A fire has broken out at the Atlantis hotel in Dubai. The blaze started at around 7.30 am in the main lobby just weeks before it was due to open on September 24. At the height of the fire, plumes smoke stretched more than one kilometre into the air.
Developers Nakheel have stated that the fire has now been extinguished and was contained in the lobby.
Silverjet Airlines has grounded its fleet after rescue funds promised last week failed to materialise.
A statement on the company’s website dated May 30 reads, ‘Silverjet continues to be in discussions with investors interested in supporting the business of Silverjet, however it has yet to conclude such discussions to its satisfaction. It is with deep regret that the Board of Silverjet has therefore decided that it must suspend operations with immediate effect. The last service of Silverjet was the flight from Dubai to London Luton, which departed at 7.30 am (BST) this morning.’
Dubai Municipality has outlawed cigarette sales to anybody under the age of 20. The ban takes place with immediate effect and was advertised yesterday in several Arabic-language newspapers. Young people are also barred from public areas where smoking is permitted.
Salem Mesmar, Assistant Director General of Dubai Municipality for Health, Safety and Environment Control Sector said, ‘Statistics show that three out of 10 people in the UAE smoke. There is an even greater danger from the passive or second-hand smoking.’
The severity of Dubai’s drug laws was highlighted yesterday when influential British DJ Grooverider was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment for possession of cannabis. Grooverider, the stage name of Raymond Bingham, is widely recognised as one of the founders of the drum and bass movement.
Grooverider was arrested at Dubai International Airport in Novemeber as he flew into to perform at The Lodge nightclub. He had forgotten to remove a joint containing 2.16 grams of cannabis from his trousers.
Earlier this month another British visitor, Keith Brown, was jailed for 4 years after 0.003 g of cannabis was found stuck to the bottom of his shoe. The piece of cannabis was so small that it could not been seen with the naked eye.
Egyptian investment bank EFG Hermes believes that the UAE is likely to revalue the dollar-pegged dirham next year due to the weakening US dollar. The company says the move is necessary to cut inflation in the UAE, currently running at just under 10 percent.
The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has announced some pretty impressive statistics for the 9 months to September 30 2007. Speaking at the World Travel Market in London last week, DTCM Director General, Mr. Khalid A bin Sulayem revealed that the number of guests staying in hotels in Dubai rose 7 percent to 5.1 million while hotel occupancy rates rose 4.1 percent to reach 86.9 percent.
Dubai has been ranked the 34th most expensive city in the world for expatriate workers according to a survey released by Mercer, the consulting arm of Marsh & McLennan. Moscow heads the list, followed by London, Seoul, Tokyo and Hong Kong.
Telecommunications company du has launched a mobile phone product aimed at visitors to Dubai. The Visitor Mobile Line service offers a SIM card and a host of services including pay-by-the-second calls, video calls, video mail, mobile TV and mobile broadband. The service is priced at 70 dirhams includes a 20 dirham credit and is available from du shops and authorised dealers.
Dubai International Airport is aiming to become the world’s most user-friendly airport for special needs tourists. Over the next few months the airport will introduce 20 dedicated immigration counters, 3 new car parking areas and a special route through the airport for special needs travellers.
The Dubai Municipality have announced that smoking restrictions will come into effect on May 31, World No Tobacco Day. Under Phase 1, commencing May 31, smoking will be banned in government buildings, while phase 2, beginning on September 16 will see smoking banned in schools, hair salons, offices, health clubs and internet cafes. Shopping malls will be required to have designated smoking areas. Under phase 3, starting November 15, smoking restrictions will be introduced in restaurants and cinemas.