The Dubai Expat Diaries

According to Gulf News, expats who wish to bring their families here will now be required to earn minimum AED 10,000 and also rent an independent accomodation:

Major General Nasser Al Awadi Al Menhali, director general of the Naturalisation and Residency Department (NRD), said the decision was made after a study by the Ministry of Interior on the negative effects of allowing residents to bring their families without sufficient income and a suitable place to stay…

Al Menhali said it is best for the minimum wage to be raised to cope with the cost of living, rents, school fees and health care.

Earlier expats with minimum AED 6,000 salary could sponsor their families. But with Dubai becoming increasingly expensive, many families struggle to make ends meet.

The latest shopping craze for credit-crunched Dubai expats - the Dubai Flea Market has become a big hit where people can buy and sell almost any used items. The last event in May witnessed crowds of upto 4,500 visitors. It is being held indoors for the summer at the Al Safa Hall in Jumeirah. The next market is to be held on July 3 from 8AM to 3PM. There is small entrance fee of AED 3 per person.

For those interested in selling items and booking a stand, click here.

The Dubai Summer Surprises is back again with lots of fun family events and shopping offers to keep us entertained this long, hot summer. Starting from June 11, this popular festival is scheduled to go on till August 14, with a wide range of attractions all over Dubai.

Old Gold Souk, Dubai

If you are planning to book a hotel room, click here for excellent rates and a quick and safe booking.

Continue reading ‘Beat the heat with Dubai Summer Surprises 2009′

If you’ve always dreamed of sitting at the helm of your global hotel empire…and  terms like RevPAR, GOPPAR, bottom line profits and market share come easy, then perhaps it’s time you put your skills to the test! YoungHotelier.com is proud to introduce the first-ever real-time real-world business simulation for the Hotel Industry, in affiliation with Tycoon Systems, Inc. 

Continue reading ‘Hotel Business Game for CEOs, Hotel Managers and Students’

A great summer special offer on Hotel Bookings throughout the region and beyond…If you’re looking to get away this summer, this offer should come in handy! Details below:

An Eternal Summer! Enjoy upto 30% off if you stay 3 nights or longer. Book by July 31st and stay all the way through September 30th. Escape to hundreds of destinations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East this summer and enjoy amazing rates for stays through September 30th, 2009. Rooms are limited and these rates won’t last – offer ends July 31st!

Eternal Summers in Dubai: Book Now:
Save upto 30% at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina 
Save upto 30% at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina

This offer is valid for arrivals all days of the week depending on the hotel. Blackout dates may apply.  See terms and conditions. For more details and bookings, visit www.eternalsummers.com

Dubai Mall is hosting a month-long shopping festival from April 30 – May 29, with exciting shopping deals and giving shoppers who spend AED 500 or more the chance to win AED 10,000 cash in daily raffles, not to mention the Grand raffle at the end giving away a million Dirhams to one lucky shopper. 

Continue reading ‘Shopping Alert - Month Long Festival at Dubai Mall’

RTA has launched a new service called “mpark” which will enable Dubai residents to pay their parking fees more conveniently through their mobile phones. 

This will make it very easy to extend the parking time without having to rush to the parking machine each time for another ticket. This service will initially cover Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City and Sheikh Zayed road, and will be available in Bur Dubai and Deira in August and October respectively. Continue reading ‘Parking fees can now be paid via SMS’

The popular Club Mina has come out with a great summer offer for new members – join for a year and get another 6 months free. Additional nifty perks include great discounts on dining, rooms, spa, etc and beach passes for the family. Check out the details below or on the radio campaign currently running on Dubai 92 and 103.8…

Info received from Club Mina: This summer, join the exciting Club Mina at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi and enjoy amazing benefits. Join on any 12 month membership and receive 6 month’s free on your membership. This offer is valid from 1 June - 31 August and only for new members.

Continue reading ‘Dubai Health Clubs - 6 months free at Club Mina on Jumeirah Beach’

Rihanna’s first gig in Dubai, originally scheduled for May 28, has been cancelled after all. She has been quoted as saying “it’s just not the right time for her”. It seems she is to keen to perform in this region but at a later date.

US pop star Rihanna has scheduled her big comeback concert since the Chris Brown controversy with a performance in Dubai. It is going to be held on May 28 but no other details about the concert are out yet. 

Continue reading ‘Rihanna to perform in Dubai!’