The Dubai Expat Diaries

There has been a shift in the marketing strategy used by hotels in the region, with more and more hotels turning to the popular social networking sites such as twitter and facebook to attract more guests.

According to a recent survey, a third of twitter users from the Middle East and North Africa region had purchased a product or service based on recommendations by fellow “tweeters”. This goes to the show the huge potential these sites have for hoteliers looking to promote a brand within a large segment of the population - that too for free.

To read more about this survey, click here.

Dubai’s favourite beach bar, Barasti (Le Meridien Mina Seyahi on Jumeirah Beach Dubai) has launched what it calls it’s “biggest promotion ever”. It certainly sounds like it! Check out the details from the official press release:

How to play – Barasti Big Deal

Barasti Big Deal is our biggest promotion ever! We’ve teamed up with Dubai’s favourite radio station – Dubai 92, African and Eastern and Time Out to bring you the ultimate game of chance.

Want to eat and drink at Barasti for free for a whole year? Here’s how you can get your hands on what will soon become one of Dubai’s most prized possessions – a Barasti Big Deal T-Shirt!

Have you got what it takes to be Mr or Mrs Barasti? With every bottle of Corona you buy at Barasti this October, you’ll receive a scratch card which entitles you to enter into a draw to win a ‘Barasti Big Deal T-Shirt’ and become 1 of 52 people that will be playing the biggest game of their lives! We’ll be picking a winner every day. Once you have won your T-Shirt you get to drink in Barasti for free for the duration of the promotion! The game is one of chance….where we play cards with you. From the 31st October to the 12th November we’ll be eliminating players from the pack – the longer you stay the greater the stakes. This is not just any game, this is a Big Deal!

So what are you waiting for? Buy a Corona at Barasti, listen to Catboy and Geordiebird on Dubai 92 every morning, buy Time Out Dubai or simply log onto www.barastibigdeal.com, do whatever it takes to enter!

Excited? We certainly are!

About Barasti Bar Dubai: Overlooking the Arabian Sea, Barasti at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina is an award winning vibrant beach venue full of excitement. With great music, a delectable menu and delicious cocktails – it’s no wonder Barasti has become an icon of the Dubai social scene.

If you’ve been dreaming of the perfect getaway this Summer and over Ramadan, you’ll be happy to learn that Starwood Hotels (approximately 140 participating properties) have just launched a limited time SALE, with extremely competitive prices at their luxury hotels and resorts in Europe, African and the Middle East. The offer is bookable until 25 August, for stays until 31 October 2009.

In Dubai, there are 9 hotels offering these great rates till 25^th August, with an additional property in Abu Dhabi and also the popular Le Meridien in Al Aqah, Fujairah. Popular beach holiday options in Dubai include the Mina Seyahi complex on Jumeirah Beach – Rates at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi start at AED 480+ (http://bit.ly/Z2fXV) and The Westin Dubai at AED 600+ (http://bit.ly/95WOl)

With the Dubai Metro set to start operating from September 9, Mall of the Emirates and Deira City Centre  have announced plans to introduce paid parking from September 10. As they are both located close to Metro stations, the mall management stated they intend to deter Metro commuters from using the mall parking facilities.

Continue reading ‘Popular Dubai Malls to Charge for Parking’

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’