Travel – Today Today News

December 19, 2019December 20, 2019

Mourinho aiming to add to Chelsea’s woes

t will not exactly be unknown territory for Jose Mourinho when he takes his place in the technical area on Sunday for his Tottenham Hotspur side’s eagerly-awaited London derby at home to Chelsea.

The Portuguese has been the opposing manager scheming against the club he led to three Premier League titles during spells with Inter Milan and Manchester United.

But the sight of him leading bitter rivals Tottenham is not something diehard Chelsea fans ever thought they would witness and the reaction of some on Sunday is likely to X-rated.

To add another level of intrigue, Frank Lampard, one of Mourinho’s loyal lieutenants during his two spells in charge, will be the man trying to outfox him, knowing defeat would see Spurs leapfrog his side into the top four.

Premier League leaders Liverpool take time out from their title surge as they face Flamengo in Fifa’s World Club Cup final in Qatar on Saturday.

The clubs immediately below them, Leicester City and champions Manchester City, clash at the Etihad Stadium.

Leicester’s eight-match winning run in the league ended last week when they drew with Norwich City but victory over City would see them cut Liverpool’s advantage to seven points.

Everton and Arsenal, both trying to secure new managers, meet in the early kickoff at Goodison Park. Bottom club Watford host Manchester United on Sunday.

All eyes will be on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, though, where Spurs will aim to continue their revival under Mourinho. Having won only three of their opening 12 league games, a run that led to the departure of Mauricio Pochettino, they have won four out of five under Mourinho to climb to fifth and have reached the last 16 of the Champions League.

In that time they have reduced an 11-point gap between themselves and Chelsea to three points.

WINNING STREAK

While Tottenham have been buoyant and Mourinho has been all smiles, Lampard is wearing a frown after his young Chelsea team have hit the buffers. After a seven-match winning streak in the league they have lost four of the last five and suddenly their place in the top four is under threat.

Worryingly for Chelsea, Mourinho’s record at home against sides he has managed is incredible.

He has won 12 of 13 of such fixtures, drawing one, and all three against Chelsea, twice with United and once with Inter.

Tottenham have also won three of their last five Premier League fixtures against Chelsea, as many as they had in their previous 20 against them in the competition.

While Tottenham were fortunate to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers last week, they are clearly enjoying the Mourinho ‘bounce’ and former captain Ledley King believes the key has been Mourinho restoring Tottenham’s self-belief.

“Confidence plays a big part, Spurs seemed to be stuck in a bit of a rut at the moment in time when Mauricio went,” King said. “Mourinho is a winner. He’s won everything.

“From my experience if someone like that comes into your club you listen, you take everything on board and you try to soak up as much as you can.”

December 19, 2019December 20, 2019

Zaha Hadid-designed ME Dubai hotel to open in February

ME Dubai is the first ME by Melia hotel in the Middle East and is the only hotel to be designed both inside and out by the late Zaha Hadid

Boasting 74 rooms and 19 suites including the Passion Suite, Personality Suite, the Vibe Room and the ultra-luxurious ME Suite, the hotel also includes 96 serviced apartments across three floors.

ME Dubai, one of the most anticipated hotels to launch in the UAE, is preparing to open its doors in February 2020.

ME Dubai is the first ME by Meliá hotel in the Middle East and is the only hotel in the world to be designed both inside and out by the late Zaha Hadid.

Hadid’s legacy lives on through a range of detail and bespoke furniture throughout the hotel which is located in the Opus, a statement said.

Boasting 74 rooms and 19 suites including the Passion Suite, Personality Suite, the Vibe Room and the ultra-luxurious ME Suite, the hotel also includes 96 serviced apartments across three floors.

In addition to three ME Dubai owned F&B outlets, The Opus will offer guests a choice of 15 restaurants, including the first ROKA restaurant in the region, a Japanese robatayaki concept from London.

There is also a spacious pool and wet deck overlooking the Dubai skyline, as well as a 7,000 sq m gym, and spa.

Stefan Viard, general manager of ME Dubai, said: “ME Dubai brings a new dimension to Dubai that will delight status seekers, culturalists and the creative elite across visitors and residents alike.

“The new property will act as a cultural epicentre for those looking for a personalised approach, unforgettable experiences, unparalleled gastronomy and exceptional service.

“To be putting the final touches to our much anticipated offering and watching the mesmerising Zaha Hadid vision come to life is exciting, and we looking forward to marking a new decade by welcoming guests to ME Dubai.”

December 19, 2019December 20, 2019

Hilton inks deal to run Saudi high speed railway hotel

Hotel giant to manage the 300-room DoubleTree by Hilton Madina Gate, expected to open in 2022

Hotel giant Hilton has signed a management agreement with the Knowledge Economic City Company to operate and manage the 300-room DoubleTree by Hilton Madina Gate, expected to open in 2022.

Located within the Madinah Gate Development and adjoining the Madinah Haramain Railway Station, the hotel will feature 250 rooms, 50 serviced apartments, two restaurants, including a lobby cafe open to the adjoining train station, meeting space, a fitness centre and gym.

The hotel will sit within the larger Knowledge Economic City (KEC) masterplan, a mixed-use urban centre comprising commercial, residential, recreational, educational and community elements.

Occupying a 6.8sqkm land area, KEC occupies a key strategic location between the Prophet Mosque, Haramain trian station and the Madinah International airport.

Hilton said the connection to the Haramain train station will provide a convenient accommocation option to those using the new high speed rail network between Madinah, King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh, Jeddah and Makkah.

Sami Abdulaziz Al-Makhdhoub, CEO of the Knowledge Economic City Company, said: “I am pleased to conclude this agreement with a well known internaional company like Hilton to provide technical, management and operation for our premier hotel leveraging the success of City Gate project through providing the best services for visitors, pilgrims and local community, in the area adjacent to the Haramain train station in Medina.”

Amir Lababedi, Hilton’s managing director for development Middle East and North Africa, added: “This latest addition to our portoflio will see Hilton occupy prime accommodation sites at the Haramain train stations in both Makkah and Madinah, providing Hilton guests with accommodation options at both of these connected national transport centres.”

Hilton, which has operated hotels in the kingdom since 1995, currently has 14 open hotels across the country with 40 hotels in its development pipeline, and expects to quadruple in size in Saudi Arabia in the next five years or so.

June 30, 2019December 20, 2019

Bahrain’s Gulf Air inks codeshare deal with Sri Lankan Airlines

New codeshare agreement will increase the number of flights between Bahrain and Sri Lanka

Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, and Sri Lankan Airlines have entered into a codeshare partnership with effect from Wednesday, significantly enhancing the travel options of their respective customers.

The partnership will further strengthen the commercial ties between Bahrain and the Sri Lanka, Gulf Air said in a statement.

Under the agreement, Sri Lankan Airlines will place its ‘UL’ code on Gulf Air’s flights from Bahrain to Colombo, the Greek capital Athens, Larnaca in Cyprus and the Moroccan city of Casablanca.

Gulf Air will in turn place its ‘GF’ code on Sri Lankan Airlines’ flights from Colombo to Bahrain.

Krešimir Kučko, Gulf Air’s CEO said: “We are happy to sign this codeshare agreement with Sri Lankan Airlines and increase number of direct flights between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Sri Lanka.”

He added: “We value our partnerships and Sri Lankan is our newest codeshare partner in our overall strategy to expand our operations. I feel confident that this codeshare will add value to customers of both airlines.”

Vipula Gunatilleka, Sri Lankan Airlines’ group CEO said: “We are pleased to enter into this codeshare agreement with Gulf Air. It is part of Sri Lankan’s operational strategy create and strengthen partnerships with airlines of globally reputation in terms of quality, service and reliability and we have no doubt that Sri Lankan’s valued passengers will enjoy their travel with Gulf Air.”