AMEinfo.com

In addition to its Visions of Dubai series, the DMCC unveiled its first gold bullion coin in August 2011. The "Khalifa" coin features a portrait of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, on one side, and on the other, Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announces that it will provide special services aimed at offering temporary traffic solutions involving the broadening the scope of bus, taxi and metro transit services at the Dubai Mall/Burj Khalifa station during Eid al-Adha holidays from 6 to 9 November

Certainly the Gulf has seen a minimal number boutique hotels developed to date, but examples are popping up in certain locations. "The prime example is of course the Armani Hotel in the Burj Khalifa, which appears to have filled a glamourous and exclusive top-end niche in the market,"

Emaar Properties PJSC, the global property developer of iconic projects, reported a net operating profit of Dhs1.249bn ($340m) in the first nine months (January to September) of 2011. Revenue for the first nine months this year reached Dhs5.873bn ($1.599bn).

Emaar plans to swap penthouses for affordable housing as the developer of the Burj Khalifa looks to capitalise on the need for 3.5 million affordable homes in the Middle East. Known for its luxury master-planned developments, Emaar has launched a division to focus on building low-cost homes in the region.

The company has been involved in some of the most challenging construction projects in the UAE, including the Armani Hotel in Burj Khalifa, Emirates Palace Hotel, the Grand Mosque, Qasr El Sarab resort, Atlantis - The Palm, Burj Al Arab, Ferrari World as well as the Dubai International Airport Terminals 1, 2 and 3.

The Pavilion Downtown Dubai, a leading artistic venue for the local UAE artist community, has announced that it will be hosting three exciting days of design-centric events for the inaugural Festival of Interior Design (FoID), which will be held from October 22 to October 24, 2011 throughout Dubai.

The celebrations were held at the picturesque and stunning At.Mosphere Lounge on Level 122 at Burj Khalifa - the highest lounge in the world. The event was attended by dignitaries, top company officials and members of the media.

Under the new ratings, five-star hotels will have three categories - Platinum, Gold and Silver. The criteria for other hotels categories, ranging from four- to one-star properties, have also been overhauled. Hotel apartments will now be rated in three categories (Basic, Standard and Deluxe) instead of two.

The company will oversee Damac Properties' first serviced apartment development, 'Burjside Boulevard,' in the exclusive Downtown Dubai/Burj Khalifa precinct. In addition, the service will also be made available to residents of other premium Damac Properties' projects.