Dubai Latest Update

Dubai UpdateSheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Due to the sad demise of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, there are some important service related issues.
An official mourning period of forty (40) days has been declared with the closure of Government Departments for seven days with effect from today. Accordingly, Immigration and other Government Offices, will effectively be closed from Wednesday 4th January 2006 for seven days, followed by the Eid Al Adha holiday and will therefore re-open on Saturday 14th January 2006.

UAE Entry Visa Processing
The following notice is applicable to passengers who require an entry visa prior to arrival into the UAE. Passengers with visa on arrival at the airports of the UAE will not be affected.
Whilst we have made necessary arrangements to process any visa application received until 03rd January, 2006 for passengers arriving within the next 10 days, we are expecting delays in processing and approval for passengers arriving beyond 15th January. Accordingly, please do not accept new bookings where visas are required until 21st January without prior checking. Needless to say, all accepted visa applications are also subject to approval by the Immigration Authorities.

Tours & Safaris
Some tours and safaris will be affected. For example:
From Dubai
Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner – Will operate as normal with the exception of the belly dance show which will not take place until further notice.
Dhow Cruise with Dinner – Will operate as normal however no background music will be played onboard until further notice.
Tour of Abu Dhabi – Will be replaced with the All Points East - East Coast Tour until further notice.
Al Ain Tour – Will be operational as normal until further notice with slight route change.
From Abu Dhabi

All sightseeing tours are expected to be affected and will therefore not be operating until 14th January 2006. Safaris will be operating as normal.
We shall send further individual updates to advise you of any affected excursion bookings.

Hotel Services
Most hotel bars and restaurants are expected to continue to operate as normal although we have been advised that live entertainment such as a live band and / or belly dancer show has been withdrawn. Some hotels that have adjoining nightclubs will also close the nightclubs for the mourning period. Hotels may also withdraw the playing of piped music until further notice.

Dubai Shopping Festival
The opening ceremony of the festival was expected to commence on Wednesday 4th January 2006. However the opening ceremony has now been postponed along with the applicable entertainment and festivities associated with the Dubai Shopping Festival until further notice. It is expected shops within the souks and the large shopping malls may also be closed for some days.