DUBAI EXCELS IN WORLD-WIDE SPA SURVEY

Dubai is home to three of the best spas in the world, according to a study by The Leading Hotels of the World. The results of the study, which are published in the Leading Spas Directory, will become like Michelin stars for spas, the authors hope.

The three Dubai spas in the directory are at The Emirates Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa, the Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa, and the One & Only Royal Mirage.

Al Maha is among the world's best spas, according to the study.

EK TO START NON-STOP FLIGHTS TO HOUSTON

Emirates Airlines will kick off nonstop service between Houston and Dubai beginning in early December. The new flight will be among the world's longest, but it will shorten travel times between Houston and Dubai.

The flight time from Houston to Dubai will be 15 hours and 10 minutes. The return flight from Dubai on Emirates will be 17 hours and five minutes. The service is starting December 3.

Plans call for the service to start three times a week using the airline's new Boeing 777-200LR model, increasing to five a week at the start of 2008 and becoming daily February 2008.

There is a growing demand for convenient air travel connections between the U.S. and cities in the Middle East and Indian subcontinent.Houston will be the second gateway city for Emirates, which has three daily flights to Dubai from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Emirates' new non-stop service from Houston further expands its North American presence, adding a key component to its rapidly growing global route network by making service to Dubai easily accessible from the Southwest, West Coast and Midwest regions of the U.S.

SKI DUBAI WELCOMES ITS MILLIONTH VISITOR

Ski Dubai has just reached a major milestone in its short history. The landmark leisure destination recently welcomed its millionth visitor after only a year or so of operations. Developed by MAF Investments as the signature feature of Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai has successfully established itself as a major leisure destination for residents and tourists alike.

Ski Dubai is the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East. It is located inside the Mall of the Emirates, the latest development from MAF Shopping Malls. Ski Dubai offers an amazing indoor snow setting that offers visitors superb skiing, snowboarding, and tobogganing. Ski Dubai is a unique mountain-themed attraction that offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy real snow in Dubai all year round.

Ski Dubai offers the ideal conditions for skiing and snowboarding, with a choice of five runs, as well as a 3000 square meter snow park with tobogganing, a twin track bobsled ride and tubing, among other activities. Ski Dubai's Snow School offers guests the opportunity to learn skills suitable for all ages and abilities from beginners to experienced skiers and snowboarders.