JEDDAH, 29 August 2007 — This year’s Jeddah tourism festival bagged a total revenue of SR3 billion, according to Saleh Al-Turki, chairman of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. About 135 private companies took part in the 45-day event. Hotels and furnished apartments in the city enjoyed 100 percent occupancy during the festival. “The tourism sector requires more investment to cater to the needs of the increasing number of tourists,” the JCCI chief said.
Etihad Doubles Ramadan Flights
ABU DHABI, 29 August 2007 — Etihad Airways will double the number of its flights during the holy month of Ramadan between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah, and add special flights to Madinah Al-Munawara. The airline will increase its daily service from Abu Dhabi to Jeddah to 14 flights a week, and will introduce during Ramadan two flights a week to Madinah Al-Munawara. The extra services will operate between Sept. 13 and Oct. 13. The Madinah flights will operate twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays. James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said: “The double daily flights from Abu Dhabi to Jeddah will cater for the great demand from Umrah travelers during the holy month of Ramadan. The additional Umrah flights are on top of the airline’s recently announced flying program that will witness a 21 percent hike in flights in October. In its biggest route network and schedule revamp to date, UAE’s national carrier will boost its weekly flights from 564 to 716.(K.T. Abdurabb)
Middle East Business Achievement Awards
DUBAI, 29 August 2007 — Leaders in Dubai Business Forum is looking for 12 top business achievers to honor in their new Middle East Business Achievement Awards announced yesterday. The awards, the first of their kind in Dubai in that the winners will be chosen by an independent international judging panel, are expected to be highly sought after, given that they will be presented at the Leaders in Dubai Business Forum 2007 gala dinner on Nov. 18. Event organizer Alan Kelly said the winners will receive the awards from one of the international keynote speakers, which this year include Kofi Annan, Sir Richard Branson and Professor Mohammed Yunus.
EIB in Deal With Union Properties
DUBAI, 29 August 2007 — Emirates Islamic Bank (EIB) signed yesterday a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Union Properties in line with its objective of building strategic alliances with major property developers. The deal entitles the bank to provide home finance offering for customers of Union Properties. It will reinforce EIB’s presence in the home finance market as well as ease the financing process for Union’s customers by giving them a wider range of friendly home finance products.