DAKKAK NEWSLETTER
October 2023 Edition
Greetings Partners! Welcome to the Dakkak Newsletter, a curated resource crafted exclusively for our valued partners to explore updates, gain insights, and embark on extraordinary journeys through our exceptional destinations.
Dakkak UAE
News & Events:
• Women’s Arab Fashion week: Dubai Fashion Week will be held from October 9-15, 2023. The event is one of the largest fashion events in the Middle East and showcases the work of regional and international designers.
• UFC 294 (Makhachef vs Olivera): The much anticipated rematch for the World Lightweight Champion belt happening in Abud Dhabi “https://visitabudhabi.ae/en/campaign/abu-dhabi-showdown-week-2023-ufc-294“
• Dubai home festival: If you are looking to give your home a style injection then the fifth edition of Dubai Home Festival needs to be circled on your calendar. Give your house a new look by making the most of the deals on offer across homegrown brands. Oct 13-Oct 27
• Dubai fitness challenge: The Dubai Fitness Challenge is back for 2023. Kicking off on Saturday October 28, and running all the way through until Sunday November 26 and launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council in 2017, the festival aims to make Dubai the most active city in the world.Sat Oct 28-Sun Nov 26. Various locations.
• Lewis Capaldi: Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi will finally perform in Dubai after postponing the date from 2022. The concert will now take place on Saturday, October 7 2023. Fans who have bought tickets to the gig will be able to use them at next year’s date. Sat Nov 28 2023, from 7pm. Coca Cola Arena, City Walk, Dubai. lewiscapaldi.com.
Hotels in Project for 2023
FIVE LUXE
Brought to you by the same brand behind party hotels FIVE Palm Jumeirah and FIVE Jumeirah Village, FIVE LUXE is the newest location in the portfolio. Located in JBR, where the Corinthia Meydan used to be, it will be opening in 2023.
Due to open: 2023
FIVE LUXE, Jumeirah Beach Residence. fiveluxe.fivehotelsandresorts.com
Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab
This new resort by Jumeirah has been inspired by a super yacht. Sitting beside the Burj Al Arab, the hotel will have its own stretch of private beach and will include 386 rooms along with 83 hotel apartments. Naturally, being a Jumeirah hotel, there will be a number of brilliant restaurants opening with it.
Due to open: 2023
Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Al Sufouh One. jumeirah.com
Kempinski Floating Palace
What it says on the tin, this new hotel will be floating on the Arabian Gulf. With 156 rooms, 12 luxury villas, and 12 glass boat houses located on the water off Jumeirah Beach Road, there will also be high-end restaurants, boutique shops, and a spa. Those with yachts will also be able to dock up here and make use of the five-star amenities.
Due to open: 2023
Jumeirah Beach Road, kempinski.com/en
New Attractions Dubai
Nakheel Marinas Dubai Islands
Dubai’s latest marina is set to become a luxury destination for boating enthusiasts, with state-of-the-art facilities and direct access to the city’s emerging shoreside haven at Dubai Islands. The marina can accommodate up to 13 superyachts and has 248 wet berths and 40 dry berths. For all those who dock, a day of thrills awaits, from beach activities and watersports to nearby hotels offering wonderful stays, dining, and entertainment.
Opening Hours: 7am to midnight
Contact: +971 4 777 9008
Dubai Island Marina – Dubai Islands – Front – Dubai
GLITCH
An entertainment destination in Al Ghurair Centre, GLITCH features over 30 different indoor games for all ages. Take on a ninja warrior-style course, zoom down a 10m-high slide or defy gravity on their climbing walls, there’s something for everyone. Round up the family for a round of bowling or buckle up for SkySurf, the city’s first roller glider experience where you can ‘float’ around the venue.
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday, 10am – 11pm, extended to midnight on weekends
Level 2, Al Ghurair Centre – Deira – Dubai
Cloud 22
Located in the iconic Atlantis The Royal, Cloud 22 promises exclusivity and indulgence, unlike anything you have experienced before. The rooftop pool destination is available only to in-house hotel guests, guaranteeing a dip among VIPs and A-listers. Come here for unmatched views of the Arabian Gulf and Palm Jumeirah, which you can take in lounging in one of the duplex cabanas or the submerged sunbeds in the 90-foot infinity pool. There’s nothing more relaxing than soaking up some sun, with delicious French-Mediterranean favourites on the side.
Opening Hours: 10am-7pm
Contact: +971 4 426 2626
Atlantis The Royal – Crescent Rd – Palm Jumeirah – Dubai
Dubai Crocodile Park
Adjacent to the nature-focused Mushrif Park, Dubai Crocodile Park measures 20,000sqm and is home to more than 250 Nile crocodiles. The family-friendly venue allows guests to see these fascinating creatures living happily between three vast climate-controlled basins, featuring placid waterfalls and perfectly placed sandbanks, and even interact with them at various feeding stations. Meanwhile, an onsite museum delves into myriad crocodile facts, should you care to learn more about them.
Opening Hours: 10am-10pm
Contact: +971 4 266 3700
Mushrif – Dubai
Dakkak Jordan
News & Events:
• Meet the Dakkaks:
– TTG, Rimini: October 11th-13th
– WTM, London: November 6th-8th
– m&i, Jordan: November 19th-23
– IBTM, World, Barcelona: November 28th-30th
– USTOA, Los Angeles: December 2nd-6th
- Salah Ziad Dakkak Joins the Dakkak DMC family as a Business Development Manager after graduating from Franklin University in Switzerland acquiring a Bachelor’s degree in Media and Communications.
- Ryanair launches biggest ever winter schedule for Jordan celebrating 5 years of operations with 4 new routes and over 100 weekly flights. (https://www.dakkakjordan.com/ryanair-biggest-winter-schedule-for-jordan)
- Low cost carriers: Starting end of October 2023, Aqaba Airport will have direct flights from low-cost carriers Ryan Air, Wizz Air, and easyJet.
- Amman Marathon: The Amman Marathon will be held on October 13-14, 2023. The marathon is a popular event for runners of all levels, and it offers a scenic course through the city of Amman.
- KTM ADVENTURE RALLY JORDAN 2023: Will be held on October 12-14, 2023. The rally is a four-day off-road motorcycle event that takes riders through some of the most beautiful and challenging terrain in Jordan.
- European Film Festival: The European Film Festival – Jordan will be held on September 29-October 13, 2023. The festival showcases a variety of European films, including feature films, documentaries, and short films.
- Impact Week Amman: Impact Week Amman is a week-long event that brings together social entrepreneurs, investors, and other stakeholders to collaborate on creating impact. The event will be held on October 14-22, 2023.
Featured Destinations:
Dana Biosphere Reserve: Jordan’s Natural Gem
Eco-Tourism & Sustainability
Established in 1989, Dana Biosphere Reserve is Jordan’s largest nature reserve, encompassing approximately 320
square kilometers of diverse and captivating landscapes. It stretches across the majestic Great Rift Valley, extending
from the 1500-meter-high plateau near Quadesiyya to the expansive desert plains of Wadi Araba. The reserve’s terrain
is characterized by a series of mountain ridges and steep-sided wadis, often adorned with flourishing vegetation.
Dana’s geological makeup is equally fascinating, transitioning from limestone to sandstone to granite.
Facts about Dana Biosphere Reserve:
Established in 1989, it’s Jordan’s largest nature reserve.
Encompasses approximately 320 square kilometers.
Features four distinct biogeographical zones.
Home to over 800 plant species, with three exclusive to Dana.
Supports globally threatened species like the Syrian Serin and Lesser Kestrel.
Bio-Geographical Diversity:
Dana Biosphere Reserve stands as a testament to Jordan’s rich biodiversity, featuring all four of the country’s distinct bio-geographical zones: Mediterranean, Irano Turanian, Saharo Arabian, and Sudanian penetration. As a result, it ranks as Jordan’s most ecologically diverse nature reserve, boasting a range of distinct habitats and species. Notable vegetation types found here include the Phoenician Juniper, evergreen oak, sand dunes, acacia, and rocky Sudanian, among others. Additionally, Dana is home to the southernmost remaining forest community of Cypress Cupressus simpervirens. The reserve harbors over 800 plant species, with three exclusive to Dana and bearing the reserve’s name within their Latin names.
Wildlife Wonders:
Dana Biosphere Reserve provides a sanctuary for a multitude of wildlife, including rare and endangered species of both flora and fauna. Among its inhabitants are globally threatened species of birds and mammals, adding to the reserve’s ecological significance. Notable species include the Syrian Serin (Serinus syriacus), Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni), Blanford’s Fox (Vulpes cana), and Nubian Ibex (Capra nubiana). Dana is celebrated for hosting the world’s largest breeding colony of Syrian Serin and providing a breeding habitat for the Lesser Kestrel.
Exploring Dana:
Dana Biosphere Reserve offers an array of activities and experiences to immerse yourself in its natural splendor. Visitors can partake in guided hikes, birdwatching, and photography, all while surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of mountains, wadis, and lush vegetation. The reserve’s diverse habitats make it a haven for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers alike.
Enter an enchanting world of authentic Bedouin hospitality and natural beauty.
Deep in the heart of the mountainous Dana Biosphere Reserve, at the end of a rugged track, an idyllic candle-lit lodge rests in the magnificent Wadi Feynan.
Hailed as one of the best 25 ecolodges in the world by National Geographic Traveler Magazine, the award-winning, solar powered Feynan Ecolodge offers the most developed eco-experience in Jordan; an experience only made possible by a unique partnership between EcoHotels and the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, a Jordanian NGO devoted to the protection of the Kingdom’s finest natural landscapes.
Here, set against the glorious desert landscape, guests staying at the 26-room lodge can be found adventuring through the untouched outdoors, sipping sweet tea with the native Bedouin, exploring local archaeological sites or simply unwinding in the serene courtyards and terraces of the candle-lit complex, safe in the knowledge that their travels in Jordan are socially and environmentally responsible.
Check in at Feynan Ecolodge and check out of the cluttered world we live in today. Away from the masses of tourists, enjoy the rare opportunity to disconnect as you reconnect with nature and reacquaint yourself with the simplicity of life. Savour the joy of waking up to the chirping of birds, the sun rising over the mountains and feast on a nourishing Arabic breakfast as the shepherds guide goats in search of theirs. Find a good reading spot at one of the serene terraces and marvel at the surroundings, or indulge in one of the many activities offered in the reserve. And at night, unwind as the candlelit lodge flickers, then count the shooting stars as you lay under the endless bed of stars.
What’s inside the Lodge?:
Individually designed guest rooms
Feynan has 26 unique guest rooms, all with ensuite and lit by candlelight at night. There is a variety of rooms to suit your taste and budget, most boasting beautiful views of the rugged landscape. The rooms are deluxe, standard, and economy rooms.
Spacious terraces
A variety of spots in and around the lodge each offering a different view of the lodge or the reserve. Pick a sunny or shady spot to suit your mood. Relax with a book, listen to the silence, cozy up by the fire, or gaze up at the stars.
Dining under the stars
Enjoy an open dining area that leads from the buffet onto one of the terraces. From spring to autumn, enjoy your meals by candlelight under a canopy of stars. Communal and individual tables give you the option of eating privately or joining other guests. Local vegetarian meals are available.
A library lounge
The coziest spot in the lodge in winter is curled up on a sofa next to the fireplace. Comfy sofas invite you to nestle up with a novel, pick up a book about the area, play a board game with fellow guests, or simply relax with a freshly brewed cup of Bedouin tea.
Panoramic rooftop terrace
The perfect place to soak up the view with a 360-degree view of the desert reserve and local life in the daytime. At night our guides will teach you about the stars as you gaze up at a never-ending blanket of twinkling lights.
Meeting Facilities
Totally off the grid and away from the hustle and bustle, Feynan is a unique place for groups for up to 60 people. Conferences, workshops and retreats can be accommodated in an airy, windowed room equipped with meeting tables and solar-powered electricity for laptops. The meeting room is fully equipped with a projector, flip charts and internet connection.
Leather and candle workshops
These onsite community projects employ local artisans who handcraft fine decorations and the candles that light the lodge. The women working here are happy for you to drop by and see what they are making and their products are available in the shop.
Restaurant of The Month:
Dar Nemeh, Amman Citadel
Sustainable Tourism
Dar Ne’meh is a sustainable vegetarian restaurant and handicraft shop in Jordan. It is part of Princess Taghrid Institute’s economic development projects for women. The restaurant serves traditional Jordanian dishes made with fresh, local ingredients. Some popular dishes include:
Dar Ne’meh has four locations in Jordan: Amman, Jerash, Aqaba, and Ajloun. The restaurant is known for its delicious food, friendly staff, and beautiful atmosphere
- Hummus: This is a popular Middle Eastern dish made from mashed chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic, olive oil, and parsley
- Mansaf: This is a national dish of Jordan made from lamb, yogurt sauce, rice, and pine nuts.
- Maqluba (Up Side Down): This is a rice dish that is popular throughout the Middle East. It is made with meat, vegetables, and spices.
- Baba ghanoush: This is a popular Middle Eastern dip made from roasted eggplant, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic.
- Falafel: These are deep-fried balls made from chickpeas, herbs, and spices. They are often dipped in pita bread or served in a sandwich style with vegetables and sauces.
Dar Ne’meh is also a social enterprise. It provides jobs and training for Jordanian women, and it supports local farmers and producers. The restaurant is committed to sustainability, and it uses solar panels and other renewable energy sources.
If you are looking for a delicious and authentic Jordanian dining experience, Dar Ne’meh is a great choice. The restaurant is also a great place to support local women and businesses.
