Local specialities
Within the GCC, there exists a wide range of venues and activities suitable for meeting and events, from a test drive day at the Formula 1 track in Bahrain to breakfast in the snow at Ski Dubai, but hotels capture the lion’s share of this market.
At the Kempinski Hotel Ajman, the USP is Cosmic Bowling, used for both team building and as part of an incentive programme, often combined with dinner and overnight stay at the property, said the hotel’s John Stocki.
“Options include blind partner bowling, where the thrower is guided by his or her partner — plus, we also have access to organise private events at the Ajman Museum, and offer a personal massage treatment for the organiser.”
New in Dubai, camel polo has been launched by Dnata at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, with games using up to 12 camels operated with two people per camel, one driving and one playing, and using large inflatable balls.
Top of the range, Jumeirah goes the extra mile to target corporate events and incentives, according to regional director of sales, Craig Senior, who said a new team building brochure had recently been launched to add to its portfolio of facilities: “In the current market, the customer is looking for an event that can inspire — combining business and pleasure, and we have catered to this specifically with a variety of programmes.”
Recent innovative meetings included the launch of the Boris Becker Tower where a huge tennis court was constructed at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel venue, while the hotel was also the venue to launch Barclays Bank Retail, with glass tents constructed at the beachside.
CONTACT:
www.kempinski-ajman.com
camelpolo@dnata.com
www.jumeirah.com
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Cypriot delights
Within three hours’ flying time of the Gulf, Cyprus is becoming a favoured location for corporate events, said Christos Christou, managing director of CPC Events, a dedicated DMC for the events market that has seen increasing business out of the region:
“Good value, good weather, good food, good hotels as well as 9000 years of heritage are the selling points for Cyprus,” he added.
Best sellers include beach Olympics and dinners in ancient sites, cocktail receptions in castles, theatre in real amphitheatres, fiestas in village squares and former monasteries.
CONTACT: www.cpc-events.com
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