The industry has always looked at least a year ahead when it comes to major annual events. Just as mere households put away the Christmas decorations and unused Christmas cards on the 6th January of the next year – and then cannot for the life of me remember where I put them – so hotels finish the New Year celebrations, take a big deep breath and start planning for the next Festive Season.
Now, it seems, suppliers are releasing events details further ahead than in the past. They have to. Destinations and individual hotels and resorts are increasingly facing competition from cruise companies. Some 2024 cruises have long been booked solid, and 2025 offerings are beginning to sell.
Once again the Middle East is on the ball. Girlahead heard about Kylie Minogue at ATLANTIS THE PALM, DUBAI, at least six months ago. A neighbouring Emirate, Ras Al Khaimah, is doing all it can to attract attention. Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority RAKTDA is working with the Organising Committee of the Emirate’s New Year’s Eve celebration, to welcome 2023 with a musical firework display to make it into GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™.#RAKNYE2023 will see fireworks light up the sky along a 4.7km beach stretch along the waterfront between Al Marjan Island and Al Hamra Village. See above.
Girlahead is also excited by New Year’s Eve impromptu dancing in the lobby of THE CARLYLE, A ROSEWOOD HOTEL, in New York. The carpet will be rolled back, to reveal a squash court-sized black marble floor, perfect for cha-cha-cha, swing or tango. A five-piece band is on hand, and all hotel guests and the building’s permanent residents, and any patrons of one of the busy hotel’s restaurants or bars that evening is invited (average age of those locals regularly using the hotel is, apparently, becoming younger).
There’s specifically niched dancing at CHIVA-SOM in Hua Hin. That evening, forget strict dieting and enjoy yourself at the a ‘50s rock ‘n’ roll-themed New Year party. Celebrations begin with a cocktail reception at the Orchid Lounge courtyard, followed by an indulgent yet healthy poolside dinner with live music and fun activities. There will be costume contests and portrait drawing as well as a glass-blowing workshop (a beautiful glass rabbit will be created for each person, a reminder that the Year of the Rabbit begins 22cnd January 2023. And then, like Cinderella, come back to earth with a jolt. The morning of Sunday 1st January, 2023, sees alms giving to local months. And presumably dieting begins again – well, we all know that phrase, ‘eat like a rabbit’.
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