TRAVEL NEWS
were dredged from the sea as part of the land reclamation for the project. The next phase involves handing over the 300 man-made islands to developers for construction and the building of infrastructure. Purchasing a country is by invitation only, with 60% of the islands already sold by January 2008. The price typically ranges from $15 to $50 million per island – although one currently costs $250 million. www.theworld.ae
B. Istithmar goes to Washington
TRAVELLERS TO SWITCH ON Almost half of frequent flyers in the Middle East want the freedom to use mobile phones on board, according to a new YouGovSiraj study of business and leisure travel trends called Travel Tracker. The MENA-wide survey found just one in ten travellers would like to see mobiles remain switched off during flights. Western surveys indicate that many people are vehemently against the idea, others say they would welcome the opportunity to text, access the Internet, or make calls. Airlines have decided to test the market before deciding how and when to allow phones to be used. Jazeera Airways, however, has already announced plans to equip its entire fleet with state-of-the-art technology which enables travelers to use their mobile phones, Blackberrys and email on board in 2009. yougovme.com www.jazeeraairways.com
Istithmar Hotels, part of the Dubai government-owned Istithmar investment house, plans to open a W hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC. Located directly across the street from the White House, one of its closest neighbours will be the President of the United States. W Washington DC will boast 317 luxurious guest rooms, including 32 suites, a spectacular rooftop bar and terrace and a world-class signature restaurant. Istithmar is already the owner of Hotel Washington, an iconic building in the US capital which is currently being converted into a contemporary W hotel, and is scheduled to open next year.
Banyan Tree earmarks Saraya Banyan Tree has signed a management agreement to operate a resort in one of the four islands in the Saraya Islands mixed-use project in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. This is Banyan Tree’s twelfth flag in its portfolio of upcoming properties in the Middle East and will complement its current desert resort development in the Emirate. The strategy for Ras Al Khaimah is to offer guests an Arabian desert experience and an exceptional beach resort within a stone’s throw of each other. The project consists of four natural islands and a village, occupying a five-and-a-half-kilometre stretch of land. Saraya Islands will boast six premium fivestar hotels and resorts, a marina, palatial villas, lagoon view townhouses, waterfrontterraced apartments, exotic bungalows, high quality retail, restaurants and entertainment outlets as well as sports facilities. www.banyantree.com
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A. The World is complete
C. Mövenpick’s Egypt move
The final stone on the breakwater for The World islands in Dubai was laid in January marking the completion of the first phase of the development, which began back in September 2003. A total of 34 million tonnes of rock was used to construct the 27kilometre breakwater which surrounds the islands, and 320 million cubic metres of sand
The Swiss premium hotel company Mövenpick has just signed a management agreement with Integrated Development and Tourism Investment (IDTI) for two upscale hotel projects in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Both holiday resorts are already under construction and are scheduled to open by 2008 and 2009.
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