Nestled in the heart of The Beach and Jumeirah Beach Residence, Address Beach Resort is a perfect escape for families and individuals from near and far. With unparalleled views of the Arabian Gulf, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and the iconic Ain Dubai (Dubai Eye), Address Beach Resort is the Ultimate Beach Address.

In March 2021, this newly opened beach-front property has officially broken two Guinness World Records™ (GWR) titles for the ‘Highest outdoor infinity pool in a building in the world’ and the ‘Highest Occupiable Skybridge Floor in the world’.

Featuring two 77-storey towers connected with the record-breaking skybridge, this iconic destination resort features 217 guest rooms and suites. Presenting enticing dining concepts along with luxurious recreation facilities, Address Beach Resort offers guests direct access to the beach. The unique architectural design incorporates stylish and cultural elements as well as sustainable concepts. Every guest room is equipped with an iPad to monitor the daily newspaper and control the lighting and air conditioning functions.

Focusing on holistic wellness, the resort features state-of-the-art recreation facilities. The travellers can unwind at the signature The Spa at Address, a heaven situated on Level 75, or maintain their exercise routine at the 24/7 fitness centre fully equipped with a range of cutting-edge workout equipment.

Families can take advantage of the kid-friendly options throughout their stay. The Qix Club offers the littles ones a variety of creative craft sessions and educational games, under the thorough supervision of the childcare professionals.

Bringing together a leisurely refined experience, Address Beach Resort is a destination ‘where life happens’ and memories are created.

The hotel is comprised of the following features

• The award-winning building design featuring two 77-storey towers connected by sky bridge
• Located in Jumeirah Beach Residence walking distance from Dubai Marina, Bluewaters Island and Dubai Eye
• Direct access to The Beach
• Incredible views of the Arabian Gulf, Bluewaters Island, Dubai Eye, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) and Dubai Marina
• Rooftop infinity pool located almost 294 above the sea level

• 2 open-air swimming pools, landscaped terraces and Kids Splash Pad
• 217 luxury rooms (from 45 sq.m)  and suites (from 81 sq.m) – all of them feature a bathtub and a separate shower
• World-class dining venues including:
• ZETA Seventy Seven – sky-high venue adjacent to the record-breaking infinity pool, serving Asian fusion cuisine with panoramic rooftop views

• Li’Brasil – a perfect marriage between Lebanese & Brazilian cuisines with indoor and outdoor seating with spectacular views
• The Beach Grill – a laidback beachside venue serving tender grills
• The Restaurant – an award-winning restaurant concept by Address Hotels + Resorts

• The Lounge – warm and inviting lobby lounge serving carefully crafted light snacks and refreshment  
• Signature The Spa at Address (the highest spa in Dubai located on 75th floor)
• Sauna & steam rooms, Rhassoul rooms, Vichy showers
• 24-hour gym (the highest gym in Dubai located on 75th floor)
• Sophisticated event facilities including Olive Terrace and Event Lawn by the beachside

• The Qix Club – a unique space for children
• Exclusive artworks and sculptures by world famous artist Mattar bin Lahej
• Events Lawn for private functions just off the beach
• Prime view of Ain Dubai ferris wheel – Largest in the world
• External Artworks/Sculptures by world famous artist Mattar bin Lahej artist (Polished Stainless Steel with tallest being 9m high and longest at 12m long).
• All F&B facilities have terraces facing the beach and the best views.

Nestled in the heart of The Beach and Jumeirah Beach Residence, Address Beach Resort is a perfect escape for families and individuals from near and far. With unparalleled views of the Arabian Gulf, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and the iconic Ain Dubai (Dubai Eye), Address Beach Resort is the Ultimate Beach Address.

In March 2021, this newly opened beach-front property has officially broken two Guinness World Records™ (GWR) titles for the ‘Highest outdoor infinity pool in a building in the world’ and the ‘Highest Occupiable Skybridge Floor in the world’.

Featuring two 77-storey towers connected with the record-breaking skybridge, this iconic destination resort features 217 guest rooms and suites. Presenting enticing dining concepts along with luxurious recreation facilities, Address Beach Resort offers guests direct access to the beach. The unique architectural design incorporates stylish and cultural elements as well as sustainable concepts. Every guest room is equipped with an iPad to monitor the daily newspaper and control the lighting and air conditioning functions.

Focusing on holistic wellness, the resort features state-of-the-art recreation facilities. The travellers can unwind at the signature The Spa at Address, a heaven situated on Level 75, or maintain their exercise routine at the 24/7 fitness centre fully equipped with a range of cutting-edge workout equipment.

Families can take advantage of the kid-friendly options throughout their stay. The Qix Club offers the littles ones a variety of creative craft sessions and educational games, under the thorough supervision of the childcare professionals.

Bringing together a leisurely refined experience, Address Beach Resort is a destination ‘where life happens’ and memories are created.

The hotel is comprised of the following features

• The award-winning building design featuring two 77-storey towers connected by sky bridge
• Located in Jumeirah Beach Residence walking distance from Dubai Marina, Bluewaters Island and Dubai Eye
• Direct access to The Beach
• Incredible views of the Arabian Gulf, Bluewaters Island, Dubai Eye, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) and Dubai Marina
• Rooftop infinity pool located almost 294 above the sea level

• 2 open-air swimming pools, landscaped terraces and Kids Splash Pad
• 217 luxury rooms (from 45 sq.m)  and suites (from 81 sq.m) – all of them feature a bathtub and a separate shower
• World-class dining venues including:
• ZETA Seventy Seven – sky-high venue adjacent to the record-breaking infinity pool, serving Asian fusion cuisine with panoramic rooftop views

• Li’Brasil – a perfect marriage between Lebanese & Brazilian cuisines with indoor and outdoor seating with spectacular views
• The Beach Grill – a laidback beachside venue serving tender grills
• The Restaurant – an award-winning restaurant concept by Address Hotels + Resorts

• The Lounge – warm and inviting lobby lounge serving carefully crafted light snacks and refreshment  
• Signature The Spa at Address (the highest spa in Dubai located on 75th floor)
• Sauna & steam rooms, Rhassoul rooms, Vichy showers
• 24-hour gym (the highest gym in Dubai located on 75th floor)
• Sophisticated event facilities including Olive Terrace and Event Lawn by the beachside

• The Qix Club – a unique space for children
• Exclusive artworks and sculptures by world famous artist Mattar bin Lahej
• Events Lawn for private functions just off the beach
• Prime view of Ain Dubai ferris wheel – Largest in the world
• External Artworks/Sculptures by world famous artist Mattar bin Lahej artist (Polished Stainless Steel with tallest being 9m high and longest at 12m long).
• All F&B facilities have terraces facing the beach and the best views.

The requirements will improve and unify Dubai hotels’ environmental practices and enhance the competitiveness of the city’s tourism-linked economy

A directive from Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) mandates that all hotels comply with the Sustainability Requirements for Hotel Establishments by the deadline of July 1, 2021, as set by Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST), an initiative to further enhance Dubai’s position as one of the world’s leading sustainable tourism destinations.

Under the directive, hotels must also resume monthly submission of carbon emission drivers. The system has the long-term objective of advancing sustainability performance across the sector. Back in 2019 Dubai Tourism led by DST trained 528 hotels on the implementation of these sustainability standards and currently inviting hotels for a refresher webinar ahead of July 2021.

Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the deadline was extended for an additional 12 months, a decision that Dubai Tourism took to strengthen the foundations for recovery of the hospitality sector. The progress on implementation of the mandatory standards will be tracked by hotels and audited by DST.

Yousuf Lootah, Vice Chairman of Dubai Sustainable Tourism, said: “Over the past year, the strength of the city’s tourism industry is reflected in the safe and successful reopening of Dubai to domestic and international visitors. In alignment with the city’s wider carbon reduction strategy, we know that tourism can also be an area where Dubai truly sets the benchmark at a global level with forward-thinking sustainability and corporate social responsibility practices. We strongly encourage hotels to comply with the 19 Sustainability Requirements set by Dubai Tourism and provide Carbon Calculator submissions by July 1. We know that with the ongoing support of the relevant government bodies these hotel establishments can play a huge part in achieving the overall carbon emission reduction target over the next year and beyond.”

The 19 Sustainability Requirements include sustainable management approaches, performance metrics, energy, food and water management plans, guest education, employee training initiatives, the presence of sustainability committees within hotel establishments and corporate social responsibility programmes for local communities. Through improving internal sustainability operations, hotel establishments in turn will enhance the competitiveness of Dubai’s tourism-linked economy. These requirements support Dubai’s Carbon Abatement Strategy 2021 target to reduce the carbon emissions by 16% by 2021, overall.

Since its inception in January 2017, the Carbon Calculator – part of the Tourism Dirham Platform, is a tool that has been measuring the carbon footprint within Dubai’s hospitality sector. On a monthly basis, hotels submit their consumption of 11 carbon emission sources, including: electricity, district cooling, water, waste, fuel for transportation, fuel for generators, fire extinguishers, and liquefied petroleum gas for analysis. This information is aggregated and analysed to provide valuable industry insights on the sector’s collective carbon footprint. In addition, by formulating a baseline along with consistent tracking, this information enables hotels to understand their energy, water and waste consumption and further identify successful cost-saving opportunities.

Source: Hospitalitynet

Dutch national carrier–KLM has announced direct flights to Mombasa in what could destabilise national carrier Kenya Airways on the key Amsterdam route.

The airline which is part of the Air France-KLM Group, yesterday said the direct flights will commence in October, as its seeks to further strengthen its presence in East Africa.

It will operate two flights a week, on Thursday and Sunday, flying the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner between Amsterdam and Mombasa, starting October 31, with a loop to Nairobi from Mombasa.

In a statement, KLM General Manager for East Africa Arthur Dieffenthaler said the flights to Mombasa will mainly target leisure travellers to the coastal city by offering a direct flying experience.

“The rising number of tourists visiting Mombasa, not just from Europe but also the rest of the world, signifies the growing interest in the unique experiences the coastal city has to offer,” Dieffenthaler said, noting the Covid-19 pandemic has increased demand for direct flights.

A direct trip will cost $748 (about Sh80,000) with a round-trip costing $576 (Sh61,000) on the route, where Kenya Airways does not fly directly.

While KQ has been capitalising on its Nairobi-Mombasa route to fly passengers landing at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, direct flights by KLM will erode its dominance.

The addition of the Amsterdam-Mombasa route will see KLM expand its presence in the region on the back of increased tourism and trade between East African nations and the European Union, which has however been slowed down by the pandemic.

The carrier’s decision to launch flights to Mombasa, it said, also signals growing confidence in East Africa’s tourism market, one of the most competitive globally as the world is starting to slowly recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

KLM is capitalising on the Bilateral Air Services Agreement between Kenya and Netherlands which allows carriers from the two countries to fly to any international airport.

With the existence of the agreement, KLM does not need approval from Kenya’s aviation industry regulator–Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).

“They just need to activate the Bilateral Air Services Agreement and seek traffic rights from the ministry. They need to inform the ministry that they wish to fly to Mombasa,” KCAA director general Gilbert Kibe told the Star.

The Transport Ministry yesterday however, said it has not received KLM’s request to fly directly from Amsterdam to Mombasa.

‘‘When we do, we will process as necessary. Those (bilateral air services agreement) are general provisions. Destinations and schedules (flights) requires specific approvals,’’ Transport PS Solomon Kitungu told the Star.

The move now raises questions on the Bilateral Air Services Agreement which seems to favour Netherlands, with KLM which has a network of 92 European cities and 70 intercontinental destinations expected to eat into Kenya Airways passenger traffic.

Pre-Covid, Kenya Airways only operated passenger flights to KLM’s hub of Amsterdam which currently remain suspended over the pandemic. KLM would then fly the passengers to other cities in the country and Europe.

KQ, as it is known by its international code, has had a long-standing joint-venture agreement with Air France-KLM which owns a 7.8 per cent stake in the national carrier.

The partnership however could be ending as the government, which owns a 48.9 per cent stake, pushes for nationalisation of KQ.

It plans to buy out local lenders who have a 38 per cent stake, and private investors in the Nairobi Securities Exchange listed airline.

KQ is currently also disadvantaged on the Ethiopian route where it only flies to Addis Ababa, while Ethiopian Airlines has direct flight to both Nairobi and Mombasa.

Kenya has a number of air service agreements with the latest entered in 2018 during the ICAO Air Service Negotiations (ICAN) held in Nairobi.

The deals with Cambodia,The Bahamas, Jamaica, Turkey, Seychelles, Greece, Finland and Burkina Faso were signed by Transport CS James Macharia on behalf of the Kenyan Government.

Source: The Star

Demand for air travel on the Western region has seen aviation firms increase their flights from Nairobi to Kisumu in a move set to heighten competition for air ticket on the route.

In a span of less than two months, a number of airlines have increased flight frequencies or launched operations to Kisumu International Airport, raising competition for air ticket with carriers such as Kenya Airways, Fly540 and Safarilink.

Aviation firm 748 Air Services last month started direct passenger flights to Kisumu from Nairobi stepping up competition for passengers on the route.

The company, that is currently on an aggressive expansion plan, says the new flight will be originating from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi two times per day.

Passenger on the route pays an average fare of Sh10,700 on a return air ticket – which is relatively lower compared to its competitors on the route.

In March, budget carrier Jambojet increased flights in nearly all its routes including Kisumu following high demand for passengers seeking air travel ahead of Easter holiday in April.

The airline increased frequencies on specific days from March 8 but kept the airfare unchanged.

The airline flies from Eldoret to Kisumu before proceeding to Mombasa.

“Say yes to unforgettable Easter this year. We have increased frequencies during the Easter season visit into your schedule,” said the airline in notice then.

Safarilink, that introduced an additional mid-morning flight to cash in on increased demand during the Madaraka Day fete is also set to increase frequency on its Nairobi-Kisumu route in the next two weeks.

The local airline will now fly three times per day from Nairobi to Kisumu, an increase from two due to increased demand from travellers.

“We have experienced immense growth along the Kisumu-Nairobi route due to our very affordable fares. We now have plans for an additional mid-morning flight on the route starting mid -June,” said the airline in an interview with Shipping and Logistics yesterday.

According to the Kenya Airports Authority reports, Kisumu International Airport handles about 500,000 passengers per year.

The airport is, however, undergoing an upgrade at Sh1.2 billion to improve customer experience and reposition it as a regional aviation hub.

The move will see the airport double the number of passengers it can handle to 1 million per year.

Most passengers using the Nairobi-Kisumu route are either on business trip, for conference, tourism or on visit to their rural homes.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority director-general Gilbert Kibe says the increase in passenger operations on Kisumu route is mainly pegged on rapid expansion of the lake town city.

“The middle class is growing, the county strategy is working, business and trade requires movement both ways. Kisumu is developing rapidly,” says Mr Kibe.

“Air transport is the single largest enabler of economic development in Kenya and globally. More counties will begin air transport.”

Kenya Airport Authority Wilson Airport and Northern region Airports manager Joseph Okumu said demand for air travel on the Kisumu route is set to fall as more players jostle for a slice on the route.

The route he says is also lucrative as it connects passengers working in the city but would want to retreat to the villages over the weekend.

“We expect to see more airlines launching operations on Kisumu route. This is good news as more passenger travels will open up the city and Western region,” said Mr Okumu.

Source: Business Daily

Region has learned lessons of previous pandemics, says African Travel and Tourism (ATTA) president Nigel Vere Nicoll

Ironically, it appears that the elephant in the room in global tourism will once again be Africa.

Remember 2014, when the Ebola epidemic in West Africa shut down tourism throughout the continent despite the outbreak being further away from most of Africa’s safari destinations than the UK?

So, its Groundhog Day as the ‘darkest Africa’ cloud gathers and the UK’s dreaded red brush remains firmly over most of the key African tourism destinations, preventing all international travel. A touch of red, and tourism’s dead.

The old chestnut put forward of limited testing capacity, poor health and under-reporting are pulled out of the hat again and again without detailed scrutiny. That narrative does not fit the reality.

The reality is the numbers of deaths from Covid-19 across the 13, or so, key safari destinations in sub–Saharan Africa are low.

There have been just 70,000 deaths in a total population across those 13 countries of around 400 million (and 80% are in one country, South Africa).

So why are these countries with the exception of Uganda, still on the UK’s red list?

A recent report by the European Centre for Disease Prevention Control and its African counterpart makes these points, in support of the reasons why Africa’s death rates in this pandemic are so low.

Resources and lessons learned throughout Africa, from widespread HIV and tuberculosis, were leveraged in the fight against Covid 19.

The political will of most African governments has been a key element in the response, with swift lockdowns restricting movement and taskforces organised to coordinate efforts.

Warm weather gives Africa a much-needed lifeline and moving forward safari is an open-air experience anyway.

Compared with Europe, Africa has a far lower importation risk of the virus based on the volume of air travel from say, China to Africa.

Probably the most important reason of all, is the low infection rate of Africa’s very young population, with a median age of 19.4 years compared with 40 in UK and 38 in USA. The average age for fatalities from Covid-19 in UK is 80.4 which underlines the data that the disease is far more severe in older populations.

Although it is true that Africa does not have the same testing capacity as other regions in the world, the low numbers are explained by the fact that Africa has a long experience of handling infectious diseases and that its youthful population is far less susceptible to the virus than other continents.

Our plea to UK’s Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) who hold the sword of Damocles is for a science-based approach combining the right balance between risk and protection.

Then, once the selections for each of the green, amber, and red lists are made at the next review, the Foreign Office (FCDO) must also review its travel advice so that outbound and inbound restrictions are aligned.

Only then can the elephant be let out of the room allowing safaris and business travel to Africa to resume once again.

Source: Travel Weekly