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The National
an hour ago
- The National
Emiratis invited to set up shops and restaurants in adventure playground Hatta
Emiratis have been invited to open shops and restaurants in the rapidly expanding Hatta, as the government looks to boost the town's status as the perfect weekend getaway from Dubai. A scheme set out by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, on Sunday will seek to encourage citizens to become business owners, with free retail space for the first year of operation. Emiratis living in Hatta will be given the chance to fill retail space at Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls. There will be space for four restaurants, four shops and six food and beverage kiosks. 'For the first time, investment and commercial opportunities are being introduced in the Hatta Dam area, specifically at the Sustainable Waterfalls," said Bader Anwahi, chief executive of the Public Facilities Agency at Dubai Municipality. "These opportunities will drive Hatta's economic development and open the door for a new generation of entrepreneurs to grow their ventures.' Last year, Sheikh Mohammed set out plans to turn Hatta into a "global model for harmony between humans and nature" after reviewing progress on a Dh3.6 billion ($980,000) master plan for the enclave.
Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai's summer spending surges by over 100% during summer sale season
Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) 2025 has witnessed exceptional economic growth during the first six weeks of the festival, with retailers and malls across Dubai recording over 100 per cent average increase in consumer spending. Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) and running until August 31, strategic partnerships from leading corporations and citywide stakeholders has helped deliver unmatched shopping experiences for residents and visitors. Tens of thousands of shoppers actively engaged with more than 1,000 brands at over 3,500 outlets spanning over 100 retail destinations, marking a significant milestone for the city's summer retail sector. Driving this growth performance is the introduction of a strategic phased approach this DSS, anchored around three distinct retail seasons specially curated for Dubai's evolving consumer landscape and peak shopping cycles. The phased retail strategy commenced with the inaugural Summer Holiday Offers that helped catalyse early-summer retail activity from June 27 to July 17. The strongest momentum to date was fuelled by the recently concluded Great Dubai Summer Sale season, accelerating in-mall activity and transaction volumes across key retail categories by delivering the deepest discounts of the season and up to 90 per cent off during limited-time flash sales from July 18 to August 10. Looking ahead, the ongoing back to school season is expected to sustain momentum until August 31, ensuring a strong close to DSS by targeting families and students with value-led retail experiences. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: 'Dubai Summer Surprises is not only one of the city's most beloved annual festivals, but a key contributor of economic resilience, tourism impact, and sustained growth for the retail sector. With thousands of offers, more than 1,000 brands and over 3,500 outlets across more than 100 retail destinations, DSS continues to firmly position summer as a peak economic period for the city.' Underscoring the strength of Dubai's summer retail ecosystem and the effectiveness of the city's coordinated festival strategy, retail groups, mall operators, and brand partners across the city have reported notable increases in footfall, transaction value, and overall customer engagement. Dr. Bernd van Linder, CEO of Commercial Bank of Dubai, said: 'We are thrilled with the impressive mid-season results, which clearly show the effectiveness of this year's refreshed strategy in sustaining momentum and delivering exceptional value. The visibility and engagement generated through Dubai Summer Surprises and other citywide shopping festivals have significantly amplified awareness of the CBD brand among residents and visitors alike.' Baiju Kurieash, CEO and Founder of BUZ Management and Marketing LLC, said: 'Retail festivals like DSS play a pivotal role in driving footfall, boosting consumer confidence, and ultimately accelerating growth within Dubai's tourism ecosystem. It's incredibly rewarding to see the synergy between retail and tourism come to life through campaigns like these.' Fuad Mansoor Sharaf, Managing Director of Shopping Malls at Majid Al Futtaim commented: 'Dubai's retail calendar continues to evolve into a world-class tourism engine, and DSS is proof of that momentum in action. At Majid Al Futtaim, we're honoured to play a role in shaping the region's vibrant retail tourism landscape.' Hayssam Hajjar, Director Asset Management UAE, Al-Futtaim Real Estate said: 'Retail festivals like Dubai Summer Surprises play a vital role in energising Dubai's tourism and economic growth. This season, we have seen strong performance across both our destinations, with a notable increase in footfall and 7 per cent growth in sales across key retail categories.' Nisreen Boustani, PR & Communications Manager, Mercato & Town Centre Jumeirah, commented: 'The Great Dubai Summer Sale energised Dubai's retail and tourism sectors. Overall, we've recorded a 51 per cent year-on-year increase in sales. DSS plays a vital role in turning Dubai into a summer shopping hotspot, attracting more visitors and delivering meaningful business growth for retailers across the city.'
The National
an hour ago
- The National
Air Canada to resume Dubai-Toronto flights after government orders end to strike
Air Canada is to resume its service between Dubai and Toronto on Monday after the Canadian government directed the flag carrier and its striking employees to end an impasse that caused major disruption in operations. The Air Canada flight from Dubai scheduled at 1.25am on Monday is marked as "on time", after the service was cancelled on Saturday and Sunday, tracking data from Dubai Airports shows. Al Naboodah travel agency, which handles Air Canada reservations in the UAE, is closed on Saturday and Sunday. The National 's calls to their customer support team went unanswered. About 10,000 cabin crew walked out of work on Saturday – the first such protest since 1985 – demanding higher pay. The move resulted caused more than 700 flights to be grounded. Canada's Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu referred the airline's contract negotiations with the Canadian Union of Public Employees to final binding interest arbitration. She also directed protesting staff to return to their posts. Ms Hajdu ordered Air Canada and its budget arm, Air Canada Rouge, to resume operations by 2pm EDT (10pm UAE time) on Sunday. "Restart of operations will begin immediately, with first flights this evening, but Air Canada expects it will take several days before its operations return to normal," the Montreal-based airline said on Sunday. "During this process, some flights will be cancelled over the next seven to 10 days until the schedule is stabilised. Air Canada deeply regrets the inconvenience for its customers." The demands from Air Canada's employees include compensation for duties carried out before and after flights, such as critical safety checks, boarding procedures, assisting passengers with special needs and preparing the cabin, they said in a post on the union's website. Meanwhile, passengers affected by flight cancellations vented their frustration on social media, with many were also forced to pay for hotel rooms as they awaited resolution. Air Canada has offered compensation for passengers affected by the strike. "Those whose flights were cancelled and did not travel and who did not accept a refund or credit for future travel will be notified and provided a new itinerary," the airline said. Air Canada, the country's biggest carrier, serves more than 180 airports in six continents and plays a major role in Canada's aviation sector. In 2024, the country's overall aerospace industry contributed about C$34.5 billion ($24.8 billion) to gross domestic product – about 11 per cent of last year's total GDP – and more than 225,000 jobs, a report from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada released this month said.
