FUJAIRAH // More support is needed for tourism in Fujairah as visitors are increasingly choosing to head to other emirates, say hotel managers.
While Fujairah was once the destination of choice for tourists wanting to escape the cities, a flurry of hotel openings in recent years in nearby Ras Al Khaimah has affected visitor numbers.
Patrick Antaki, general manager of Le Meridien hotel in Al Aqah said: “The tourism development is still very, very low [in Fujairah].”
He said Fujairah had the most historical sites in the country, including old forts and mosques, but “nobody knows about it”.
“We still have a lot of work to do and I would like to unleash that potential,” he said.
Mr Antaki, who has been based in Fujairah for 12 years, admits the last two have been especially challenging.
Ras Al Khaimah is only about 45 minutes away from Dubai International Airport, while a trip to Fujairah takes twice as long.
Mr Antaki said the tourism authority in Fujairah was good at attracting visitors from within the UAE, “but they need to develop international tourism”.
Al Aqah has the Indian Ocean on one side and a mountain range on the other, giving it scenery unlike anywhere else in the country. “That is a big draw,” said Mr Antaki.
While he welcomed the “healthy” competition from RAK, he said: “We can’t say it is not affecting Fujairah. It is.
“Fujairah was the first destination outside Dubai in the UAE for all the years I was here, but slowly the UAE started to grow and RAK grew even faster than Fujairah.
“Luckily the flights into Dubai have increased exponentially and we have had a share of the pie.”
He believed that RAK had spent a lot more on marketing itself overseas than Fujairah had. Nevertheless, many visitors were still choosing Fujairah.
“Tour operators committed to Fujairah will also sell Fujairah at the same time as RAK,” he said.
Although he said more charter flights to RAK airport would be a positive step, he would prefer to see Fujairah airport upgraded and expanded.
“A charter flight brings in that breadth of guests, from the budget to luxury traveller,” he said.
Andreas Mueller, general manager of the Cove Rotana resort in RAK, said accessibility was a major factor in RAK’s success.
“Because of the additional hotels, I think Fujairah has lost business to us [RAK]. The travel time is less than Fujairah and it makes an impact.”
In the past 12 months, RAK has increased its hotel room capacity from 3,000 to 5,000, with international brands such as the Rixos and Waldorf Astoria added to its portfolio.
Hossam Kamal, general manager of the Rotana hotel in Al Aqah, agreed that charter flights to RAK would benefit both emirates.
He does, however, believe Fujairah has benefited from RAK’s tourist facility development.
“The marketing [by RAK] would work for both destinations,” he said. “RAK’s tourism authority has become very active and the overflow from here goes to Al Aqah. The people who want to be close to Dubai will go to RAK, but we have a different clientele.”
Janet Fitzner, general manager of the Radisson Blu Al Aqah, said all emirates should work together to boost overall visitor numbers to the country.
“The marketing for RAK, for example, is helping us and helps every destination in the UAE. RAK is helping to show there’s more to the UAE than Dubai and Abu Dhabi.”
With new hotels planned for Al Aqah, she said the destination had to ensure demand could meet supply.
“It is about awareness, good PR and having the infrastructure in place,” she said.
mswan@thenational.ae
Company%20Profile
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War
Director: Siddharth Anand
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor
Rating: Two out of five stars
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
F1 drivers' standings
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 281
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 222
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 177
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 138
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 93
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 86
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 56
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
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ABU DHABI T10: DAY TWO
Bangla Tigers v Deccan Gladiators (3.30pm)
Delhi Bulls v Karnataka Tuskers (5.45pm)
Northern Warriors v Qalandars (8.00pm)
SQUADS
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (capt), Azhar Ali, Shan Masood, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Asghar, Bilal Asif, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Wahab Riaz
Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Lahiru Thirimanne (vice-capt), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath, Lakshan Sandakan, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Gamage
Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG) and Nigel Llong (ENG)
TV umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG)
ICC match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)
MATCH INFO
Quarter-finals
Saturday (all times UAE)
England v Australia, 11.15am
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm
Sunday
Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
Porsche Macan T: The Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 265hp from 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,800-4,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Speed: 0-100kph in 6.2sec
Top speed: 232kph
Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
On sale: May or June
Price: From Dh259,900
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The%20specs
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TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
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Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5