The Dubai Marina and an Incredible Hotel

Mike came back with increased insight into the business and hospitality realms in Dubai. One highlight that he came across was the Harbour Hotel and Residence located directly on Dubai Marina. The largest man-made marina in the world features magnificent skyscrapers, luscious sculpted gardens and pristine meandering pathways. The Harbour is the newest addition to this fabulous strip of real estate. The ultimate in luxurious living not to mention the best views in town. With an incredible spa, luxury suites, and a 52-story vantage point, this hotel offers cover extensive views of the Dubai Marina and Palm Island, as well as personalised butler service upon request.

The best part is that during the summer you can enjoy this luxury hotel and the grandeur of Dubai for just a fraciton of the cost. The Harbour Hotel Summer plan offers 30% Reduction off contract rates and a Stay 4 Pay 3 option. The offer is only valid from 15th May 2009 to 18th September 2009.

You can expand your vacation and allow Le Reve to create an incredible customized itinerary that will allow you to enjoy your vacation and create memories for years to come. Become acquainted with the Pinnacle of Luxury and stay at the Harbour Hotel and Residences.

The Emirates Towers and an International Convention

Before I go into the business side of Mike's trip, I thought you might like to know a little bit more about where he is staying. If you have been to Dubai, then you will know right away where the Emirates Towers are, but if you haven't, here is a small description. The Towers are centrally located on Shaikh Zayed Road, high above the central business and commercial district, set among landscaped gardens, ornamental lakes and waterfalls. It is mostly a business center due to its location, and the towers are a central feature of the Dubai skyline. Mike is staying up on the 42nd floor with an amazing view of the city. Although this isn't his suite, it gives you a little flavor of the unique and beautiful architecture and accomodations that Dubai is known for.

One of the main purposes of Mike's trip to Dubai this time, was to attend ATM, or the Arabian Travel Market, which is a convention/symposia for business and leisure travel suppliers to the Middle East. Mike has coordinated and been involved in conventions for over 30 years, so it was interesting hearing his point of view regarding this one. Here are some of his thoughts:

Representation at ATM consists of major hotel chains, regional travel groups, surrounding countries from Nigeria to Dubai, Kuwait, and suppliers such as Emirates Air and IT suppliers. This years exhibition appears very well attended which is evidentiary of the positive attitude about the destination weathering the current economic turmoil and coming out ahead of the global curve.

So, if there are the usual exhibits and conferences seen at any convention, what makes this unique and worth noting? ......Access to decision makers....... I have been an exhibitor, a participant, a board member of numerous conventions and congresses (which is what they call a convention in Europe). Most of the time you find staffers and company representatives to be either middle management or contract workers. At ATM you will find the very top of the companies not only in attendance but available for meetings. This makes a huge difference when you are trying to make business happen. I am not surprised because that is a common theme we have uncovered when doing business in the Middle East. You don’t have layers of administration and management keeping you from presenting and negotiating your product, process, or service. You speak with decision makers. Then it’s up to you to exhibit competence, capability, integrity, work ethic, and a passion to ultimately seal a deal. We are just neophytes still at doing business here but I already find it very refreshing.

Business in the Middle East

As you know, Mike has been in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for the last week and a half. This trip is geared far more toward business, so no crazy camel rides to report. However, Mike has gained an interesting perspective on business in that part of the world. Below are some of his comments and observations. The picture to the right is a view from the balcony at the Emirates Towers. I think this one is worth those thousand words!

Doing business in the Middle East:

· Getting accustomed to the 11 hour difference was really tough. Just like last time I was 4 days before I slept a normal night through. Then when you are reading emails everyone you are talking with is getting ready for bed.

· Can’t begin without mentioning the heat. It has been 31- 32 degrees centigrade here which is about 90 in Fahrenheit but because of the extreme humidity it feels like a hundred plus. Tough walking around in a suit and tie. Makes you appreciate the “white” Arab dress for men and feel sorry for the “black” Arab dress for women.

· All public areas in the hotels are Videotaped. Which shows you when you misplace a cell phone like I did who picked it up. In some cases like our guide Muhammed who lost his cell. He saw a woman take it, leave the hotel, and head to the airport.

· The lobby meeting (see pic) is something they have turned into a profit center. Everyone gets tea or soda and munches on dates or crackers. Doesn’t seem like much but will cost you an average of $30 or 100 Dirhams to sit there and there are as many as 20 meetings going on at any given time.

· Can’t get used to the lack of women workers. 80% male in Dubai.· Most expatriates here send money back home to Pakistan, India, Philippines, Vietnam… The amount is usually about half their income. When you have casual conversations they invariably ask about Obama and his policies. I note that the world seems to be very happy to have him as our new President. My caution is his economic policy being very liberal leaning and eventually will reflect a Social structure.

Mike arrived a little ahead of time last week, and whizzed through baggage and check in. So Convenient! He is currently staying up on the 42st floor of the Emirates Towers overlooking the city of Dubai, within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, and with a Starbucks downstairs. As he returned this time, he needed to set up his Dubai international phone, and ran into some difficulties that Americans rarely even consider. Here were his thoughts and notes on the situation:

"We spend years complaining about our service from “Ma Bell” but we don’t realize how easy we have it. Knowledgable techs, everything done “for” you when you call, monthly billing versus filling up every time your prepaid minutes get low, phone number is permanent you don’t have to remember to renew it every year, a blinking light when you have a voicemail (not available with wireless systems and a pain in the rear)."

Here are some of his actual notes, which we found pretty funny and extremely beneficial if you are going to be doing business internationally!

Spent 4 hours and 5 different agents going through this!

-There is a language challenge: instead of saying pound for #, the all said “hash” for #
-They don’t enunciate the numbers when there are duplicates they say “triple 5” or “double
zero”
-They will not recognize the term voicemail it is “transfer call”.
-Various codes: (if you do not have them on your phone in the tools folder) check 1st to see if they are already on your phone because the tech will not suggest this.
**67*0555 678 161# VM when you cannot pickup
**62*0555 678 161# VM when you are talking
**21*0555 678 161# VM won’t allow any pickup
##002# cancels all VM commands
-AS OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN YOU WANT COMPUTER ASSISTANCE THE “LAST” TECH KNEW THE ANSWER;
-135 to initiate service for your SIM card use.
-NOKIA: Check out phone tools/settings/call divert/voice calls/
-Activate: Busy & Not Answered
-DO NOT activate If unavailable or out of reach unless you are activating again soon. You are charged for every voicemail.

Returning to... Abu Dhabi

As I write this, Mike is still reclining in the business class seating of an Emirates flight to Dubai. Yes, he is returning to Dubai, but this time without the whole family. Since the last trip was more of a discovery tour, this time Mike has a few different objective. He will be in the UAE from April 23 through May 8, and will be attending the Arabian Travel Market while there. He will also be familiarizing himself with Abu Dhabi, since Dubai was our primary focus during the last trip. Abu Dhabi is considered the cultural epicenter of the UAE, with amazing plans of development in the next several years. To give you a little background about Abu Dhabi, so you will be familiar with it, here are some key facts to know.

-Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It became the capital after the country's independence in 1971.
- It is the largest of seven emirates that comprise the UAE. The other six are Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Qaiwain.
- The ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahayan, is also the first president of the UAE.
- Abu Dhabi is one of the world's most modern and progressive cities.
- Abu Dhabi is also one of the wealthiest states of the world. However, before the discovery of oil in the region, it was the poorest of sheikhdoms.
- Abu Dhabi has about 70 per cent of the UAE's wealth.
- Abu Dhabi city lies on a T-shaped island that juts into the Persian Gulf from the western coast.
- The emirate is bordered by Saudi Arabia and Oman, and has a total area of 82,880 square kilometers. Abu Dhabi's coastline extends to about 1,318 kilometers.
-Most of the citizens in Abu Dhabi wear the national dress. Women wear the full length black abaya and men wear the long white thobe or dishdasha.
- As per their religion, Muslims in Abu Dhabi are not allowed to consume alcohol in any of its forms. Non-Muslims need to have a special license to buy alcohol in the city.

We are excited to hear about everything that Mike will be doing in the UAE for the next 2 1/2 weeks. From what happened on our last trip, I'm sure that this will be quite an adventure!!

Secure Vacations - Feel as safe as you do in your own home.

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Secure Vacations allow your entire family to enjoy the vacation with the peace of mind needed to relax and rejuvenate!

Le Reve Returning to Dubai..Solo

Some of you reading this may recall that the Paige's journeyed to Dubai (along with a three-day trip to Oman per the suggestion of close friends) back in January and February. Although the whole family isn't going this time, Mike is getting a chance to head back to Dubai and Abu Dhabi for the first two weeks in May. The purpose of this trip will be to enhance the progress of unilateral business and leisure travel between the UAE, Southern California, and Aspen (Le Reve Diamond Destinations). Mike is looking forward to meeting with key business associates, attending the Arabian Travel event, and also just enjoy the beauty and culture that the UAE affords!

For most Americans, Dubai seems a world away, so we thought we would include some key facts about Dubai that may give you a better picture of what it is like there.

• Dubai by the Numbers:Population: over 1.3 million
• Elevation: 52 feet
• Average Annual Precipitation: 13 centimeters
• Average January Temperature: Low 58 degrees F, High 75 degrees F
• Average July Temperature: Low 86 degrees F, High 105 degrees F
• Major Industries: Trade, Manufacturing, Financial Services, Communications, Government services
• Ethnic Mix: 65% Asian, 18% UAE Nationals, 13% Arab Expatriates, 4%
• Electricity: 220/240 volts at 50 cycles
• Time Zone: GMT 4
• Country Dialing Code: 971Area Code: 4
• Did You Know?.........There aren't any street addresses in Dubai. It's True!!
• Orientation: Dubai is 1,510 square miles and is made up of two towns separated by Dubai Creek. To the north is Deira and to the south, Bur Dubai....(In fact, Dubai government authorities have a current architectural plan in place to connect the two sites of Dubai Creek. Their vision for Dubai’s new monster bridge will be known for its form and symbolism because it ”further advances the infrastructure and transportation initiatives in Dubai.” The form symbolises the surrounding dunes of the desert and the curvy Dubai Creek current. Connecting both sides the bridge measures 1,7km in length and 205m in height. Once completed it will be the tallest and longest arch bridge in the world.)
  

Hope this information gives a few interesting facts about the area that you didn't know before. Mike is looking forward to returning in May and to continuing the process of building connections between the UAE, Southern California, and Aspen.