you’re uncomfortable doing this then perhaps a smaller model would be preferable.

Several modifications have been made over previous models, including a new grille, front and rear bumpers and chrome-tipped exhaust pipe finisher. New 10 spoke 17-inch alloy wheels have also been added. Despite the changes, the car certainly won’t win any style awards, although typical owners shouldn’t be too bothered about the appearance. If they are, then it’s pointless even considering an SUV where looks generally rank way below practicality on the list of priorities.

Inside the vehicle, Honda has plumbed for a beige interior that creates a light, airy feel. Drivers and passengers alike will find more than enough room to seat five people in the snug leather seats. Abundant leg room in the rear ensures backseat passengers can stretch out and enjoy the journey without worrying about cramp. There is also ample room for the driver and front seat passenger. Adjusting the seats is easy, with electronic handles on the sides nearest the doors for simple movement and recline.

Having the latest gadgets to tinker with has become increasingly important for some buyers. And the Honda CR-V shouldn’t disappoint those with moderate expectations, as it features typical functions found in most cars. It has a six change CD player with USB control and radio, air conditioning, a glare prevention rear view mirror and electric sunroof. The car also carries a control panel for the radio and CD player, located on the steering wheel. But anyone hoping to keep children amused on long journeys will have to provide their own entertainment, as there are no head-seat TV screens.

Overall, the Honda CR-V is a decent motor that ticks all the SUV boxes; it offers a smooth, safe and reliable ride for families driving around the UAE. The features are limited and the vehicle isn’t the most striking, but these are minor quibbles for this solid performer.

It’s never much fun sitting in economy for hours on end, especially for travellers used to flying business class before the credit crunch. But there are some measures you can take before, during and after the flight to make the whole experience more bearable. Dominic Ellis reports.

1. Book in advance
For peace of mind that you’re on board, and secured the best deal, do as the airlines repeatedly say and book early. Try and get two or three quotes from agents if time and inclination allow – and compare against the online fare, which is invariably cheaper than all of them (although not necessarily). The earlier you book, the greater the chance you have of securing that desired seat, if 33F always does it for you.

2. Check in online
Save valuable pre-flight time by checking in online, once the preserve of few airlines and now increasingly the norm. With flights opening up to 24 hours before departure, you have the added flexibility of securing your seat with a few clicks from home or the office. Works perfectly for those luggage-light, short-haul flights, and becoming more commonplace on long-haul, but it’s as well to factor in time with the bag drop and any other unexpected IT-human interface complications.

3. Request the bulkhead
Admittedly you’re going to have more chance of getting the highly sought-after legroom-friendly seats by the exit if you have a baby strapped to your chest, but it never harms to ask at check in. Having those extra few uninhibited inches can really make all the difference, although on some airlines it can be a trade off as you might not have a great view of the in-flight screens. Most of us would opt for the extra room any day.

4. Request an upgrade
Granted, those with points-stacked airline loyalty cards are always going to get further in the upgrade queue than the average Joe, but if you don’t ask you don’t get, so don’t be afraid to utter the most common question in the history of aviation. This is always worth bearing in mind if you’re flying anti-social, non-peak hours, since there’s less chance of a full business class cabin. Seasoned travellers say the later you check in to the flight closing, the better your upgrade chances since the check-in desk will know any gaps or cancellations – but that takes some nerve, as the flip-side might be business is full and economy is overbooked, meaning you might be bumped off.

5. Travel late
Night flights aren’t without their disadvantages, playing havoc with your body clock, appetite and overall mood, but don’t overlook the advantages. Families tend to shy away from them unless they have to, so there’s a chance you won’t have the screaming child in front or behind, and the nocturnal setting means that most passengers and crew are looking for a quiet, uneventful experience. You never know, you might even fall asleep; one business contact I knew insisted on making himself extra busy during the day ahead of a night flight knowing that he couldn’t help but fall asleep. Squeeze in that extra half hour on the treadmill and the whole night might be one big blur.

Daytime flights always give you that sense that you could have been spending the time more constructively on the ground, whereas taking a night flight from Abu Dhabi to London, for example, gives you that feeling that you haven’t missed anything, touching down as the UK is getting up. Set your watch to the destination time as soon as you are on board, so mentally, you’ve already arrived.

6. Travel light
Less is more. Why put yourself through the headache of all those suitcases, carry-ons and duty free bags? Airlines watch weights like hawks these days, so if you pile on the kilos, expect hefty surcharges. Pack your carry-on case carefully and it’s surprising how much you can squeeze in, and the added bonus is you can dance through arrivals as everyone else is twiddling their thumbs by the carousel.

Yas Hotel

This hotel’s most prominent highlight is its unique location, set half on land and half on water, overlooking the marina and positioned on the Yas Marina Circuit, which hosted the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. From the outside, the LED colour-changing gridshell can be seen for miles around and mimics the throw of a local fishing net, while the overall architecture is based on the ergonomics of high performance cars and yachts. This concept runs throughout the hotel and influences everything, from the furniture in the perfectly appointed 499 rooms to the events facilities. A short distance to the first 18-hole links golf course in the region, the Yas Hotel also offers numerous leisure activities, including a 10 treatment-room spa, gym and rooftop swimming pools. www.theyashotel.com

Fairmont Bab Al Bahr

Fairmont Bab Al Bahr boasts a prime location at the mainland gateway to Abu Dhabi. With its striking, contemporary design, this beachfront business hotel offers 369 guest rooms and suites. The best in spa sanctuaries – Willow Stream Spa (opening early 2010) will offer a full range of signature experiences to refresh and rejuvenate guests. Add to this a variety of world-class restaurants, state-of-the-art conference and leisure facilities (under development), and a warm tradition of genuine Arabic hospitality. www.fairmont.com/babalbahr

Aloft

Set in the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and just a short spin away from Abu Dhabi Airport and Abu Dhabi’s city sights, this new hotel offers 408 spacious loft-inspired rooms featuring ultra-comfy signature beds, oversized spa showers, custom amenities by Bliss® Spa and plug & play connectivity stations to link all your electronics to the 42-inch LCD TV to maximise work and play. Aloft Abu Dhabi Hotel is a modern, fresh and fun destination, within a unique no-walls, no-limits space. Grab a bite at re:fuel, mix & mingle in the always abuzz w xyzsm bar, play around in the Splash pool & Maï Bar & Restaurant or just chill out sipping a cocktail and enjoying the view over Abu Dhabi at the relax@12 rooftop bar. www.aloftabudhabi.com