Gulf News

Hotels in Dubai have reported a strong double-digit increase in revenue per available room (RevPAR) while those in Abu Dhabi have continued on their downward spiral in the first half of the year, according to the latest report by Ernst & Young.

The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the final stop in what organisers claim is the first interactive inter-GCC rally tour that sets the stage for an exciting competition in six GCC countries. Eighteen people will be recruited to form six teams to participate in the 4,000km-long Focus Rabaa challenge, which kicks off in Riyadh in late April and will take the teams through six GCC countries in 10 days. The final challenge will be held at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

Police denied reports about a fire breaking out at the Burj Khalifa on Saturday night. Police termed it a rumour, a "Blackberry story". The rumour spread like wild fire on social-networking websites with many users posting pictures of what appears like bright light on one side of Burj Khalifa.

The remake of 1990 cult classic Agneepath is long-awaited, but no-one is more nervous than its star, Hrithik Roshan. The actor shared his fears in a press conference at the Armani Hotel in Dubai on Thursday, and was joined by his co-stars Priyanka Chopra and Sanjay Dutt.

Scheduled to be operational in 2013, The Dubai Mall Metro Link is one of the longest pedestrian walkways that links the Dubai Metro with any retail development, and is expected to significantly enhance the convenience of visitors to the mall and Burj Khalifa.

"RTA will deploy 63 buses to shuttle from the parking lots of Meydan Racecourse, Dubai World Trade Centre, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, and Zabeel Park, through a dedicated express lane leading to the venue. Also, 4,000 taxicabs will be deployed to work round-the-clock. These are expected to make more than 30,000 trips to and from the Burj Khalifa," Al Tayer said.

At the launch of its new venue adjacent to the Burj Khalifa, McLaren executives told Gulf News that the company plans more showrooms in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which will be operated by Al Habtoor Motors, as well as establishing a presence in Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

The film was shot extensively in the UAE, with shoots taking place in and on top of Burj Khalifa, at The Palace hotel, in the streets of Satwa and at a purpose-built set in the International Media Production Zone on Emirates Road. Releasing in the UAE on December 15, the film is expected to be a centrepiece of the Dubai International Film Festival, with Cruise and company rumoured to be in town for a screening.

The film was shot in Dubai last year and featured Cruise performing his own stunts on the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. It's expected to premiere at this Decemeber's Dubai International Film Festival, and Cruise is also expected to visit India during the film's promotional tour.

Greek composer and pianist Yanni, acclaimed for his instrumental music, will perform in front of the iconic Burj Khalifa on October 28, organisers have announced. Yanni's Dubai performance follows a concert in Muscat, Oman, at the Sultan Qaboos University Cultural Centre Grand Hall.