In Pictures
Arabic News View
Videos
Indrani Dasgupta
Loading ...The Burj Khalifa is open – but only for ‘VIPs’
The Burj Khalifa remains closed to the public, after ‘maintenance’ issues forced its closure on February 7.
This is bad news for the countless Dubai residents and tourists who bought tickets, and who now face the annoyance of obtaining a refund, or rebooking at a later date.
But it’s not bad news if you’re Lord Peter Mandelson, UK’s Secretary of State for Business. Neither is it bad news if you’re NASA astronauts Barry E. Wilmore and Robert L. Satcher Jr.
For while the observation deck on level 124 of the Burj Khalifa remains closed to visitors, it emerged that these three ‘celebs’ were treated to a trip to the top – all of it publicized though two separate photo releases issued by developer Emaar’s public relations agency.
How do tourists feel about seeing ‘celebrities’ visit the Burj Khalifa, when the tower remains closed to the public? Probably more rock bottom, than ‘At The Top’.
Perhaps Emaar’s ‘public relations’ effort should be directed towards better communicating when the tower will actually open to the public, rather than highlighting the fact that only a select few are allowed up there.
What would you sacrifice for a smaller waistline? According to reports, a “slimming” tea on sale in the UAE poses serious health risks.
Hygiene standards at UAE restaurants are in the news again – even those workers who have undergone training have failed the test. But do these reports make you less likely to eat out?
The sheer scale of the Afghanistan leaks are stunning. But is this a victory for the public’s right to know, or a betrayal of the soldiers on the front line?
You can promote it all you want, Cruise and Diaz, but if the product’s no good, people won’t buy. What’s more, they’ll hate you for trying.
Twitter
Facebook
I would have thought that the two astronauts would have had a better understanding of managing risk however !!
but some are also more animal than others
as for the lifts, what's the big deal...
and why would astronauts want to go to the 124th floor to get a view of something they have seen from heaven's door step? beats me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC1uI_2wXoc