Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi - a member of the luxury hotel group Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, this evening on Tuesday June 12, will host a special celebration commemorating the commencement of The Great Gulf Turtle Race 2012, an initiative now in its second year aiming to help raise awareness for the conservation needs of marine turtles in the Arabian Gulf; a project of which the hotel is a key sponsor. 

The Great Gulf Turtle Race is part of the EWS-WWF Marine Turtle Conservation Project which sees Hawksbill turtles that are indegenous to the Arabian Gulf and classed critically endangered by the IUCN Red List, having their movements recorded by satellite tracking technology over a period of one month from June 12 - July 12, 2012. 

Having struck a heartening chord with the hotel’s team, Rimani - a graceful long distance swimmer and Abu Dhabi-tagged Hawksbill turtle - is set to take part in the race of her life. Competing alongside 28 other Hawksbill turtles that have been similarly tagged with a satellite transmitter, Rimani and her friends will help to create a detailed map of migratory routes, thus helping to save this critically endangered species. The turtles will be tracked over the course of four weeks, with the title being awarded to the one with the highest mileage. 

Regardless of a win, Rimani has already achieved local celebrity status following the creation of the Rimani soft toy. A familiar friend to loyal Jumeirah at Etihad Towers’ guests, or a charming welcome for new visitors staying at a Jumeirah at Etihad Towers Club Room or Suite where a complimentary Rimani soft toy awaits guests and provides further awareness of the programme. 

For those simply visiting the hotel, Rimani soft toys can also be purchased from the hotel’s gift shop whereby the proceeds go towards the rehabilitation of Rimani, the real turtle herself. 

As an informal "mascot" of the property, Rimani shares her fame with "Joey", a complimentary turtle bathtub toy that guests are encouraged to take with them upon departure. Joey’s popularity has also taken a giant leap forward that he now even boasts his own Facebook page: www.facebook.com/joeytheturtle < http://www.facebook.com/joeytheturtle>. 

The marine theme of The Great Gulf Turtle Race 2012 launch is continued with its fitting Nahaam restaurant location. The name Nahaam refers to the singer traditionally on-board pearl diving ships that would sing soulful  traditional songs as the boats headed off to sea, and joyful chants as they returned safely home to loved ones. It is the Nahaam, through his vocal talents, that provided comfort to his colleagues throughout their sea voyages, just as the "comforting" and "Soul Food" cuisine offered at Nahaam provides guests with its international fare of well-known favourites. 

Connected to the sea in both namesake and location, Nahaam will provide the perfect venue to celebrate the launch of The Great Gulf Turtle Race 2012; an event that holds special significance for the team at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers. 

Jumeirah’s association with the plight of Arabian Gulf sea turtles runs deep with a similar race organised by the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project (DTRP), of which Jumeirah’s Dubai based hotels are a major sponsor. The event titled the "Big Jumeirah Sea Turtle Race" will see six tagged rehabilitated turtles being released back into their natural habitat from the Madinat Jumeirah beach on Friday 29th June from 8:30am. Additionally, and at the same time, over 150 Hawksbill turtles will be released by children, including children from local schools, hotel guests and competition winners, at the event which will for the first time be open to the public. 

For further enquiries: 

Tel.: +971 2 811 5555
Fax: +971 2 811 5588
E-mail: JADinfo@jumeirah.com
Website: www.jumeirah.com

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