Latest news with #JumeirahBeach
Gulf Business
7 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Business
Venue revealed for Gulf Business Awards 2025
Guests networking at last year's Gulf Business Awards 2024 in Dubai. Gulf Business has officially announced Now in its 13th year, the Gulf Business Awards is one of the region's premier platforms recognising outstanding leadership, innovation, and business performance across a wide range of sectors—from banking and real estate to healthcare, technology, energy and tourism. Located on Dubai's Jumeirah Beach, The Westin offers a striking blend of luxury and functionality. With views overlooking The Palm Jumeirah and impressive neoclassical architecture, the five-star beachfront resort provides an ideal setting for high-profile events. The venue features a private beach, multiple award-winning restaurants and bars, and extensive banquet facilities tailored for conferences, gala dinners, and corporate celebrations. Location details can be found Read: The Gulf Business Awards 2025 will once again spotlight the region's most impactful organisations and business leaders, with entries open across company and leadership categories in key industries. While nominations are currently being accepted online, organisers encourage interested parties to focus on categories most aligned with their core strengths and achievements. For more details on the event and how to participate, visit the official
Daily Mail
15-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Luxury for less in Dubai: Enjoy the high life on a budget with an infinity pool and stunning vistas at the JA Ocean View Hotel
With its reputation as a holiday destination preferred by footballers, reality TV stars and Instagram influencers, it's easy to assume Dubai is out of the price range of the ordinary traveller. But there is a beachfront hotel complete with infinity pool and staggering views of the Bluewaters Island tourist attraction and the world's tallest Ferris wheel, the Ain Dubai, that is within reach of those on a budget. JA Ocean View Hotel is a sleek and stylish gem offering five-star luxury at surprisingly affordable prices, with rooms starting at just AED 399 (£81) and regular offers available. Tucked right in the heart of the vibrant Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), this dazzling hotel puts you steps away from The Walk, one of Dubai's most iconic promenades. Think luxury shopping, street entertainment, bustling cafés, and sweeping views of the Arabian Gulf — all just outside your hotel doors. The hotel itself is decked out in Grecian-style cool whites and blues with a smattering of pink bougainvillea. Rooms at JA Ocean Views, as the name suggests, enjoy some stunning vistas - especially at sunset, best enjoyed from your private balcony. Foodies are also well catered for - the buffet breakfast offers an enormous selection and there are several options for lunch and dinner including a classic pizzeria and a lively sports bar for a more casual option. JA Ocean View's reception area is a sweeping cool white space that brings instant calm from the heat and bustling adventure that awaits outside the hotel doors. But the standout has to be the OIA Greek Restaurant and Pool Lounge. Designed to mirror the whitewashed elegance of Santorini, it's like a little slice of the Aegean right in Dubai. The intimate atmosphere and superb cocktails are worth the visit alone. But the delicious menu is truly not to be missed - with the cheese saganaki dressed with organic honey and fresh figs and the lamb souvlaki among the favourites. JA Ocean View is perfectly situated to enjoy all that Dubai has to offer, and a great way to make sure you're not missing out is by visiting the Visit Dubai website where you discover details on all the must-do sights and excursions. But there is also plenty on offer within the hotel. Whether you're taking a dip in the infinity pool, or sweating it out in the fitness centre or padel tennis court, JA Ocean View Hotel delivers more than just a place to sleep. There are three different swimming pools, a tranquil 8th Element Spa, and even a dedicated kids' play area - away from the main infinity pool - to keep little ones entertained while parents unwind. And the beach is just a stones throw away' Prices start at just AED 399 (£81) during the low season and from AED 849 (£174) in high season. Book directly at for the best rates and latest offers.
Khaleej Times
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Watch: Dubai expat surfs in high heels while raising Philippine flag, eating cake
This Thursday, June 12, is the 127th Philippine Independence Day, and a Dubai-based surf queen and famous social media personality found a daring and creative way 'to honour the vibrant Filipino community' in the UAE. Wearing a neatly-pressed Filipiniana attire and high-heels, Polish expat Karolina Agata Sankiewicz –popularly known as Dubai's OG Surfer Barbie– used her wakesurfing skills to create two tribute videos: One is showing her waving the Philippine flag while surfing on Jumeirah Beach, followed by a second video showing her eating a popular Filipino pastry (Ube cake), while again, surfing. Both videos generated nearly 62 million views two days after she posted them on Friday (June 6). And no, they're not AI-generated and not just for a stunt. Speaking to Khaleej Times over the weekend, Karolina said: 'I feel blessed and honoured for all the love I received on the two videos. I decided to surf with the Philippine flag as a tribute to my incredible team members, many of whom are from the Philippines. They are truly some of the kindest and most hardworking individuals I've ever met. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. 'When they told me about the upcoming Philippine Independence Day, we knew we wanted to create something meaningful to honour their culture and community—especially here in the UAE, where the Filipino community is such a vibrant and essential part of society,' she added. Then, everything fell into place. Karolina continued: 'A friend of mine had recently travelled to the Philippines and brought back a beautiful, authentic Filipiniana dress, which we incorporated into the shoot. It was all part of our effort to celebrate Filipino heritage with sincerity and pride.' Karolina said the two viral videos are actually just behind-the-scenes clips captured on a smartphone. The main video is currently being edited and will be released on June 11, ahead of Philippine Independence Day. 'We're excited to share it with the world and show our appreciation for the Filipino people everywhere,' she added. How they did it The production team Karolina mentioned is composed of Richard Napenas (captain), Darryl James Mabale (surfing coach), Archie Manz (assistant/ surfing coach), Maryam Hedayat (videographer and photographer), who shot the main clip, and Hnin OO (assistant). The entire video, shot on Friday (June 6), was taken in one go. Karolina shared: 'I am a professional surfer and have been wakesurfing in high heels while multitasking for the last few years. I never fall in the water.' 'While my videos may appear effortless and easy on the eye, each one actually requires a great deal of preparation, coordination, and teamwork behind the scenes. What viewers see is just the final product of hours of planning and execution. For this particular video, we wanted to do something truly special in celebration of Philippine Independence Day. I had a large custom-made Philippine flag created specifically for the shoot. It was printed in Sharjah and delivered to my house the night before filming. We also featured a traditional Filipino dessert—Ube cake—which I enjoyed while surfing, adding a playful and cultural touch to the video.' Karolina said every detail was carefully considered – from making sure the clothes were properly ironed, to selecting two pairs of high heels, and preparing both a white and a full black wakesurf board to match different looks. 'It may seem glamorous, but once we're out in the ocean, we only have one chance to get each shot right—so preparation is everything,' she underscored, adding: 'With so many moving parts, attention to detail is invaluable. This project is our heartfelt tribute to the Filipino community, especially those in the UAE, and we can't wait to share the full video with everyone.' Who is Dubai's OG Barbie surfer? Karolina is Polish-born content creator and entrepreneur currently based in the UAE, where she's been living for more than 12 years. Before moving to Dubai, she spent six years in Honolulu, Hawaii—an experience she said sparked her deep love and passion for the ocean and surfing. She holds an MBA in International Business and, before diving into the world of surfing and content creation, she worked in the corporate world for more than 15 years. Her background includes positions in investment firms, the oil and gas sector, and family offices. Three years ago, she discovered wakesurfing in Dubai, and she fell in love with the sport instantly. She said: "While others were out partying, I would be up at 5am every weekend to surf—it was my escape, my passion. I never imagined it would one day become my career or that my videos would reach millions around the world.' Two years ago, she posted a playful video on TikTok showing her wakesurfing while carrying luxury shopping bags, applying makeup, and wearing sneakers. The next morning, she said, she woke up to 20 million views. 'That was the turning point. I realised this could be something bigger, and I started creating even more imaginative content—from surfing in glamorous gala gowns and towering high heels to holding an ironing board, a large Christmas tree, or even a TV,' she added. As her videos gained popularity, luxury brands began to notice her and she collaborated with them. Just recently, Karolina was awarded at the World Influencers and Bloggers Awards (WIBA) during the Cannes Festival, where she was named Glamorous Sports Influencer of the Year 2025. She said: 'My life has completely transformed. What began as a passion has become a full-time career, and I'm blessed every single day to be able to do what I love—surfing, creating, and inspiring others to follow their own unique paths.'
The Guardian
27-05-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Ex-aide to Georgia's de facto leader at risk of torture, lawyers say
A former aide to the de factor leader of Georgia is at risk of torture, his lawyers have said, after he was arrested and deported to Tbilisi from his place of hiding in Dubai. Giorgi Bachiashvili fled Georgia after falling out with the billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, the honorary chair of the country's ruling party, for whom he worked for more than a decade, overseeing his personal finances. Two months ago, Bachiashvili was convicted in absentia by a Georgian court of stealing $42.7m in profits that was said to have been owed to Ivanishvili from a cryptocurrency investment. While on the run, Bachiashvili accused his former mentor of aligning Georgia with Russia out of self-interest, claiming he was willing to sacrifice 'the land, any interest for his personal wellbeing and security'. Ivanishvili, who is under US sanctions for 'undermining the democratic and Euro-Atlantic future of Georgia for the benefit of the Russian Federation' and violently repressing dissent, was prime minister of Georgia between 2012 and 2013. He is widely regarded as the controlling mind behind the current government. Friends of Bachiashvili said he travelled to Jumeirah Beach hotel in Abu Dhabi to meet a local lawyer. He was instead detained in the hotel's lobby by a group of about eight members of the local security services before being transported to a police station in Dubai and put on a flight to Georgia, the sources said. Bachiashvili, 39, was given the opportunity to call his family to inform them of his arrest but his location is not known. Robert Amsterdam, a US-Canadian human rights lawyer who has been representing Bachiashvili, said: 'We were caught completely off-guard by his arrest. He had local counsel; he had local team, and he seemed very comfortable with them. It appears he was simply arrested and then put on a plane immediately. 'We are deeply concerned about the use of torture. Georgia is notoriously dangerous and corrupt, so it's a matter of real, grave concern.' The UN committee against torture has cited 'numerous and consistent allegations' of torture by Georgian law enforcement. Amsterdam added: 'I denounce in the strongest possible terms the ongoing instrumentalisation of domestic and international law and the abuse of mechanisms of international legal cooperation in Georgia's relentless efforts to jail my client for speaking truth to power.' Bachiashvili, speaking to the Guardian earlier this month, claimed that Ivanishvili had turned Georgia into a puppet state for Vladimir Putin after realising that western countries would not tolerate his continued control over the government. He said: 'I think that up until 2022 he had an illusion that Georgia would enter the EU under Ivanishvili's shadow grip. It became evident that the EU will not accept Georgia with this sort of autocratic power.' Lawyers for Ivanishivili have denied the claims.
Travel Daily News
26-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Sustainability leadership at Movenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach
Sustainability leadership at Movenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach drives guest satisfaction, local engagement, and ESG innovation, as General Manager Michael Goetz shares during Arabian Travel Market 2025 in Dubai. Sustainability leadership at Movenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach is shaping the hotel's long-term success and industry standing, as General Manager Michael Goetz revealed during Arabian Travel Market 2025 in Dubai. Positioned at the heart of Jumeirah Beach, this Accor property has built a strong reputation for embedding sustainability into its operational DNA—well before ESG commitments became widespread across the hospitality sector. Michael Goetz explained that sustainability leadership is not just a marketing tool; it is core to Movenpick's identity. The hotel has maintained Green Globe certification since opening and is one of only two hotels in the Middle East with platinum status. This reflects its consistent performance over 11 years, underscoring sustainability leadership as an authentic and measurable commitment. Goetz emphasized that even though some ESG measures might not deliver immediate cost savings, the hotel prioritizes local sourcing, energy-saving initiatives, and responsible waste management because 'it's the right thing to do' for the environment and the local community. Key to Movenpick's sustainability leadership is technological integration. The hotel employs AI systems like Winnow to track food waste, helping reduce it by up to 25%—above industry averages. This commitment is visible to guests, who encounter menus showing the carbon footprint of each dish, thanks to the partnership with Climato. According to Goetz, such transparency enhances the guest experience, as sustainability-minded travelers increasingly seek hotels aligning with their values. Employee engagement is another pillar of sustainability leadership at Movenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach. The hotel fosters a workplace where well-being, loyalty, and purpose thrive. Goetz highlighted initiatives such as health programs, staff competitions, partnerships with organizations like Evolving Women, and the hiring of people of determination, all designed to create a motivated and values-aligned team. This people-first approach, combined with the hotel's sustainability focus, contributes to consistently high guest satisfaction ratings, with Movenpick ranking among Dubai's top 50 hotels and holding a 96% digital reputation score. Commercially, sustainability leadership has become a competitive advantage. As Goetz pointed out, many corporate and leisure clients increasingly factor ESG performance into their hotel selection criteria. This conscious travel demand positions Movenpick not just as an accommodation provider but as a platform for meaningful, responsible travel experiences. Content blocked. Click Unblock to set your consent level for this website and view the content. Unblock Looking ahead, Goetz sees sustainability leadership evolving through increased demand for eco-certified hotels, stronger digital personalization, expanded plant-based menus, and new investments in renewable energy. With plans to transition hot water systems entirely to solar power and deepen local community ties, Movenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach continues to lead by example, setting new benchmarks in conscious hospitality. The Movenpick case demonstrates how embedding sustainability into every layer of hotel operations—guest services, staff management, commercial strategy, and technological innovation—can deliver both reputational and financial returns. In a market as competitive as Dubai, this sustainability leadership is no longer optional; it's a defining factor for future resilience and growth.
