Abu Dhabi last night scooped up some of the most sought-after travel awards in the industry.
Emirates Palace picked up two honours at the World Travel Awards, for the world's leading conference and meetings hotel, and the world's leading presidential suite.
Etihad Airways was named the world's leading airline at the ceremony for the third year in a row. The accolade comes following a year in which Etihad has continued its aggressive expansion.
"Highlights included the launch of seven new international routes, a move into operating profitability and the purchase of a 29.2 per cent stake in airberlin, a landmark deal that enables access to 33 million new passengers in Europe," Etihad said.
The airline also yesterday announced that it had started code-share flights with airberlin. Etihad became airberlin's biggest single shareholder last month.
Airberlin is to operate four flights a week between Berlin and Abu Dhabi starting on Sunday.
"Etihad Airways will place its EY code on these flights, providing European travellers with immediate access to a total of 29 flights a week to and through Abu Dhabi from four German hubs - Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich - with a plan to increase to 42 flights from mid-April," Etihad said.
"Part of the new strategic partnership will see airberlin place its AB code on Etihad Airways flights from Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Munich to Abu Dhabi and on Etihad Airways' flights from Abu Dhabi to Bangkok, Malé and Singapore," Etihad said.
The Abu Dhabi airline also received awards for the world's leading first class and world's leading airline to the Middle East.
Judges in the World Travel Awards, which The Wall Street Journal has described as the "Oscars of the travel industry", consider areas including customer relations, service and business acumen.
"The fact recognition of investment at an industry level is happening should, in my view, be lauded and commended," said Saj Ahmad, the chief analyst at StrategicAero Research. "It is a recognised industry award. If nothing else, Etihad winning again shows how far ahead it has come."
The Kempinski Mall of the Emirates hotel in Dubai was named the world's leading leisure hotel and the world's leading shopping centre hotel.
rbundhun@thenational.ae
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
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Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
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If you go...
Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
HIV on the rise in the region
A 2019 United Nations special analysis on Aids reveals 37 per cent of new HIV infections in the Mena region are from people injecting drugs.
New HIV infections have also risen by 29 per cent in western Europe and Asia, and by 7 per cent in Latin America, but declined elsewhere.
Egypt has shown the highest increase in recorded cases of HIV since 2010, up by 196 per cent.
Access to HIV testing, treatment and care in the region is well below the global average.
Few statistics have been published on the number of cases in the UAE, although a UNAIDS report said 1.5 per cent of the prison population has the virus.
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday Celta Vigo v Villarreal (midnight kick-off UAE)
Saturday Sevilla v Real Sociedad (4pm), Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao (7.15pm), Granada v Barcelona (9.30pm), Osasuna v Real Madrid (midnight)
Sunday Levante v Eibar (4pm), Cadiz v Alaves (7.15pm), Elche v Getafe (9.30pm), Real Valladolid v Valencia (midnight)
Monday Huesca v Real Betis (midnight)
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VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
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- Keep an open mind
Saudi Cup race day
Schedule in UAE time
5pm: Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Cup (Turf), 5.35pm: 1351 Cup (T), 6.10pm: Longines Turf Handicap (T), 6.45pm: Obaiya Arabian Classic for Purebred Arabians (Dirt), 7.30pm: Jockey Club Handicap (D), 8.10pm: Samba Saudi Derby (D), 8.50pm: Saudia Sprint (D), 9.40pm: Saudi Cup (D)
The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
MATCH INFO
Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
Third-place play-off: New Zealand v Wales, Friday, 1pm
The specs: 2018 Audi RS5
Price, base: Dh359,200
Engine: 2.9L twin-turbo V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
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Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
Company%20Profile
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