Tag Archives: Tourism

The largest habitable work of art

23 Monday Mar 2015

Posted by in Arnold Schwarzenegger, Arts, Austria, Automotive, Business, Cities, Culture, Environment, General Motors, Graz, Hotels, Life, Luxury Hotels, Luxury Travel, New Zealand, News, Opel, People, Rogner-Bad Blumau, Spa Hotels, Tourism, Transport, Travel, Travel Blog

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Dome“The water feels like silk on your skin.”

That is how Rogner-Bad Blumau describes the thermal water at the Austrian hotel’s spa.

The supply is from the nearby Vulkania springs and is said to be the most mineral-rich curative water in the spa town of Bad Blumau.

And the healing water is just one of many features that make this hotel out of the ordinary.

Billed as the world’s largest habitable work of art, Rogner-Bad Blumau was designed by eccentric Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, whose last name literally means “100 waters.”

“Your name is Hundertwasser, I have water of hundred degrees,” businessman Robert Rogner told the artist as they began the work on the hotel in early 1990s.

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Rogner-Bad Blumau is unique in so many ways – the most compelling being the architecture itself.

There are six “houses” connected by a maze of hallways and green roofs with golden onion domes.

In addition to supplies from the Vulkania springs, the hotel’s numerous pools and bathing areas get water from the Melchior and Balthasar springs.

Original roof tiles from old farmhouses have been used for the facade of one of the rainbow-coloured buildings.

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The late Friedensreich Hundertwasser

They all fit well with the philosophy of Hundertwasser: A life in harmony with nature.

“The great thing about Blumau is the uniqueness,” said Jasmin Rogner, co-owner of the 312-room, four-star hotel.

“It’s a great artwork, which rather increases in value with time,” she wrote in an email.

“The biggest challenge is to interpret this great place consistently.”

Hundertwasser died in February 2000 in his adopted home country of New Zealand.

The hotel sits on the beautiful rolling hills of Bad Blumau, less than an hour from the city of Graz – a UNESCO City of Design and the hometown of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

I stayed at the hotel back in March 1998, barely a year after Rogner-Bad Blumau opened its doors to first guests.

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The 1998 launch of Opel Astra at Rogner-Bad Blumau. Photo by Abdul Latheef

I was among a group of journalists flown in from around the world for the launch of a new General Motors car, Opel Astra.

The hotel has since become a major site for product launches and corporate events.

The property is owned by Rogner International Hotels and Resorts.

Bad Blumau is easily accessible from Graz, Vienna and Salzburg. Austrian Airlines has direct flights from Toronto to Vienna while Lufthansa offers flights to Graz from several German cities.

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 Images are courtesy of Rogner-Bad Blumau

Van Gogh adds more colour to Keukenhof

11 Wednesday Mar 2015

Posted by in Air Canada, Amsterdam, Arts, Business, Holland, Keukenhof, KLM, Life, Netherlands, News, Tourism, Travel, Vincent van Gogh

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Van Gogh

Visiting Keukenhof is an exhilarating experience any year.

This year, especially so.

The famous Dutch park has declared 2015 the Van Gogh Year, marking 125 years since the death of the artist.

A 250-square-metre flower mosaic of Vincent van Gogh’s self-portrait will be the highlight when Keukenhof opens on March 20 for the 66th edition of the show.

Keukenhof1

Keukenhof, 1997 – from my family album.

Keukenhof, about 40 kilometres south-west of Amsterdam, is the world’s biggest spring garden, showcasing more than seven million flowers for eight weeks.

The park calls it a “living catalogue” for the Dutch floriculture industry.

Covering an area of more than 30 hectares, it is a breathtaking show of rows upon rows of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths as far as the eye can see.

It all began in 1949, when a small group of flower bulb exporters decided to use the garden outside the Keukenhof Castle in the town of Lisse as an exhibition ground. The first public show was held the next year, and attracted more than 200,000 visitors.

K3This year, some 100 companies and 500 flower growers are participating.

In 2014, Keukenhof attracted a record one million visitors, many of them from North America and Asia.

The park is easily accessible by public transport from Amsterdam.

From Toronto, Dutch national carrier KLM flies directly to Amsterdam while several other airlines offer flights with convenient stopovers.

Air Canada is adding Amsterdam to its international network in June with six flights a week. That is, of course, too late for this year’s show.

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The Van Gogh photo is courtesy of Keukenhof.

 

Study: Emirates has big impact on European economy

03 Tuesday Mar 2015

Posted by in A380, Airbus, Business, Dubai, Emirates, EU, Europe, IATA, ITB Berlin, News, Tourism, Transport, Travel

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EKAs one of the world’s biggest travel shows opens in Berlin, Dubai’s Emirates airline has released a study suggesting its operations support more than 85,000 jobs in the European Union countries.

The study, by the consultancy Frontier Economics, also says the airline’s purchases of Airbus A380 superjumbos support an additional 41,00 jobs.

In all, the airline had a €10.2-billion impact on the EU GDP, Emirates quoted Frontier as saying. The study covered 2013-2014.

EK2“Emirates is fully committed to the European market,” said Tim Clark, president of the airline.

“The relationship goes back to 1987 when we first started flying from Dubai to London Gatwick. Since then, we have witnessed growth based on demand and now operate over 350 passenger flights a week from Europe, providing global connectivity via our hub in Dubai.”

The Frontier analysis covered 28 cities served by Emirates in 16 EU states.

ITBEmirates is among the thousands of companies showcasing their products and services at the 49th edition of ITB Berlin, which runs from March 4 until 8.

More than 10,000 exhibitors from 186 countries are participating in the show.

According to official estimates, deals worth €6.5 billion were concluded during last year’s show.

Images are courtesy of Emirates and ITB Berlin.

Bombardier CS300 makes maiden flight

27 Friday Feb 2015

Posted by in Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Bombardier, Business, Canada, CS100, CS300, CSeries, Mirabel, Montreal, News, Quebec, Tourism, Transport, Travel

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CS2“It’s a pilot’s aircraft.”

Those are the words of Capt. Andris Litavniks, who was in command on Friday’s maiden flight of Bombardier’s CS300, designed for the 100- to 149-seat, single-aisle market.

The airliner departed Montreal-Mirabel International Airport at 11 a.m. and returned four hours later, marking a major milestone in the CSeries program after years of delays and cost overruns.

“It was an absolute privilege to fly the first flight of the CS300 airliner and I’m absolutely ecstatic with how well it handled,” Litavniks said after landing the aircraft.

“It’s a pilot’s aircraft and handled exactly as predicted by simulation.”

The CS300 is expected to enter service in late 2016.

Test flights for the smaller CS100, which can carry up to 125 people, began in 2013. Certification for that aircraft is expected in the second half of this year with commercial flights starting shortly after that.

Bombardier believes the CS300 offers the best seat-mile cost in its category and is ideal for a range of routes from short-haul to longer transcontinental markets.

“Our CSeries aircraft program is progressing well, with results from testing as expected or better,” said Rob Dewar, vice-president of the program.

“The CS300 airliner will now join the five CS100 aircraft flight test vehicles that have amassed more than 1,000 flight test hours to date.”

Bombardier has won 243 firm orders for the CSeries aircraft, 180 of them for the CS300.

“It was a thrill to see the first CS300 aircraft take to the skies for the first time,” said Mike Arcamone, president of Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

“We continue to see increased interest from all over the world and as our performance targets are validated, we expect the enthusiasm for the CSeries family of aircraft to grow even more.”

Images are courtesy of Bombardier.

Dubai International soars to new heights

27 Tuesday Jan 2015

Posted by in Airbus, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Boeing, Business, Dubai, Emirates, IATA, London Heathrow, Luxury Travel, News, Tourism, Transport, Travel

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Airport1Dubai’s main airport has become the busiest international passenger hub. Until now that honour belonged to London’s Heathrow Airport.

Official figures released Tuesday show passenger traffic at Dubai International soared to more than 70.4 million last year, up 6.1 per cent from 66.4 million the previous year.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum

DXB2“This historic milestone is the culmination of over five decades of double-digit average growth,” said Dubai Airports chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum.

“The shared goal is to make Dubai a global centre of aviation and we are nearing that goal thanks to an open skies policy, a friendly business environment, Dubai’s growing attractiveness as a centre for trade, commerce and tourism, growing network connectivity due to the rapid expansion of Emirates and flydubai and timely investment in aviation infrastructure.”

CEO Paul Griffiths said the rapid growth was expected to continue this year.

“Today we are also releasing our projections for 2015 traffic at Dubai International which forecast 79 million passengers,” he said.

“We will have more flights connecting more people to more destinations.”

Dubai also has a second airport, Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central.

Construction of the second phase of that airport is now underway.

Once completed, officials say, the airport will be able to handle 160 million passengers a year. It will also have the capacity to handle 12 million tonnes of cargo.

Images are courtesy of Dubai Airports.

Emirates becomes the wide-body king

28 Sunday Dec 2014

Posted by in A380, Airbus, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Boeing, Business, Emirates, News, Tourism, Transport, Travel

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The airline's 100th 777-300ER takes off from Everett, Wash. Boeing photo.

Emirates is celebrating a major milestone.

The UAE national carrier now has the world’s largest wide-body aircraft with a fleet of 218 passenger jets and 14 freighters.

In 2014, the airline says, it added 13 Airbus A380s, 12 Boeing 777-300ERs and two Boeing 777 freighters to its fleet.

The aircraft included the 100th Boeing 777-300ER and the 50th Airbus A380.

The Dubai-based airline flies to nearly 150 destinations around the world, including Toronto, operating more than 3,500 flights per week.

Photo shows the airline’s 100th 777-300ER taking off from Everett, Wash., in October 2014. Courtesy: Boeing

Seattle museum gets a Dreamliner

08 Saturday Nov 2014

Posted by in Air Canada, Air India, Air New Zealand, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, All Nippon Airways, Aviation, Boeing, Business, Dreamliner, Japan Airlines, Museums, News, Tourism, Transport, Travel

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D2Seattle’s Museum of Flight is celebrating a rare acquisition — one of the original Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner test airplanes.

It was donated this week to the museum by the American manufacturer, also based in Seattle.

Known as ZA003, the airplane was the third 787-8 produced by Boeing.

In donating the aircraft, the company cited its unique past.

Boeing said the ZA003 had circumnavigated the globe multiple times in 2011 and 2012, first as part of test and certification program and later during the Dream Tour, which introduced the 787 to the world.

“This revolutionary airplane caps the museum’s collection of historic commercial airplanes, beginning with our 1932 Boeing 247, which was the first all-metal, modern airliner,” said Doug King, president and CEO of the museum.

“It was followed by our 1969 prototype 747, the first jumbo jet, and now with the first composite airliner, the 787. It’s an incredible addition to our comprehensive display.”

One of the largest air and space museums in the world, the Museum of Flight attracts more than a half million visitors annually.

As of last month, Boeing had won orders for 1,050 Dreamliners from nearly 60 customers. More than 200 airplanes have been delivered so far.

Major Dreamliner operators include All Nippon Airways, Air India, Air New Zealand, Japan Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and Air Canada.

Photo shows visitors waiting to see the Dreamliner at the museum Saturday. Courtesy: Boeing 

AirAsia raises the security bar

13 Tuesday May 2014

Posted by in AirAsia, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Business, Interpol, Malaysia, News, Passport, Security, Tourism, Transport, Travel

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Interpol

AA3

Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia is set to become the first airline in the world to use Interpol’s I-Checkit system for enhanced security, the international police agency announced today.

It will allow passenger passport numbers to be compared against Interpol’s Stolen and Lost Travel Documents database, which contains more than 40 million records from 167 countries.

I-Checkit, however, will not allow the airline gain direct access to the database.

“With the pilot project respecting national legislation linked to data protection, no personal data will be transmitted to Interpol, with only the travel document number, form of document and country code screened against SLTD,” Interpol said Tuesday.

“Should a passenger’s passport register a positive match against the database, AirAsia has procedures in place that will refer the passenger to local authorities. Interpol’s procedures would simultaneously be engaged to notify all relevant Interpol National Central Bureaus worldwide,” it added.

I-Checkit will be deployed later this month, Interpol said. The initiative is part of Interpol’s Turn Back Crime global awareness campaign.

“AirAsia is extremely pleased to be the first airline globally to collaborate with Interpol to implement I-Checkit,” said Group CEO Tony Fernandes.

Interpol Secretary General Ronald Noble during a visit to AirAsia operations at Kuala Lumpur's klia2 terminal. Interpol photo.

Interpol Secretary General Ronald Noble during a visit to AirAsia operations at Kuala Lumpur’s klia2 terminal. Interpol photo.

“The partnership we have created will result in improved passenger security and will support our desire to offer low fares, but with the added assurance that this system and partnership provides.”

Interpol Secretary General Ronald Noble called I-Checkit the new standard for airline security.

“After today, airlines will no longer have to depend solely on countries screening passports to keep passengers safe from terrorists and other criminals who use stolen passports to board flights. Like AirAsia, they will be able to do it themselves as well,” he said.

AirAsia Group, based in Kuala Lumpur, operates flights to nearly 100 destinations in more than 20 countries.

Montreal welcomes Tunisian airline

25 Friday Apr 2014

Posted by in Airbus, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Business, Canada, Montreal, Montreal-Trudeau, News, Syphax, Tourism, Transport, Travel, Tunisia

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MontrealMontreal today became the first North American city to be connected to the Tunisian capital Tunis by direct flight when the private airline Syphax launched its service.

SyphaxSyphax, which began operations just two years ago, will use an Airbus 330-200 for the flight to Tunis–Carthage (TUN), which departs Friday evenings.

“Following the recent announcements of the arrival of Turkish Airlines and Copa Airlines, this third addition for 2014 clearly illustrates Montreal–Trudeau airport’s (YUL) vitality as it seeks to strengthen its positioning as a hub connecting Europe/North Africa/the Middle East with the Americas,” said airport president and CEO James Cherry.

Montreal–Trudeau currently serves about 130 destinations by direct flight.

Syphax is based at Sfax Thyna airport in Tunisia. Its network includes Paris, Rome, Brussels, Belgrade, Istanbul, Jeddah, Benghazi and Tripoli.

Airport image courtsey: Montreal-Trudeau.

‘Most beautiful safety video’ released

11 Tuesday Feb 2014

Posted by in Air New Zealand, Airlines, Aviation, Business, News, Safety Videos, Sports Illustrated, Tourism, Travel

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Air New Zealand has released what is being billed as the world’s most beautiful safety video.

“Safety in Paradise” was produced in collaboration with Sports Illustrated.

The video, shot in the Cook Islands, features several top models.

A trailer was posted on YouTube last week, generating a lot of buzz.

“The behind the scenes video has generated much conversation around the world about our brand and the Cook Islands as a destination since it was released last week,” said Jodi Williams, the airline’s head of global brand development.

“It’s exciting for us to release the full video today and we hope it will encourage many viewers to consider a trip to the Cook Islands.”

Cook Islands is about four hours by air from Auckland, and is a key destination for Air New Zealand.

Airbus tests trackable bags

12 Thursday Dec 2013

Posted by in Aircraft, Airlines, Aviation, Business, News, Technology, Tourism, Transport, Travel

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Nearly 26 million bags are lost or misplaced in airports around the globe each year, but a trackable bag may help reduce that number dramatically.

A prototype of the trackable Bag2Go

A prototype of the trackable Bag2Go

Bag2Go is being developed by Airbus in partnership with luggage manufacturer Rimowa and IT services company T-Systems.

It is a specially designed suitcase with integrated electronic tagging which can be controlled by a smartphone.

Tests on Bag2Go will be conducted throughout next year, Airbus said this week.

“It was very important for us to come up with an easy-to-use solution for passengers,” said Airbus Innovation Manager Jan Reh.

“Bag2Go is one piece in the overall puzzle to make luggage more controllable for airlines and provide passengers with a better travel experience.”

The European aircraft manufacturer says airlines are keen to participate because each lost luggage on average costs them about $100 to retrieve and return to the passenger.

The International Air Transport Association, the group that represents the world’s airlines, estimates that lost or misplaced baggage accounts for almost $2.5 billion dollars in lost revenue annually.

A luggage carousel at Dubai International Airport

A baggage carousel at Dubai International Airport

“This new technology is a fantastic enabler that will help the business transform itself, so that not only will fewer bags be mishandled but newer, more innovative ways of delivering those bags will be found,” said Andrew Price, head of baggage services at the organization.

“These technologies may seem like they are new today but within five years they will be absolutely common place.”

At last, there is hope for light at the end of the baggage carousel!

Images are courtesy of Airbus and Dubai Airport.

IATA forecasts big rise in air travel

10 Tuesday Dec 2013

Posted by in Airlines, Aviation, Business, News, Tourism, Travel

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ImageWhile the world is bracing for a big rise in air travel, North America will record the slowest growth in international passenger demand in the next four years, the group that represents the world’s airlines said Tuesday.

The International Air Transport Association says the region will see a 3.6 per cent compound annual growth rate during 2013-2017.

The Middle East will report the strongest — a growth of 6.3 per cent.

Overall, international passenger numbers are expected to rise from 1.2 billion in 2012 to 1.5 billion in 2017, bringing in 292 million additional passengers, IATA said.

With a rate of more than 10 per cent, Uzbekistan is the fastest growing market for international passenger traffic. Others are Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkey, Oman, China, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan and Pakistan.

The group also forecast that airlines expect to see a 31 per cent increase in total passenger numbers between 2012 and 2017.

“By 2017, total passenger numbers are expected to rise to 3.91 billion — an increase of 930 million passengers over the 2.98 billion carried in 2012,” the IATA Airline Industry Forecast said.

The United Arab Emirates, home of the high-flying carrier Emirates, will add 29.2 million passengers over the forecast period, nearly as many as China, IATA said.

“For international traffic, routes between the Middle East and Asia-Pacific will see the strongest growth.”

Routes within or connected to China will be the single largest driver of growth, accounting for 24 per cent of new passengers during the forecast period, IATA said.

“Of the anticipated 227.4 million additional passengers, 195 million will be domestic and 32.4 million will be international.”

With 677.8 million domestic passengers in 2017, the United States will continue to be the largest single market for domestic passengers, although it will add only 70 million passengers over the forecast period, IATA said.

IATA, which represents nearly 250 airlines, says the global aviation industry supports some 57 million jobs and $2.2 trillion in economic activity.

Benelux gets its 1st Dreamliner

04 Wednesday Dec 2013

Posted by in Aircraft, Airlines, Aviation, Business, News, Tourism, Travel

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Jetairfly of Belgium is set to become the first airline in Benelux to operate the Boeing 787.

The Dreamliner. Boeing photo.

The Dreamliner. Boeing photo.

The carrier, which is part of the British-based leisure travel company TUI Travel PLC, took delivery of the Dreamliner at a ceremony in Seattle on Tuesday. The 787 will start flying this month, replacing the airline’s 767.

Jetair“We are very excited about the Jetairfly Dreamliner entering service as the first and only 787 operated by a Belgian airline,” said Elie Bruyninckx, CEO of TUI Belgium.

Bruyninckx called the aircraft a great asset in the company’s strategy of offering unique holiday experiences to its passengers, especially when they fly between Europe and the Caribbean.

“We are very excited that Jetairfly will be flying the 787 Dreamliner,” said, Todd Nelp, vice- president of European Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

The fuel-efficient Dreamliner has features such as larger, electronically-dimmable windows and larger overhead luggage bins.

TUI Travel, which operates six airlines including Thomson Airways, Arkefly, TUI Fly Nordic and Jetairfly, has made a commitment for up to 15 Dreamliners. It now has four in service.

The Dreamliner was launched in 2004. It reached a sales milestone at the Dubai Airshow last month when Boeing received the 1,000th order for the aircraft, from Etihad Airways of Abu Dhabi.

Boeing puts the total number of orders at 1,012 from 16 customers.

Dubai promises to astonish the world

27 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by in Culture, Dubai, Life, News, Tourism, Travel, World Expo

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Celebrations are underway in Dubai, UAE, after the city won the right to host the world’s fair in 2020, the first in the Middle East.

Ruler“To the world: we renew our promise to astonish you at Expo 2020,” Dubai’s Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum tweeted shortly after winning the bid.

“Dubai will bring to life our vision: Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.”

Rival bids came from Ekaterinburg, Russia; Sao Paulo, Brazil and Izmir, Turkey.

My previous post on Expo 2020

My previous post on Expo 2020

Dubai was the front-runner from the very beginning of the bidding process, and on Wednesday it won in all three rounds of voting by member countries of the Bureau International des Expositions in Paris.

“Expo 2020 will breathe new life into the ancient role of the Middle East as a melting pot for cultures and creativity,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

“Our goal is to build a better future for the region’s youth. The UAE will achieve it through collaboration and inspiration at Expo 2020.”

Expo3The BIE noted that in just a few decades, Dubai had become one of the world’s most modern, innovative and technological cities, attracting investors and workers from more than 200 countries.

“With a target of 25 million visitors, the Expo will continue building Dubai and the UAE’s status as a world hub…”

Canada and Britain were among the countries supporting the Dubai bid. Baird2

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird congratulated Dubai, saying in a tweet that it was the right proposal, right place and right time.

Sheikh Mohammed’s photo is courtesy of Dubai Government.

Dubai is poised to win Expo 2020

24 Sunday Nov 2013

Posted by in Culture, Dubai, Life, People, Social, Travel

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uae2Delegates from nearly 170 countries are meeting in Paris this week to choose the host of the 2020 World Expo.

The competition is between front-runner Dubai, UAE, and Ekaterinburg, Russia; Sao Paulo, Brazil and Izmir, Turkey.

All indications are that the Bureau International des Expositions will overwhelmingly choose Dubai on Nov. 27.

There are many reasons for that, primarily no other city competing for the world’s fair can match what Dubai offers – it has ultra-modern infrastructure, solid financial backing and above all an impeccable track record of hosting mega events.

The Dubai Airshow that concluded just last week is just an example. It generated a record US$206 billion in business for Boeing, Airbus and others.

Dubai has also won the endorsements of several countries, including Britain, France and Canada.

“Canada believes it is time for the Middle East to host the world at a time of such hope and challenge in the region, and Dubai is best placed to bring together the most diverse group of peoples from around the world, to share ideas, aspirations, and concrete solutions for the future,” Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said in a statement earlier this month.

“Canada’s support for Dubai reflects our commitment to the dynamism, hope and future of emerging economies in the region and beyond.” Bid2

Former U.S. president Bill Clinton, a frequent visitor to Dubai, and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates also have endorsed Dubai’s bid.

“Dubai’s model of shared prosperity is more important today than ever and an inspiration to many countries in the Middle East,” Clinton told students of the American University of Dubai in April.

RulerDubai under its charismatic Ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has made dramatic progress in the past few years.

The emirate has delivered everything it ever promised. Expo 2020 will be no different. It would be another jewel in Dubai’s crown.

But win or lose, Dubai has made its case.

“The UAE will be successful whether it wins the bid or not, as we are working and moving forward with various development plans,” Sheikh Mohammed was quoted as saying this month.

All photos are courtesy of Dubai Expo 2020 and Dubai Government. The video, “Then and Now,” is from YouTube.