MAM
Dubai tries out a bilateral approach to popularise itself
MUMBAI: Dubai has moved into a two-pronged approach-the highly popular website of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) : www.dubaitourism.ae and the Earth Television’s worldwide network of cameras for daily live broadcasts to millions of people across the world.
The DTCM website has seen a unique growth since its launch almost five years ago and has generated an all-time record of 586,761 hits on a single day in January, an average of over four million hits a month.
The DTCM Manager, Information and Technology, Suhail Buhelaiba, said, “The website www.dubaitourism.ae has been playing a crucial role in broadening the international profile of Dubai.On January 20, we crossed the 550,000 mark.”
In 1999, the DTCM department joined the list of organizations to launch online reservation service to allow the visitors to find and reserve rooms at Dubai hotels and hotel apartments.
The other novel feature is the electronic One Stop Information Centre (OSIC), which allows public to obtain vital information about Dubai tourism and business sectors. Visa information and tourist tips, Photo Gallery, Dubai Locator, Dubai Weather and Calendar of Events and Exhibitions are other attractions on the website.The website has English, Japanese and Arabic versions as well.
The EarthTv’s latest network of cameras is said to be the world’s largest remote-controlled broadcast camera network, with 60 camera countings. Dubai is EarthTV’s first Middle East camera destination. Earth television network’s main objective is to produce a daily 24-hour live program from locations around the world. This new technology makes it possible for the first time ever to broadcast live the most beautiful places and fascinating locations of our planet.
Earth TV, a part of Germany’s TELCAST Media Group offers viewers what is going on in the world. The networking got off to a sparkling start and captured the spectacular shots of Dubai’s New Year Eve fireworks for the network’s TimeLapse special programme broadcast in Belgium, Hong Kong, pan-Asia, Portugal,
Turkey and the UK. This special broadcast was shown on different TV channels.
Additional features provided by EarthTV are a link on the EarthTV’s
website to Dubai’s website, detailed monthly report, and the use of live broadcast signal locally(Germany).
The DTCM has had an office in India for the past six years which has been functioning as an initial contact point and query-processing centre for companies interested in doing business in Dubai, for the Indian travel trade and the media.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI:Â Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
