New connections. Fresh perspectives. The travel developments to know.
2,506 reports
The Formula 1 Grand Prix on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi ended last weekend and hotel executives of the Yas Hotel are confident of future success. The glowing, five star Yas Hotel, which is the first hotel to be built around a racetrack, was a center piece of the action. The 499 room hotel has 5,000 glass panels and 208,000 LED displays and took 4,000 workers 22 months to build. The interior of the hotel looks…
The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) said far fewer travel agents in Dubai will participate in the World Travel Market (WTM) in London next week despite lower costs and the fact that London is Dubai’s biggest single source of visitors. DTCM reduces its rental rates by 50 percent to encourage participation. A DTCM source said that many hotels and tour operators did not have a budget to…
Arabian Nights 09 will start on November 5th in Al-Ain, and continue through November 6th in Abu Dhabi and November 7th in Dubai. Malayalam Communications Limited, one of the major television companies in India, is preparing the entertainment extravaganza. The UAE’s Indian community will enjoy a spectacular musical treat of folk songs and a lineup of numerous entertainment including performances by reality…
‘Definitely Dubai’ will make a big splash when it is launched by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) at the World Travel Market as the official tourism brand to promote Dubai. DTCM will participate in the World Travel Market in London from November 9th until November 12th DTCM Director for Overseas Promotions and Inward Missions, Al Geziry, said the “Definitely Dubai will provide…
Abu Dhabi has been featured as one of the top ten cities in the world to visit in Lonely Planets 2010 travel guide. Lonely Planet’s “Best of Travel 2010”, released yesterday, is the travel company’s fifth publication of the annual list of best places to go and best things to do in upcoming year. Other cities in the top ten list are Charleston in the United States, Cork in Ireland, Cuenco in Ecuador, Istanbul in…
Dubai hotels registered a 4.09 percent increase in average growth of revenue per available room (RevPar) in the third quarter of the current fiscal year (July-September) compared to the same period last year. A Deloitte analysis of STR Global data for Middle East Hotels shows that there was only a slight increase in RevPar in September compared to August. Average growth in occupancy during the third quarter of…
The Yas Marinas was an important part of the Abu Dhabi’s inaugural Formula One Grand Prix, giving guests some of the closest views of the race. Millions of dirhams worth of yachts lined the marina, including vessels belonging to the Royal family, some from the Mediterranean, and at least one that traveled all the way from Australia. The owner of AA Properties in Dubai, 28 year old Jeroen van der Geer,…
The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) is partnering with the Etisilat to launch the Etisilat-Sharjah Water Festival 2009, which will be held in Sharjah from December 2 through December 12. Etisilat is the title sponsor for the event. There will be a variety of water themed entertainment and activities at the annual festival which will end with the Sharjah Grand Prix event. SCTDA…
GCC nationals and nationals of other Arab countries can obtain a one or two week visa on arrival in Iran. Saleh Najidi, who is in charge of the Iranian Ambassador’s office in Abu Dhabi said Abu Dhabi emirates can obtain the visa at the airport on arrival, if they want to stay less than two weeks. Najidi explained if they wish to stay longer than two weeks, they must arrange for a visa in advance from the…
The Dead Sea Development Company signed an agreement for the first project on the shores of the Dead Sea. The company signed the agreement with the Amazon River for Tourism and Investment. Corporate Chairman of the Dead Sea Development Company, Saud Nseirat, said the investment company will spend about $45 million to establish a four star hotel. He said the project is expected to take 34 months to complete…
Abu Dhabi can look to Bahrain to understand the benefits and costs of hosting the annual Grand Prix event this year at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Bahrain has been hosting an early leg of the annual racing event every year since 2004. Bahrain International Circuit hosted the fourth leg of the F1 championship in April, and its chief executive, Martin Whitaker, said the Grand Prix generated nearly US $600 million (Dh…
The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) and Singapore Hotels Association (SHA) have made an agreement to work together in order to develop the hospitality industry. SCTDA Director General A. Al No’man and SHA Executive Director finalized the agreement at a meeting attended by hospitality experts from Singapore and the UAE. Al No’man said “This meeting is a bridge that will strengthen…
A senior executive of Rotana Hotels said they expect to see 100 per cent occupancy for two hotels it will open on Yas Island in time for the Formula One race on November 1. General Manager of Centro Yas Island and Yas Island Rotana said “It’s taken around 20 months and 3,000 workers at any one time to create these properties, the Yas Island Rotana and Centro Yas Island.” Both Yas Island Rotana and Centro…
Local media reported Sunday that Libya stopped issuing visas to Canadian citizens as tensions rose between the two countries. The move follows Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi’s cancellation of a recent stopover in Canada in September. Kadhafi was returning from summits in the United States and Venezuela. Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon was instructed by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to communicate…
An international medical association says the medical industry in Dubai should do more to promote its healthcare facilities in order to boost medical tourism. Dubai has invested millions of Dirhams to create the world’s first free zone for medical care. Dr. Prem Jagyasi, chief executive of the medical services company ExHealth in Dubai Healthcare City, said “Perception of the destination is very good over…
The number of UAE visitors to the United Kingdom increased 13 per cent in the first half of 2009 compared to the same period last year, according to a Visit Britain official. Director of Strategy and Insights, Patricia Yates, said “We expect this trend to continue through to the end of the year.” She said the number of UAE visitors account for 13 per cent of total visitors to the UK. The number of UAE…
A new report by Business Monitor International (BMI) predicts the number of tourists visiting the UAE in 2009 will decline by 3 per cent due to the ongoing economic problems in the US and Europe, which are key markets. The number of visitors to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Northern Emirates increased 10 per cent in 2008 compared to 2007. BMI’s UAE Tourism Report Q3, published this month, said “Our forecast of…
The ‘Woman Investors and Tourism Opportunities’ forum opened at the Abha Palace Hotel on Tuesday. The forum is held by the Abha Chamber of Commerce and Industry and is the Chambers second women’s forum. More than 60 participants from across the Kingdom participated. Issues discussed included Saudi tourism, investment in the tourism sector, vocational training, and cultural protection. Reem Al-Farian,…
