Emirates announces Dubai as Marquee Theme for 2013 Melbourne Cup Carnival

This year, Emirates’ hospitality marquee at the Melbourne Cup Carnival, one of Australia’s most famous sporting fixtures, has been inspired by the airline’s home city of Dubai.

Based in the famed ‘Birdcage’ at Flemington Racecourse, the airline’s guests will be taken on a cultural tour of Dubai when the Emirates Marquee opens its doors on the first of four days of thoroughbred horse racing on 2nd November 2013.

Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said the 2013 Melbourne Cup Carnival will highlight the many aspects of Dubai to an Australian audience, from the rich culture and tradition of the Al Fahidi Fort to the modern Burj Al Arab.

“With more and more Australians visiting and enjoying Dubai as a destination in its own right, and as a perfect stop over en-route to more than 130 Emirates destinations around the world coupled with our recent Qantas partnership, there is no better time to celebrate Dubai as the theme for the Emirates Marquee,” commented Mr Clark.

Seamlessly blending a colour palette of the warm ochre of the Dubai desert and traditional architecture, with the red, gold and white synonymous with Emirati culture, the marquee will deliver an unparalleled experience for guests.

Australia’s highest definition LED screen will make its debut in the marquee, providing the perfect canvas to showcase Dubai’s modern and innovative identity. Already the birdcage’s largest and most impressive, the Emirates Marquee facade, featuring traditional wind towers, will stand nine metres from the ground. The whole marquee has been raised an additional metre from last year which will continue to offer guests the best view of the racecourse from its trackside balcony.

The exterior will echo the traditional architecture of Dubai’s historic buildings, while inside guests will experience an exciting blend of old and new, featuring fabrics, furnishings and décor that have been sourced direct from Dubai’s marketplaces.

The menu is inspired by the diverse flavours of the Emirati culture and will take guests on a culinary journey of Dubai, combining the international flavour of the city’s cuisine with classic Middle Eastern dishes. It has been carefully developed by Epicure catering in conjunction with Emirates’ own Dubai-based Arabic cuisine expert, Nasser Iskeirjah.

It won’t just be food that will keep guests entertained. The Emirates Marquee will host the Dubai-based Ornina Theatrical Dance group, flown to Melbourne to perform Arabic Dancing for guests during the Melbourne Cup Carnival. 

Emirates will celebrate two milestones at the 2013 Melbourne Cup Carnival: the 16th year of the airline’s involvement with the Victoria Racing Club and 10 years as Principal Partner of the Emirates Melbourne Cup.

The Melbourne Cup Carnival kicks off with Derby Day on 2nd November, followed by the Emirates Melbourne Cup day on 5th November, Oaks Day on 7th November and culminating with Emirates Stakes Day on 9th November.