The Dubai Food Festival (DFF) returns for its seventh edition from February 26 until March 14, to celebrate the city’s culinary diversity drawn from the UAE and the cultures of over 200 nationalities in Dubai, and also give residents, visitors, families and foodies an insight into the latest tastes and trends from the global gastronomy scene.

The Ascott Limited is strengthening its Saudi Arabia portfolio with the opening of its eagerly anticipated Ascott Corniche Al Khobar property, marking its sixth operational residence in the Kingdom. The 172-unit property is centrally located on Prince Turki Street and is easily accessible by footpath to the Corniche. The city’s main business boulevard, King Fahd Road, is in proximity and Al Khobar-Bahrain causeway is a 10-minute drive away.

Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB) and PCMA have signed a strategic training and partnership agreement at the PCMA Convening Leaders 2020 conference in San Francisco, USA. As part of the agreement, PCMA will support ADCEB in three key areas, Convention Services Manager Training (CSM training) for elected event executives from the emirate, hosting an Abu Dhabi Advisory Summit, which is set to take place later this year, as well as the introduction of a series of educational programmes and membership to help build the knowledge base and event management capabilities within the Mice industry in Abu Dhabi.

London Marriott Hotel Park Lane has partnered with world-renowned toy emporium, Hamleys, to offer little guests the opportunity to handpick their own British bear from the hotel’s in-room Teddy Bear Menu to families staying in the hotel. The Teddy Bear Menu explains each bear’s name, their unique characteristics and what type of owner they are looking for. When tots have chosen their bear, a swift call to the Bear Butler is required. The little ones are then greeted by the hotel’s Bear Butler with their newly selected Hamleys bear, ready for adoption.

Miral, Abu Dhabi’s creator of destinations, finalised a partnership with Etihad Airways, to secure exclusive naming rights of Yas Bay Arena. As part of the agreement, Abu Dhabi’s first-of-its-kind multi-purpose, indoor entertainment venue will officially be named Etihad Arena. With Etihad Airways’ track record for connecting Abu Dhabi to the world and promoting the UAE as a vibrant and growing hub for culture, business and tourism, the airline is the perfect partner to help further raise the profile of this unique venue and Yas Island as a destination.

The iconic Lady in Red is a highly emblematic position created by Kempinski Hotels ten years back. Every hotel of Kempinski Hotels paid tribute to the Lady in Red this year and surprised guests by various birthday activities from January 17 to 26, 2020. Dedicated to please and serve, these brand ambassadors are alert to any opportunity to go one step beyond to craft unforgettable experiences for well-travelled guests, acting as both the perfect host and a trusted companion during their stay with Kempinski Hotels.

Centara Grand Hua Hin’s much regarded Annual Scholarship Ceremony marked its 8th consecutive year. This year was a success, as they granted a combined $4,933 worth of scholarships and gifts to underprivileged children of Hua Hin. David Martens, general manager & corporate director of operations Hua Hin, Krabi, Samui & Vietnam, along with other dignitaries, congratulated the students, personally presenting each child with scholarships and gifts they wished for, such as bikes, radio, mobile phones, sport equipment as well as school uniforms.

Etihad Airways marked Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2020 by operating a special ‘eco-flight’ from Abu Dhabi to Brussels, featuring a range of initiatives, designed to illustrate the airline’s broad commitment to sustainable practices in the air and on the ground. Flight EY 57, departed at 2.20am on Monday, January 13, and was operated with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, the newest and most efficient type in the Etihad fleet, which consumes at least 15 per cent less fuel than any aircraft type previously flown by the airline.