Dubai and Abu Dhabi to jointly hold Terry Fox Run on February 15

EIM launches Preferred Reseller Program for its BusinessOne Service

Gulf Ventures launched for inbound tourists to Dubai.

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TAJ group plans Regional base in the UAE. 'Taj Club Dubai to be launched in 2002.

Jacob John

Dubai: The Taj Group of Hotels has unveiled a major Middle East expansion strategy, which includes the setting up of a regional office in Dubai.The group, which currently operates properties in Dubai, Yemen and Oman, says it is looking to position itself throughout the Middle East as a brand offering superior luxury and elegant
sophistication.

The expansion is to be highlighted at Arabian Travel Market 2002, the Middle East's premier travel and tourism exhibition, which will be held at Airport Expo Dubai in May. At the show, the five-star Taj Palace Hotel Dubai is also planning to launch its 'The Taj Club Dubai' Executive Floors.

Taj says despite the downturn in the international travel industry it is pressing ahead with its
regional expansion. Construction of the Taj Towers starts in March 2002 followed by expansion in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt and the rest of the Middle East.

"The Middle East will continue to propel to greater heights because of the outward vision of the UAE leaders as well as the drive of various GCC governments," said Yannick Poupon, General Manager, Taj Palace Hotel Dubai.

"The Middle East not only has a growing regional economy but is making its presence felt with aggressive tourism campaigns on a global scale. Although the region has been plagued by political problems affecting neighbouring regions, we don't think these will deter the promotional efforts of the broad majority of GCC countries."

The Taj Group is among exhibitors from 29 countries which have, to date, contracted for Arabian Travel Market 2002, organised by Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE). Twenty-six national and regional tourism authorities feature in the line-up.

EIM launches Preferred Reseller Program for its BusinessOne Service

kmbureau

Dubai, December 30, 2001: Emirates Internet & Multimedia (EIM) recently launched a Preferred Reseller Programme for its high-speed BusinessOne Internet service. The company also announced that it has already signed agreements to this effect with several major resellers in the UAE.

Speaking about the agreement Mr. Abdulla Hashim, Senior Manager, Business Development & Sales, EIM, said that with businesses all over the world conducting more and more of their operations on the Internet, the 'BusinessOne' package presents the perfect opportunity for small and medium companies in the UAE to exploit the power of the Internet.

"By launching the Preferred Reseller Programme, we are ensuring that the benefits of this revolutionary service can be made available to a wider cross-section of small and medium businesses in the UAE. We have chosen the resellers on the basis of their wide network across the UAE, and their technical capabilities. They will also be responsible for the installation of the service at business premises," he added.

The resellers that have joined the programme include, Alpha Data, Emitac, Omnix, Applicom, Emirates Computers, Case Technology and International Engineering Technology.

The ADSL technology employed by BusinessOne transforms ordinary copper phone-lines into high-speed digital lines, for ultra-fast Internet access. Offering downstream speeds of up to 512kbps and an upstream speed rate of 128 kbps, with a maximum of 30 GB of downloads per month, the comprehensive 'BusinessOne' package includes High Speed Internet Local Area Network (LAN) connectivity, 'Always On' connection, business domain name registration, 20MB of website hosting space and 20 personalized e-mail boxes.
The complete package is supported with web-based administration, and can be installed at a one-time cost of Dhs. 200. EIM is also offering routers, for setting up the LAN connections, at a special rate of Dhs.1,100.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi to jointly hold Terry Fox Run on February 15

All donations to support cancer research

December 23, 2001, UAE - Organisers of the Terry Fox Run have announced that the annual event will be held simultaneously in Dubai and Abu Dhabi on February 15, aiming to ensure that the 2002 event outdoes all previous runs in attracting record participation and increased donations. The last Terry Fox Run held in Dubai attracted over 5,000 individuals who walked, ran, jogged, cycled, roller-bladed or wheeled through an 8.5 kilometre course, raising more than AED 400,000 in donations for cancer research in the UAE.

"We are delighted that the run date for both Dubai and Abu Dhabi is set for February 15. This will enable us to work in partnership to promote the event and raise awareness and interest in this annual event which is an important community event in both cities," said Christopher Thornley, Consul at the Canadian Consulate in Dubai.

Since its inception, the Dubai Terry Fox Run has been held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and the Abu Dhabi chapter under the patronage of HE Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan Al-Nahyan. The organising committee members are volunteers, all services and materials used during the run are donated, and all proceeds raised fund cancer research programmes at approved institutions around the world, including the UAE University in Al Ain.

The 2002 edition of the annual run in Dubai will follow the same run route used in 2001, which will begin and end at Wonderland, near the Garhoud bridge. It will continue along the scenic Creekside Park and across the Maktoum Bridge. "We are pleased to be working with the Wonderland staff again this year. Once again, it will serve as logistical headquarters on Run Day and complimentary access to the Wonderland Water Park will be extended to all run participants. The committee is gain focusing on creating a fun-filled, family-oriented day," said Marjorie Ormiston, the organising committee's volunteer Run-Day Director.

In addition to individuals and families, schools and companies are invited to put together run teams and join in the fun. Organisers say they are anticipating record levels of participation among Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi students in 2002. Donation forms and route maps for the Dubai run can be downloaded from the organisation's website at www.DubaiTerryFoxRun.org. Updates regarding timings, access and parking will be posted on the website as details are confirmed.

In Abu Dhabi, the run details will announced shortly, and pledge forms will be available from health clubs around the city, through participating schools and also, for the first time, from booths to be run by volunteers in shopping malls.

The UAE's Terry Fox Runs are modelled after an annual event which was initiated in Canada, to commemorate the heroism of Terry Fox, a Canadian hero. An active teenager involved in many sports, Terry was only 18 years old when he was diagnosed with bone cancer and forced to have his right leg amputated six inches above the knee in 1977. The night before his operation, he read an article about an amputee who had competed in the New York Marathon and moved by the story and the intense suffering of cancer patients, he attempted to run across Canada on his artificial leg.

Terry called this quest the Marathon of Hope and his mission was to raise money and awareness for cancer research. He started his journey on April 12, 1980 in St. John's, and ran 43 kilometres each day as he headed towards Vancouver. Sadly, on September 1, after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres, Terry was forced to stop outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario because the cancer had reappeared in his lungs. He died on June 28, 1981 at the age of 22 but although the heroic Canadian was gone, his legacy was just beginning.

Since his death, runs have been held every year in a range of countries, to commemorate Terry's heroism and contribute towards his goal of finding a cure for cancer. Today, the Terry Fox run is an international event and in 2000, millions of people participate in runs hosted in several countries.

It is truly inspiring that the heroic self-sacrifice of one young man acting alone, serves as a clarion call to people the world over. Nearly all the money raised is remitted to Institutions accredited by The International Union Against Cancer in Geneva. As the world becomes more homogenised so too does the Terry Fox Run through a growing worldwide family dedicated to eradicating a disease that knows no political or geographic boundaries.

Runs around the world are organised by schools, Canadian Embassies/Consulates, Canadian Forces Bases, The Four Seasons/Regent Hotels and Resorts, Anti-Cancer Councils and Societies as well as other dedicated organizations and individuals. Reports suggest that the Terry Fox Run provides a most important opportunity for solidifying the good name that Canada has always had with indigenous populations. To date, Terry's Marathon of Hope has raised an estimated $270 million worldwide for cancer research.

 

MMI Travel re-launches 'Gulf Ventures' destination unit for inbound tourists

Dubai; MMI Travel, a division of Maritime and Mercantile International Ltd., has re-launched 'Gulf Ventures' a dedicated destination management unit that will cater to inbound UAE tourists. The specialised cell of the company was officially launched at an event hosted by the new management team of Gulf Ventures, and attended by senior representatives from various UAE-based hotels. Also present at the launch were MMI chairman Gary Chapman, general manager Kerem Camcigil and senior company managers.

Addressing the hospitality industry on the occasion of the Gulf Ventures launch, Kerem Camcigil, General Manager, MMI, explained the company's commitment to inbound tourism. "We have seen the world witness a downturn in the travel industry in the last two and a half months. But, compared to many destinations elsewhere, Dubai has not been as badly affected, which only proves its popularity as an internationally preferred global destination.

"With passenger throughput at the Dubai international airport expected to reach 30 million by the year 2010, the onus lies with the travel, tourism and hospitality industries to support the government's endeavours to promote Dubai to the world. Through the re-launch of its Gulf Ventures initiative, MMI Travel is actively gearing up for the future by strengthening its commitment to inbound tourism, a sector where phenomenal growth is forecasted in the years to come," Camcigil explained.

The Gulf Ventures re-launch coincides with new appointments at MMI Travel, new corporate livery for the destination management unit, the completion of two camp sites at Al Aweer, and a new fleet of 4WD vehicles. Camcigil formally introduced Gulf Ventures' manager, Mary Anne Boyers, at the launch party.

"I am delighted to be joining MMI Travel and heading operations at Gulf Ventures at a stage when Dubai has begun making its mark as one of the world's leading conference and incentive travel destinations. Gulf Ventures will cater to holiday, business and incentive travellers alike," stated Boyers, who has a 25-year industry experience gained at workplaces in Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East. Gulf Ventures has already initiated significant partnerships with international travel organisations to attract inbound travellers, among them - the Thomson Group, the First Choice Group and Trail Finders.

The Gulf Ventures launch which was held at MMI's Deira office premises was attended by sales directors, general managers and other senior staff from UAE's hospitality industry and government departments, including representatives from the Dubai department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Jumeirah International Group, Le Meridien hotels, Royal Mirage, Dutco Hotels, the Hilton hotels, the Sheraton hotels, the Rotana hotels, Hyatt Regency, JW Mariott and others.

MMI Travel is one of Dubai's leading IATA accredited travel management companies, providing a one stop travel solution in three core areas - Business Travel Management, Outbound Leisure and Vacation Travel and Destination Management. The company is the exclusive General Sales Agents (GSA) for Abercrombie and Kent, Contiki Holidays, Qantas Holidays, Simply Ski, American Airlines and Air New Zealand in the UAE.

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