ONE of the world's most visited countries, Italy, has been brought closer to international travelers after Emirates' flights to Rome went double daily.
The airline's 12 times a week service to the Italian capital is now operating twice a day and supplements double-daily flights to Milan and a daily flight into Venice.
Passengers travelling between Dubai and Rome will have the choice of a morning or afternoon flight seven days a week ensuring greater flexibility and convenience.
Salem Obaidalla, Emirates' senior vice president, commercial operations, Europe and the Russian Federation, said: 'We have been strengthening our services to Rome since October of last year, gradually building up to the double daily. We know Rome is a powerful tourism magnet with historical gems such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. But it is also an important business centre, so we're confident the extra flight will be a success.'
The Lonely Planet travel guide book says of Rome: 'No other city comes close. It may no longer be caput mundi (capital of the world), but Rome is an epic, bubbling-over metropolis harbouring lost empires. One visit and you'll be hooked.'
Obaidalla added: 'Italy has benefited from significant investment by Emirates in the last few years. A brand new route was started to Venice in July 2007, we then made Rome and Milan non-stop services, and now we are serving both destinations twice a day. This is excellent news for leisure travellers, the business community and those connecting to and from flights linking the Indian Ocean, Asia, the Far East and Australasia.'
John Felix, senior vice president, Emirates Holidays, said: 'We feature select holiday options in Italy in our A World of Choice brochure. Italy is a rich and interesting leisure destination, steeped in history and culture, and offers great shopping as well as cuisine. The warm hospitality of the people also makes it a favourite among leisure travelers and with Emirates Holidays, they can extend their Emirates experience on the ground.'
