Burj Al Arab awarded Green Globe Certification for outstanding environmental efforts by Dubai-based sustainability specialist Farnek

Burj Al Arab recognised for seven-star sustainability    

 Burj Al Arab awarded Green Globe Certification for outstanding environmental efforts by Dubai-based sustainability specialist Farnek 

The luxurious Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai has been awarded international Green Globe Certification (GGC) following a comprehensive sustainability audit conducted by Dubai-based consultancy Farnek, GGC’s preferred partner in the Middle East.

Repeatedly voted the world's most luxurious hotel, Burj Al Arab consists of 202 duplex suites with personal butler service, chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce and helicopter airport transfers. The hotel can now add the Green Globe certification to its long list of accolades, proving that luxury can be green. 

“We are delighted to receive this prestigious recognition that reinforces our commitment to sustainable practices”, said Heinrich Morio, General Manager at Burj Al Arab. “The certificate is a testament to Burj Al Arab’s dedication to ensuring that green policies are at the heart of our business and that they are an essential part of our long-term business strategy”.

Sandrine Le Biavant, Director Consultancy, Farnek added: “For over a decade the stunning sail-shaped hotel has been an iconic symbol of modern Dubai and its flourishing hospitality industry. Now, with the Green Globe award, the Burj Al Arab has been recognised for its seven-star sustainability”.

Burj Al Arab impressed throughout all areas of the operational audit. In particular, the hotel excelled in water usage reduction, grey water recycling, as well as in managing its energy output by regulating room temperature in the suites and carbon footprint.

The hotel’s environmental efforts were also praised.  Its Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project - launched in 2004 in close collaboration between the Dubai Wildlife Protection Office, Jumeirah Group, Central Veterinary Research Laboratory and a team of specialised veterinarians - has helped to return hundreds of sea turtles back into the wild, with many fitted with satellite tags to allow marine biologists further insight into their migratory patterns.

Others areas that came under the scrutiny of the Green Globe audit included health and safety, human resource development, training, procurement and waste management.  

Apart from the sea turtle rehabilitation centre, the hotel management team encourages colleague participation in other local community initiatives such as breast cancer awareness, beach clean-ups and mobile phone collections. 

Farnek Consulting currently has the rights to utilise the Green Globe brand, covering tourism properties within 20 different countries throughout the Middle East.

For more information about applying for Green Globe Certification log on to www.farnek.com

Photo caption 1: From L to R: Sandrine Le Biavant, Director Consultancy, Farnek,  Heinrich Morio, General Manager, Burj Al Arab and Markus Oberlin, CEO, Farnek

Photo caption 2: ‘Proudly certified’ The Burj Al Arab displays the Green Globe Certification logo.

About Farnek

Farnek is one of the region’s foremost property and facilities management outsource companies. With a skilled workforce of more than 1,500 people, Farnek Avireal has offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and maintains over 1,000 properties alone on behalf of many international and regional companies.

Farnek has also signed a commitment to support myclimate an international organisation that helps companies around the world manage their carbon emissions through a range of offset programmes. 

About Green Globe Certification

The Green Globe brand is used under a license from Green Globe Ltd. All intellectual property incl. the Green Globe Standard and Indicators, Auditing Process, Solution Center and Web Domains are owned and operated by Green Globe Certification.

Green Globe Certification is the worldwide sustainability system based on internationally-accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. Operating under a worldwide license, Green Globe Certification is based in California, USA, and is represented in over 83 countries. Green Globe Certification is a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, supported by the United Nations World Tourism Organization. For more information, please visit www.greenglobe.com .

About Burj Al Arab

Burj Al Arab is managed by Jumeirah Group, the global luxury hotel company and a member of Dubai Holding. It is designed to resemble a billowing sail and stands at a height of 321 meters. It is one of the most photographed structures in the world and has been consistently voted the world's most luxurious hotel, with features including in suite check-in and check-out, reception desks on every floor, round-the-clock private butlers and use of the hotel’s Rolls-Royce fleet and private beach. The hotel’s 202 luxury suites range from 170 to 780 square meters with a rain shower and a Jacuzzi in each suite, as well as six restaurants and conference and banqueting venues.

Mohammed bin Rashid endorses two parallel road projects at Godolphin, Zabeel costing 1bn dirham

Mohammed bin Rashid endorses two parallel road projects at Godolphin, Zabeel costing 1bn dirham

Directives issued to rename Al-Khail First Road as Al-Saadah Road

Roads and Transport Authority – Mohammed Al Munji:

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has ordered the renaming of Al-Khail First Road as Al-Saada Road. Starting from a point nearby the World Trade Center, Al-Saada Road passes by the Dubai Financial Center and stretches up to the downtown Burj Khalifa. HH has also endorsed two Parallel Road Improvement Projects in Godolphin and Zabeel areas; all projects combined cost about one billion dirham.

“Renaming this vital road, extending about 7.5 km linking the Sheikh Rashid Road and the Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard Road, as Al-Saada (happiness) Road is inspired by the nature of the district which harbours towering facilities including the Executive Council of Dubai Emirate, Dubai World Trade Center, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall in addition to an array of hotels and tourist attractions. The step also underscores the role of these vital facilities in bringing welfare and happiness to citizens, residents and tourists alike; which culminated in classifying the UAE as one of the happiest countries on earth,” said His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA).

Godolphin and Zabeel

“The Parallel Roads Improvement Project in Godolphin area; which the RTA would undertake in the last quarter of this year, requires about 30 months to complete, and costs about 900 million dirham,” added Al Tayer.

“The project comprises the construction of several roads, bridges and tunnels to ensure smooth traffic flow on the parallel roads, and alleviate congestions in the neighbourhood. It is considered an extension to Al-Asayel Road and Al-Saada Road (formerly Al-Khail First Road) aimed to support the existing roads in the Business Bay district, improve the traffic services, and provide entry & exit options for the area stretching along the Sheikh Zayed and Al-Khail Roads, besides linking with the surrounding communities such as Al-Qouz, Zabeel, and Jumeirah,” continued Al Tayer.

“The Eastern Parallel Roads Project at Zabeel tantamount to an extension of Al-Asayel Road, costing about 100 million dirham, and work in this project is set to start as early as February 2014 and continues 210 days,” he reported.

“The project links the Business Bay district with the existing Oud Metha Road through the underpasses of the Financial Center Road and Zabeel 2 Road. This new Road extends 3 km and comprises 3 lanes in each direction, and in future it will be linked with the Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Crossing through a bridge passing over Oud Metha Road to link Bur Dubai with The Lagoons, Al Warqaa, Nad Al-Hammar and the International City. The project works includes ceramic cladding and lighting of the underpasses of the Financial Center Road and Zabeel Road,” said Al Tayer in a final remark.

Deloitte report: ongoing demand is identified for Palm Jumeirah managed residences in Dubai

Deloitte report: ongoing demand is identified for Palm Jumeirah managed residences in Dubai

Seven Tides’ commissioned report highlights sustained demand for luxury internationally branded units, as investors eye Dubai on back of the Expo2020 win and economic growth prospects

UAE-based developer Seven Tides has commissioned Deloitte, the largest professional services firm in the world, to issue a report analysing the current supply and future demand potential for luxury serviced apartments located on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai.

The newly released report entitled ‘Assessment of Luxury Serviced Apartment Provision for Palm Jumeirah Dubai’ states that the Palm Jumeirah is likely to remain the prime location for luxury hotel and serviced apartment provision in Dubai, with demand being driven by increasing tourist arrivals to Dubai and increasing tourism infrastructure provision in the Emirate.

Martin Cooper, Director, Real Estate, Deloitte Middle East states that “the Palm Jumeirah is set to remain as the prime luxury beach resort destination in Dubai, as further critical mass is established as new hotels open.”

Seven Tides’ Anantara Residences Dubai, which welcomed its first tenants in Q4 2013, is one of several developments where unit owners stand to benefit from positive tourism growth for the Emirate, which expects to register 10.9 million visitors by the end of 2013, growing to a forecasted high of 25.8 million by 2023 according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.

The findings in the report follow an announcement by the Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM),  which plans to expand the Emirate’s current accommodation offering by permitting the rental of furnished properties as short-term holiday lets through a new two-tier licensing system.

“Palm Jumeirah currently has a total of 950 luxury serviced apartments managed by international hotel operators, and the Deloitte report confirms that the sector is continuing to mature and continues to attract a growing target market looking for a prime location and the luxury beachfront resort lifestyle,” said Abdulla Bin Sulayem, CEO, Seven Tides.

According to Dubai Statistics Centre figures, the serviced apartment sector has shown steady growth over the last five years with a compound annual growth rate for number of guests and length of stay increasing by 14% and 19% respectively; with strong interest from GCC nationals in particular.

Performance over the last 18 months at the nine high-end hotels on Palm Jumeirah shows sustained growth with an annual average occupancy of 68.1%, Average Daily Rate (ADR) of AED 1,734 and Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) of AED 1,221 in 2012. Between January and July 2013 the figures were 71.6%, AED 1,678 and AED 1,243 respectively.

“This ADR and RevPAR stability, and rise in occupancy levels, reflect the strong fundamentals driving sustained growth in Dubai’s tourism and hospitality market and has a complementary effect on the serviced apartment sector with branded   units charging around AED 2,000 per night during peak periods, according to the Deloitte research. This confirms that there is latent demand for units on Palm Jumeirah and that those that are part of a full service luxury beach resort have a distinct advantage in terms of ROI potential,” said Bin Sulayem.

“With the cost for one-bedroom units starting at AED 2.6 million, the potential for income generation from a managed rental perspective, based on the equivalent hotel occupancy figures and average year-to-date rates, is substantial – making it even more attractive to investors looking to build their overseas portfolios,” he added.

The report also notes that luxury and upscale international standard operators have experienced performance consistently above market averages, concluding that the demand for luxury serviced apartments is likely to remain strong in the medium to long term buoyed by news of the Emirate’s Expo2020 win and government commitment to expanding its already diversified tourism product.

For more information on the Anantara Residences, please contact the sales office on: 800 STIDES (784337) or email: sales@seventides.com

About The Anantara Residences Dubai The Palm

The Anantara Residences’ collection of 442 fully furnished one and two bedroom luxury apartments and 14 penthouses are fronted by a private stretch of white sand beach and all enjoying spectacular panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai Marina skyline.

Facilities available to residence owners at the adjacent 293-room five-star Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa include a state-of-the-art gym, 107,600-square feet of temperature controlled lagoon pools, six dining and entertainment venues and the Anantara Spa.

The development was also recently honoured at the 2013 International Property Awards in the Arabian regional competition, receiving a ‘Highly Commended’ for the Best Apartment in the Dubai category.

For more information, please visit www.anantararesidences.com www.seventides.com

About Seven Tides

Based in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, privately owned Seven Tides is an internationally oriented holding company established in 2004. Currently focusing on hospitality and real estate sectors, Seven Tides thinks progressively, works creatively, partners strategically and acts quickly. The result is a current portfolio of offerings from landmark hospitality acquisitions and commercial buildings to residential towers and multi-use complexes in the gateway cities of London and Dubai.

RTA awards contract to widen al-Qudra Road

RTA awards contract to widen al-Qudra Road

The road extends 24 km from Arabian Ranches interchange to Bab al-Shams

Roads & Transport Authority – Mohammed Al Munji:

The Board of Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), chaired by H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, awarded a contract of al-Qudra Road Widening Project extending 24 km from the Arabian Ranches Interchange to Bab al-Shams, comprising three lanes in each direction. The project which has a cost tag of 78 million dirham is set to be completed within 420 days.

“The aim of the project is to improve the safety level of al-Qudra Road, particularly in the last sector of the road extending from Jebel Ali – Lehbab bridge up to Bab al-Shams Round About as this sector is witnessing over-speeding occurrences on the part of some drivers, besides that some parts of the road witness the crossing of camels and horses. Upon the completion of the widening works of al-Qudra Road, the traffic will flow smoothly in a traffic corridor from Jumeirah passing through Umm Suqeim Road, which has recently been improved through the opening of two bridges of 3 lanes in each direction; the first one crosses over the Eastern Parallel Road (al-Asayil Road), and the second crosses over the Western Parallel Road (al-Khail First Road). The traffic will continue to flow smoothly through the flyover of al-Khail Road and the Arabian Ranches Interchange up to the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and from there continue to move smoothly to al-Qudra Road up to Seih al-Salam,” explained Al Tayer.

“The project comprises the widening of al-Qudra Road to three lanes in each direction. Widening works will include the existing dual carriageway extending from al-Qudra Road up to the approaches of Jebel Ali – Lehbab Interchange, and the single carriageway bound to al-Marmoom comprising three lanes in each direction.

“The project also comprises the construction of a new bridge over Jebel Ali – Lehbab Road in addition to the existing bridge such that each of the two bridges will be of three lanes in each direction, and a dedicated cycling track will be maintained in the bridge and fully separated from the vehicular traffic. Tunnels will be constructed for the crossing of camels and horses on both sides of the road. Works include constructing metal rails in the median to fend off disorderly U-turning, renewing ground markings, and enhancing the lighting of the road. The project design catered to maintain all trees, irrigation lines and lighting poles and as such there will be no traffic diversions in the constructing works except in the area of Bab al-Shams R/A and Jebel Ali – Lehbab Bridge.

Projects Bundle

The RTA has recently opened the widening and improvement of Umm Suqeim Road project comprising the construction of two bridges of three lanes in each direction, two signalized junctions at the intersection of al-Asayil Road and al-Khail First Road, and three pedestrian bridges crossing over Umm Suqeim Road to provide smooth and safe movement of pedestrians from al-Qouz to al-Barsha and vice versa. The construction of Umm Suqeim Road widening & improvement project coincided with the completion of one of the giant & vital road projects undertaken by the RTA which is the improvement and widening of al-Khail Road at a cost of 1.925 billion dirham.

During this year, the RTA will release an array of projects for improving and widening key and arterial roads in Dubai Emirate as part of integrated widening projects under RTA strategy to keep pace with the urban, economic and tourist growth seen by the Emirate of Dubai. Such projects will also assist in sorting out traffic bottlenecks in some areas, providing advances services to meet the requirements of demographic and urban growth, and working out all-inclusive practical solutions to ensure a smooth traffic flow in realization of RTA’s vision of providing ‘Safe & Smooth Transport for All’ in the Emirate.