British Airways is set to increase its weekly service to Dubai

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BA increases its weekly flights to Dubai

Catering to an ever-growing demand, British Airways has announced that in order to meet projected growth figures for Dubai there will be a further increase in the weekly service to Dubai from 14 to 20 flights per week from 29 March 2009. This follows on the news that the operator is to add a third daily flight to Dubai from October.

From October 26, a trio of Boeing aircraft, a 747, 767 and 777, will run on the airline’s Dubai – London Heathrow route. The airline is also using the new October flight to introduce its improved Club World business class cabin.

Paul Starrs, British Airways’ Commercial Manager, Middle East said: “The arrival of new Club World on the Dubai route, for the winter schedule, further enhances our commercial proposition and demonstrates the Dubai market’s enduring importance to the airline.”

The New Club World product, which features flat bed seats, a pantry for 24 hour snacking and video on demand, has been installed on BA’s 747s and will be rolled out on all 777s in the first half of 2009.

Dubai is well positioned to handle the financial crisis in the leisure travel market.

Dubai defies the odds

The financial crisis in the UK and US might be hitting the leisure travel market, but Dubai seems well-positioned to handle the fallout from any drop in tourist numbers.

Non-essential business and leisure travel will inevitably be hit by an economic slowdown. But Dubai is in a better position than other regions to tackle the situation as a result of its focus on high-end tourists.

With the wide variety of luxury products available, Dubai has positioned itself as a destination for wealthy tourists, “and these people will still be travelling, so the impact will be less than in destinations such as Egypt or Spain,” said Guy Wilkinson, partner of Dubai-based hospitality and real estate consulting firm Viability.

Current growth figures serve only to emphasise this further, with the emirate recording an 8.6 per cent increase in international visitors for the first half of 2008. And the UK and Ireland have been driving the growth in visitor figures with a 13.2 per cent increase, leading market growth during this period.

Dubai’s boating festival is a wet and wonderful event

Ship shape

Dubai’s boating festival takes place from October 24-25. The wet and wonderful event offers a variety of fun activities for people of all ages. While experienced sailors will enjoy the sailing competition and yacht and boat displays, families and children can participate in the model boat race and enjoy the dragon boats, fire-fighting vessels and helicopter rescue displays.

A highlight of the event is the ‘Whatever Floats Your Boat’ bottle boat race, where teams of four will compete to build and then race a boat made entirely out of empty plastic water bottles and other recycled materials. This event is hosted by InterContinental Dubai Festival City to raise awareness of recycling.

“This festival celebrates the country’s fabulous coastline and rich maritime history. We want to encourage people who may not have visited the marina or experienced the adrenaline rush of a jet boat to come down and join in the fun. We hope that this will become an annual event and put Dubai on the map with the international boating community,” said Phil Blake, marina manager of Festival Marina.