Travel/Tourism
All Set For Dubai Summer Surprises 2019
With a few days to the start of the 22nd edition of Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS), Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) has announced the highlights of this year’s exciting and fun-filled programme.
Running from June 21 until August 3, 2019, DSS will bring residents and visitors an incredible six-week line-up of retail promotions, world-class entertainment, gastronomy picks, and much more as the annual festival lights up the city this summer season.
Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the 22nd edition of DSS will offer an array of summer deals across the city’s shopping outlets, attractions, hotel staycations and family entertainment.
For those who enjoyed an incredible DSS last year, there will be a variety of returning favourites such as Modhesh World, Deal of the Day (an exclusive deal every day on one brand, in one location for one day only), live concerts and many more. The festival will also offer new elements set to excite residents and tourists alike, including huge chances to win life-changing prizes throughout the summer period.
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: “There is always great anticipation and excitement among the city’s residents and visitors for Dubai Summer Surprises, so we are very pleased to reveal this edition’s dates. As one of the most popular events of the Retail Calendar, the annual summer festival attracts visitors from all over the world, offering six-week of sales, chances to win and world-class entertainment. We look forward to the incredible events and activations that our retail partners have in store for this year’s festival and once again welcome and encourage everyone to experience all that Dubai has to offer during the summer months.”
Those looking to bag a bargain will enjoy six weeks of sales with more than 300 brands participating in over 3,500 outlets, giving shoppers 25 to 75 per cent off throughout the DSS period. In addition to the citywide sales, shoppers will also be treated to an exclusive offer on a specific retail product at a select shopping location each day as part of the Deal of the Day promotion. Details for each day’s offer will not be unveiled until 24 hours beforehand and will take place from 10am until stocks last.
Visitors looking to experience some of Dubai’s rich heritage will have plenty of museums to explore this summer, with Al Shindaga Museum, Al Marmoom Heritage Village, Etihad Museum, Dubai Museum and the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding all open for people to discover. Art-lovers can head to the Curado Fine Art Gallery which offers a mix of exhibitions and education programmes for fine art collectors, while creatives can head to Green Art Gallery which supports emerging artists from all over the Middle East and beyond.
Families can also supercharge their summer this DSS with unbeatable promotions on a range of exciting attractions across the city, including a trip to one of Dubai’s legendary waterparks like the Aquaventure, Wild Wadi Waterpark or the brand-new Laguna Waterpark at La Mer. For those eager to beat the heat, there is also a range of indoor parks including Hub Zero or Green Planet at City Walk which gives visitors a chance to see colourful birds and crawlies, as well as Modhesh World at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Foodies in Dubai can enjoy a feast of gastronomy delights from the city’s many eateries, including fine dining restaurants, coffee houses and street food cafes during DSS. Don’t miss out on one of Dubai’s best Asian seafood restaurants, 3 Fils in Jumeirah Fishing Harbour, which features innovative dishes, small plates and great vibes. Foodies can also dine at some of the hottest new places in town, including The Kasapat The Pointe, which serves authentic Turkish cuisine, as well as the exciting new Japanese joint Akira Back at the W Dubai, The Palm.
DSS will offer residents and visitors an unmissable line-up of experiences, exciting events and world-class entertainment, making it the place to be this summer. From savings on 5-Star luxury staycations to unbeatable family attractions, there will be something for everyone to enjoy this summer in Dubai.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced plans to introduce V-Pass, a biometric facial recognition system designed to make passenger processing faster, safer and more seamless across its domestic airports.
According to FAAN, the new technology will allow passengers to verify their identities through facial recognition after a one-time enrolment, reducing reliance on physical identification documents and shortening queues through automated electronic gates.
The authority said the system is expected to enhance airport security while improving the overall travel experience for domestic passengers.
FAAN added that V-Pass has been developed with data privacy at its core and is compliant with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
The agency described the initiative as part of its commitment to delivering smarter, technology-driven airport services and said nationwide sensitisation and rollout updates would be announced in due course.
Airports in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates already deploy facial recognition technology for processes such as check-in, security screening, immigration and boarding, so the move also aligns Nigeria’s aviation sector with a growing global trend towards contactless travel.
These systems have been adopted to improve operational efficiency, strengthen security and enhance the overall passenger experience.
For FAAN, the deployment of V-Pass forms part of its broader digital transformation agenda aimed at modernising airport operations and accommodating rising passenger traffic.
Experts say that beyond improving convenience, the authority expects the biometric platform to strengthen identity verification, reduce the risk of impersonation and support more efficient airport security, while maintaining compliance with data protection.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About 14.12 per cent stake in Ikeja Hotel Plc has been acquired by Honeywell Group Limited, a notice on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited has revealed.
Honeywell Group took up the part of the hospitality firm through one of its affiliates known as HGL Real Estate Limited.
Ikeja Hotel, in the disclosure filed with the NGX on July 2, 2026, said the stake comprised 305,323,525 units of its equities.
“Ikeja Hotel hereby notifies the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the general public that it has received notification from HGL Real Estate Limited, an affiliate of Honeywell Group Limited, that it has acquired 305,323,525 units of Ikeja Hotel Plc’s shares, representing 14.12 per cent shareholding in the company,” the notice stated.
Ikeja Hotel is one of Nigeria’s leading hospitality investment and hotel management companies with premium hospitality assets.
It operates two leading hospitality organisations in Lagos, the Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Balmoral Convention Centre.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About 10 hospitality establishments, including hotels and restaurants, were sealed on Wednesday by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
The affected businesses are located in different locations in the Alimosho Local Government Area of the metropolis, Business Post learned from a statement from the agency.
It was stated that they were sealed by LASEPA for persistent violations of environmental regulations despite repeated warnings, abatement notices, and several opportunities to comply with the agency’s directives.
According to the notice, the enforcement exercise was carried out in line with the directives of the Lagos State government to ensure strict compliance with environmental laws and to safeguard public health.
The affected facilities were said to have breached various environmental regulations, including noise pollution, air pollution, unlawful discharge of untreated effluent, obstruction of official duties, among others.
LASEPA closed the premises of Granduer Meridian at Obasa Akiniyi Street, Oluwaga, Ipaja for non-compliance with the agency’s directives; Lasola (Spazio Bar), located on Ipaja Road, Fatolu Bus Stop, Ipaja, was sealed for noise pollution and non-compliance with directives; Millennium Restaurant, located at Gate Bus Stop, Ipaja, Ayobo, was shut down for non-compliance with directives; O2 Exquisite Suites & Tower on Jimoh Akinremi Street, Jimoh Bus Stop, Akowonjo, was sealed for non-compliance with directives; and Chirozz Hotel & Suites, located on Samuel Street, Akowonjo, by Vulcanizer Bus Stop, Egbeda, was closed for noise pollution and non-compliance with directives.
In addition, House 7 Hotel, located at Remi Akande Street, Egbeda, was sealed for non-compliance with LASEPA’s directives; House 48 on Isiba Oluwo Street, Egbeda, was sealed for non-compliance with directives; Exclusive Hotel, located at Ishan Kimishe, Akesan Bus Stop, was shut down by non-compliance with directives; Sabola Ventures Limited, Iocated at Km 11, LASU–Isheri Road, Igando, was shut down for operating without evidence of an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), and discharging untreated effluent into public drains; and City Int’l Motel, located at Chief Olu-Adegbite Street, off Oladun Street, Council Bus Stop, Idimu, was sealed for non-compliance with directives.
