Author Archives: howesdubai

Here, There and Everywhere

Posted on July 19, 2013 by howesdubai

The next chapter in the history of the QE2 has been written with news that it is currently being converted into a luxury floating hotel at Drydocks World. In October, it will set sail for Singapore and from there to … Continue reading →

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Reason To Believe

Posted on July 11, 2013 by howesdubai

The property boom continues unabated with May seeing a jump in prices of 2.01% over the previous month – with apartments and villas up 2.13% and 1.56% respectively. On an annual basis, the trend was similar at 17.3% and 12.2%. … Continue reading →

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I Can See Clearly Now

Posted on June 28, 2013 by howesdubai

May was another great month for Dubai’s burgeoning hospitality sector with returns showing an 18.8% hike in hotels’ RevPAR (Revenue per available room) to US$ 173.09. ADR (average daily rate) also had a double-digit growth to US$ 216.22. There will … Continue reading →

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Against The Wind

Posted on June 16, 2013 by howesdubai

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is to develop a one-stop, full-service, commercial hub to accommodate the emirate’s rapidly developing fashion and design business. TECOM, a subsidiary of Dubai Holding, will operate the Dubai Design District and invest US$ … Continue reading →

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Shelter From The Storm

Posted on June 10, 2013 by howesdubai

The major news story of the week came with the announcement that Dubal, 100% owned by the  Investment Corporation of Dubai, was going to merge with Emirates Aluminium (Emal) – a 50:50 JV between Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala and Dubal. The … Continue reading →

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The Gambler

Posted on June 5, 2013 by howesdubai

As the recovery in the emirate’s realty sector takes traction, Dubai’s biggest developer, Emaar Properties, has announced yet another launch for this weekend – 120 luxury apartments in its Burj Vista development. The two identical 20-storey towers will be located … Continue reading →

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What’s Up?

Posted on May 29, 2013 by howesdubai

In only its fourth year of operations, it seems that flydubai will be make an even bigger profit than the US$ 41.4 million made for the year ending 30 June 2012. Last year, the carrier saw passenger traffic at over … Continue reading →

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I Started a Joke

Posted on May 19, 2013 by howesdubai

Following their 2011 joint announcement, it seems that the Investment Corporation of Dubai-Brookfield real estate fund will soon become a reality. Both entities have agreed to seed the US$ 1 billion fund and will primarily invest in the local market … Continue reading →

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What’s Going On?

Posted on May 13, 2013 by howesdubai

Prior to the start of Arabian Travel Mart, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum officially approved Dubai’s 2020 Vision for Tourism, which would see visitor numbers double to 20 million within the next seven years. The local tourist board, … Continue reading →

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Tell Me When

Posted on May 5, 2013 by howesdubai

Latest figures coming out of Dubai Land Department show that Q1 residential transactions reached US$ 1.28 billion – a 51.6% hike on corresponding 2012 returns. The total number of realty transactions was even more impressive with 14,260 transactions amounting to … Continue reading →

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