Destinations Unlimited

Dubai

Proven Dubai and UAE Destination Management Company: DMC and Planner for Specialist
Incentive, Conference, Event and Convention Travel Organisers Worldwide

	KURBAN TOURS (SITE / HRG / IATA / PATA)
Contacts P.O.box: 186008 Dubai UAE Main Office Tel: + 971 4 338 4428 Fax: + 971 4 338 0028 E-Mail: dubai@dudmc.com Web Site: www.kurbantours.com Contacts: Mitri H. Kurban - General Manager Raja H. Kurban - Managing Director Links Company Destination Example Programme Suggested Sightseeing Additional Ideas Banqueting Venues with a Difference Theme Party Ideas for Incentives Convention Centres Welcome Gifts Specialist Groups

COUNTRY MAP

(Map by kind permission of the CIA Official Website)

General Information

Company

KURBAN TOURS

Established in 1952, KURBAN Tours is continuously contributing in the development of tourism as a Destination Management Company and it does so by offering a quality service to its clients through the following:

Incentives & Events Organisation
Whether to motivate a sales team, host a client, brighten the corporate image of a company or perhaps launch a new product, KURBAN's team of professionals is ready to organise the event.

Congresses & Seminars Co-ordination
Our destinations are more and more adapted to international congresses. KURBAN Tours strongly believes that the success of a congress depends largely on the quality and precision of organization and coordination.

Trips and Tours
In addition, KURBAN's experience in tourism and tour organisation is the ideal background to offer its clients the most exciting pre and post tours.

Daily Tours
Daily tours are a must to any visitor. KURBAN Tours is contributing highly in the promotion of regions through the daily excursions it organises.

KURBAN Tours promotes Lebanon, UAE, & Oman in more than 40 countries offering them complete programs & packages.

Destination

DUBAI - A LIVE METROPOLIS

Lying on the calm, blue water of the southern Gulf and flanked by a majestic desert, Dubai offers year-round sunshine and the adventure of a unique Arabian experience.

It is a city of great contrasts. It boasts a unique blend of tradition and modern, where glass-clad skyscrapers and modern shopping malls can be found side by side with traditional dwellings and historical monuments. From the timeless tranquility of the desert to the lively bustle of the “souk”, Dubai offers countless attractions with year-round sunshine and the adventure of an authentic Arabian experience.

One of the world’s fastest growing tourism destinations, Dubai is in a rapid phase of evolution, constantly adding to its attractions, hospitality and activity options. Dubai’s unique attraction is that it brings together in a single, accessible location the highest standards of comfort and convenience with the adventure of Arabia.

An exotic destination with a cosmopolitan lifestyle, Dubai has the right mix to make the ideal solution for the visitor - experience the desert and witness a belly dance to Arabian sounds, overnight in the dunes Bedouin style, learn to sand ski, experience the sensation of riding a camel..

Dubai is undoubtedly the industry favorite offering a plethora of prestigious hotels with excellent meeting facilities and world-class restaurants, and the extensive airline connections with all major European cities mean access is easy and uncomplicated.

Dubai is renowned as a top venue for championship golf tournaments and international sporting events such as the Formula One Power Boat Race, Dubai World Cup and the Dubai Tennis Open. In addition it has been host to prestigious international events and exhibitions …

Example Programme

(5 days / 4 nights)

DAY 1
Arrival at Dubai International Airport.
Meet and assist at the airport.
Transfer to the hotel by a deluxe motor coach with accompanying guide.
Welcome Cocktail and Buffet Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at your selected hotel.

DAY 2
Breakfast at the hotel.

Dubai city tour will give you a glimpse of its ancient Arabian culture and heritage mixed with the modern cosmopolitan lifestyle: it includes a transfer across the Dubai Creek in an 'Abra' …

Lunch: Enjoy authentic local cuisine at Al Majlis or on the house’s breezy rooftop terrace of Sahary Gate.

A unique relaxing afternoon at Sahary Gate where your Sahary hosts will tell you all you need to know about the Emirates while having a cup of traditional coffee and enjoying the scent of traditional bakhour.

Dinner at The Aquarium: An exquisite culinary experience in an exclusive atmosphere complemented by a modern fresh style with a spectacular view of the creek.

Overnight at your selected hotel.

DAY 3
Dubai Stables tour featuring: watch the horses training on the racecourse (depending on the season).

English breakfast in Dubai Polo Club overlooking lush greens.

2nd part of the stables tour will take you behind the scenes: Jockeys’ facilities, stewards’ area, exclusive hospitality options that are on offer on glamorous race nights and the visit of the Godolphin Gallery.

Safari Dinner in the desert in a Bedouin camp: Transportation in 4 x 4, camel rides, traditional barbecue dinner, henna painting, belly dance show and 'hubble bubble' pipe.

Overnight at your selected hotel.

DAY 4
Breakfast at the hotel.

Discover Mussandam area and visit the most scenic places of the Arabic Peninsula the “Norway of Arabia”: a cruise on a traditional dhow will lead you through narrowed fjords and dolphins will guide your ship.

Lunch is on board before you slowly head back to the harbor of Khasab in the afternoon.

Dinner at the Burj el Arab - the representative icon of Dubai worldwide.

Overnight at your selected hotel.

DAY 5
Breakfast at the hotel.

Shopping tour that will take you to the Emirates Mall where you will discover the unique Alpine skiing slope with real snow, in the middle of the desert.

Transfer to Dubai International Airport and assistance for departure.

Suggested Sightseeing

The Creek: a natural sea-water inlet which cuts through the centre of the city is the focal point of Dubai life. A stroll along its banks evokes the city's centuries old traditions. Visitors will be captivated by the colour and bustle of the loading and unloading of 'dhows' (traditional wooden boats) which still ply ancient trade routes to places as distant as India and East Africa.

Archaeological Sites
There are three main excavation sites in Dubai, at Al Qusais, Al Sufooh and Jumeirah. The first two are graveyards dating back more than 2000 years. The Jumeirah site reveals artifacts from the 7th to the 15th centuries. Though not yet open to the public or tourists we can obtain permits from the Dubai Museum to visit the digs.

Sheikh Saeed's House: Dating back from the late 1800s, this building was built in a commanding position near the sea so the Ruler could observe shipping activity from its balconies. With its wind towers and layers of rooms built around a central courtyard, it is a fine example of regional architecture.

Bush Dinner
This is served on the banks of the Mara River, which is a sit down and elaborate affair, with a 4 course plated table d’hote dinner with wine.

Bastakiya: The old Bastakiya district with its narrow lanes and tall wind towers gives a tantalising glimpse of old Dubai. Immediately to the east of Al Fahidi Fort is the largest concentration of traditional courtyard houses within wind towers. In the past, the city was famous for a mass of wind towers which lined the creek on either side. These were not merely decorative; they were the only means of cooling houses in pre-electricity days.

Jumeirah Mosque: One of the largest and most beautiful, the Jumeirah Mosque is a spectacular example of modern Islamic architecture. Built of stone in medieval Fatimid tradition, the mosque is a city landmark. It is particularly attractive at night when subtle lighting throws it artistry into relief..

The souks: on both sides of the creek the souks are attractive not just for their shopping bargains but also as places for the sightseer and the photographer. A huddle of alleyways has survived on the Deira side despite the intensive building in recent years. In the tiny lanes of the spice souk, the atmosphere and scents of the past can be savoured. Bags of spices, incense, rose petals and traditional medicine products are stacked outside each stall.

Along the slightly larger lanes of the gold souk, each shop window is crammed with gold necklaces, rings, bangles, earrings and brooches. Gold prices here are among the lowest in the world. The fish souk in Deira is an attraction in itself. Early morning and late evening, local fishermen unload mountains of fresh fish which they then sell in a frenzied bargaining session. King fish, red snapper, rock cod, barracuda, tuna, lobster, crab, king prawn, sea bream, squid, pomfret, shark, mackerel, sardine and other such species are available in abundance for most of the year.

Dubai Museum: Al Fahidi Fort, which houses the Dubai Museum is another imposing building. It once guarded the city's landward approaches. Built around 1787, it has served variously as a palace, garrison and prison. It was renovated in 1970 for use as a museum. Colourful and evocative dioramas complete with life-size figures and sound and lighting effects vividly depict everyday life in the pre-oil days. Galleries in the museum recreate scenes from the creek, traditional Arab houses, mosques, souks, date gardens, desert and marine life. One of the most spectacular exhibits portrays the underwater world or pearl diving. Also on display are artifacts such as fine copper, alabaster and pottery objects found in 3000 - 4000 year old graves at Al Qusais. The main fort is a fascinating military museum.

Umm Al Sheif Majlis: The summer resort of the late Ruler Of Dubai has been restored and is open to the public. Built in the early 1950s in the coastal Umm Al Suqeim area, the majlis gardens featured a reproduction of the traditional 'falaj' irrigation system. The majlis provides an intriguing insight into Dubai's rapid development.

Heritage and Diving Village: located near the mouth of the creek, this village has been created where potters and weavers display their crafts. Here the visitor can look back into the past and experience some of Dubai's heritage.

Bani Yas Square: Dominating Bani Yas Square in the heart of Deira is Deira Tower with its distinctive circular 'cap'. An early example of the effort to blend modern architecture with the older surroundings.

Additional Ideas

Dune driving: Driving in sand is an adventure in itself, combining the excitement of a roller-coaster ride with the challenge of remaining mobile on the shifting surface. Courses in sand driving are available with four-wheel-drive vehicles provided along with expert instructions. Racing in open-cage dune buggies is a fun and exhilarating way to enjoy the desert. Single and two-seater buggies are available and it's possible to run relays of participants for an enjoyable team event.

Camel Rides: The camel, a symbol of Arabia, is also a major tourist attraction. Camel rides are part of certain tours and desert safaris.

Sand-skiing: Those with a taste for speed, and enthusiasm for an unusual sport will enjoy sand-skiing down the dunes of Dubai desert. Special skis are used and high dunes in the interior of the desert are chosen as slopes. Sand-skiing can be arranged on request or as part of a full-day or half-day safari.

Belly Dancers: There are tours in Dubai that take you driving in the desert on a desert safari. The drive ultimately ends at a typical 'Bedouin' camp, deep in the desert, under the stars, where you can have a drink and be entertained by a belly dancer. It's a terrific experience and a very novel one. Definitely worth seeing.

Shopping Tour: This tour will take you to shopping malls like City Centre, Bur Juman and Lamcy Plaza where most items are branded names and are accessible under one roof. Bur Dubai is the street of electronics and textile where bargaining is a way of life. Last but not the least we proceed to Deira, where the "City of Gold" has one of the best gold souks in the world at the most competitive prices.

Beaches: Dubai's main beaches run along Jumeirah Road. In truth, it is one long beach divided up by hotels and private clubs, interspaced by a few public access beaches. The Jumeirah beaches have soft white sand that slip into the shallow warm turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf. Hotel beaches are very well maintained with luxury facilities. This usually means lawns and swimming pools with beachside food and beverage service. There is also a public beach at Al Mamzar Park on the Deira side of the Creek. The public facilities include playgrounds, barbecue sites, food kiosks, and picnic areas.

Wild Wadi Waterpark: Adjacent to the Jumeirah Beach hotel Wild Wadi Water Park is designed to offer hours of fun and pleasure to thrill seekers. It's the first of its kind to interconnect all the rides.

Abra Ride: An imaginative way of seeing Dubai is to take a tour of the creek by traditional wooden boat called an 'Abra'. Most of the major landmarks can be seen from the waterway. This trip finishes with a stop at the brilliantly illuminated " Gold Souk" where more than 200 gold shops displays dazzling jewellery varying from traditional to latest designs.

The Big Bus: A recent addition to the tourist infrastructure is an open topped bus, which stops along the major sightseeing landmarks of Dubai. A sight familiar to Londoners and gaining popularity in many other cities around the world, this service is destined to be a big hit, being both convenient and cost effective.

Hot-air Balloon Ride: A balloon which goes up to a height of 160 metres giving a panoramic view of the city of Dubai & also of Sharjah is set up at the Creek Park. The balloon basket can hold 30 people, and remains in the sky for 15 minutes. Its available everyday from 9am-10pm.

Bedouin Village - Al Maha: A unique set up, this is an authentic recreation of a typical Bedouin village as you would have found existed during the past, before the oil boom changed the traditional lifestyle forever. Painstakingly recreated with traditional material and depicting the culture and lifestyle of a bygone era this is where you will see how the local people really lived and become part of a never to be forgotten experience. This facility can cater to up to 300 persons, even providing rooms where you can stay overnight.

Water Sports & Activities: For a personal challenge or team-building exercise, water sports are not only in abundance in Dubai but provide the perfect activity. From the more sedate aqua bikes, fishing, sailing and snorkeling, to jet skiing, canoeing, diving, water skiing and windsurfing, there really is something for everyone.

Beach or surf fishing is popular along the coast of Dubai, with September to October being the most productive season. Deep-sea fishing is for the more adventurous, where you can try for the more challenging sailfish. Night fishing is available for serious fishermen, with three-five day charters to the Mussandam in Oman.

For a relaxing break, you can charter a yacht or sailing boat for a couple of hours or for a full day where you can enjoy the calm waters of the Arabian Gulf. One of the most popular.

Go-Karting: Dubai has the Middle East's first fully-equipped indoor go-kart facility. Formula one. Outdoors, an active go-karting fraternity regularly races at the track beside the Jebel Ali Hotel. For visitors, the track is open on Fridays, from October through to May.

Camel Racing: It is one of the oldest sports in Gulf region. This absolutely fascinating event takes place on the camel race track on Thursdays and Fridays from October to March. With no admission fee, it could be one of the most memorable highlights of your vacation in Dubai.

Wadi-Bashing: Exploring the wadis is a popular pastime with both residents and visitors. Many wadis offer scenes of unexpected beauty: attractive rock pools, some with water year-round, surrounded by greenery. Four-wheel drive vehicles are required and are available for hire with or without drivers. As with desert driving, it is recommended that beginners do not try their hands at wadi-bashing without expert supervision.

The Hajjar Mountains offer spectacular drives amid rugged mountain scenery, where you'll pass remote mountain villages and fresh water rock pools. Rough tracks or wadis will take you to incredible views thousands of metres above sea level.

Banqueting Venues with a difference

Al Boom Tourist Village
A stately landmark, Al Boom Tourist Village is adjacent to the Creek side Park. It features a 2000 seating capacity banquet hall, a coffee shop, restaurant, amusement park, ornamental lake and a marina with five cruise boats.

Dubai Creek Golf Club
The spectacular Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club is Dubai’s Sporting Oasis: a golf and leisure haven surrounded by the city, beautifully located on the banks of the Dubai Creek. The magnificent Clubhouse - its design mirroring the sails of the Traditional Arab Dhow - became an instant landmark when it opened on 1993.

Burj el Arab – Al Falaz Ballroom
If spectacular suites and exceptional dining are not enough, then perhaps the ultimate venue in hospitality for any meeting, conference or event will be.

Marble pillars and dazzling chandeliers beneath a central gold dome are the perfect setting. With stunning views of the Dubai coastline from the upper level of the Al Falak ballroom, this luxurious venue is perfect for product launches and gala dinners.

Located on the 27th floor with spectacular views across the Arabian Gulf, Burj Al Arab offers the most technologically advanced meeting and conference facilities, decorated in both Western and Arabic style. The sumptuous décor of Al Falak provides an unforgettable experience.

Theme Party Ideas for Incentives

Midnight Desert Party
Drive to the outskirts of the desert by our exclusive 4x4 desert extreme jeeps. You will then be escorted by camel to a 'Bedouin Camp' located in the desert, where the amazing sights of the moon valley and typical Bedouin hospitality greet you. Surrounded by folklore displays, the atmosphere in the desert forms a perfect start to your 1001 Arabian Nights experience! The henna tattoo artist who skillfully tattoos traditional designs, the traditional Arabic music and attire which will be given to you at the camp will transport you to a hospitality-filled village area bustling with life and excitement.

The tent will be decorated with traditional Persian rugs and lanterns. Waiters, disguised as members of the Bedouin clan, will usher guests to the low tables and seat them on richly embroidered Arabian style cushions. The tables will be decorated with reddish-brown table-cloth, oil lamps and a hubble-bubble.

The evening takes off with a cocktail and traditional barbecue dinner followed by Arabic coffee. After dinner, the real festivities begin. Belly dancers mesmerize the audience with their amazing performance, making sure all guests actively participate and join in the fun. Up to 500 persons in a tented open air Bedouin camp.

Dhow Cruise Dinner on the Arabian Gulf
Have you ever experienced the atmosphere of Dubai by night in a traditionally decorated "Dhow" with a sumptuous Seafood and meat BBQ Buffet Dinner? We can arrange the most romantic, unusual and relaxing evening cruise along the Dubai Creek that divides the city into two parts - Deira Dubai and Bur Dubai. The creek which is 14 kilometres long, has played a major role in the economic development achieved by Dubai. Since the early days, when Dubai was a centre for pearl fishing and pearl trade, Dubai's trade development was attributed to the creek. Countries which depend on the creek in their trade with Dubai are countries in the Gulf states, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Somalia and India. (Only wooden ships are allowed to enter the creek to keep its traditional feature). Up to 125 persons on a boat.

Convention Centres

The Dubai International Convention Centre
An enviable location in a dynamic city, flexible and versatile meeting and exhibition spaces, and impressive facilities - the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) is a world-class venue that has more than one enviable advantage: It is located between new and old Dubai, to one side they have the city's glittering new skyline of hotels, freehold properties, business districts, shopping malls and entertainment resorts, to the other side is the older part of Dubai with its souks, landscaped parks and vibrant retail and residential districts.

It offers a total of 60,000 square metres of flexible and versatile exhibition space, equipped to meet the most demanding expectations.

It is a part of the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), an organisation that plays a vital role in stimulating regional and international trade through the United Arab Emirates. For discerning planners of international congresses, conventions, exhibitions, and other special events, these are advantages that ultimately add up in their favour.

Madinat Jumeirah
Few venues compare with the scope, quality and facilities offered by Madinat Jumeirah - nothing in the world can match the experience afforded by its monumental Arabian heritage theme.

For the conference and banqueting organiser, Madinat Jumeirah comfortably fulfills the technological capacity and quality criteria of almost all event requirements.

More importantly, it achieves this within a format which is enticingly unique - capturing the imagination of all who visit - inspiring the senses through a step back in time to a place of Arabian dreams.

From the large ballrooms to the Madinat Arena, the 1000 seat amphitheatre and the Fort Island - all the conference and banqueting options offer very high quality spaces and totally flexible planning variations. All are close to the ever present waterways - all benefit from the proximity of Resort facilities which are truly second to none.

The Grand Hyatt Hotel and Convention Centre *****
With over 4340 square metres of meeting space, Grand Hyatt Dubai is set to take its place as the Middle East's largest and most sophisticated luxury conference hotel. From corporate meetings to indulgent incentive breaks to global conferences on a grand scale, the range of possibilities is only limited by your imagination. Grand Hyatt Dubai is equipped with ultra-modern digital technology which allows for dazzling presentations whilst Hyatt's Business Centre provides fast-paced communications and secretarial services. The hotel offers two pillarless ballrooms, both of which are divisible into three soundproof sections, each with designated pre-function areas, 11 further meetings rooms of various sizes and two boardrooms.

Welcome Gifts

• A sculpture of silver dhow in a frame
• A silver dhow in wooden case
• Sands from seven emirates
• Dallah - the typical Arabic coffee pot
• Dish Dash - Local Arabic Dress for men
• Gotra - Local Arabic Dress for women
• Picture books on the Emirates. History and development.
  

Specialist Groups

All types of Special Interest and FIT's handled.