Middle East

The Arabian Travel Market Goes Virtual

Posted on 1st June 2020 | Comments Off on The Arabian Travel Market Goes Virtual
The Arabian Travel Market Goes Virtual

Virtual Travel Trade Event

Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Virtual

This event is now live in virtual form for travel trade professionals from across the world over three days. This key trade event for the region’s tourism community places focus on emerging trends, opportunities and the challenges directly impacting the travel and tourism industry amid COVID-19. It runs from 1-3 June 2020 and features webinars, conference sessions, roundtables, speed networking, and one-to-one meetings. Over 12,000 participants from 148 countries have registered.

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market (ATM), said: “Our debut event not only underscores ATM’s mission to support and guide the region’s vast travel and tourism industry during and beyond COVID-19, but it also demonstrates our commitment to delivering positive business and networking opportunities to the entire community, during even the most challenging times.

“With up to four live high-level sessions each day, industry experts will address a range of topics including a road map to recovery, tourism strategies for the future, the hotel landscape in a post-COVID-19 world, and the resilience of the travel industry, as well as exploring the ‘new normal’ that lies ahead, emerging travel technology and sustainability trends.”

Kicking off proceedings, the opening session ‘A Conversation with Sir Tim Clark’ will take place from 11:00am – 12:00pm GST (8.00am – 9.00am BST) on Monday 1st June. The President of Emirates Airline will speak to John Strickland about his time at the airline, its response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its plans for the future, as well as unveiling Emirates strategy, including planned fleet and network changes.

Another key event taking place on the first day is ‘OTAs & Distribution for Tours & Attractions post-COVID’. Run by Arival, the global research authority on the tours, activities and attractions sector, this session will focus on the rise of online travel agencies, the re-opening of operations, and what this means for tour and attraction operators across the Middle East.

Meanwhile, other highlights from day one include ‘Communicating and Building Confidence Now’ and ‘The Hotel Landscape in a post-COVID-19 World’ sessions.

Day two will feature The Virtual ATM China Forum. Taking place from 11:00am – 12:00pm GST (8.00 – 9.00am BST), the forum will focus on the recovery of outbound travel from the country and how Chinese travellers have been changing their way of accessing information about foreign destinations.

The packed agenda will also feature the debut Travel Forward Virtual event. Over the course of three days, suppliers and senior executives will be provided with innovative insights of what travel technology has to offer beyond 2020. Addressing the impact of COVID-19, the event will help bridge the gap between uncertainty and resilience during these unprecedented times. Highlights of on the second day will include the following sessions: ‘Catapulting Resilience Through Technology and Analytics’ and ‘Conversational Commerce for Travel Brands.’

Another highlight of our second day will be live webinar ‘Bouncing Back: Tourism Strategies for the Future’ which will see industry experts including Fahd Hamidaddin, Chief of Investment, Strategy and Tourism Marketing for the Ministry of Tourism Saudi Arabia and Keith Tan, CEO, Singapore Tourism discuss how the long-term tourism development strategies implemented by the region’s governments will become a catalyst for recovery when travel patterns adjust to the ‘new norm’.

Fahd Hamidaddin, Chief of Investment, Strategy and Tourism Marketing, Ministry of Tourism Saudi Arabia, said: “As global travel restrictions ease, our focus is on ensuring that Saudi Arabia is ready to welcome visitors as soon as they are ready to travel. We are collaborating across the public and private sectors, to safeguard the wellbeing of visitors, while continuing to invest in high quality tourism experiences. Saudi Arabia offers endless appeal to the modern traveller. We are optimistic about the future of tourism in the Kingdom and we remain committed to our long-term targets.”

Drawing the debut ATM Virtual to a close, the third and final day, Wednesday 3rd May, will include highlights such as an interview with Wizz Air CEO, Joszef Varadi, the International Travel Investment Conference summit and a webinar titled ‘What are you doing to energise your operational performance?’ which will discuss the power of data analytics in helping to maximise performance.

Also, on the third day will be the Responsible Tourism session, ‘The Implications of Covid-19 for Responsible Hospitality’, with an interview between Harold Goodwin, the WTM Responsible Tourism Advisor, and Inge Huijbrechts, Global Senior Vice President Responsible Business and Safety & Security, Radisson Hotel Group.  Inge will be speaking about the latest thinking on post-COVID-19 hospitality, managing hotels and the supply chain and about advancing the responsibility agenda when resources are limited.

The Influencers’ Summit will also take place the last day and will include a session entitled ‘Make Your Connection: Influencers as a Key Part of the Marketing Mix – COVID-19 The Road to Recovery,’ featuring a panel of prominent travel and lifestyle influencers including Abdullah al-Jumah, Author, Lawyer and Influencer and Talel al-Rashed, Hospitality and Gastronomy Expert, who will discuss the importance of best practices and how to create relevant, engaging and impactful travel and lifestyle content in the current climate. This will be followed by a special networking event focusing on the Influencer Tourism market.

Meanwhile, a series of independently moderated, pre-recorded on-demand roundtables have been designed to discuss emerging hot topics such as domestic travel, luxury travel trends, corporate travel, the challenges faced by travel providers and agencies and tourism recovery plans.

And, one-to-one pre-scheduled 30-minute meetings between editors, exhibitors, and buyers will also take place, while live video sessions will include Q&As and polls which will be run alongside the presentations to enable audience interaction.

Curtis added: “In addition, a host of hour-long speed networking sessions, between key buyers and exhibitors, will culminate in over 900 5-minute meetings that can then be extended into more in-depth meetings where a business need is identified.

“Targeting exhibitors from this region predominantly, the dedicated networking events will feature one Middle East-focused session per day, as well as sessions for buyers, focused on purchasing European and Asian products, plus a session specifically targeting Chinese buyers.”

As well as addressing the impact the global health pandemic has had on the hospitality industry, the debut ATM Virtual will provide travel professionals with a wealth of information, advice and support to cope with the current crisis and planning for the future.

Arabian Travel Market would like to thank the Ministry of Tourism Saudi Arabia and the Italian Tourist Board for their support of ATM Virtual as Gold Sponsors.

ATM Virtual takes place from Monday 1st to Wednesday 3rd June 2020. To register for the event as a visitor, please log on to: atmvirtual.eventnetworking.com/register/ 

About Arabian Travel Market (ATM)

Arabian Travel Market (ATM), now on its 27th year, continues to be the focal point for the Middle East’s resilient and ever-changing travel and tourism landscape and prides itself on being the hub of all travel and tourism ideas – providing a platform to discuss insights on the ever-changing industry, share innovations and unlock endless business opportunities. While the live show has been postponed to 16-19 May 2021, ATM will keep the industry connected by running ATM Virtual from 1-3 June 2020 featuring webinars, live conference sessions, speed networking events, one-on-one meetings, plus so much more – keeping the conversations going and delivering new connections and business opportunities online.  www.arabiantravelmarket.wtm.com.

Next events: ATM Virtual: Monday 1st to Wednesday 3rd June 2020

Live ATM: Sunday 16th to Wednesday 19th May 2021 – Dubai #IdeasArriveHere

About Reed Exhibitions

Reed Exhibitions is a leading global events business. It combines face-to-face with data and digital tools to help customers learn about markets, source products and complete transactions at over 500 events in almost 30 countries across 43 industry sectors, attracting more than 7 million participants.

Our events, organized by 35 global offices, leverage industry expertise, large data sets and technology to enable our customers to generate billions of dollars of revenues for the economic development of local markets and national economies around the world. Reed Exhibitions is part of RELX, a global provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries. www.reedexhibitions.com

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Posted in Destinations, Dubai, General, Latest News, Trade

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The Growth of Dubai’s Aesthetic & Dental Wellness Tourism

Posted on 11th October 2019 | Comments Off on The Growth of Dubai’s Aesthetic & Dental Wellness Tourism

Dubai’s position as a leading global healthcare destination is thanks to the emirate’s focus on the constant adoption of the latest technologies, talents and systems that ensure international standards of patient care. The emirate offers a complete transitional journey with modern programs and advanced technologies that effectively address personalized needs. As a result Dubai welcomed in excess of 337,011 health tourists last year

With the support of Dubai Health Experience (DXH), the brand conceived by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) to enhance the health facilities in Dubai and cement its position on the global health and wellness tourism landscape, there has been a nine per cent growth in the number of health facilities that have been verified and added to the DXH Group.

To effectively address the rising demand from discerning clients from around the globe, the DXH website offers comprehensive medical packages that have been created with its members. The website www.dxh.ae is available in different languages and has a live chat support feature. It allows users to choose from over 600 health and wellness packages that include an extensive range of medical diagnosis and treatment options across various specialties offered by accredited healthcare facilities.

Through the adoption of a holistic approach aimed at promoting overall wellbeing, Dubai offers wellness and medical packages that promise and deliver healing, personal growth and intense pampering and relaxation in the safest and most secure environment. The emirate achieves this through an extensive network of service providers that include integrated health centers and globally renowned wellness resorts. These include the Retreat the Palm and DNA health center at the Madinah Jumeirah, which is an integrated wellness and aesthetics center that offers health screening, aesthetics, ante-aging therapies and alternative medicine. These wellness retreats have developed their relaxation, weight loss and diabetes management programs under the guidance of licensed professionals, wellness nutritionists and functional medicine practitioners. They combine relaxation and rejuvenation in the form of detox and cleansing through yoga and mindfulness, to cater to the individual needs of clients.

Recently there has been an increased interest from the UK and European travellers in the aesthetic and cosmetics wellness services offered by Dubai’s state-of-the-art wellness centers. This segment, which offers non-invasive and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, is now contributing significantly to the growth of the sector. Treatments for skin and face continue to be in great demand and are offered by many highly qualified wellness centres and spas using the latest technology as well as adopting a holistic approach to the individual’s wellbeing.

Dentistry is also one of the rising requirements for European tourists. Dubai’s dental wellness offers highly advanced dental clinics that boast state-of-the-art technologies, highly qualified, and experienced dentists. From fillings to bridges, implants, root canals to veneers and teeth whitening, the emirate offers high quality cosmetic dentistry with over 25 specialist dentists. The latest advances in dental and healthcare technology now provides patients with a unique opportunity to achieve optimum oral wellness by having the treatments tailored to suit their personal needs.

Today’s idea of wellness is multi-dimensional and encompasses the physical, emotional, spiritual and mental health of individuals. A deep understanding of this knowledge is the basis of Dubai’s rise as one of the top popular medical and wellness tourism destinations around the world, reflected by the increasing numbers of medical and wellness tourists.. Apart from aesthetics and dental wellness, dermatology, ophthalmology and fertility are also among sought-after specialties.

The emirate now offers a 90-days medical tourism visa in cooperation with General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, which is renewable for an extra 30 days depending on the duration and severity of the procedure and the patient’s medical condition. Related travel insurance is also issued within 48 hours of registration at any visa facility.

DXH continues its efforts to add value to Dubai’s standing on the global medical tourism landscape, attracting medical and wellness tourists from all over the globe to explore unique wellness experiences in Dubai. Harnessing the experience and expertise of many highly qualified medical facilities with specially trained medical professionals, Dubai’s medical tourism delivers incomparable healthcare experiences of global standards, as the influx of medical tourists to the emirate is poised to reach 1.3 million by 2021.

The emirate is very accessible from Africa, Asia and Europe thanks to the superior connectivity made possible by numerous airlines and airports.

 

 

 

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Posted in Destinations, Cosmetic & Aesthetic Surgery, Dental Treatment, General, Latest News, Medical Tourism, Wellness Dubai, Wellness Holidays

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Growth & trends in medical and wellness tourism

Posted on 12th June 2019 | Comments Off on Growth & trends in medical and wellness tourism

Burgenstock Waldhotel, Switzerland

The two spectrums of health tourism, medical and wellness are showing nourishing growth and massaging the lifestyle demands of today’s travellers.

The latest research was revealed at this year’s Arabian Travel Market in Dubai. Growth rate in Medical Tourism, according to Patients Beyond Borders and the Global Wellness Institute was up by 17% in 2017, with 22 million crossing borders. Wellness Travel had increased by 7.5% accounting to 290 million travellers. In the Middle East, the top five markets were, in descending order,  UAE, Morocco, Israel, Jordon and Bahrain. Spas and thermal mineral springs were highlighted as the most popular treatments.

Arab Health Magazine (January 15, 2019), featured medical tourism trends. Mental and dental treatments are at the top. Millenniums,  however, being more tech savvy, view medical tourism in a new light preferring telemedicine rather than doctors surgeries. Their treatments are usually due to incidental medical travel. Millenniums view wellness in the form of meditation and personalized nutrition while fashion has joined the wellness movement using fabrics and styles that allow more freedom.

The key current trends focus on mental wellness encompassing meditation and arts & creativity programming. They also include insomnia which is ruffling pillows to create sleep mania solutions, CBD (Cannabis based therapy) is making the industry light-headed and ways to make us happy are a subject for conversation.

Countries and cities are competing to become the key health tourism destination. Dubai’s Health Tourism  is now advancing and taking shape to meet its objective as a Preferred Global Health Care Destination & Wellness Hub. Ninety percent of Dubai’s hospitals have international accreditations and affiliations. This destination has a specialist holistic wellness resort, The Retreat Palm Dubai. Through its accredited facilities it is offering futuristic signature treatments like Cryotherapy and Vitamin Revitalization. For the international market its focus is on orthopedics, dentistry and dermatology amongst many other medical conditions. And to make bookings and research easier, Dubai Health Tourism www.dxh.ae helps visitors to make their bookings on one smart, smooth, seamless platform.

Dubai is working on emerging opportunities such as the meditation industry as anxiety and depression rates reach epic proportions worldwide. Meditation is now the fastest growing wellness trend in the US and elsewhere, with an explosion of meditation studios, apps and brands.  Wellness for aging and anti-aging is growing with countries like Italy, Japan and the US searching for solutions for ageing population and senior’s revitalization.

As a Capital of the Islamic Economy, Dubai offers specialised halal wellness that embraces other forms of wellness such as eco-wellness. This will attract the massive Asian and MENA audiences currently going to Central and Far East destinations.

Dubai aims to expand its tourism to Transit Tourism, its “On-the-go” wellness tourism boosted by same-day ‘in and out’ procedures that Dubai is already offering in dental and other cosmetic facilities.

There’s growing medical consensus that DNA testing and blood analysis can guide diet and lifestyle changes for weight loss, dermatology treatments, allergy treatments and more. Since DXH already welcomes many tourists facing these problems, it can boost its existing procedures with genetic evaluation

According to Dr. Yasser Moshref, CEO Premedion, the top concepts shaping the international medical wellness landscape include Thalasso therapy, medical beauty, detox and weight management. The top performing countries in this area are Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Thailand. The properties highlighted are the Thalasso Spa A-Rosa in Sylt Germany, Premedion Spa & Prevention Zhanijang, China with an Anti Aging Centre, the Premedion Spa & Prevention Alexandria, Egypt and in planning is the Premedion Spa & Prevention, Al Ahsa.

Dr. Abhishek Jain, VP, International Operations, WTS International sees clients looking for Integrative Wellness described as a mix of a conventional spa settings and modern clinical settings. Intergrative Wellness is the fusion of the authenticity of holistic treatment approaches with the effects  of non-invasive evidence based medicine. We have seen the formation of partnerships in this concept with Hyatt who acquired the Miraval Group & ‘Life In Balance” Spa Brand and Singapore Airlines with Canyon Ranch.

The increase in medical and wellness tourism indicates that well-being is no longer a health measure but  a life measure. It is drawing together partners in tourism and specialist medical-wellness providers to deliver more spa & wellness therapies and wellness holidays. Traditional and state of the art treatments are joining forces to bring health tourism as a lifestyle habit.

And as we discuss these two spectrums of health tourism, there is evidence of them uniting in the rise of dedicated wellness-medical properties such as the Waldhouse in Burgenstock, Switzerland and opening soon, The Corinthia in Dubai in 2020.

Read here for medical tourism news

The published definition of Medical Tourism is travel across international borders for the purpose of receiving medical care whereas Wellness Tourismis associated with the pursuit of maintaining or enhancing personal wellbeing.

Healing hands

Therapeutic care

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Posted in Dubai, General, Latest News, Medical Tourism, Medispas, Trade, Wellness Holidays

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Tourism Developments in the Middle East Region

Posted on 8th May 2019 | Comments Off on Tourism Developments in the Middle East Region

Over the years, the UAE is one of the great success stories of global travel and tourism with Emirates and Etihad changing the face of global aviation, Dubai International Airport recognised as one of the world’s best hubs and Dubai, the fourth most visited city in the world.

And the UK plays its part being in the top three markets travelling to the region – and growing. So what is that that attracts us?  The answers were on display in full glory at the annual Arabian Travel Market which takes place, yes, you guessed correctly, in Dubai, the so called “engine room” of the UAE.

Architecture splendour in the form of hotels, laced with chandeliers and gold trimmings remind us in which part of the world we are. Hotels in this region continue to grow as brands compete for individuality and to attract new markets such as the hotel brand Voco which has made its debut in Dubai. Part of the InterContinental Hotels Group it aims to attract leisure and business guests.

Home-grown hospitality provider, Emaar Hospitality Group is set to open five new hotels in Dubai this year including four under its premium brand and upscale lifestyle brands. Two hotels will be under its Address Hotels & Resorts in Downtown Dubai, the Address Fountain Views and Address Sky View and two under Vida Hotels & Resorts. The company will also add to its midscale hotels, Rove, The Park which is ideal for families.

Opening 14 new hotels is Millennium Hotels & Resorts adding to its existing portfolio of 40 hotels in the Middle East & Africa. On a bright note, Millennium Place, the happier hotel brand has been introduced which strives to deliver a smile to its guests through different touch points in the guest’s journey. Millennium Place Marina and Millennium Place Barsha Heights are due to open in 2019 with eight more to open over the next two years in the region.

Jumeirah Group is expanding in Asia and Europe. This Dubai-based luxury hotel company is opening in China and Indonesia while the Jumeirah Carlton Tower in London is undergoing renovation this year. Work is also progressing on a new hotel near Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. This will be a 400-room property on the beachfront.

Yas Island last year opened Warner Bros World. Its upcoming developments includes a new sports facility to feature the world’s widest indoor skydiving flight chamber and the highest indoor climbing wall.

A luxury Camp is currently under construction in Ras Al Khaimah and will house 47 luxury tented units, a health club, heated pool, spa and wellness centre, kids area, fire pit and restaurant. This glamping site will be located atop Jebel Jais, the highest mountain in the UAE.

The Museum of the future, scheduled to open next year, will showcase cutting-edge technology and innovations that are designed to change the way we live and solutions to climate change, energy production, healthcare, transport, education, housing and security. Also in Dubai the Dubai Creek Harbour will become the location for the city’s tallest building , the $1 billion Dubai Tower when it is completed next year.

In Abu Dhabi the world’s first commercial hyperloop service is currently under construction and will start operations in 2020. The first phase will employ a network of hyperloop tubes covering a distance of up to 150km. It is later scheduled to expand services to Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

In Oman, the high-speed passenger and freight rail line will span 2,135km of the sultanate from Salalah in the south to Al Buraimi and Sohar in the north in 2020.

However, Saudi Arabia caught the limelight this year at the Arabian Travel Market with its eye-watering ambitious plans to become a tourism destination of the future. E-visa rules for international travellers will be the game-changer. The Kingdom will be open to all.

Tourism is Saudi’s new “white oil” spanning a destination offering culture and history, coastlines and desert. Rumoured to be funded with half a trillion US dollar investment, tourism is the ingredient of the government’s Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy. This in turn will attract new hotels and innovative hospitality concepts, operated to international standards, particularly high-quality budget hotels. New mega  projects include Neom City, Amaala, an uber-luxury wellness tourism destination, the Red Sea Development reshaping the coastline and Qiddiya offering leisure, entertainment, sports, wellness, adventure and cultural destinations.

Winter sunshine, family leisure and adventure maybe the core attractions for travel to the region as well as convenient regional flights but in the heart of the exhibition, the Expo 2020 stand stood proudly as a beacon for visitors next year. This mega project aims to deliver one of the most sustainable World Expos. The UAE Pavilion has been designed to resemble a falcon in flight to harvest clean energy as its hydraulic “wings” open and close. Ultimately, Expo 2020 in Dubai seeks to inspire us all to live in better balance with the world and build a brighter and more sustainable future together – a unique opportunity to see tomorrow today!

Read more about the Arabian Travel Market here

 

 

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Posted in Dubai, General, Latest News, Middle East, Trade

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360º Wellness Experience

Posted on 17th September 2018 | Comments Off on 360º Wellness Experience

 

Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort - Spa Womens PoolWellness reaches greater heights at the Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar  in Oman which brings the mountain to the Mind & Body.  This resort provides the earthy setting for guests to harness nature’s healing powers and an holistic approach to health.

More than one-sided wellness, the Al Hajar Mountain Range provide a natural and rugged backdrop, heightening the effect of yoga practice. The freedom and  space exuded from the canyon below, the unpolluted mountain air and the restorative powers of nature combine their powers collectively to realign chakras.

The resort’s Three Village Hike leads guests on a high altitude journey, stepping through mountain history, spotting fossilised coral, and looking out to terraced farmland, early falaj irrigation systems and even a working rose distillery. The mental effects will clear the mind and physically will energise the body,

Located on the very mountain that the hotel sits on, various creative activities challenges guests who want to push their boundaries. This exhilarating approach to health involves various climbing routes, including a Via Ferrata steel cable and abseiling down a sheer ledge.

Wellness at the Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar  in Oman  fuses mind, body and mountain into one and two-day packages.

Visit http://jabal-akhdar.anantara.com/

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Posted in General, Latest News, Middle East

Wellness takes root in Al Zorah, Ajman

Posted on 29th May 2018 | Comments Off on Wellness takes root in Al Zorah, Ajman

Rendering Image of EZ Wellness Center, operated by The LifeCo at Al Zorah
Al Zorah, a premier mixed-use development by Solidere International and the Government of Ajman, sets another milestone with EZ Wellness Centre at the ground-breaking ceremony of the inaugural EZ Wellness Centre in the GCC region to be operated by The LifeCo.

Conceived as a place to unwind the clock of modern life and become one with nature, The EZ Wellness Center (EZW), is set amidst a natural environment and on the highest point of the 18-hole Nicklaus-Design Al Zorah Golf Club, allowing guests to enjoy breath-taking views of the creek and two million square metres of natural mangroves officially recognised by the Ramsar Convention – home to over 118 species of birds and diverse marine-life.

The LifeCo brand is associated with rejuvenation and wellness based on a holistic approach, supporting natural therapies with spa facilities and professional medical staff. Popular for its unique detoxing and health centres in Phuket, Thailand and Turkey, EZ Wellness Centre by The LifeCo at Al Zorah will be a welcoming retreat for residents and GCC visitors.

Mohammed Ameer Said, the lead partner of EZ Wellness said: “We are thrilled to mark the ground breaking of The EZ Wellness Centre at Al Zorah and will be building the brand’s award-winning concept for the first time in the GCC. Other EZ Wellness facilities will follow soon in other GCC countries. The centre will be designed to blend with Al Zorah’s dedication to state-of-the-art infrastructure and reverence for the environment. The EZ Wellness Centre at Al Zorah aims to provide a more personalised experience through its revolutionary and innovative programmes to all residents and guests. Al Zorah was selected due to its unique location, naturally protected zone and healthy uncontaminated air which is a catalyst to quick healing. This centre should be the health destination for local UAE residents, GCC and global travellers taking advantage of the great accessibility through Dubai airports with a capacity of up to 70 million passengers.”

The LifeCo Founder, Ersin Pamuksüzer, said: “The LifeCo’s renowned 360-degree holistic approach combined with Al Zorah’s relaxed surroundings will address the growing needs of people trying to prevent and cope with modern lifestyle diseases. The comprehensive wellness center at Al Zorah will reinforce the importance of physical and mental well-being for a quality life. With individualized health and beauty treatments, as well as advise on nutrition, weight control, exercise and stress management – residents and visitors will be able to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

Al Zorah is a coveted mixed-use coastal living destination with a natural setting providing an ideal location for families and individuals to regain health, fitness and youth. The LifeCo Wellness Centre at Al Zorah will offer individualised services to meet every need, from beauty treatments, stress management and exercise, to nutrition advice, weight control and diagnostics for a healthier lifestyle.

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Posted in General, Latest News, Middle East

Dubai Health Experience Partnership

Posted on 17th May 2018 | Comments Off on Dubai Health Experience Partnership

Hotel Lobby 2

World-class spas, wellness centres and health facilities will be key to the new partnership between Emirates Holidays and the Dubai Health Authority’s Health Tourism Council who are joining forces to offer visitors tailor-made health and wellness holidays in Dubai.

The health and wellness packages are being launched in association with Dubai Health Experience (DXH), a brand conceived by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) to strengthen the medical facilities in Dubai and strengthen the position of Dubai on the world map of medical tourism.

With the aim to attract more than 500,000 medical tourists by 2020, the Dubai Health Experience collaboration addresses the increasing demand for health and wellness tourism, leveraging on Dubai’s infrastructure for the wellness market to create a unique destination for health-conscious travellers.

Dubai Health Experience packages will includes return flights on Emirates, a three to four day stay at a hotel property renowned for its health and wellness facilities, a selection of spa and wellness treatments, including a health and wellness programme tailored to the client’s specific needs and daily meals. Initially, the two properties will include DNA Health at Madinat Jumeirah and Rayya Wellness Retreat at the Retreat Palm Dubai, M Gallery by Sofitel.

Emirates Holidays will focus on Kuwait and KSA as the initial markets for its wellness holidays with the intention to expand this to other markets over time.

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Posted in General, Latest News, Wellness Dubai, Wellness Holidays

A revival of the Ancient Hamman Ritual

Posted on 21st February 2018 | Comments Off on A revival of the Ancient Hamman Ritual

Banana-Island-Doha-by-Anantara_Hammam
In times gone by hammams were used by Kings and Queens of the Ottoman Empire who would host their key social engagements within these ornate bathhouses.

Today, hammams are back in fashion with many resorts adding them to their wellness offerings and treatment menus.
Also known as a Turkish bath, a hammam is the Middle Eastern variant of a steam bath, or a wet relative of the sauna. Although the first ones originated in Arabia, bath culture was a central part of Roman life, Turkey popularized the tradition by making hammams available to people of all statuses.

The advent of the modern spa and the convenience of baths at home have defeated this old concept. Modern-day hammams often reflect the rich design features of the original bathhouses and continue the tradition of water, air and heat-based body treatments. The treatment benefits include removing dead skin cells, deeply cleansing the skin, ridding it of impurities while stimulating blood circulation and the lymphatic system in remedial heat.

Various resorts and hotels such as The Anantara Spa group offer a number of hammams in various destinations with treatments that follow the traditional ritual procedure.

The Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, located in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s Liwa Desert, houses the Royal Moroccan Hammam and offers the traditional journey in the ritual experiences – first steam which purifies the skin, followed by lying on a heated marble bed for a cleansing and polishing ritual using traditional black olive soap and a kessa mitt. The skin soaks up the natural goodness of a mineral-rich rhassoul mask, followed by a hair treatment and mini facial. After time in the heated jacuzzi and ice room, a back massage completes the ritual.

Other hammams include Banana Island Resort in Doha and the Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa close to Abu Dhabi City which offers both Turkish and Moroccan Hammam Experiences.

Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas www.anantara.com.

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Posted in Circulation, Detox, General, Latest News, Middle East, Traditional

The Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai

Posted on 17th May 2017 | Comments Off on The Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai


IMG_2212

Editor’s Review:

A Spa with a story to tell ….

We have read tales of nomads crossing the desert in search of an oasis to revive and rejuvenate them for their onward journey. Today, searching for such finds has become more hazardess as lands have been developed, skyscrapers blocking horizons and highways creating a spaghetti of routes.

The Palm in Dubai has been created from reclaimed land accommodating an increasing number of stylish and glitzy hotels.  One of the most recent to open its doors is the Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai claiming fame to the world’s largest cube structure as its entrance statement and the doorway to an oasis in the form of The Spa.

Away from the cosmopolitan fast-lane, this contemporary space is filled with architectural styles from different eras. High ceilings yield into elegant archways channelling energy for the wealth of holistic treatments on offer. A gently lit curved stairway immediately sets the scene of tranquillity and calm, leading your mind towards light, openness and the benefits to be bestowed by a skilled therapist.

My treatment took me on a 90-minute Arabian multi-sensory journey, transporting me to a desert complete with sights smells and sounds. It told a story and drew me in to a faraway place, away from the hustle and bustle outside, from the tall buildings, expansive malls and car fumes.

It started with a visual meditation as I lay on a heated sand-filled quartz bed which gave a wave –like motion and the feeling of being on a beach, close to the waves of the sea, transporting me to a personal place of relaxation. Warm, calm and peaceful.

Once there, all senses came into play from the touch of an ostrich feather replicating a breeze, ostrich shells, strategically placed to focus on opening the chakras, the reassuring scents of frankincense and oud, reminiscent of the Arabian culture and the vibration of Tibetan bowls to further my meditative state.

The therapist performed the massage using rhythmic, gliding strokes which seemed to reflect the architectural lines of my surroundings; the gentle circular strokes brought images of the curved staircase bathed in subtle light while her strong pressure work around my shoulders brought images of the arched doorways, signalling an exit for stress and tension.

This was The Spa’s signature Desert Sensory Experience, one of many on the menu, making it difficult to choose. Treatments include the Desert Crystal Massage, The Casanova, exclusively for men or a Diamond Rose Experience which includes a smoothing, nourishing exfoliation with diamond dust, followed by an Absolute Damask Rose Body Oil massage.  For something very special and available only at The Viceroy, there is The Oscars Hollywood Treatment which promises to transform, unblock and reset your mind.

The philosophy behind the treatments originate from the beaches and palm trees of Santa Monica, where Viceroy was first founded, to the desert and beaches of the Arabian Peninsula. The Spa at The Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai demonstrated its promise of escapism with consciousness.

So, armed with opened chakras and vivid images of a relaxing sandy oasis, I felt ready to make my return to the hectic pace that is Dubai.

www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com

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Posted in Arthritis, Blood Pressure, Circulation, Respiratory, Reviews, Wellness Dubai

The Palazzo Versace Dubai

Posted on 3rd April 2017 | Comments Off on The Palazzo Versace Dubai

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The legendary Italian fashion and lifestyle brand’s neoclassical masterpiece is reminiscent of a 16th-century palace, featuring the most opulent designs from House of Versace.

Set in the heart of Dubai’s Culture Village, the hotel is plush in aesthetics and lush in verdure. Featuring 215 rooms dressed in bespoke Versace designs, the hotel is a haven of serenity as well as luxury, with several lagoon pools and reflection ponds elevating the tranquil atmosphere of the gardens. The hotel’s eight bars and restaurants include the conceptually-unique Enigma, featuring limited-edition menus that immerse diners into diverse cuisines, as well as Q’s Bar and Lounge, which is music legend Quincy Jones’ first ever bar.

Editor’s Review

 

Versace clothing, jewellery, eyewear,  fragrances….. Welcome to Versace hospitality, to the Versace Palazzo in Dubai styling furniture, furnishings and paintings in this fashion branded hotel which stands smartly in the heart of Dubai’s developing Culture Village.

Step into the lobby and its grandeur and sense of space will stop you in your designer shoes. A panoramic view focuses on statement pieces, splashes of “Medusa Blue”, paintings of fashion models and a mosaic of 1.5 million pieces.

A quick glance will not suffice. Floating overhead is a chandelier, graceful in its simplicity, a table or two prominently placed, laden with Versace vases while high ceilings tower above.

Promenade into the lobby lounge and you will be trespassing on a masterpiece mosaic, painstakingly crafted as the key floor attraction. Guests are Versace lovers, brand followers and those craving a taste for classical elegance.

For those who want complete immersion, indulgent pampering awaits in The Spa at The Versace Palazzo with a range of tailored and exotic treatments.  If you have time on your side, The Ultimate will keep you cossetted for 7.5 hours. If not, 30 minutes will give you a custom-made exfoliation of oils and salt crystals promising you a nourished glow. Add a sprinkle of sparkle, with a two-hour 24-carat gold dust massage, aptly named 24K, or a healthy based intensive facial of green caviar listed under one of their Swiss anti-ageing treatments.

I sampled a much needed 90-minute Sleep Massage and pleased to admit that I managed to stay awake to experience it in full. From the moment I entered the treatment room, snug in a thick Versace gown and fluffy slippers, the atmosphere was one of peace and tranquillity. Specially blended oils with hints of lavender, jasmine and sweet basil enveloped the room melting away intrusive thoughts.

My therapist started with a foot cleanse and a hint of reflexology before the full massage. Rhythmic strokes of a medium pressure leading from the heel of the hand gradually drained away tension. Soft, mellow music played in the background with no other sounds interrupting the experience. As if completing a full circle, she finished with my feet, wrapping them in warmth, softness and care.  A designer touch tailored to my needs.

Calm and serene, even without the gold dust and caviar, I stepped out into the House of Versace for another intake of its opulence and neoclassical designs.

www.palazzoversace.ae

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