Premier Inn expands to Dubai

Premier Inn, the UK's biggest hotel brand, has announced the opening of their first hotel in Dubai. It's the first of a chain of hotels across the Middle East, with plans for at least a further 5 sites to be opened in the UAE in 2009.

Located in Dubai Investments Park next to the Green Community, the hotel features 308 modern and stylish air conditioned rooms, each en-suite with bath, shower and bidet. Prices are fixed at AED 450 per room per night.

Darroch Crawford, Managing Director of Premier Inn Middle East said, “We are extremely excited about introducing the Premier Inn brand to Dubai and the Middle East. This hotel marks the first step in achieving our objectives of operating 6000+ rooms across the GCC by 2012. We’re confident that Premier Inn’s ‘value’ model, of offering a 4 star product at 2 star prices, will be extremely successful in the region.”

Premier Inn at Dubai Investments Park opens on 30th March 2008.

British Airways raises fuel surcharges

British Airways is to increase its fuel surcharge on medium and long-haul flights. As a result, BA would charge passengers up to £6 more on tickets issued from February 25 onwards.

The surcharge for one-way flights of less than nine hours will go up by £5 each way, bringing the surcharge to £106 for a return flight.

On flights of more than nine hours, the surcharge will increase by £6 each way, bringing the charge to £128 for a return fare.

Short-haul fuel surcharges will remain unchanged - at £10 and £20 respectively.

The airline blamed the rising price of oil, which hit a record high of over $100 per barrel this week.

Gatwick relaxes hand baggage restrictions

London Gatwick Airport has removed the one-bag restriction on hand baggage, effective 11 February 2008. The airport will now allow people to travel with more than one piece of carry-on luggage on flights through the North Terminal, in addition to the South Terminal, subject to individual airline's rules. However this allowance is still limited to connecting flights.

If you are transferring through London Gatwick airport you will be allowed to take two pieces of hand baggage.

If you are travelling from London Gatwick you will be allowed to take one piece of hand baggage.

"This rule will be relaxed in the near future when the ongoing construction project to upgrade and expand the security facilities at the airport is completed," a statement said.

The government's deadline for all UK airports to be ready to relax single bag restrictions is May 31.

7 of the most amazing temples in the world

From ancient monasteries to distinctly modern churches, there are hundreds if not thousands of amazing temples in the world. We have selected seven of the most fascinating temples, which are architecturally as diverse as religions are different from each other.

Crystal Cathedral
City of Garden Grove, Orange County, California


Lotus Temple
New Delhi, India


Taktshang - 'Tigersnest Monastery'
Bhutan


Hallgrimskirkja
Reykjavik, Iceland


Masjid al-Haram Mosque
Mecca, Saudi Arabia


Shwedagon Pagoda
Yangon, Burma


Wat Rong Khun Temple
Chiang Rai, Thailand


(Photos: Wikipedia)