Tag: dubai

Dubai Hotels Show Generosity Amid COVID-19 Hardship

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When Zabeel House by Jumeirah – The Greens general manager Luke James reopened the trendy hotel after implementing the obligatory new COVID-19 measures, he got to thinking about how the establishment billed as the “ultimate social hub” could support community members hard-hit by the virus’ fallout. 

“Since we’ve reopened and welcomed back our regular guests, we’ve heard of several people going through quite a tough time given all the challenges of the last few months – we’re all one community and it’s only natural to help each other,” the general manager said.  

James decided to reach out through a local Facebook group and offer eight free, week-long stays at the boutique sanctuary located in Tecom.  

“Maybe, the main bread winner has lost their job or taken on a big salary cut – there are so many challenges people are facing.” 

“The only charge would be the mandatory Dh15 tourism charge per night for each room and through this, we’re hoping to alleviate some of the immediate concerns they may be facing.” 

The free-night offer quickly went viral, prompting some other local businesses to jump on board. James hopes they will not be the only ones and that Zabeel House’s generosity will inspire other UAE hoteliers and businesses. 

“We’re hoping it will spur other hotels in a similar position to offer the same, ultimately giving back to the community in a time of need, we literally are stronger together,” James said. “We’ve already had partners like Coffee Planet, African & Eastern, Opaala and our sister hotel Jumeirah Zabeel Saray come on board to add value to our initial offer.

“It’s great to see the knock-on effect and we really hope it continues.”

Zabeel House is part of a complex that includes dining options and gym, pool, and spa facilities that are all aimed at creating a friendly space not just for guests, but also for residents of the suburb sandwiched between old and new Dubai.

Read also: Dubai Fitness Fanatics Organize Burpee World Record Event for Charity

 

Dubai Fitness Fanatics Organize Burpee World Record Event for Charity

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After working out at home every day during the COVID-19 lockdown, and being touched by the plight of Ghanaians who become homeless while waiting for repatriation flights, Tarek Jabi decided to call in some fellow fitness fanatics to help him raise funds for those in need and attempt a world record while they are at it.  

Jabi enlisted the help of fellow Dubai-based fitness buddies Jade Palmer and Emil Pittman who run the online platform #Workoutwentviral and came up with the idea of doing a “burpee-a-thon” on Friday, June 19. Together, the trio alongside Anu Thomas, Johanna Suttie, and Yomi Egbeleye will lead the 12-hour #DoOneGiveOne challenge, run in conjunction with Emirates Red Crescent. 

The organization will use the funds to support people stranded in the United Arab Emirates by the COVID-19 pandemic and associated travel shutdowns. 

“There are a lot of people struggling to get by at the moment, or to get home,” Pittman said. “Many of those are people who have come in from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh on visit visas, for a better life for their families and got stuck here temporarily.” 

The six charity-minded sportspeople will aim to complete a combined total of 9,000 to 10,000 burpees between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday. Together with help from the public, their goal is to raise AED 50,000 ($13,600) and create a new Guinness World Record for the most burpees done by a team in 12 hours.  

As the name #DoOneGiveOne suggests, anyone can join in the burpee-a-thon. You can support the world record and charity event by signing on to a Zoom session and completing as many burpees as possible during a 45 minute time slot on Friday. Participants are encouraged to donate AED 1 ($0.27) for every burpee they complete, while a Guiness World Record team counts them towards the record attempt. 

“The more you do, the more you give,” Jabi said. “I want everyone to know that giving starts with a dirham. A lot of people want to give back to the community, but don’t know how… and any amount can make a difference.” 

Less energetic but equally charity-minded people can choose to simply donate without raising a sweat through the YallaGive platform. 

Read also: Dubai Security Forces Take Down Danish Gangster

 

 

Emirates Lays Off More Cabin Crew, Pilots

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On June 9, the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) state-owned carrier made the “difficult decision” to begin retrenching workers, despite financial support assurances from the government. Emirates is yet to comment on the exact number of employees made redundant over the last two days, but an estimated 700 cabin crew and 600 pilots have been let go, according to airline sources who spoke to Arabian Business.  

Emirates said it had done its best to hold onto the airline’s workers for as long as possible but the global air travel downturn forced the company to reassess and begin mass reductions. The airline moved to assure workers they will receive their “contractual basic salary and fixed allowances,” in a termination letter seen by Bloomberg on June 9. 

“We have been doing everything possible to retain the talented people that make up our workforce for as long as we can. However, given the significant impact that the pandemic has had on our business, we simply cannot sustain excess resources and have to right size our workforce in line with our reduced operations,” Emirates said in a statement.  

The company continued the process of cutting jobs for a second day, Emirates sources told Reuters on June 10. The sources said Airbus A380, and Boeing 777 pilots are the next in line for redundancy layoffs. 

As the true impact of border closures and travel restrictions started to bite into Emirates’ cash reserves, the UAE government assured the world’s largest long-haul airline it would pump equity into the carrier.  

While COVID continues to shrink the aviation sector, it appears even government support was not enough to save jobs, forcing Emirates to draw up a new “resource plan,” according to a redundancy notice seen by Bloomberg and Gulf News. 

“Every business has had to re-examine its processes and resources to match the operational and support requirement in the months ahead,” the termination letter told staff. “Our new resource plan will see us through the next 18 months at least, and we cannot continue having an excess of people in certain roles.” 

The Emirates staff join thousands of other industry workers laid off due to the COVID-19 crisis, which has devastated aviation. The Dubai flagship carrier estimates it could take up to four years to resume normal flights to all 157 destinations it serviced pre-COVID-19, and Emirates Group CEO Tim Clark has warned A380s will not be back in the skies until a coronavirus vaccine is rolled out.  

The newly redundant cabin crew and pilots’ chances of finding a job in the same field are slim with industry body International Air Transport Association predicting 25 million global aviation jobs could disappear altogether due to the pandemic’s enormous impact.

Read also: US Ambassador Praises UAE’s COVID-19 Response

MENA Tourism After Coronavirus

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The coronavirus pandemic has triggered a crisis in the global tourism industry with border closures and lockdowns resulting in global air traffic falling 60.8% in April year-on-year. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is suggesting the pandemic could cost the airline industry $314 billion. 

In 2018, international arrivals to MENA destinations grew by 10% and for a number of countries, tourism is an increasingly important source of employment. In oil-based economies, such as Saudi Arabia, tourism is a key component of plans to diversify revenue streams. 2019 was an excellent year for tourism, with the region outpacing the global average in competitive growth. 

Within the MENA, countries in North Africa, most notably Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia, stand out for their high tourist numbers. In 2019, a record 13 million tourists visited Morocco, an increase of 5.2.% compared to the year before while Egypt saw an increase of 21%, welcoming just under 14 million tourists. 

The impact of coronavirus in the MENA region

Tourism represents a greater share of regional GDP than in the world’s other four travel regions (Europe and Eurasia, Asia-Pacific, the Americas, and Sub-Saharan Africa), highlighting the threat that shutting down travel represents to regional prosperity in the MENA. 

In the first quarter of 2020, Tunisia recorded a 27% decrease in tourism revenues. Tourism represents the second biggest contributor to the country’s GDP. When the pandemic hit, the sector was already in recovery following sustained damage in the aftermath of the 2015 terrorist attacks that targeted Sousse, a popular tourist destination. 

What will tourism look like after coronavirus? 

With summer approaching and the reopening of international borders across Europe, many are beginning to look ahead to where their next trip may take them. The novel coronavirus remains highly contagious, as new outbreaks in factories and following large gatherings continue to demonstrate, and will undoubtedly have implications on tourism for some time to come.

In May, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) issued a set of guidelines to assist the tourism sector as it emerges from the COVID-19 crisis. Central to the guidelines is the development of safety protocols. Suggestions for ensuring traveller safety include immunization certificates, mandatory testing at airports, increased frequency of cleaning, and measures to implement social distancing at airports and on planes. 

Despite the disruption of the past few months and the challenges ahead, officials in Dubai remain confident that the Emirati state will be able to attract large numbers of tourists in the near future. Citing high numbers of online activity and enquiries, officials claimed Dubai could become a “top five” tourist destination. Last month Dubai began to slowly reopen hotels and beaches while spas, pools, and children’s play areas remain closed.  

In Tunisia, industry leaders are urging officials to consider diversifying the country’s tourism offerings. The large, resort-based, all-inclusive offerings that are popular in Tunisia will be difficult to modify to COVID-19 requirements. Suggested alternatives include developing tourism for more upscale clientele with a focus on boutique hotels and personalized services. 

Dubai Security Forces Take Down Danish Gangster

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Dubai State Security arrested Danish crime boss Amir Faten Mekky in a “sting operation” carried out in the early hours of June 4, United Arab Emirates authorities revealed today.  

A joint task force, including Dubai Public Prosecution and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, raided the 23-year-old gangster’s residence after spending gathering intelligence to confirm his identity. 

Mekky entered the United Arab Emirates using a fake passport on November 14, 2018, the Dubai Media Office said, but it is unclear what prompted the security services to suddenly zero in on the dangerous criminal.  

The arrest comes six months after the sensational arrest of “Angels of Death” gang leader Radwan Al-Taghi in Dubai last December. Dubai says its security forces are currently investigating Mekky and are ready to hand him over to “the relevant authorities,” although it is unclear which country he could be extradited to. 

Mekky is a high-profile Dutch crime lord with a long criminal history. He has eluded European authorities for years over his drug trafficking and money laundering activities and is wanted by INTERPOL for murder. 

Despite holding Danish nationality, Mekky’s criminal activity was based in Malmo, Sweden’s third-largest city. He has faced a “handful” of murder charges over recent years, stemming from Malmo gang feuds, Swedish daily newspaper Expressen reports. 

The same source says Mekky is wanted in connection with two gangland murders and a number of explosions carried out in Spain by the “Los Suecos” (Swedes) gang, which he allegedly heads.

“The high-profile arrest sends a clear message that Dubai will not tolerate international criminal activities even if the crimes have not been committed in the UAE. It also emphasized the UAE’s commitment to fulfilling its responsibilities towards combating transnational crime,” the Dubai Media Office said.

Read also: Dubai Airport Ready to Lead Air Travel Resumption

 

World Cycling Day: In 2020 A New Hero Emerges

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Around the world, bicycle sales have skyrocketed as commuters look for ways to avoid public transport and large crowds. After months of confinement, many are also seeking new ways to enjoy the outdoors. The Economist reports an increase of over 100% in bike usage in Switzerland and Philadelphia, US, and a 50% increase in bike sales across the United States as a whole in March. 

In Dubai, bike sales and hire continue  to grow as lockdown eases with the owner of Revolution Cycles Stewart Howison reporting a 120% increase in bike hire. In Tunis, bike shop owner Mehdi Thameur has recorded a 30% increase in sales since the beginning of the crisis.  

Contributing to a cleaner planet 

Globally, the decrease in vehicle usage over the past few months has contributed to a fall in pollution levels. In an attempt to make reductions in pollution and car usage permanent, governments across the world are using subsidies and expanding infrastructure to encourage citizens to embrace the bicycle. 

In Cairo, pollution has fallen over 30% during the lockdowns with  factories closed and traffic drastically reduced. In an attempt to permanently lower traffic levels, the Egyptian government is seeking to expand a bike sharing service launched in February. With the support of the UN Development Program, the Global Environment Facility and the Dutch government, the government hopes to offer all students in Egypt access to the system by 2024.  

In Tunisia, the activist group Velorution has used the pandemic to further their calls for improved cycling infrastructure in the capital. The lack of infrastructure is a major barrier to the expansion of cycling with the recent  death of group member Radhia Khaled, highlighting the dangers for those who cycle on the road.  

On their bikes to break down barriers 

More than just a means of transport, in recent years bicycles have become a tool for social change in the MENA too, with women embracing cycling as a way to break down restrictive cultural norms.  

In Cairo, the Cairo Cycling Geckos use their bikes to promote women cycling in the city. The organisation was founded by Nouran Salah in 2016, with the aim of organising group cycles for women, primarily in order to avoid harassment and  encourage more women to ride. The group now organises two rides per month with the riders combining their mission to normalize female bicycle usage with providing humanitarian assistance to some of the city’s most vulnerable. In Ramadan this year, the group distributed almost 800 food packages to the needy. 

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, cycling as a sport for women was on the rise in the region too. In January this year, Saudi Arabia hosted its first major cycling event for women with over 1000 participants taking part in the three-race series. As the sport continues to grow in popularity, the Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA) estimates that 30% of cyclists in the country are women. 

 

Read also: IIF: Gulf Countries Facing Historic Economic Crisis

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