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Revenue per available room for Dubai Hotels (RevPar) fell a record 34.5% in April 2009 compared to April 2008. According to Deloitte analysis of the STR Global report, occupancy levels also fell 16% during the same period. The London based STR Global released their report for the Middle East for April 2009. RevPar for Dubai Hotels in April was slightly more than $200, a huge drop from last year’s peak of…
His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed French President Nicolas Sarkozy to a commemorative ceremony celebrating the launch of the Louvre Abu Dhabi construction project. This is the first universal museum to be built in the Middle East. A presentation before dignitaries took place at the Emirates Palace. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and President Sarkozy also inaugurated a new…
Blue City Company 1 (BCC1) signed three agreements with the Minor Hotel Group following last years Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Blue City Company 1 is responsible for completing phase one of Al Madina A’Zarqa. Antara Hotels, Resorts and Spas is part of the Minor Hotel Group. The new agreements strengthen BCC1’s relationship with the Antara group. Under the agreement Antara will operate and manage…
A research firm for the leisure industry reported that occupancy rates in the Gulf region will return to previous levels by 2010, and significant growth will follow by 2013. The research house Pro Leads released their report at The Hotel Show, a hospitality services trade show being held in Dubai. There are currently 300 new hotels under construction in the Gulf region valued at more than Dh 514 billion…
Hamra Hotels and Resorts announced it will open its new four star hotel business hotel Acacia in August 2009 and Al Hamra Palace Hotel soon after. Acacia has 373 units and is located next to the Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority Free Zone. The Al Hamra Palace Hotel is a palatial beach resort and apartment hotel expected to fill the increasing demand for hotels and serviced apartments in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK).…
It was announced Tuesday that MGM Mirage will operate three of its world famous hotel brands under the Dh15 billion Dubai Pearl Project. The Dubai Pearl is Dubai’s first hotel and residence under the MGM brand. The three hotels are the 350 room MGM Grand hotel, 30 suite Skylofts hotel, and 250 room Bellagio hotel. Dubai Pearl will own and finance the 250 room hotels while MGM Mirage hospitality will manage…
Guest nights in Dubai fell 16% and revenues dropped 15% because of the impact of the global economic recession. The drop shows that the tourism industry in Dubai slowed during the first quarter. Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) data showed the number of hotel guest nights dropped to 3.87 million during the first three months of 2009. However the DTCM figures showed total number of…
The Rezidor Hotel Group will open its first Park Inn hotel in the UAE on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. A senior executive said that the economic slowdown has affected its high end hotels. The new Park Inn hotel will open in time for the formula Grand Prix event in November. The Middle East Vice President for Rezidor explained there is increasing demand from corporate and leisure travelers for less expensive…
Many hoteliers are confident about finding investors despite the global economic crisis and economic slowdown. President of Hilton Hotels, Middle East and Africa said they continue to expand aggressively as the economic downturn continues. Jean-Paul Herzog said many investors remain interested in new opportunities because of mid-term and long term potential. Herzog said many large hotel developments take…
The Jumeirah Group will operate the Jumeirah Al Ain Hotel in Abu Dhabi, which is Al Fanida Investments newest luxury hotel in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi. Top executives on Saturday concluded a management agreement between the two companies. Executive chairman of Jumeirah Group, Gerald Lawless, signed the agreement with Shaikh Hamad in Abu Dhabi at the Sheraton Khalidya Hotel. Construction started in 2008 and will be…
Marriot Global Sales announced that it achieved an impressive 20 per cent sales growth in the Middle East and Africa region despite the economic downturn, which has slowed many other sectors. The increase in sales is due to the astounding 42 percent surge in online bookings through the Marriot Global Reservations Center. The positive sales growth demonstrates the resilience of the hospitality sector and its…
Al Khozama Management Company (AKMC) will showcase Al Khozama-Madina Hotel at the Arabian Travel Market 2009. AKMC is a leading developer and manager of luxurious commercial properties in the UAE. The Al Khozama-Madina Hotel is located on the western side of the Prophet’s Mosque in Al Madina Al Munawwara and is scheduled to open in the last quarter of 2009. The stunning boutique hotel has 120 room and 20…
StarHospitality Hotels and Resorts showcased its first property in Malaysia at the Arabian Travel Market 2009. The parent company of StarHospitality Hotels and Resorts is ETA Star properties, a leading UAE property developer. StarPoints, a luxury hotel and apartment is located in the Central Golden Triangle of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, between the old and new city. It towers over other buildings, giving vistors a…
Abu Dhabi’s National Corporation for Tourism and Hospitality (NCTH) announced on Thursday they will open three five star hotels within three years. Company Managing Director Sultan Ahmed Ghunoum Al Hameli said the joint venture plans include a Dh600 million Bristol Hotel which will be built on Abu Dhabi Island and the Dh600 million Sadiyaat Island Resort. Sultan Al Hameli announced the new hotels after he…
Safir International Hotel Management (SIHM) announced it will develop ten new hotels by 2012 as part of its strategic plan to cater to niche markets. Vice Chairman for SIHM Said they are focusing on target markets with great growth potential and that have implemented aggressive growth plans in Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Syria. Fawzi Mussalam, who is also CEO of Kuwait Group Company, said “We are committed to…
A top executive at Emmar Hospitality said their 2009 revenue will probably drop by 15% because of the global economic slowdown. Emmar Hospitality is a wholly owned subsidiary of property developer Emmar Properties Chief Executive Officer for Emmar Hospitality Group and Emmar Hotels and Resorts Marc Dardenne said the situation is not as bad as many people think, and that their leisure divisions are doing…
Dubai based Emmar Hospitality signed a management contract to operate a luxury resort in southern France. Emmar’s The Address Hotels and Resorts brand will manage the Domaine de Lavagnac. The resort includes a 17th century chateau being converted into a 70 suite hotel and 650 residential properties, 430 of which are dedicated for tourism purposes. The management contract is Emmar Hospitality’s entry into…
Abu Dhabi based Rotana Hotels revenue per available room (RevPar) in the UAE fell between 15% and 20% for the first three months of this year, compared to the same period last year. However, senior executives said the company will move forward with expansions plans. Rotana’s chief executive said the global slowdown has affected the UAE, and the slowing demand and increased supply will continue to affect…
