Dubai (November 14, 2015)
FAM Report by Matt Balsamo, Cranston
US Mega- Dubai November 2015
Nov 14th
Left Boston on Emirates at 1055am. Arrived in Dubai at 840am on Sunday Nov 15th
I was met by representatives from Dubai Tourism and transferred to the JW Marriott Marquis. We then had a city tour for about an hour on a hop on hop off tour bus. Rest of the day was at leisure and then a group dinner at the hotel at 9pm.
Nov 16th
After breakfast. We went to the Burj Khalifa. This is the tallest building in the world. We went to observation decks on the 124th and 148th floors. Then we went to the Underwater Zoo at the Dubai Mall.
We then transferred from there to the Armani hotel for a presentation. Then lunch at the Sheikh Mohammed Cultural Center for Understanding with traditional Arabic food. This is a center that has been designed by the ruler of the country to help educate people on the culture of the Emirati people. It was a very educational experience and I would say one of the highlights of the trip.
We then had a tour of the gold and spice markets.
Free time for about an hour before going to the Palazzo Versace for hotel inspection and dinner.
Nov 17th
After breakfast, we were transferred to The Palace Hotel Downtown for the workshop on Dubai Tourism. We learned about their campaign to reach 20 million visitors by 2020. There were various hotels, tour operators, Emirates who gave presentations. We had lunch at the hotel following the workshop
Following some free time in the late afternoon we were transferred to the Waldorf Astoria hotel for an inspection and cocktails outside on their beach. We were then transferred to the Mina Al Salam a Jeremiah property for dinner.
Nov 18th
After breakfast we transferred to Ski Dubai at the Mall of the Emirates. I went tubing and got to experience the largest indoor ski park in the world. After a little free time at the mall we had a hotel inspection and lunch at the Sheraton Hotel at the Mall of the Emirates.
We had Free time in the afternoon before heading out for the Desert Safari.
The Desert Safari was an hour outside of Dubai. It included riding in vintage land rovers over rolling dunes. We arrived at a camp site that was created especially for us. There was a man with 2 falcons, camel riding, Arabic bread making demonstrations, belly dancers and a wonderful buffet. It was a wonderful experience.
Nov 19th.
After breakfast we were transferred to the Burj Al Arab (the worlds only 7 star hotel). We were giving a tour of the property. After this we had a little free time for shopping before hotel inspection and lunch at Zabeel Saray Hotel on the Palm.
For our final evening there was a Gala dinner planned at Meydan Racecourse. This is a premier horse racing venue. We had a wonderful cocktail reception followed but a sit down dinner on the patio over looking the racecourse.
Nov 20th
Transferred to Dubai airport for flight home to Boston
Matt Balsamo
Cranston