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Aldar Hotels and Hospitality will open seven hotels on Yas Island before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix event begins on November 1. Managing Director Paul Bell said they have 2,500 hotels rooms open on Yas Island for the F1 race, and “We are also operating a long-stay product. We have hired 3,000 staff for the hotels.” Mr. Bell said the formula one track runs underneath the Yas Hotel, which is managed by Aldar.…
The Tourism Development Investment Corporation (TDIC) announced plans for worker accommodation project for employees in the hotel industry. TDIC, the master developer of cultural, residential, and tourism destinations in the UAE, began work on Deyar Al Mafraq, which will open in stages beginning in 2011. The project will provide accommodations for all levels of employees in the hospitality sector, from…
The Tourism Development and Investment Corporation (TDIC) will appoint a contractor to construct the Louvre Musuem on Saadiyat Island by the end of the year. TDIC assistant development director said “By the end of the year an announcement will be made about the Louvre.” French architect Jean Nouvel designed the project which is expected to be complete in 2013. A short list of contractors bidding for the…
Prince Sultan bin Salman said the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) will develop a comprehensive three year plan to develop the tourism sector. Prince Sultan bin Salman is Chairman of the SCTA. The plan will involve decentralizing the Kingdom’s tourism sector and giving regional and local communities major roles. The Prince spoke about the plan while addressing media following participation…
Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company completed work on its largest exhibition hall, and the UAE’s biggest indoor auditorium, at 7,920 square meters. Hall 12 was transformed into one of the most flexible event spaces in the world with installation of fully retractable automated tiered seating system. Hall 12 can seat up to 5,700 people. It will continue to be used as an exhibition and wedding hall but can…
A new report by Cushman & Wakefield Middle East Real Estate for the third quarter of 2009 forecasts that the number of tourist arrivals in the UAE will fall 1% this year but increase 5% in 2010. The total number of international tourists in 2008 was 9.4 million compared to 5.9 million visitors in 2003. This is a compound annual growth rate of ten per cent each year for the 2003-2008 period. The report…
The Ras Al Khaimah Economic Department began work on its first tourist guide of the emirate. Mohammad Lojab, head of the tourism promotion section, said the guide is an active and attractive means of promoting tourism. It will include complete information about hotels, tourism agencies, travel, shopping centers, parks, museums, and other commercial activities. Important sites like hospitals, museums, and…
The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) launched its ‘Partners In Progress’ first generation stakeholder program, in order to achieve its goal of attracting 2.3 million tourists by 2012. The program will coordinate between ADTA and representatives of the tourism sector, and promote Abu Dhabi as a unique worldwide tourism destination. A launching ceremony was held at the Abu Dhabi Raha Beach Hotel and was…
The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) announced details of new world class facilities and recreational amenities being developed on Abu Dhabi’s corniche. The UPC said the Office of the Brand of Abu Dhabi has developed a new identity for Abu Dhabi beaches. The enhancement program began more than a year ago and is being carried out by the UPC, Executive Affairs Authority, Abu Dhabi Municipality, Department…
The ‘India Tourism Road Show’ opens today in Riyadh with an event at 6 pm at the Sheraton Hotel in the Turki Hall. The road show is being organized by the Government of India Tourist Office (GOITA), Dubai in collaboration with the Embassy of India in Riyadh. Minister of State for Tourism Sultan Ahmed will head a large delegation from India’s Ministry of Tourism. GOITO executive directors from Dubai and Tokyo, and…
Prince Sultan bin Salman announced on Monday that development of the tourism industry is a strategic choice and national project for Saudi Arabia. The Prince, who is chairman of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) made the announcement in his address to the United Nations World Tourism Organization in Astana, Kazakh. Prince Sultan talked about the SCTA’s steps to improve the investment…
Dubai’s hotel room inventory will reach 54,000 in 2010 according to Ishraq Gulf Estate Holding, a leading regional hospitality figure. This represents a 40 per cent increase over figures for 2008. CEO for Ishraq Gulf Estate Holding said the huge increase in hotel rooms will present a challenge for the hotel sector, which has been struggling during the global economic recession. Sami Ari Ansari said 2009…
India’s Minister of Tourism, Sultan Ahmad, is in Dubai promoting tourism in India and seeking investors from Dubai. The Minister opened an exhibition promoting the country’s tourism industry. The Indian government is attempting to deliver 100,000 new hotel rooms to meet demand, and expects the UAE to be a partner in developing its tourist infrastructure. Minister Ahmad said “The number of classified hotels…
A new report by James Lang Lasalle (JLL) said Abu Dhabi is close to replacing Dubai as the hotel destination of choice for investors. The capital is moving forward with various high profile events and project such as the upcoming Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Middle East International Film Festival. Abu Dhabi also continues to develop Yas Island which will be home to the Louvre and Guggenheim museums. James…
President of the Arab Tourism Organization (ATO) kicked off joint promotional campaigns and urged stronger inter-Arab tourism flow. Al-Fehaid said the ATO has been able to overcome obstacles to tourism by signing agreements with Arab and Global bodies. This has created new avenues for investment flow. He said the agreements helped bring down the unemployment rate, develop urban communities, and increased the…
Candylicious will open at Dubai Mall, one of world’s biggest shopping centers. The Dubai based company says the confectionary store will be the world’s biggest. Director of Retail Is Detail said they are planning a second store in Singapore early next year. Sunaina Gill said “We are planning 10-15 stores in the Gulf Arab region over the next 3-5 years, with additional stores to open in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in…
The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) initialed an “open” Air Services agreement and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kyrgz Republic on September 30. The agreements were signed at the ICAO’s 2009 Air Services Negotiations Conference in Turkey. Director General of the UAE GCAA and Director of the Civil Aviation Authority for the Kyrgz Republic signed the accord. Representatives…
Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing said the opening of their new cruise terminal in January will boost the expanding cruise industry and strengthen Dubai’s position as an important regional tourism destination and hub. The 3,450 square meter cruise terminal, which can handle four ships at once, will have all tourist infrastructure, including ATM machine, money exchange, duty free shop, post…
