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Dubai’s RTA Now On Google Maps

The IT Department at Corporate Technical Support Services Sector of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) announced that Dubai has become the first city across the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) regions to enter its public transport network in the digital space know as Google Maps.

The new feature enables public bus users, including residents, visitors and tourists in the emirate, to plan their daily travels in advance through this technology; which is easy to use and accessible to all internet users 24 hours a day.

A statement to this effect was made in a recent bilateral meeting during which an agreement was signed between the RTA and Google. The agreement was signed for RTA by the CEO of Corporate Technical Support Services Sector Abdullah Al Madani and for Google Co. by the Regional Product & Marketing Manager Wael Ghonim. Following the signing of the agreement, Dubai public transport map was entered in Google Map website to overlay routes of public transport network information in full coordination with RTA Public Transport Agency.

“The initiative of uploading various transport information on Google Maps is a co-service intended to enhance “Journey Planner” initiative know, as “Wojhati” launched by Public Transport Agency in the first quarter of this year. The new initiative will definitely enable a large portion of potential users across the globe to gain access to the public transport network in the emirate of Dubai” said Al Madani.

This technology aims at assisting public transport users in Dubai in establishing the optimum mobility method, and enlists the available public bus routes options depending on the starting point, destinations and travel times. The service also enables both residents & visitors to inquire about the timing of bus schedules and routes through checking them on Google Maps. In this sense, Dubai becomes one of more than 50 cosmopolitan cities to use this technology such as London, Paris, New York, and Zurich with sophisticated public transport networks across the globe.

“Whether the user wishes to book a hotel or restaurant, he or she can activate the display of transportation charts on Google Maps to know the nearest bus route. This service also enables the user to move between destinations on Google Maps website, or search a particular destination; where the service will identify and display the best travel means together with bus routes & schedules in a smooth format” added Al Madani.

To access the details of Dubai public transport through Google Maps, the link is http://maps.google.com.
Japan To Offer Zeppelin Joy Rides

Nippon Airship Corporation (NAC) is offering air cruises over Tokyo and neighbouring cities in its Zeppelin NT airship between November 21 and January 4 next year to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the LZ127 Graf Zeppelin’s world voyage via Tokyo.

NAC cruises will fly above the eastern Japan cities of Tokyo, Yokohama, Kamakura and Saitama, in its Zeppelin NT (new technology) which is one of only three operational Zeppelin airships in the world.

The Tokyo Cruise gives passengers the opportunity to view the city’s iconic landmarks including Roppongi Hills, Ginza, National Diet Building, Asakusa and Tsukiji Fish Market from an altitude of about 500 metres.

Special flights including Christmas night cruises (December 18-25), and a New Year’s Day morning cruise, are also available in Tokyo.

The Yokohama Cruise highlights include views of the Yokohama Bay Bridge and Landmark Tower.

The longest cruise, Kamakura Cruise, flies above the historical seaside town of Kamakura, south of Tokyo, which was Japan’s capital for more than a century from 1192.

Cruise prices (per person)

* Tokyo Cruise (1.5 hours): from 126,000 yen ($1508)
* Yokohama Cruise (2 hours): from 168,000 yen ($2010)
* Kamakura Cruise (2.75 hours): 188,000 yen ($2249)
* Saitama Cruise (30 minutes): 50,000 yen ($598)

All cruises depart from and return to Honda Airport in Okegawa City, Saitama Prefecture.

HISTORICAL NOTE: The heyday of the Zeppelin was during the 1930s when the airships Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg operated regular transatlantic flights from Germany to North America and Brazil. The Hindenburg disaster in 1937, when the air ship caught fire and 35 passengers died, hastened the demise of the Zeppelin.
Airport Self-Service Check-In Now A ‘Global Trend’

The majority of the world’s leading airports (80%) aim to make passenger self-service the primary channel for check-in, according to a new global survey. More than half (52%) rated the introduction of “electronic documents” as the technology which will have the most significant impact at airports in the near future.

This will initially be driven by the adoption of bar-coded boarding passes sent directly to mobile phones – a key enabler for paperless travel.

The SITA Airport IT Trends survey, unveiled at the Airports Council International worldconference in Kuala Lumpur, also found that IT budgets for airports in 2008 were largely unaffected by the global economic downturn.

IT investments as a percentage of revenue decreased slightly from 3.5% in 2007 to 3.2% in 2008.

The world airport IT industry is estimated to be worth $3 billion and 45% of this year’s survey respondents expect an increase in budget in 2010 while only 14% expect a lower budget.

The sixth annual survey had a record 106 responses from airports and airport groups representing 172 airports from around the world including 56 from the Top 100 in terms of revenue and passengers.

SITA vice president for airports Catherine Mayer said: “This year’s survey confirms that self-service is a global trend with almost 80% of respondents planning to make it the primary means for check-in by 2010 as is already the case at 40% of the world’s top 100 airports.

“Airports are also recognising that passengers bypassing check-in counters may be faced with new bottlenecks and queues at baggage drop-off and security screening areas.

“As a result, airports are turning to various automation tools to track wait times at different checkpoints such as security and immigration.

“Of the respondents who said they will monitor wait times in the future, 60% will use video analytics, 43% will use RFID and 27% plan to use Bluetooth technology.”

The high priorities for airport IT investments are:

*Passenger Processing & Services” (61%);

*Passenger Security (56%); and

*Airport Operations” (51%).

Baggage processing and management also remain among the highest ranked investment areas for the Top 100 airports (51%) but is a lower priority for less congested, smaller airports.

Fifty two per cent of airports rated the use of “electronic documents” as the technology with the most significant impact on IT & telecom systems at an airport.

Initially this will be driven by the introduction of initiatives such as paperless travel and bar-coded boarding passes (BCBP), but is likely to affect other areas such as aircraft maintenance too.

Half of all airports believe providing solutions on mobile devices for passengers or staff at airports will have the highest impact on their IT infrastructure.

More than 60% of airports already have check-in kiosks which will further increase to 90% by 2012.

When asked about their strategy for kiosk usage, most airports plan to increase the number of kiosks further, whether for check-in (44%) or for new functionality (9%) such as passport scanning (from 32% today to 58% by 2012) and bag-tag printing (from 17% today to 51% by 2012).

New usage areas receiving the highest interest are:

*Common bag-drop locations - 12% today to 48% by 2012;

*Automated boarding gates - 8 % today to 42% by 2012;

*Self-service kiosk for passenger transfer services, - 11% today to 39 % by 2012;

*Self service kiosk to report lost baggage - 5% today to 36% by 2012.

Aloft Hotel Abu Dhabi Now Open

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and its new destination sensation brand, Aloft Hotels, recently announced the opening of Aloft Abu Dhabi, the first Aloft to open in the Middle East and the second Aloft to open outside of North America.

Ten years after Starwood Hotels & Resorts shook up the hotel industry with the launch of W Hotels, the innovative hotel giant has again reinvented hotel design with the debut of its newest brand, Aloft Hotels. Featuring loft-like guest rooms, a buzzing bar scene in the open lobby, an urban-inspired grab-and go cafe and industrial design elements throughout, Aloft delivers urban-influenced, modern and vibrant design and an energetic guest experience at an affordable price point.

The debut of Aloft Abu Dhabi highlights the strategic international expansion of the Aloft brand. After opening its first hotel in June 2008 in Canada, Aloft has since grown to nearly 40 hotels strong in three countries – the United States, China and Canada – with the United Arab Emirates marking its fourth. And looking ahead to 2010, Aloft will continue its global growth with slated debut openings in Belgium, India and Thailand. Aloft Abu Dhabi is also the first of two Aloft hotels coming to the Middle East in the next two years, with the Aloft Riyadh scheduled for a 2011 opening.

Aloft Abu Dhabi introduces style at a steal to the region with 408 spacious, loft-like rooms, accessible technology and a vibrant, social atmosphere. A Vision of W Hotels, Aloft’s loft-inspired design, accessible technology and a stylish urban attitude arrives on the scene in the Middle East. Aloft offers atmospheric public spaces where guests can mix and mingle, read the paper, work on laptops, play a game of pool or grab a drink with friends at the re:mixSM communal lobby area and w xyzSM bar. The re:chargeSM fitness center and splash pool give travelers options to de-stress and re-energize, or enjoy a meal at Dine, the hotel’s main restaurant with live-cooked international-style cuisine. Feel the buzz of our open kitchen and boost your energy at Dine. re:fuel by Aloft is a one-stop, 24-hour grab & go food and beverage area, offering sweet, savory and healthy food, snacks and beverages. Or visit relax@12, an indoor/outdoor lounge where guests can find oriental bites, yummy tapas and a sassy sushi selection. The re:charge fitness centre and splash, the outdoor pool, give guests options to de-stress and re-energize. Mai Cafe, the ultimate chill-out spot on the fifth floor, offers exciting international flavours, oversized beach chairs and unique custom cocktails, complimented by our eclectic mix of laid-back tunes and sunny grooves.

“We are thrilled to introduce Aloft to Abu Dhabi, a fitting choice for the brand’s debut in the Middle East,” said Brian McGuinness, Starwood’s Senior Vice President and Global Brand Leader, Specialty Select Brands. “The hotel’s strategic location in the hub of the capital city makes a bold statement about how the brand is taking its innovative, fresh perspective on hotels to the most desirable locations around the world.”

First time visitors to Aloft will immediately understand that Aloft is different from any other hotel experience. Guests are greeted by special features and visually distinctive iconic structures on the exterior, including a colorful, sloping signature carport cover and building roof-line, and colorful glowing linear light sources on the building facade inspired by the notion of travel and motion.

Aloft guest rooms feature the brand’s signature ceilings of nearly three meters high, oversized windows and an ultra-comfortable bed, as well as roomy walk-in showers and bath amenities created by Bliss Spa. Each Aloft room is equipped with complimentary wireless Internet access and a one-stop connectivity solution for multiple electronic gadgetry all linked to a 42” flat-panel, HDTV-ready television making it a combination high-tech office and entertainment center in one.

The new hotel is linked directly to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition, Centre (ADNEC), the Gulf’s largest exhibition centre which is at the heart of the Capital Centre district, a micro-city consisting of premium office towers, luxury hotels and residences, restaurants, shopping and a marina. The hotel will even provide guests direct access to the soon-to-open Re:lax@12 rooftop bar, Mai Restaurant & Bar and Dine Restaurant – all located on site. Ideally positioned right next to the Capital Centre district, Aloft Abu Dhabi is close to numerous embassies and corporate offices, 20 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi and 15 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport.

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