Tourism

By Vicky Hallett

What’s going to be hot this summer other than the weather? Stand-up paddleboarding (or SUP for short). Several local outfitters have added the long, floaty boards to their fleets of watercraft. That includes Baltimore’s Ultimate Watersports, which is pushing the Polynesian-inspired activity that looks a bit like surfing but doesn’t require a single wave.

In fact, when you’re starting out, you’ll probably prefer calm water. Although chief adventure officer Hal Ashman says it’s a cinch to learn, you’re guaranteed to fall a few times as you’re figuring out how to balance. Once you get the hang of it, you can row yourself around with a motion that’s great for strengthening your core and shoulders.

You can rent the boards, take lessons, go on eco-tours or attend a SUP yoga class - yep, paddle out and then stay steady as you try poses. “Hard to beat doing it on the water,” Ashman says.

Ultimate Watersports, 7200 Graces Quarter Road, Baltimore; 410-335-5352; www.ultimatewatersports.com. Rentals $25 per hour, lessons $40; must weigh at least 65 pounds.

Out On A Limb In Richmond

Even if you used to scramble up that huge pine in your parents’ back yard, chances are you never made it 70 feet in the air. (At least, not without getting grounded.) But Riverside Outfitters in Richmond, Va., allows anyone age 5 or older to climb to sky-high branches using safety techniques borrowed from professional arborists.

The harnesses, ropes and pulleys designed to keep you from tumbling to the ground resemble rock-climbing gear, but the experience is different from scaling a wall, explains Matt Perry, president and co-owner. “You’re playing with the trees,” he says.

Staff members will happily show you the nitty-gritty of how they set up the system, but if you’re just into what Perry calls “thrilling fun,” then don’t worry about it. Simply enjoy the climb to the tops of red oaks, pretend you’re Tarzan and walk out along the limbs. “For adults, there’s a nostalgic draw - and it’s a good workout,” Perry says. For kids, it’s a way to boost self-confidence. In other words, there’s something for everyone in your family tree.

Riverside Outfitters, 6836 Old Westham Road, Richmond; 804-560-0068; www.riversideoutfitters.net. Prices vary depending on your needs; a two-hour outing with one instructor for up to five climbers is $150.

Zip It in West Virginia

The first part of any zip-line canopy tour used to be getting on a plane. But the highflying eco-tourism trend that originated in Costa Rica has finally made its way to the mid-Atlantic. This summer, get ready to go the extra mile. That’s how long you’ll be in the air at Nelson Rocks Outdoor Center in Circleville, W.Va. The four-hour experience that debuted this month includes 12 zip lines, three sky bridges and a hike, all designed to provide a glorious glimpse at 400 million years of geology. Guides are there for safety as well as education about the flora and fauna.

If a 31/2-hour drive seems too far, consider an option that’s only an hour away in Harpers Ferry, W. Va. River Riders, a popular company for rafting and tubing, is launching a canopy tour this weekend. It’s a shorter course with eight zip lines that you can finish in about two hours that should still satisfy your adrenaline cravings.

Nelson Rocks Outdoor Center, 141 Nelson Gap Road, Circleville, W.Va.; 877-435-4842; www.nelsonrocks.org. $80 weekdays, $85 weekends; 70- to 250-pound weight requirement.

River Riders, 408 Alstadts Hill Road, Harpers Ferry, W.Va.; 800-326-7238; www.harpersferryzipline.com. $77, age 12 and younger $72; 50- to 250-pound weight requirement.

Snow Day in the Foothills

“In the summer, people don’t think, ‘Let’s go skiing,’ “ says Drew Sherwood, general manager of Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre. But that’s exactly what the slopes covered with synthetic snow substitute are meant for in Lynchburg, Va.

The newest innovation is a lift and slope for tubing, so riders can zoom downhill for 250 feet. “There’s no going slow,” says Sherwood, whose 2-year-old nephew has managed the descent on his own. One bummer: You have to wear long sleeves and pants, because the surface has the texture of a doormat, which leaves marks like rug burns on exposed skin.

Although it’s run by Liberty University, which boasts the slogan “40 years of training champions for Christ,” Sherwood promises the only lessons at the center are in skiing and snowboarding. “This is a vacation place. We don’t force a theology on anybody,” he says.

Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre, 4000 Candlers Mountain Road, Lynchburg; 866-504-7541; www.liberty.edu/snowflex. Tubing (includes tube) $10-$12 for first hour, $5 each additional hour; skiing and snowboarding $5-$7 per hour, $12 a day for equipment rental.

WP-Bloomberg

The ambitious yet selective expansion plan of Kempinski Hotels, Europe’s longest-established luxury hotel chain, is cementing their position in the Middle East and Africa region as part of the overall strategy to double their portfolio to 121 hotels worldwide by 2015.

Hotels, Resorts and Residences in Middle East and Africa’s Saudi Arabia, Oman, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria will come on stream over the next two years, while Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, the Seychelles and Namibia come on board earlier.

“The Middle East and Africa is an important area of expansion for us and we will continue our development strategy throughout the region. There is a worldwide fascination for this region and our brand of luxury with European flair makes us a main player in the Middle East and Africa.” Said Ulrich Eckhardt (pictured), Kempinski’s President for Middle East, Africa and Indian Ocean.

This year sees four scheduled openings. The Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah is the group’s first beach property in Dubai, a five-star all-suites hotel comprising between one and five bedrooms. Kempinski adds another region to its list of beautiful destinations with the Seychelles Kempinski Resort at Baie Lazare on the island of Mahé, which will add value to the Kempinski portfolio by marking an entrance into this exclusive market and is scheduled to open in October. A major project in Namibia sees the acquisition of the Midgard Country Estate, which is following the takeover of Kempinski Mokhuti Lodge in 2008, in addition to the Kempinski Hotel Bahrain which is scheduled to open in the September 2011.

In 2012 the Kempinski Al Othman Hotel – Al Khobar, in Saudi Arabia’s oil-rich Eastern Province will open in the ideal location for business guests to be joined during the course of the year by the Kempinski Hotel, Burj Rafal in Riyadh and the Kempinski Hotel, Jeddah. Summerland Kempinski, Beirut, Lebanon and Kempinski Residences Alabadiyah Hills - Beirut, Lebanon will also open duirng 2012.

Scheduled for opening in 2013 are the Kempinski Hotel The Wave in Muscat, marking the group’s entry into Oman, and a second hotel in Egypt’s capital Cairo, the Kempinski Hotel, Royal Maxim to join the Kempinski Nile Hotel. Opening the Kempinski Hotel, Accra -Ghana in 2013 will further strengthen Kempinski’s profile in the Africa region.

Further to these commitments, Kempinski have also entered into management agreements for the following properties: Kempinski Strand Hotel (Namibia); Kempinski Hotel, Marsa Malaz (Doha, Qatar), Kempinski Hotel Solaiman Basha Khan, a boutique hotel in the centre of authentic Omayad Damascus, Syria.

Kempinski’s luxurious brand will also be seen in the future in the following locations: Nairobi, Madagascar, Hammamet (Tunisia), Mozambique, South Africa, Casablanca, Mauritius, The Congo, Comoros, Bangladesh, Senegal, and Nigeria.

Created in 1897, Kempinski Hotels is Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group. Kempinski’s rich heritage of impeccable personal service and superb hospitality is complemented by the exclusivity and individuality of its properties. Kempinski now comprises a portfolio of 64 five-star hotels in 28 countries and continues to add new properties in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Each one reflects the strength and success of the Kempinski brand without losing sight of its heritage. The portfolio comprises historic landmark properties, award-winning urban lifestyle hotels, outstanding resorts, and prestigious residences. Each one imbues the quality guests have come to expect from Kempinski while embracing the cultural traditions of its location. Kempinski is a founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA): the world’s largest alliance of independent hotels.

The upcoming Abu Dhabi summer festival is expected 10 percent increment in visitors from Qatar and other GCC countries as usual compared to the previous event, said Sultan Al Mihairi, an Official at Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) in a press conference held at Sharq Village. “The visitors from Qatar are expected more than any other GCC countries because it is very close so they can go even by car easily to this one month long summer festival which is going to start from Jun 30 and will remain open until July 30 of this year”, said Al Mihairi.

GCC families are primary targets of the festival. Hotels and tourist resorts have announced the discounts and offers to attract the visitors expected between 65,000 and 70,000.

The festival will have a ‘Kids Go Free’ offer at the fabulous Ferrari World Abu Dhabi – the world’s biggest indoor theme park and home to ‘Formula Rossa’, the world’s fastest rollercoaster - for kids less than 1.5 meters in height. Entry will be free for those sporting a summer in Abu Dhabi ADNEC ticket.

The fourth ‘Summer in Abu Dhabi’ festival, will be a month-long, fun-filled extravaganza of family-centric activities, award-winning international acts and shows, premium edutainment concepts and value-driven ticket, hotel and attraction deals.

The expanded event’s summer promotions at various Abu Dhabi attractions start on June 15, before four multi-purpose halls at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) - triple the size of last year’s ADNEC offering – open to the public on June 30. Running until July 30, Summer in Abu Dhabi is organized by ADTA to engage UAE residents and increase visitors to the UAE capital during the traditionally quieter summer season.

By Noora Al Samman

The Libyan capital, Tripoli, is the also the main port of the country. It houses most of the administrative buildings in the country.

As an increasing number of Qatari citizens and foreigners living in Qatar leave the country to spend their holidays abroad they leave a big question mark over the ability of this country to offer them what they want.

The W Doha is preparing to commemorate its first Ramadan in grand style by readying two of its world-class restaurants and lounges for Ramadan rituals, as well as the quintessential Ramadan Tent.

Qatar Airways was honoured last week by leading aviation industry figures for its wide-ranging global environmental initiatives.

The Doha-based carrier’s well documented move into research into alternative jet fuel as part of an overall mission to secure a cleaner and environmentally friendly future helped win it the environmental award at the annual Airline Strategy Awards held in London.

DOHA: Qatar Airways recently received its 20th Boeing 777 aircraft — a brand new B777-200 Long Range — from Seattle, Washington.

The new aircraft is the seventh Long Range Boeing in the airline’s fleet. Qatar Airways’ 20 Boeing aircraft include 11 Extended Range (300-ERs), seven Long Range (200-LRs) and two freighter versions.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker announced the order of two additional long range Boeings at the recently concluded Farnborough Airshow 2010 that will be used to target new ultra long-haul markets. An eighth Long Range Boeing is due for delivery this month.

Asilah, also known as Arzila, is one of the most picturesque and historic attractions in Morocco. It is located approximately 50km outside the city of Tangier and has been dated back to 1500 BC. The city was constructed by the Phoenicians as a trade post, but was later conquered by the Portuguese in the fifteenth century. By 1549, John III had abandoned Asilah in the midst of an economic crisis and it was taken by Moulay Ismail in the year 1692. Asilah became a part of Spanish Morocco between 1912 and 1956. With it having changed hands so many times and later even being used as a haven for pirates, it is hard to believe that the gates and ramparts of the city have remained perfectly preserved.

Sri Lankan Tourism Promotion Bureau’s (SLTPB) Middle East office has recently reported an enormous surge in Arab travellers to the Asian country.

The office said Middle East tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka rose an unprecedented 102 percent in the first six months of 2010, compared with the corresponding period last year.

“Regardless of apprehensions of an unsteady global economy, the Middle East’s discerning travellers are spending time and money on travel and Sri Lanka has been one of the preferred destinations with a meteoric rise in tourists during the first half of 2010,” said Heba Al Mansoori, the Middle East director for SLTPB. “We’ve just closed in on the results of the first six months of 2010 and we’re 102 percent up, compared to the corresponding period last year,” she added.

Thailand is one of the best tourist destinations in the world, boasting a great environment and a fine weather. It is probably the best tourist destination in South east Asia, where tourists get valuable services for their money.

In Bangkok, medical tourism has caught up like shopping, sightseeing and recreation.

The Thai capital has become the top medical tourism destination with modern healthcare services for tourists from the Gulf. The services are 5-star, serving as a magnet for visitors and tourists from across the world, particularly from the Gulf region.