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Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) said it is proceeding with plans to add 1,200 more hotel rooms to the hospitality sector. TDIC Senior Communication Manger for Abu Dhabi projects said the TDIC has cooperated with groups specializing in hotel management to add the rooms. Mahra Khalid Al Qassimi said the Qasar Al Sarab resort in the western region has been opened and all other…
Dusit International opened their first Dusit Princess hotel outside of Thailand in Dubai near Deira City Center, just five minutes away from Dubai International Airport. The opening coincides with more positive news about prospects for the tourism and hospitality industry in the Middle East. The UAE achieved top ranking in the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2009 and the country’s long-term growth is…
An online poll showed that most people believe Dubai should move away from expensive, luxury hotels and offer alternatives in order to continue increasing the number of tourists to the emirate. Over 60 percent of those who took the survey believe Dubai is receiving less visitors due to its image as an expensive city, and this is because travelers are cutting back on luxuries during the global economic…
Saudi Arabia hoteliers reported better than expected occupancy rates rates during Haj season, despite worries that the swine flu would affect visitor numbers. Director of sales and marketing at Movenpick Hotel and Residence Hajar Tower Mecca said that, despite gloomy predictions, Haj was again a successful season for many hotel operators, “including ourselves, running at 100 percent occupancy.” Hassan…
Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts, the hotel giant based in Dubai, is planning to open a resort property on the Spanish island of Majorca in about a year. Jumeirah regional manager, Derek Picot, said “We have identified Europe as one of the key geographical growth areas for Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts, and we are always looking at locations that are in key resort and gateway city locations.” Jumeirah will operate…
The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Beijing Tourism Administration (BTA) signed an accord to share and benefit from each country’s expertise regarding tourism. The accord was signed during a visit by BTA Director General Zhang Huiguang to the DTCM head office recently. Director Zhang headed a five member delegation on his first ever visit to Dubai where he and DTCM Director…
The Vdara Hotel & Spa at City Center had its grand opening on Tuesday in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 57 story hotel and condominium tower begins the phase in of the opening of the US8.5 billion (Dh31.22bn) 67 acre City Center hotel and casino resort, a joint venture between Dubai World and MGM. The City Center project is reportedly the biggest privately financed construction project in United States history. It…
Deputy CEO at Rwanda Development Board said he does not expect Dubai’s Istithmar World project to be affected by the parent company’s announcement (Dubai World) regarding its debt problems. Chantal Rugamba said “Regarding investments in Rwanda, we have not received any indication of change of strategy from the previous report,” Dubai World discontinued six of its eight planned tourism developments for Rwanda…
Investors in hotels and furnished apartments in Makkah say the ban on old, sick and infirm pilgrims has caused a SR1bn ($267mm) loss during Haj. Chairman of the Hotels and Tourism Committee at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce said income was down 70 percent. Khaleel Bahadar said investors lost money both during Haj season and Ramadan because of swine flu fears. However, according to a Q4 study by Business…
Four Seasons is currently in talks with developers about its first hotel in the UAE – in Dubai, and at the same time is reconsidering a planned project with the Al Futtaim Group. Four Seasons is also considering opportunities to expend in Abu Dhabi. Saudi Prince Al-Waleed’s Kingdom Holding and Cascade Investment, which is controlled by Bill Gates, owns Four Seasons. Four Seasons Vice President of Sales and…
STR Global Hotel Industry analysts calculate that there are currently 437 hotels under construction in the Middle East and Africa regions (MENA) representing more than 74,000 rooms. There were 634,226 hotel rooms in the MENA region in October, and another 120,000 in the planning and construction pipeline, according to the latest figures. UAE had the biggest number of hotel rooms in the active pipeline at 53,789…
Intercontinental Hotels Group (IH”G) opened two hotels on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi – Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites. Staybridge Suites Abu Dhabi is located in the middle of Yas Island near the Abu Dhabi International Airport, and within walking distance of the new F1 Yas Marina Circuit. The hotel has 164 suites including studios, two bedroom suites, and all are have kitchens and access to a 24 hour…
US based Marriot International plans to more than double its portfolio of properties in the Middle East, by adding another 21 hotels (6,026 rooms) in the UAE by 2015. This will bring its portfolio of hotels to 71 or almost 20,000 rooms. Currently there are 27 Marriot International branded hotels (8,191 rooms) operating in the region. There are 44 hotels representing 10,800 rooms currently under construction or…
General Manager of Kempinski Mall of the Emirates, Holger Schroth, said they have cut their average room rate by 12 percent compared to 2008 due to the competitive environment caused by the economic downturn. He said everyone is hoping that the crisis is bottoming out, but “I am not sure. Regarding the achievable room rates, in 2010 we will find ourselves on a level between those of 2008 and 2009. To get back…
Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH) net profit increased 27.8 percent during the first nine months of the current fiscal year, despite the biggest drop in hotel room revenues in six years. ADNH, which owns Le Meridien, the Hilton, and Al Diar line of hotels in Abu Dhabi, reported net profits increased to Dh372.5 million (US$101.4m), up from Dh291.5m) for the same period last year. ADNH chairman Saif al Hajeri…
A senior hotel figure projects that Dubai will have an oversupply of hotel rooms in 2010, with 18 properties representing 7,000 additional rooms set to open. Guy Epsom, a business development director for four of Movenpick Hotels & Resorts upcoming properties in Dubai, said hoteliers will still be suffering the effects of the 2009 market conditions in 2010. Mr. Epsom explained that in 2009 there was a…
The Galactic Suite Space Resort is on track to accept its first paying guests in 2012, despite criticisms about the investment and timeframe for the multi-billion dollar project. It will cost three million euros (Dh16.1 million) to stay for three nights at the hotel, and this price includes an eight week training course on a tropical island. During their stay at the hotel, guests will see the sun rise fifteen…
Jumeirah and Rotana are among the international hotel brands considering expanding into India despite problems like high real estate costs and different business models. India is a largely underserved market and Hilton, Hyatt, Marriot, and Accor are some of the international hotel chains with big growth plans there. Michael Issenberg, Accor Asia Pacific Chairman and CEO, said “India is one of the world’s most…
