ITTN’s Shane Cullen was joined by Federica Varisco, Sales Executive at Emirates; Tabitha Meadows from Visit Dubai; and Lize Smit of the Kerzner Ultra Luxury Hotel Group (which includes the iconic Atlantis, The Palm and Atlantis The Royal) for a special event attended by members of the travel trade. The session highlighted why an impressive 18.72 million tourists chose to visit Dubai in 2024 and how the city earned its ranking as the second safest destination in the world.
Federica also shared exciting news: Emirates’ new Premium Economy class will launch on one of the daily Dublin–Dubai flights starting June 15th. Passengers can look forward to experiencing the upgraded service aboard a fully retrofitted Boeing 777.
Congratulations to Andrew Buckey, Club Travel
Congratulations to Andrew Buckley (Club Travel) who won the incredible prize of 2 economy class tickets to Dubai with Emirates plus a 2-night stay at Atlantis The Palm on a half-board basis plus access to Aquaventure and the Lost Chambers aquarium.
Why Dubai – No. 1 TripAdvisors Travellers’ Choice Awards
Tabitha Meadows from Visit Dubai delivered a presentation to the attendees. Visit Dubai has the destination has earned the accolade of the number one global destination in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for the third consecutive year. Furthermore, she explained to the trade how Dubai has something for everyone – desert safari, iconic attractions, culture and heritage, gastronomy, fabulous beaches, unbeatable entertainment and relaxation.
Palm West Beach – Discover this Lesser-Known Hot Spot
A few key highlights from her presentation were the Palm West Beach, located on the trunk of the palm. She highlighted how this area is a really fun destination with lots of beach clubs, great hotels and an excellent dining scene. It is worth keeping an eye out for this area as it is slightly less well-known. Reach this through the easily accessible by the monorail stop Al Ittihad Park.
Jumeirah Beach Residences
Just a short hop from the iconic Palm Jumeirah lies one of the city’s most beloved holiday spots, the Jumeirah Beach Residences (JBR). Known for its laid-back beachfront charm, JBR is the perfect base for a sun-soaked getaway. Whether you’re after relaxation or a bit of adventure, “The Walk” at JBR delivers with its wide range of restaurants, boutique shops, and water sports right on the shoreline. It’s especially ideal for families, offering an all-in-one experience where everything is within easy reach.
The Trendy Dubai Marina
Venture just a little further and you’ll arrive at the Dubai Marina — one of the city’s trendiest and fastest-growing destinations. With its scenic waterfront, buzzing nightlife, and surprisingly affordable accommodation, the Marina is a favourite for both first-time visitors and regulars. It’s also the go-to spot for yacht charters, offering a classic Dubai experience that combines luxury with unforgettable views of the skyline.
Upcoming Landmark – Ciel Tower
Looking ahead, Tabitha also highlighted one of Dubai’s most exciting upcoming landmarks — Ciel Tower, set to open by the end of the year. Once completed, it will become the world’s tallest hotel, marking yet another breathtaking addition to the city’s ever-evolving skyline.
Emirates – Launch of Premium Economy Class
Federica Varisco, Sales Executive at Emirates, was next up to tell us all about the exciting new launch of Premium Economy Class on the Dublin – Dubai route (this currently applies to the 14.20 departure)
Retrofitted Boeing 777 – Coming in Mid-June
The retrofitted Boeing 777 will debut on the 15th of June with fully refreshed interiors, including a brand-new Business Class featuring a 1-2-1 layout. This ensures direct aisle access and enhanced privacy for every passenger.
One of the most anticipated additions is the introduction of Economy Plus, offering 24 seats arranged in a comfortable 2-4-2 configuration. Passengers can enjoy a few extra perks too — complimentary seat selection, a refined and spacious cabin, wider cream leather seats, and a built-in footrest.
For a closer look at the full premium experience, check out the Emirates video below.
Kerzner Ultra Luxury Hotel Group
Since 1993, Kerzner International has grown into a globally reputed leader in the development and operation of destination resorts, ultra-luxury hotels, and exclusive private homes. Through the years, they have built a diverse collection of iconic brands and luxury properties, earning international acclaim for pioneering destination-defining hospitality, delivering unrivalled service, and curating transformative guest experiences.
Kerzner is renowned for creating hospitality brands that are distinct and iconic. Their portfolio includes Atlantis, One&Only, SIRO, and Rare Finds.
Atlantis, The Palm & Atlantis The Royal
Atlantis, The Palm and Atlantis The Royal are synonymous with Dubai. Their iconic structures help form the city’s skyline.
Atlantis, The Palm
Atlantis, The Palm stretches 22 stories high with 1,544 rooms and 6 signature suites. Guests can enjoy dining across 32 restaurants, including 2 by celebrity chefs Nobu Matsuhisa and Gordon Ramsay. The Atlantis, The Palm is renowned for its vibrant day-to-night entertainment scene and is home to the city’s best bars and hottest beach clubs, according to Lize Smit of the Kerzner Ultra Luxury Hotel Group.
At the Atlantis, The Palm has the Ambassador Lagoon with a colossal 11 million litre marine habitat for 65,000 marine animals and one of the top ten largest aquariums in the world. It is truly epic.
Aquaventure, at the Atlantis, The Palm, is the world’s largest waterpark and has more than 105 record-breaking slides, attractions and experiences. On top of this world-class offering, there are additional experiences such as up-close opportunities to engage and witness the dolphins and sea lions at the Atlas Village. To truly unwind, ShuiQi Spa and Fitness has 17 treatment rooms offering over 60 different treatments.
Atlantis The Royal
This very unique structure is home to 693 guest rooms, 96 suites and 6 signature penthouses, of which 44 suites and penthouses have a private infinity pool. It has been named 9th in the World’s 50 Best Hotels and is described as the most ultra-luxury experiential resort in the world. Embrace a new standard of luxury, where the highest level of service sets a new benchmark for excellence. This is the place where something incredible happens at every moment of your stay. This is Atlantis The Royal.
Guests at Atlantis The Royal can enjoy 17 restaurants and bars, including 8 by celebrity chefs, including Heston Blumenthal, Nobu Matshisa, Gastón Acurio, Ariana Brundy and Costas Spiladis. In addition, guests can enjoy the exclusive entertainment experiences such as Cloud 22, Nobu by the Beach and Ling Ling by Hakkasan.
The resort offers a 5,000 sqm wellness haven with everything from waterfalls, fountains of fire, walls of flames, a yoga lawn, meditation pavilion, 17 treatment rooms, a 25-meter pool and more.
Guests at the Atlantis The Royal also benefit from daily complimentary admission to the world’s largest waterpark and Lost Chambers aquarium, which is home to 65,000 marine animals.
One & Only
The Kerzner Ultra Luxury Hotel Group also have the One & Only collection of resorts in Dubai, taking guests from unforgettable family stays at One&Only Royal Mirage to romantic retreats at One&Only The Palm, and glamorous city breaks at One&Only One Za’abeel.
One&Only The Palm is situated on Dubai’s exclusive ‘riviera’, where coastal tranquillity meets the energy of the city’s urban skyline. Refined and assured, this boutique beach resort is infused with endless romanticism, elegance and creativity. Discover a space for every mood, from Chef Yannick Alléno’s Michelin-starred cuisine to exceptional wellness at Guerlain Spa.
In the cosmopolitan heart of Dubai, One&Only Royal Mirage evokes timeless Arabian splendour and elevated energy. This urban beachfront oasis is spread across three distinct spaces, with a kilometre-long stretch of beach, curated dining, and outdoor adventures inspired by the magic of Arabia.
One&Only One Za’abeel unlocks city elegance with unrivalled access, ease and sophistication. Let us bring the best of Dubai to your fingertips, with glamorous dining, transformative wellbeing, and curated fashion, art and culinary experiences under one roof.
Bab Al Shams – Dubai
The Bab Al Shams Dubai desert resort has 108 rooms and 7 suites. Guests can enjoy 7 food and beverage outlets, including the legendary Al Hadheerah. Guests can immerse themselves in the captivating beauty of Arabia at Bab Al Shams, a Rare Finds Desert Resort in Dubai.
Between luxury comforts, unique culinary experiences, and endless possibilities for desert adventure, Bab Al Shams invites guests to embark on an enriching journey of relaxation and discovery. Guests can enjoy four pools (infinity, kids, swim up bar & plunge), Sunset Point (a desert events area), a Desert Spa & Hamman plus the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve.
