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The Ritz-Carlton Dubai and Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers both feature as Brazilian boutique takes top spot.

Tripadvisor has named the best hotels to stay in around the world in 2024 and two UAE properties make the cut.

The world’s largest travel guidance platform unveiled its list of winners on Tuesday, and included the Ritz-Carlton Dubai and Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers in its top 20 ranking based on Tripadvisor reviews.

Ritz-Carlton Dubai is one of the emirate’s stalwart properties, having opened in the area that has since become The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence in 1998. That was years before Dubai Marina, The Palm Jumeirah and Bluewaters came into existence and the resort was one of the hotel group’s first addresses in the Middle East and North Africa.

From 7,359 reviews, Tripadvisor travellers are most impressed with the luxury hotel’s swimming pools and child-friendly facilities, ranking the hotel as the 17th best in the world.

In the UAE capital, Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers opened in 2001 after taking over the existing site from Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts. The property ranks at number 20 for 2024. The skyscraper was a favourite with 7,674 Tripadvisor reviewers who appreciated its infinity pool and swim-up bar.

The National previously reviewed the Hilton-owned hotel and was impressed by its wow-factor views and impeccable service.

When it comes to the overall best hotel in the world for 2024, the honour goes to Hotel Colline de France, a boutique hotel in Gramado, a mountain resort town in Brazil. The property is known for its personalised service and French elegance, and has ranked in Tripadvisor’s top five for three consecutive years.

In second place is Oblu Select Lobigili, an adults-only escape in the Maldives, while La Siesta Hoi Ann Resort and Spa in Vietnam ranks third.

“Our Best of the Best Hotels are marvels, acclaimed by thousands of travellers for their remarkable service, stunning design and wealth of amenities that redefine what it means to have an exceptional hotel experience,” said Dan Mitchell, vice president and general manager for hotels at Tripadvisor.

Other notable entries in the top 20 list include Chandys Windy Woods in Chithirapuram, India and two properties in Turkey, the Romance Istanbul Hotel and the Voyage Belek Golf And Spa in Belek.

“According to our Tripadvisor reviewers – each of the world’s best hotels caters to the traveller looking for accessible luxury and unique, tailored experiences,” added Mitchell.

Tripadvisor’s top 20 hotels in the world in 2024

Click through the gallery above to see the 20 best hotels in the world

In the US, the number one hotel to check into is the Shore Hotel in Santa Monica, California. Luma Hotel Times Square, a four-star skyscraper in New York City ranks second on the US hit list. Hotel Emma in San Antonio, Texas is the fifth best in the US, but takes the number one spot for luxury hotels across the continent.

New for 2024, Tripadvisor has announced three new award categories including the best pet-friendly, sustainable and wellness hotels. Topping the list for holidays with four-legged friends is Hotel Fioreze Quero Quero. This Brazilian property has over two acres of open space, making it perfect for pups and their owners to explore.

Voco Dubai The Palm just missed out on inclusion in the world’s top 20 pet-friendly hotels, with the Palm West Beach hotel listed at number 21.

Sustainable kudos goes to Banyan Tree hotel group after the Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape in Bali, took the award as the world’s most sustainable hotel. Guests visiting here are impressed by the sustainably grown food and the jungle resort’s natural surroundings.

And the Maldives takes the crown for having the world’s best wellness hotel. The Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa is a tropical sanctuary on the Raa Atoll that’s a favourite with Tripadvisor reviewers thanks to its sprawling wellness centre. It also ranked as the number one all-inclusive hotel in the world in the platform’s 2024 Travellers’ Choice Awards.

source/content: thenationalnews.com (headline edited)

Somalia’s first and only all-women media team, Bilan, has been announced today as one of three nominees for the 2023 Index on Censorship Press Freedom Award in the Journalism category. 

The nomination comes after almost two years of smashing taboos and blazing a trail for women journalists in one of the most dangerous countries to report the news, where reporters often face shootings, detention and assault. Somali women journalists also face harassment on the streets, abuse at work and exclusion from jobs and career opportunities, but since 2021, Bilan has faced these challenges head on to bring a new voice and new subjects to Somalia’s media.

“Despite the risks, we believe passionately that women deserve a place at the top of journalism,” said Bilan’s Chief Editor, Fathi Mohamed Ahmed. “We know our work is dangerous, but if we don’t speak out about the issues affecting us, who will and how will things ever change?”

Established with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Bilan has provided the first opportunity for Somali women journalists to exercise complete editorial independence, deciding what they want to report and how. They have already used this freedom to break some of Somalia’s first major stories on a range of previously ignored issues, including the terrifying discrimination against albino communities, the life of HIV-positive Somalis living on the streets, the abuse of female orphans, schools for autistic children and teachers and an epidemic of opiate use among women in Mogadishu.

“Bilan’s arrival on the Somali media scene is completely unprecedented,” said UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner. “As well as directly raising important issues for public debate, the quality of their work makes its own case for women playing a key role in media and journalism. This nomination is a recognition of their journalistic talent, commitment and determination.”

Inside Somalia, Bilan’s reports have reached millions via the radio, TV and social media channels of Dalsan Media Group, which hosts Bilan at offices in Mogadishu. Bilan’s reports also appear regularly in international media, including the Guardian, BBC, El País and Toronto Star, raising the profile of Somali women journalists and proving they can compete at the highest levels, even while dealing with challenges that range from discrimination and threats of violence to interviewing high-profile figures with new-born children in tow. 

Despite Bilan’s meteoric rise, all of its journalists have faced a difficult road to their current success and their individual stories show how tough it can be for Somali women to make in in journalism. Chief editor Fathi has reported from the scene of terrorist bombings and faced abuse in the streets for going to work while pregnant. Reporter Kiin regularly covers stories about refugees and IDPs but herself grew up in a refugee camp in Kenya. Youngest team member, Shukri faced down intense social disapproval when leaving her home in Baidoa for the first time to work at Bilan in Mogadishu. 

“Bilan shows just how baseless traditional stereotypes can be and provides women with a powerful voice for free expression,” said Bilan’s Deputy Chief Editor, Hinda Abdi Mohamoud. “We’ve demonstrated through our work how a group of women journalists can manage a media unit and produce stories that reveal the truth and change lives.” 

Index on Censorship’s Freedom of Expression Awards celebrate those who have had significant impact fighting censorship anywhere in the world across four categories: Arts, Campaigning, Journalism and the Trustee award. Winners are honoured at a gala celebration in London and receive financial support.

For more information and to arrange interviews, contact:

Rob Few, UNDP Somalia, Head of Communication robert.few@undp.org (mobile/Whatsapp +44 7947 710 860)

Ilyas Abukar, UNDP Somalia, Communication Analyst, ilyas.abukar@undp.org (mobile/Whatsapp + 252 619 2888 67)

source/content: undp.org/press (headline edited)

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Reporters from Bilan, Somalia’s groundbreaking all-women media team, walk on the streets while reporting in the capital, Mogadishu / Credit: @UNDP Somalia/2023/Fadhaye

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SOMALIA

The organizing committee of the Al Jabal Cultural Festival, organized by the Fujairah Social and Cultural Association in cooperation with the Department of Tourism and Antiquities in Fujairah, announced that Dr. Sulaiman Musa Al Jassim will be the honored personality in the third session of the event scheduled to be held on April 19 and 20, under the slogan “Nature Talk.” “.

Dr. Khaled Al-Dhanhani, Chairman of the Association’s Board of Directors, said: “The selection of Dr. Sulaiman Al-Jassem as the honored personality in the new session of the festival comes in recognition of his creative career and in celebration of his pioneering experience in the fields of culture, theatre, journalism and education.”

He added that honoring the pioneers is part of the association’s strategy, and in this festival we were keen to say a word of thanks to Dr. Sulaiman Al-Jassem, who believes that education is the path to progress for our Arab nation. He has held many positions and responsibilities in the educational, educational, cultural, and legal fields locally, regionally, and internationally, and presented many theatrical works and lectures. Cultural and working papers in local and international conferences, on education, workforce development, and demographics. He published two books, the first entitled “Fujairah… The Story of a City,” and the second entitled “The Workforce and Education in the United Arab Emirates.”

Al-Jassem is considered one of the prominent figures in the country. He worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then assumed the position of Director of Zayed University between 2006 and 2013. He also worked as Director of the Amiri Diwan in Fujairah from 1975 to 1986. He holds a doctorate from the University of Exeter in 1990, in addition to being Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Sultan bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation.

source/content: wam.ae (headline edited)

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FUJAIRAH, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E.)

Areej Al-Johani has recently been appointed a member of the International Academic Advisory Board of the International Anti-Corruption Academy in Vienna until 2030, a term of six years.

Al-Johani is a highly accomplished professional with a distinguished career in the Saudi Arabian government.

She currently serves as the director of policies, awareness and training for the integrity department at the Ministry of Defense.

Al-Johani brings a wealth of experience in leadership, policy development, and program implementation to the role.

Her dedication to public service is evident throughout her career. She previously served as the deputy health minister’s human resources counselor for business quality.

Al-Johani also worked as general supervisor of the Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Office at the Saudi Health Ministry.

She served as director general of the ministry’s workforce planning department from April 2019 to February 2021.

Al-Johani has been a certified internal assessor at the Health Ministry for the King Abdulaziz Quality Award since 2018.

She headed the quality excellence team at the ministry’s deputyship of human resources between 2018 and 2019, and was a coordinator of the leadership renewal program in 2016.

Al-Johani worked for nearly a year in 2009 as supervisor at the learning and resource center of the Jeddah-based Al-Abnaa High School.

Al-Johani has attended various local and international training courses. She is the recipient of several prestigious professional awards and has had research papers published in various journals, and attended conferences both inside and outside the country.

Al-Johani received a bachelor’s degree in education from King Saud University in 2003. After completing a master’s degree at the University of Glamorgan, she obtained a Ph.D. in technology science from the University of South Wales.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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SAUDI ARABIA

The 14th edition of the Malmo Arab Film Festival, scheduled to take place 22-28 April, will feature 26 films across its official competitions.

The official competition for feature films includes 12 films, while the short film competition includes 14 films.

The multi-award-winning Sudanese film Goodbye Julia will open the festival and compete in its Feature Film Competition.

This segment will also screen The Burdened (Yemen, Sudan, Saudi Arabia), Behind The Mountains (Tunisia, France, Belgium, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Qatar), Inshallah A Boy (Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, France, Qatar), Night Courier (Mandoob, Saudi Arabia), The Teacher (UK, Palestine, Qatar), A Nose And Three Eyes (Egypt), Messi of Baghdad (Belgium, Iraq), The Mother Of All Lies (Morocco, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar), Four Daughters – directed by Kouthar Ben Hania (Tunisia, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia), Under the Sky of Damascus (Denmark, Germany, USA, Syria), and Bye Bye Tiberias (France, Belgium, Qatar, Palestine).

The Short Film Competition includes the following titles: I Promise You Paradise (Egypt), It’s a Small World (Tunisia), Antidote (Saudi Arabia), Farewell (Syria), The Post Reader (Iraq), The Battle (United Arab Emirates), I Come from the Sea (Lebanon), Let Us Play Yesterday (Egypt), Some Where In Between (France, Egypt, Lebanon), Wishes For My Heart (Egypt), Saleeg (Saudi Arabia, Sweden), Transit (Iraq), The Red Sea Makes Me Wanna Cry (Germany, Jordan), and Ladies Coffee (United Arab Emirates). 

In addition, the festival will also showcase films participating in school screenings, Arabian Nights.

The film screened during the closing ceremony is yet to be announced.

Held annually, the Malmö Arab Film Festival (MAFF) is an Arab film festival based in Malmö, Sweden. 

It is the only festival dedicated to Arab films in Scandinavia.

source/content: english.ahram.org.eg (headline edited)

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ARAB WORLD