It has been revealed by internationally famed and acclaimed design label Gucci that they are to open a chain of hotels with the first one opening in Dubai. With Dubai continuing to be a popular destination for holidaymakers and tourists around the world, Gucci will no doubt be looking to follow in the footsteps of fellow Italian designer Giorgio Armani, who began their own hotel chain only a few months ago.

Like their iconic brand, the Elisabetta Gucci Hotel chain is to be an exclusive hotel location with luxurious offerings including spa, pool, fitness centre, 24 hour room service and a cigar club. Opening the first of the chain in Dubai's Media City Lorens Zillar, the Gucci hotel chain's managing director, explained that whilst the construction had not yet started they envisaged the 87 suite building to be the height of luxury. In addition she revealed that proposals were to continue the chains in popular business and upcoming tourist locations including China, Abu Dhabi, Oman and Doha in Qatar. The news comes after Giorgio Armani revealed this past April that they were to open a hotel in the world's tallest building, Dubai's Burj Khalifa.

Dubai remains a particularly prestigious destination for UK tourists, allowing individuals to revel in the luxury that it has to offer and to take a break in a city which is unlike that of many people have seen before. With business class and premium economy flights available from across Britain, and with Gucci's plans to develop more hotels across the Middle East, those looking for the finest service and most luxurious setting may find the Elisabetta Gucci Hotel line just what they're looking for.

Cheap Flights and Travel News – © 2010 – Just The Flight

It has been revealed by Qatar Airways that along with the addition of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner to its fleet, entertainment systems within the new craft are to be upgraded to allow more interactivity than ever before. Flying to a number of locations from UK airports including London Heathrow and Edinburgh, flyers will be able to use the most recent Thales in-flight communication and entertainment system, allowing for extra pleasure and comfort whilst travelling long distances.

With the airline having ordered 60 Dreamliners from Boeing, the fleet is to be majorly revamped as the new planes make their debut flights next year. Featuring the Thales TopSeries system, individuals will benefit from touchscreen interfaces, audio options with 3D technology and the ability to sync personal electronic devices to the unit. In addition, making a step that see's Qatar Airways the first to use such a product, the Thales new controller will also be available, increasing user options to incorporate game playing and quick "multi-tasking capabilities" through the touchscreen menu.

Whilst not coming into the fleet until 2011, the news is an important and exciting step for a firm which flies to popular destinations such as Abu Dhabi, Shanghai and Melbourne. Not only providing increased interaction for users, a connection to the internet allows both business class and other passengers to enjoy "current news, sports, social networks and other mobile applications" whilst in-flight. With such upgrades to their business Qatar Airways is certainly looking to the future and a better way of flying.

Cheap Flights and Travel News – © 2010 – Just The Flight

Abu Dhabi picked up the accolade for the leading destination in the Middle East at the recent World Travel Awards ceremony for the region.

The city was also recognised for its marketing campaigns, business travel facilities and marina.

Dubai’s Burj Al Arab was voted the leading hotel in the Middle East, while Dubai International took the accolade for the region’s top airport.

In the airlines section, Etihad Airways was named the best carrier and also honoured for its first and economy class services and inflight entertainment.

Emirates‘ Skywards scheme emerged as the leading rewards programme and Qatar Airways picked up an award for its lounge at Doha Airport.

World Travel Awards founder and president Graham Cooke said: "The Middle East is a shining example to the international industry, even in the challenging times that this region and destinations worldwide have been experiencing in the past two years."

Johannesburg will host the stage of the awards programme covering Africa and the Indian Ocean in July.

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Etihad Airways has announced that its new Inspired Service product is set to be made available to economy passengers on all of its global routes this month.

The offering has been introduced on 40 of the carrier’s 62 international services and will be fully rolled out before the end of May.

Etihad introduced the Inspired Service initiative in its premium cabins and on the ground at its hub in Abu Dhabi, as well as other key locations across its global network.

It is designed to provide a more tailored experience to economy passengers through a greater choice of food and beverages, larger pillows, travel packs for people on overnight flights and other offerings.

Peter Baumgartner, the airline’s chief commercial officer, said the concept was launched as a result of feedback from customers across all cabin classes.

He added: "Since we commenced the roll-out of Inspired Service in Coral Economy class in October last year, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and we are pleased to confirm that all guests travelling in the economy cabin will be able to experience the service by the end of May."

Etihad has been raising awareness of its new product at malls in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and will continue its promotions throughout the month.

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Flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other destinations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will have been popular among British travellers over Easter, with demand for the country’s currency increasing significantly ahead of the holiday period.

Sainsbury’s Travel Money revealed that its exchange bureaux across the UK reported a 122 per cent increase in orders for the UAE dirham in the seven days before Easter compared to a normal week at that time of year.

Thailand also attracted strong interest from British travellers, with a 107 per cent increase in demand for the baht during the pre-Easter period.

There was an 86 per cent rise in the volume of Canadian dollars traded, while euro orders climbed by 84 per cent, despite the unfavourable exchange rate.

Scott Gorman, head of Sainsbury’s Travel Money, said: "The week before Easter is usually a busy week for people getting their foreign currency, but the difference in demand for more exotic currencies is marked.

"Clearly there were some great last-minute deals to be had in the UAE, judging by the increase in demand for dirham."

The figures showed a fall in orders for the dollar currencies of both Australia and New Zealand in the run-up to Easter.

Cheap Flights and Travel News – © 2009 – Just The Flight

The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) has revealed that the destination is targeting the marine leisure industry as a potential area of growth.

Yas Marina on Yas Island is currently hosting the second Abu Dhabi Yacht Show, which will run from February 25th to 27th.

Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nayhan, chairman of the ADTA, said the event will highlight the emirate’s commitment to becoming a leading marine leisure destination and showcase the quality of its facilities.

Several marine leisure hubs are currently under development in the region.

"Yas Marina and the infrastructure on Yas Island are testaments to Abu Dhabi’s ability to deliver the best infrastructure and facilities management," the ADTA chairman commented.

"We intend to turn this now proven expertise to the advantage of all, as we leverage our natural assets of premier geographic location, stunning coastline and islands and complement them with luxurious, efficient and competitive onshore support facilities."

Sailing enthusiasts can test out the marine leisure provisions for themselves by catching flights to Abu Dhabi, which are provided by Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, British Airways and other carriers.

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Airline capacity on Manchester to Abu Dhabi flights is to be increased by as much as 60 per cent when Etihad Airways upgrades its aircraft.

The Middle Eastern carrier is to move from its current A330-200 fleet to B777-300 aircraft as of June this year.

With the aircraft change, an additional 2,100 seats per week will become available for booking.

Peter Baumgartner, chief commercial officer of Etihad Airways, said: "Our services to Manchester have been performing very strongly, with load factors of close to 80 per cent in 2009.

"The business and investment ties between Manchester and Abu Dhabi have never been stronger and the introduction of the B777 furthers our commitment to this important route."

Services between Manchester and the emirate were first launched by Etihad in 2006. Flights currently operate seven times a week, with many travellers being able to change onto onward connections to other destinations at Abu Dhabi.

Cheap Flights and Travel News – © 2009 – Just The Flight

Airline capacity on Manchester to Abu Dhabi flights is to be increased by as much as 60 per cent when Etihad Airways upgrades its aircraft.

The Middle Eastern carrier is to move from its current A330-200 fleet to B777-300 aircraft as of June this year.

With the aircraft change, an additional 2,100 seats per week will become available for booking.

Peter Baumgartner, chief commercial officer of Etihad Airways, said: "Our services to Manchester have been performing very strongly, with load factors of close to 80 per cent in 2009.

"The business and investment ties between Manchester and Abu Dhabi have never been stronger and the introduction of the B777 furthers our commitment to this important route."

Services between Manchester and the emirate were first launched by Etihad in 2006. Flights currently operate seven times a week, with many travellers being able to change onto onward connections to other destinations at Abu Dhabi.

Cheap Flights and Travel News – © 2009 – Just The Flight

Global airline capacity is showing a year-on-year increase for February 2010, marking the sixth consecutive month of growth, according to a report from the Official Airline Guide (OAG).

A total of 272.7 million seats are available this month, five per cent more than in February 2009.

Flight frequencies have increased by four per cent year-on-year, with 2.2 million air services scheduled over the coming month.

OAG revealed that both frequency and capacity are higher this year on flights to and from the majority of global regions, including North America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

Mario Hardy, a spokesman for OAG Aviation, said: "This month, a number of new routes are being launched; the Asia Pacific region shows 174 new routes with a large number of them from Chinese carriers.

"In Europe, the Middle East and Africa, there are 210 new routes dominated by low-cost carriers."

The report identified a number of individual hubs that are showing "impressive growth" this month, including Sao Paulo and Bogota in South America and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

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The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) has revealed that the destination bucked global trends in a "globally depressed" travel market last year by achieving an increase in hotel guest numbers.

Some 1.54 million people stayed in hotels in Abu Dhabi throughout 2009, marking a two per cent rise on the previous year.

The number of guest stays recorded in the final quarter was 16 per cent higher than the corresponding period in 2008.

Mubarak Al Muhairi, director general of the ADTA, said: "The year ended on a high with a very successful last quarter driven by major events and an Eid break with strong stay-at-home characteristics."

He added: "While the last 12 months have been challenging, as they have for all destinations, we believe growth is a very solid performance in the face of global decline."

Over 96,000 people from the UK stayed in hotels in Abu Dhabi last year, making Britain the main market for the emirate ahead of the US.

The ADTA has targeted hotel guest numbers of 1.65 million in 2010.

Cheap Flights and Travel News – © 2009 – Just The Flight