The United Arab Emirates Government has formally requested the postponement of World Expo 2020 Dubai in a letter to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE).

Organisers of Expo 2020 Dubai have requested to have the event postponed until 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Scheduled to start in just over 200 days, Expo 2020 says due to the current “global situation” gripping the world, “it is clear that this is not the right time” to host the event.

Mandarin Oriental Jumeira is a Dubai hotel that does things differently – and it is not only spelling Jumeira like that (everyone else seems to use Jumeirah). For a start it has an Austrian GM, Werner Anzinger who has a passion for Napoleon, and a wife from Melbourne. It has, as we will see, Dubai’s only tree-sculpted lobby, and a proper beach-set jogging track. And next Friday, 14 February, for one night it will be serving an anti-Valentine cocktail, ‘Leaving you behind’, Shōchū, vermouth, noisette and herb-flavoured liqueur with a dash of artichoke liquor.

Australia Day 2020 was duly celebrated last Sunday at a Thai-themed resort in Dubai. Does that make sense? Honestly, the 293-key Anantara Dubai Palm Jumeirah Resort & Spa is indeed a property that makes you think you are in Chiang Mai rather than the stress-overload creation that is Dubai. It is little wonder that an increasing number of locals, both expats and Emirati, drive over to The Palm for staycations, sometimes every weekend, without fail. And long-haul travellers appreciate the resort for a recovery layover en route to, or back from, Europe.

Plaza Premium Group has expanded its presence in the Middle East with the launch of a new 1,260-square-metre facility at Terminal 3, Dubai International Airport.  The Plaza Premium Lounge Dubai has a capacity of 300 guests and offers special features including private family suites, a playroom, “first-class” enclosed napping space and a cigar lounge.

MSC Cruises has announced that guests sailing aboard MSC Lirica from its homeport of Dubai next year will receive complimentary tickets to Expo 2020 Dubai. With 25 million visits expected to Dubai next year, Expo 2020 is undoubtedly the largest event ever staged in the Arab World. ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ is the main theme of the event and the expression of how innovation and progress are achieved when people and ideas come together in unique ways.

Hyatt has officially opened the Andaz Dubai The Palm, joining Andaz hotels in top destinations around the world, such as Amsterdam, London, New York, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai. The property is the first Andaz-branded hotel in Dubai and second in the United Arab Emirates following the launch of Andaz Capital Gate, Abu Dhabi in 2018.

Emirates has introduced its first remote check-in terminal outside of an airport to provide seamless connections for cruise passengers in Dubai. Located at Port Rashid, the check-in facility is available to passengers disembarking from a cruise ship who are connecting with an Emirates flight all at the same locational facility.

Chef Mauro Colagreco, the Chef Patron of three Michelin starred restaurant, Mirazur, is partnering with One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai to oversee the resort’s fine-dining restaurants. The chef’s restaurant on the French Riviera was recently voted number one at The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards 2019 – the first time that France has received the top place since The World’s Best began in 2002.

Al Muntaha has unveiled a new menu of classic and fine French fare at the hands of one of the world’s best chefs, Francky Semblat. Perched on the 27th floor of the Burj Al Arab, the menu takes guests on a gastronomic journey of fine French cuisine bursting with seasonal produce, the finest of ingredients and respect for the art of classic French culinary styles.

Emirates is serving its guests Bavarian specialties on board and in its airport lounges to celebrate Oktoberfest this year. From 21 September to 6 October 2019, customers between Dubai and Germany will be able to enjoy regional food and drinks in all classes of travel on board.

A brand new luxury hotel has launched in Dubai this month featuring an incredible 269 pools. Operators of the 247-room-and-suite property, FIVE Jumeirah Village, say the project is set to “shake up the city’s hotel and party scene”.