The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) has announced that the new AED50 polymer banknote is an official currency and to be used alongside the paper banknote of the same value, currently in circulation.
The new banknote has been distributed to banks and exchange houses, according the CBUAE statement.
The CBUAE had issued the banknote recently to mark the UAE’s Golden Jubilee, and in honour of the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the first generation of rulers of the Emirates, and their dedication and historical role in uniting the country.
The new banknote is made of polymer, which other central banks have found to be longer-lasting and more environmentally-friendly than paper banknotes. The design of this new banknote contains distinctive aesthetic characteristics, with different shades of violet, fluorescent blue marks of the UAE nation brand in the centre, and drawings and inscriptions created using advanced intaglio printing techniques. In this issue, the CBUAE was keen to maintain its consideration of all banknote users by adding prominent symbols in Braille to help blind and visually-impaired consumers to identify the banknote’s value.
Polymer banknotes can contain many more security features than paper banknotes.
In a move that further contributes to realizing the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the world’s best city to live, work and visit, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has launched an online portal that provides a ‘One-Stop-Shop’ for timeshare operators to register and apply for permits and provide insights and guidance to customers and tourists.
The new portal, which facilitates a seamless experience for customers, tourists, investors and vacation operators in the city, supports the legal framework created by Dubai’s new Timeshare Law.
The Timeshare Portal developed by DET in cooperation with partners allows potential operators to register and submit their applications for timeshare properties, obtain a permit as a licensed timeshare operator, and renew these permits on a yearly basis.
The portal brings immense benefits to the tourism ecosystem, further strengthening investor confidence in the city and its real estate and hotel offerings. Additionally, it will speed up the approval process and provide guidance and easy access to information sought by investors, owners and operators, as well as tourists who wish to use timeshare during their visit to Dubai.
The Timeshare Portal aims to establish a better business environment and seamless experience for all parties and ensure customers are protected. A multi-entity Dubai-wide initiative, the portal is primarily driven by a partnership between DET and Dubai Land Department (DLD), backed by continuous coordination with Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The easily accessible online portal seeks to further stimulate and encourage investments in the vacation ownership sector.
The Timeshare Law, which regulates the timeshare industry, aims to protect the rights of all parties and stimulate further growth across the hospitality, tourism and real estate sectors. In accordance with the Law, DET in collaboration with DLD and DIFC maintains a database of property brokers, developers, establishments and operators. This allows DET to supervise and inspect all facilities to determine and manage all contractual terms and disputes.
DET also regulates timeshare contracts and handles grievances and complaints against any individual or entity involved in timeshare activities in Dubai without obtaining the required permits and approvals. An important provision of the law is that all new timeshare properties will only be designated as part of new or existing hotel rooms, while all legacy operators will be permitted to continue operations. Under the enhanced system implemented via the portal, no private properties will be given permits to operate timeshares.
Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Department of Economy and Tourism, commented, “With Dubai safely overcoming global challenges, we continue to explore new pathways for growth, as well as opportunities created by the changing landscape to further diversify our destination proposition, based on the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to make the city the world’s leading travel and tourism destination. We now have a regulatory model that supports customers, developers and vacation ownership operators with a clear and fair legal framework in place for all parties involved in the domestic timeshare market. The launch of the online Timeshare Portal will support the implementation of the Timeshare Law and help pave the way for a world-class vacation ownership market in Dubai, whilst also providing suitable alternatives to tourists encouraging them to spend multiple and extended holidays in the UAE.”
“Our strategic partnership with the Dubai Land Department and multi-level cooperation with other government and private sector entities to ensure smooth implementation of the Timeshare Law is testament to the ongoing collaboration between government and private sector partners in Dubai, which has been an integral feature of our city’s continued success. As we ramp up efforts to further accelerate growth in this landmark year of Expo 2020 and the UAE Golden Jubilee, and beyond, we are fully committed to taking robust measures and setting new benchmarks to enable us to remain competitive as a global tourism and investment hub.”
A timeshare is a shared ownership model of vacation real estate in which multiple investors jointly own a property with each owner allocated a specific length of time to use the unit, typically in one-week increments. The timeshare model can be applied to many different types of hotel properties, such as vacation resorts, villas and apartments. Even before the global pandemic, the vacation ownership industry had been experiencing rapid growth as evolving consumer spending habits meant timeshares offered a more flexible and affordable option for holidaymakers.
The Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, wished well wishes to residents of the UAE and around the world on the occasion of Christmas.
“To those celebrating the occasion, both in the UAE and around the world, I wish you a happy and merry Christmas. May this be a time of joy and peace for you and your families,” tweeted His Highness.
To those celebrating the occasion, both in the UAE and around the world, I wish you a happy and merry Christmas. May this be a time of joy and peace for you and your families
The Steering Committee of the College of Commissioner Generals of Expo 2020 Dubai has held its third event-time meeting, doubling down on its united commitment to continue hosting an exceptional and safe World Expo in a manner that is engaging, exciting and full of learning.
The meeting of the committee, which represents Expo’s 192 participating nations, was attended by Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of Expo 2020 Dubai, and Dimitri Kerkentzes, Secretary-General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the governing body of World Expos. It was chaired by Manuel Salchli, Chair of the Expo 2020 Dubai Steering Committee and Commissioner General for Switzerland at Expo 2020.
Al Hashemy said, “As we approach the three-month mark, having welcomed millions of people from around the world, we are humbled by the depth of pride, learning and exploration that visitors are enjoying on site. We will continue to ensure that the health and safety of all visitors and staff alike remains our number one priority. In coordination with our partners in both the local and federal levels, we will continue to be agile, proactive and factual to ensure an unforgettable and safe Expo 2020 experience for all.”
Kerkentzes said, “The UAE, Expo 2020 Dubai and all International Participants remain united in our commitment to continue delivering an exceptional experience for each and every visitor, from all corners of the world. Buoyed by Expo’s latest visitation numbers, I am delighted and reassured by the way in which this World Expo has been hosted and managed so far, with the site’s ongoing health and safety measures set to ensure the coming weeks and months hold as much promise as those since 1 October.”
Chaired by Manuel Salchli, the committee, which comprises Commissioner Generals from 34 countries, praised the UAE and event organisers for a successful opening, particularly in light of the challenges surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic – noting the millions of visitors that have safely passed through Expo’s doors as 2022 approaches.
Committee members recognised the success of the cultural events of countries celebrating their National Days at Expo, as well as Expo’s spectacular UAE Golden Jubilee celebrations on 2 December, marking 50 years since the founding of the nation.
Salchli said, “During the near-three months of Expo, the outstanding commitment of International Participants and Organisers to offer a unique visitor experience has been on full display for the world to see. As we approach the halfway mark, heralding the new year with renewed optimism, I am confident such embedded international collaboration will continue to support International Participants’ national objectives, which includes addressing the global challenges shared by all.”
Clayton Kimpton, Commissioner General of New Zealand for Expo 2020 Dubai, said, “As kaitiaki (guardians), New Zealanders believe we have a responsibility to leave the world in a better place for future generations. We commend our International Participants and Expo friends and colleagues for their shared commitment, alongside New Zealand, to safely host all visitors from every corner of the world, inspiring action to preserve the planet for millennia to come.”
Albina Assis Africano, Commissioner General of Angola for Expo 2020 Dubai, said, “We commend the Expo 2020 Steering Committee for another successful meeting, raising crucial issues that affect International Participants and Organisers alike. Angola’s objectives at Expo 2020 remain unchanged, to promote the country, its people, culture, and attract investments in different areas, and we are optimistic that ongoing measures will ensure such aims are fulfilled before 31 March 2022. Dubai is the perfect platform to amplify who we are and where we want to go.”
The largest major global event to be held since the start of the pandemic, Expo 2020’s latest COVID-19 measures include the expansion of the number of on-site PCR testing facilities to four, and free testing for all Country Pavilion staff. While all frontline workers and entertainers continue to be tested on a regular basis, Dubai Expo 2020 is committed to applying the learnings of the past 18 months and move forward with partners and stakeholders to ensure a balanced and comprehensive approach forward.
With more than 90 percent of the UAE population fully vaccinated, Expo 2020 Dubai has required mandatory vaccination and boosters of all Expo and International Participant staff, volunteers, contractors and service providers.
Visitors ages 18 and above are required to present proof of any vaccination or a negative PCR test taken within the previous 72 hours. In addition, Expo 2020 maintains on-site sanitisation stations and mandatory face masks both in indoor and outdoor spaces.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is opening today, Saturday (25TH December), a sector of the Dubai-Al Ain Road Improvement Project where the road has been widened from three to six lanes in the direction of Al Ain. The sector, which extends 8 km, starts from Bu Kadra Junction to the junction of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road with Dubai-Al Ain Road.
Works completed included two underpasses to serve the traffic from and to Al Meydan Road, service roads leading to the residential communities of Nad Al Sheba 1, 2, 3 and 4 as well as the new Nad Al Sheba Bridge, Meydan district and Meydan Heights.
As such, motorists coming from Dubai heading towards Nad Al Sheba 2 via the underpass are required to use the service road at Exit 6 on Oud Metha Street. Those exiting Meydan Heights heading to the Dubai-Al Ain Road are required to use the temporary road connecting the traffic from Meydan Heights through the Abjar Street heading to the mainstream Dubai-Al Ain Road, be it in the direction of Al Ain or Dubai, via Street 34 at Nad Al Sheba.
Expo 2020 Dubai invites the world to ring in 2022 in electrifying style, with round-the-clock entertainment featuring a slate of world-class DJs, two stunning fireworks displays and a midnight ‘ball drop’ at Al Wasl Plaza, held against a backdrop of extensive safety measures that will ensure an unforgettable New Year’s Eve.
Aligned with numerous global time zones across 13 hours of festivities, Expo’s site-wide New Year’s celebrations will begin at 15:00 on Friday, 31st December, and last until 4:00 the following morning. Standout must-sees include DJ star Dimitri Vegas, who is set to thrill crowds at Expo’s Jubilee Park from 23:30 in what will be an unmissable celebration for the senses, and a spectacular set at 1:30 from Armin Van Buuren, one of the world’s biggest DJs and producers in electronic music. Numerous Arab, Filipino and Indian DJs will feature throughout the evening too.
Tareq Ghosheh, Chief Events and Entertainment Officer, Expo 2020 Dubai, said, “Celebrated by every country in the world, New Year’s Eve is a unique moment in time – celebrations made ever more poignant over these past two years as we address the pandemic together. As we continue to safely host 192 nations over 182 days, as the largest event ever held in the Arab world, we are thrilled to host a spectacular celebration of top class entertainment and activations, welcoming 2022 with open arms and renewed optimism for a brighter future.”
Effortlessly connecting Expo 2020 to the city of Dubai, Dubai Metro will also run continuously throughout New Year’s Eve, ensuring every visitor to Expo can enjoy the bevy of world-class experiences on offer. More than 70 restaurants and 120-plus food concepts will also be to hand on New Year’s Eve.
The newly-opened Festival Garden in Expo’s Jubilee Park, featuring communal seating, a main stage, food trucks, kiosks and carts, offers a perfect place to enjoy music and entertainment for the entire family, while a variety of exclusive restaurants across Expo will offer set menus, DJ performances and entertainment throughout New Year’s Eve.
The largest major global event to be held since the start of the pandemic, Expo’s latest COVID-19 measures include the expansion of the number of on-site PCR testing facilities to four, and free testing for all Country Pavilion staff. While all frontline workers and entertainers continue to be tested on a regular basis, some close contact events, such as parades and roving entertainers, have been temporarily suspended as a short-term precautionary measure.
Visitors aged 18 and above are required to present proof of any vaccination or a negative PCR test taken within the previous 72 hours. In addition, Expo 2020 maintains on site sanitisation stations and mandatory face masks both indoors and outdoors.
“In my days in the 80s…it was 1986 when I first started, the idea was to join an industry and you’d probably stay in that same industry for the rest of your life” says Pierre Delfau, general manager of Southern Sun Abu Dhabi.
He adds: “These days, it’s quite different. I would not say that’s the right thing to do, but in my time, certainly what you would do is to start an industry and then probably stay there. So, I started with Southern Sun, and I spent 12 years with them originally, to the point of becoming deputy GM.
“And then I went on to a resort environment, which gave me another type of experience, another type of customers that I had to deal with. It was a fantastic time there at the resort, five years.
“And then I went back into the city to what is now the Four Seasons Hotel in Johannesburg (in South Africa). It wasn’t the Four Seasons in those days when I worked with them, it was called the Orient Express Group of Hotels and I joined that property, which again gave me another element in my career growth because it was really focused on food and beverage.”
Fast-forward to the present: “My journey with Southern Sun Abu Dhabi started in 2012. I was the opening GM of this property, so really, I saw it growing from next to nothing to what it is today, which is really a fantastic 353-bedroom hotel,” says Mr. Delfau, who was born in France and grew up in South Africa, where he had his introduction to the hospitality industry.
“We opened our doors in April 2014. At that time, we really put something in Abu Dhabi that nobody else had as a four-star property. The size of the hotel as well as the amount of food and beverage that we have here was definitely something unique. Even to these days, I think it’s a fantastic property to stay not only for leisure and business. In actual fact, when we build this property, we thought that the primary customers would be the business segment, when in actual fact, there’s a large amount of leisure tourists who stay here and stay here because of what we have to offer and where we are located, being close to the Cornice.”
These days, one might wonder how Mr. Delfau’s day start and how he runs the hotel.
“My day starts about 4:30 in the morning… when I catch up on what happened the day before on my iPad, before I get to the office, and I get here very early,” he shares.
“I usually start by taking a walk around the hotel and see what’s happening in the various areas. Obviously, a lot of my time is concentrated on looking at the business. And it continues right through the day talking to our colleagues and seeing what our colleagues are doing. In a place like this, you have nearly 200 colleagues working. How do you keep them motivated at work?
Mr. Delfau, who started working when he was 18, clears the line between his role as GM and that of his staff.
“The role of a general manager, I think is really to be a visionary in the property because you have to set a vision, you have to set goals but also to look after the team because at the end of the day, they’re the ones who are at the forefront of the hotel.
“I bring a team in that is able to deliver what is expected of them. I always tell people it’s the wrong thing to employ somebody and always having to tell that person what to do. You meant to employ somebody that knows what to do and that is able to deliver what you expect them to deliver.”
He further explains: “It’s like asking an executive chef to come into the organization and dictating what the menu is going to be all about, what the food is going to be all about, what the dish is going to be all about. No, that’s wrong. That’s why you’ve got an executive chef. That’s why they have to be creative. That’s why they have to create something… that you will find fantastic.
“I’m a general manager. I’m not a chef. I’m not a chief engineer. So, for me, I’m more of a person that would allow the people to deliver on the expectations. Obviously, if I see that something is not going quite right, if I feel something needs to be changed, I will make it known. I will let the key person know that something needs to happen. Otherwise, you can’t really do everything yourself. It’s impossible to do that.”
And what does he speak to his staff about?
“I always tell them, “Guys, this is one hotel out of thousands of hotels. If I can’t give you the opportunity to grow and somebody else can, you need to grab it. Always continuously grow in this industry. The hotel industry is one industry where you can do that pretty quickly if you want to, especially these days.
“So, if you think you are able to apply for a new position available, do it, do it all the time. Progress, progress, progress. Eventually, you will come to a stage where you want maybe more stability and say, “Well, I’m going to stay in that position for about years”.
“As you grow, you need to be flexible. You need to grab it when you can. Do not stagnate. Some people say it’s a curse, other people love it. It just suits the times at the end of the day, and it has some great benefits, it has some great positions, but it also has some other sides to it.”
Family?
“I met my wife, Cathy, in South Africa. We’ve been happily married for 27 years already. So, I’m one of those in the hotel industry that managed to keep the marriage going for so long, and we’ve got two beautiful children. My daughter, Shannon, she is 24 years old now. My son, Adam, decided to continue the line and he went into the hotel industry, and he still got it.
“When Shannon left here, yes, that wasn’t easy. It’s always hardest when the first one leaves the nest, you know, and then goes far away from here and she’s no longer there (in the house) on weekends.
“But again, we have been Skyping all the time…when we were having dinner, we would put the laptop on the counter, and she would be having dinner with us. Yes, she was thousands of miles away, but she was present. You have to allow children the opportunity to grow up, to experience new cultures and to live on their own and to understand what it does to live on the budget as well.”
Mr. Delfau also has some words about retirement: “Yes, of course, I plan about retiring. I think a lot of people do. When you reach my age, you start thinking about where do you want to be? How long is it going to take you to get there? But there’s plenty to be done, so it’s nowhere done, and it will never be done.”
And success: “A lot of people measure success financially. I disagree. They are certainly financial successes, I agree with that. I think success is different for all individuals. You measure success. I measure success. It’s going to be very different.
“On a personal note, I measure success as waking up in the morning, happy to get up… happy to get in my car, drive through…happy to get home, have dinner with my wife…happy with the way my family has grown up…with the way that I see my children growing up.
“Will I leave something behind when I’m gone? There’s a lot for me to describe success on a personal note, rather than a professional note. If we talk professionally, I think I’m measuring success in what I do in this property and what I’ve done over the seven years. How you bring a brand at Southern Sun? Yes, that’s how I measure success and all these things, you know, and not necessarily financially.”
Kate Hardcastle MBE is an award-winning TV personality from the UK, who has appeared in numerous TV shows including BBC’s Watchdog, ITV’s Eat, Shop, Save, ITV’s Tonight, Rip Off Britain and Inside Out to name a few.
Her vision for what the consumer desires and how businesses can meet it led to her being awarded the MBE in The Queen’s Birthday Honours in June 2018 for Services to Business and Commerce.
Kate says: “I know that it often surprises people to hear I was actually a singer as a first career. I think due to reality shows, we are used to the switch from a ‘normal’ career into one on the stage – but perhaps not the other way around!
“And certainly not that someone chose that route. I was so passionate about my studies, and I was enjoying where that road was taking me – that while the thrill of the lights, stages and big audiences will always have appeal, that career also came with a lot of waiting around. I wanted to be a ‘rock n roll business’ star instead – and you know what? I have just realized I might well be on the way to it. I tour the world, perform on big stages, and have my own shows – the route was just a different one!”
Kate has launched a new global sustainability platform “Buy Smarter Buy Greener,” where she encourages consumers to make better choices, as well as an innovative podcast “Rock n Roll Business” giving business learnings from the music industry given her early career as a singer. She’s also a busy juggling working mom of three!
“As a busy working mom of three, I care about issues such as sustainability and like many, I want to do my bit to protect the planet and its people for future generations. At the same time, we don’t always have the time and money to source the right solution, and nobody needs a guilt trip about their choices – just ideas on how to make changes that are right for them. These tips and advice won’t break the bank and will examine everything from health and beauty products to eco-friendly travel,” she says.
“Consumers want the businesses they engage with to ‘be better’ across a range of measures – from stakeholder engagement to diversity and inclusion – and of course, environmentally. Yet the communication between organization and buyer on green credentials and ethical policies can be overly complicated and technical. The whole process needs simplifying, jargon needs eliminating and an intermediary that is independent – Buy Smarter Buy Greener is the platform where both business and consumers can engage in s positive way to educate, inform and to all buy better,” Kate further explains.
Kate, who takes her energy from her maternal grandfather who, she said, “has achieved so much as a disabled rights campaigner, as well as having a successful career in sports that I saw him completely as a ‘person of determination,’ said passion, persuasion and patience are values that have as well helped her in life.
“I am hungry to continually learn, and mindful to be respectful and authentic in my work,” said Kate, who studied business in Salford, Manchester, UK and went on to study at the INSEAD institute in Singapore and Paris focusing on strategic partnerships and alliances.
“I see myself as an evergreen student, life and business evolves and moves so quickly we should be open to growing our minds and experiences each day,” she said.
Lessons learned?
“You have two ears and a mouth, use them in that order. Try to really listen to what people are saying before you speak. Say sorry. I know that there are some business philosophies around how apologizing can be seen as a weakness – but it really doesn’t have to be.
“If you can even apologize for the fact that someone has been made to feel a certain way or let down, even if there are a set of circumstances around that, it doesn’t mean you are accepting all responsibility – it instead shows you have empathy. There is a right way to do things.
“Oh – and play the long game… yes there will always be a short cut, a quick win. Someone you might be able to charge a few more dollars here or there. Yet in life, I feel that respect is so important, and people will always remember how you made them feel. Believe me, you have no idea who is connected to whom and what might just be around the corner. Try keep that karma on your side.”
And her advice?
“You have to be comfortable when you put your head down on your pillow to sleep at night that you did the right thing. And if there are things you need to change tell your self: ‘Tomorrow will be the first day of the rest of my life. I will start that day making the changes I want to see to be the person I want to be’
“And I can only do that if I sleep – so please find ways in which to get your sleep it is the root of good health.”
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) today announced holiday traffic will increase almost 400 percent from 2020 as passenger demand, flight numbers and network presence expand.
From the period running 22nd December to 2nd January, Abu Dhabi Airports estimates an average of 32,000 passengers and 102 flights per day will pass through AUH, almost four times the passenger traffic reported during the same period last year (8400 passengers per day) and almost twice the flights (56). Passenger traffic (59,000 per day) and flight numbers (149 per day) still remain down from the same period in 2019.
AUH has reminded passengers to contact the relevant airline for the latest travel regulations and make sure to arrange all necessary validated documents before arriving at the airport. Furthermore, they were asked to check out the AUH website to find their terminal location, reach the airport 3 hours early and wear masks at all times.
On Thursday, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention announced 1,002 Covid-19 coronavirus cases, 339 recoveries, and no deaths.
According to a Khaleej Times report, about 107.8 million PCR tests have been performed across the country. 365,269 extra tests were used to find the new cases.
As of December 23, there were 746,557 cases in the UAE, with a total of 739,616 recoveries. The death toll has now risen to 2,154.
