TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

It still might be the most familiar symbol of Dubai, but Burj (which translates as tower) Khalifa has grabbed attention lately as the tallest freestanding structure in the world, weighing in 828 metres with the world’s first Armani Hotel and a killer viewing platform on the 124th floor that includes high-tech viewing equipment to get a close-up of buildings miles away; something the CN Tower might want to try.

It wasn’t exactly the view they had expected from the 124th floor of the world’s tallest building. As they looked out from the observation deck of the 2,717ft skyscraper, Ben Mathew and his family were suddenly confronted by Tom Cruise – dangling in mid-air outside the window. The 48-year-old Hollywood star, suspended by several safety wires, was filming a stunt for Mission: Impossible IV.

The fourth installment of Tom Cruise starrer 'Mission Impossible 4' will be shot at the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai. The scenes will be shot around Dubai and some of the action will take place in and on the Burj Khalifa tower, which stands at 828m (2,717ft) tall, reports metro.co.uk. 'To be shooting here, it's a city I've always wanted to shoot in,' said Cruise.

As part of Dubai's final preparations to host the shoot of the latest instalment of 'Mission: Impossible', His Excellency Ahmed Abdullah Al Sheikh, Director General of the Dubai Government Media Office met this week with movie star Tom Cruise, director Brad Bird and senior cast, crew, and officials from Paramount in the Czech capital, Prague. Dubai's landscape features beautiful natural beaches and deserts, as well as some of the most impressive man-made attractions and mega projects like Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, the Burj Al Arab hotel, the world's only seven star hotel, and Meydan the largest horse racing track in the world.

In addition to KidZania, Emaar Retail LLC manages a strong portfolio of exclusive leisure and retail concepts including Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo featuring over 33,000 aquatic animals and the world's largest acrylic viewing panel; the Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink; Reel Cinemas, the UAE largest megaplex with 22-screens; and the region's largest SEGA indoor theme park, SEGA Republic - all in The Dubai Mall. Reel Cinemas also recently introduced the first 'premier' Cineplex at Dubai Marina Mall.

Prime Hospitality announced, recently, that they are opening the first Chopsticks restaurant location in the UAE during the first fortnight of November at The Dubai Mall, to be located at Level 2 of the mall facing The Dubai Fountain. Plans to develop the Chopsticks brand in the UAE were initiated with the signing of a franchise agreement with Chopsticks Lebanon earlier this year.

For many people, Dubai conjures up a picture of glamorous excess. It’s characterised by towering skyscrapers (its Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building at 828m) and ambitious land reclamation projects, like the Palm Islands and The World, a series of artificial islands that recreate a map of the globe when seen from an aerial view.

Dubai will claim to boast the highest restaurant in the world early next year when Emaar launches an outlet on floor 122 of Burj Khalifa. EHG has announced that the restaurant will be called Atmosphere and will be a unique addition to high-end dining in Dubai and the Middle East. Company chief executive officer, Marc Dardenne, told Caterer Middle East that the outlet, as a concept, had a world dimension.

At 828 meters (2,717 feet), the Burj Khalifa in Dubai has the famous distinction (or infamous distinction if you’re an acrophobiac) of being the tallest building in the world, and EHG looks to capitalize. The new restaurant, called “Atmosphere”, will be on the 122-nd floor of the Burj Khalifa, which is already home to the first Armani Hotel – the hotel chain built in corporation with Italian fashion machine Armani.

Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI) promised deploying its state of the art technical facilities and highly skilled personnel to provide any necessary support. Also, Dubai Studio City will be mobilizing its capability and expertise to give technical and logistic support to the team. Similarly, Emirates Airlines, Emaar, Burj Khalifa, Meydan, and several others of Dubai's captivating locations and landmarks will be on the ready to step up to support the film.