Just in time for peak summer travel, a flight subscription service has been launched in the UAE by ultra-low-fare airline Wizz Air Abu Dhabi. A regional first, the service allows users to travel monthly at a set price, with fares unaffected by seasonal changes or last-minute hikes.
Ahead of the Eid Al Adha holidays, meanwhile, travel platform Skyscanner has unveiled which destinations UAE residents are searching for the most. The list is diverse, spanning destinations in Europe, the US and the Middle East.
For something a little out of this world, a Michelin-starred chef has given a sneak peek into what he's cooking up for the maiden Spaceship Neptune flight that's set to take adventurers to the edge of the Earth next year.
Here's a round-up of recent travel and tourism news – in case you missed it.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi flight subscription service
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has launched Wizz MultiPass, a subscription service that allows travellers to fly multiple times to international destinations at a fixed price. Charged monthly, fares bought with the Wizz MultiPass remain consistent and will be unaffected by seasonal changes or last-minute price hikes. The fare also includes all taxes and other fees.
Travellers have multiple package options, from one-way or return flights or tickets that include Wizz Priority and/or additional baggage allowances. Wizz Priority ticket holders are entitled to priority check-in and boarding and are allowed to bring an extra trolley bag in addition to the free carry-on bag into the cabin.
Wizz Multipass packages for international flights from and to the Abu Dhabi are:
– Ticket only: Dh259 one-day and Dh519 return
– Ticket + Wizz Priority: Dh369 one-way and Dh739 return
– Ticket + 20kg checked-in bag: Dh423 one-way and Dh847 return
– Ticket + Wizz Priority + 20kg checked-in baggage: Dh533 one-way and Dh1,067 return
A joint venture between UAE holding company ADQ and Wizz Air in Hungary, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi flies to 36 destinations in 25 countries from the UAE capital. Destinations include Alexandria in Egypt, Almaty in Kazakhstan, Amman in Jordan, Ankara in Turkey, Athens in Greece, Baku in Azerbaijan, Kutaisi in Georgia and Male in Maldives.
More information on Wizz Air MultiPass is available here
London is most-searched destination by UAE travellers looking for Eid Al Adha break
Travel marketplace platform Skyscanner has unveiled London as the top destination for UAE residents searching for Eid Al Adha break options.
Eid Al Adha, which is expected to be on June 16, will be the next big public holiday as it falls on a Sunday.
According to Skyscanner, the most popular departure date during this period is June 14, which is a Friday.
Besides London, the most-searched destination for Eid Al Adha is Athens, followed by New York. Cairo and Manchester round up the Top 5 in fourth and fifth places respectively.
More than half of UAE travellers, 53 per cent, are searching for trips that are one week or less, while 33 per cent of travellers are looking for trips that are more than one to two weeks, Skyscanner added.
“We're witnessing a dynamic shift in travel preferences among UAE residents,” said Ayoub El Mamoun, a travel expert at Skyscanner. “The surge in popularity of these five trending destinations showcases the adventurous spirit of UAE travellers.”
Data was collected between April 1 and 29 for departures between June 14 and 21.
Skyscanner also revealed top trending destinations during the same period, with New York at No 1, followed by Tokyo, Athens, Dublin and Male, capital of the Maldives.
Glow-in-the dark dishes and space junk on maiden spaceflight menu
Danish Michelin-starred chef Rasmus Munk has offered a peek into what he's preparing for guests aboard the world’s first floating spaceport, set to take off on its maiden flight in 2025.
Operated by luxury spaceflight operator Space Perspective, a Florida-based start-up, six guests will ascend aboard Spaceship Neptune to the stratosphere, where they will enjoy an immersive dining experience from the edge of the Earth.
The bio-fuel-powered balloon-like vessel can accommodate up to eight guests and one pilot.
Munk, 33, will travel with the guests and serve the meal himself, from a small kitchen. He told the Associated Press his menu will be inspired by the impact of space innovation.
Though mysterious about his menu, Munk said he’s planning to incorporate glow-in-dark stars made from aerogel and jellyfish protein.
“We are also working on an edible piece of space junk from a satellite,” he said. “And then, we want to talk about some of the things going on the planet … from deforestation to temperatures rising and the rubbish in our seas.”
Munk’s Alchemist restaurant in Copenhagen, the Danish capital, has held two Michelin stars since 2020, and last year was ranked fifth best restaurant in the world.
Tickets on the Spaceship Neptune cost $495,000 each. Space Perspective said more than 1,000 have already been sold.
The flight won’t technically reach “space”. Spaceship Neptune will ascend to around 30 kilometres, well below the Karman line, the boundary separating Earth's atmosphere and outer space, which is some 100 kilometres from Earth.
Record number of applications for UN's Best Tourism Villages
More than 260 applications from 60 countries, a record number, have been received for UN Tourism's Best Tourism Villages.
Now in its fourth year, the annual listing was launched by UN Tourism, a specialised agency of the UN, to drive rural development and well-being via tourism. Applications are assessed by an independent body on various criteria including cultural and natural resources, economic sustainability, infrastructure and prioritisation of tourism by their governments.
A number of villages in the region have already made it to the Best Tourism Villages list, including AlUla in Saudi Arabia, which was listed in 2022. Oman's oasis Misfat Al Abriyeen was included in 2021 along with the heritage village of Rijal Alma’a, also in Saudi Arabia.
Popularly known as the “gingerbread village” because its buildings look like they are made of gingerbread, Rijal Alma'a is nestled in the mountainous Asir region of Saudi Arabia.
A a pristine example of the kingdom’s diverse heritage and culture, the village consists of several towering houses and palaces, each constructed out of natural stone clay and wood. UN officials said the Saudi village is “an outstanding example of rural tourism”.
This year's Best Tourism Villages will be announced in the fourth quarter of the year, UN Tourism said.
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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if you go
The flights
Emirates have direct flights from Dubai to Glasgow from Dh3,115. Alternatively, if you want to see a bit of Edinburgh first, then you can fly there direct with Etihad from Abu Dhabi.
The hotel
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Located in the heart of Mackintosh's Glasgow, the Dakota Deluxe is perhaps the most refined hotel anywhere in the city. Doubles from Dh850
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Events and tours
There are various Mackintosh specific events throughout 2018 – for more details and to see a map of his surviving designs see glasgowmackintosh.com
For walking tours focussing on the Glasgow Style, see the website of the Glasgow School of Art.
More information
For ideas on planning a trip to Scotland, visit www.visitscotland.com
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HOW TO WATCH
Facebook: TheNationalNews
Twitter: @thenationalnews
Instagram: @thenationalnews.com
TikTok: @thenationalnews
How to vote
Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.
They'll then be sent a special ballot voting kit by mail either to their address, the Consulate General of Canada to the UAE in Dubai or The Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi
Registered voters mark the ballot with their choice and must send it back by 6pm Eastern time on October 21 (2am next Friday)
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Match info
What: Fifa Club World Cup play-off
Who: Al Ain v Team Wellington
Where: Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
When: Wednesday, kick off 7.30pm
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last-16 second leg
Paris Saint-Germain (1) v Borussia Dortmund (2)
Kick-off: Midnight, Thursday, March 12
Stadium: Parc des Princes
Live: On beIN Sports HD
The five pillars of Islam
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Virtual banks explained
What is a virtual bank?
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority defines it as a bank that delivers services through the internet or other electronic channels instead of physical branches. That means not only facilitating payments but accepting deposits and making loans, just like traditional ones. Other terms used interchangeably include digital or digital-only banks or neobanks. By contrast, so-called digital wallets or e-wallets such as Apple Pay, PayPal or Google Pay usually serve as intermediaries between a consumer’s traditional account or credit card and a merchant, usually via a smartphone or computer.
What’s the draw in Asia?
Hundreds of millions of people under-served by traditional institutions, for one thing. In China, India and elsewhere, digital wallets such as Alipay, WeChat Pay and Paytm have already become ubiquitous, offering millions of people an easy way to store and spend their money via mobile phone. Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines are also among the world’s biggest under-banked countries; together they have almost half a billion people.
Is Hong Kong short of banks?
No, but the city is among the most cash-reliant major economies, leaving room for newcomers to disrupt the entrenched industry. Ant Financial, an Alibaba Group Holding affiliate that runs Alipay and MYBank, and Tencent Holdings, the company behind WeBank and WeChat Pay, are among the owners of the eight ventures licensed to create virtual banks in Hong Kong, with operations expected to start as early as the end of the year.
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Match info
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Liverpool v Porto, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)
Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Wonka
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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
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Race card
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-2 Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 2,200m
6.30pm: Liwa Oaisi Group 2 (PA) Dh300,000 1,400m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,600m
The National selections: 5pm: Flit Al Maury, 5.30pm: Sadah, 6pm: RB Seqondtonone, 6.30pm: RB Money To Burn, 7pm: SS Jalmood, 7.30pm: Dalaalaat
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NBA Finals so far
(Toronto lead 3-1 in best-of-seven series_
Game 1 Raptors 118 Warriors 109
Game 2 Raptors 104 Warriors 109
Game 3 Warriors 109 Raptors 123
Game 4 Warriors 92 Raptors 105
Fitness problems in men's tennis
Andy Murray - hip
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Roger Federer - back
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If you go
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.
The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.
RACE CARD
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 (PA) Listed Dh230,000 1,600m
6.30pm: HH The President’s Cup (PA) Group 1 Dh2.5million 2,200m
7pm: HH The President’s Cup (TB) Listed Dh380,000 1,400m
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap Dh70,000 1,200m.
T20 World Cup Qualifier
October 18 – November 2
Opening fixtures
Friday, October 18
ICC Academy: 10am, Scotland v Singapore, 2.10pm, Netherlands v Kenya
Zayed Cricket Stadium: 2.10pm, Hong Kong v Ireland, 7.30pm, Oman v UAE
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Rameez Shahzad, Darius D’Silva, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zawar Farid, Ghulam Shabber, Junaid Siddique, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Waheed Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Zahoor Khan
Players out: Mohammed Naveed, Shaiman Anwar, Qadeer Ahmed
Players in: Junaid Siddique, Darius D’Silva, Waheed Ahmed
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Results:
CSIL 2-star 145cm One Round with Jump-Off
1. Alice Debany Clero (USA) on Amareusa S 38.83 seconds
2. Anikka Sande (NOR) For Cash 2 39.09
3. Georgia Tame (GBR) Cash Up 39.42
4. Nadia Taryam (UAE) Askaria 3 39.63
5. Miriam Schneider (GER) Fidelius G 47.74
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
