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The UAE government signed a non-binding agreement with six other states and the European Commission outlining principles to liberalize the global airline industry. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said the agreement is aimed at boosting the airline industry which has lost US$53 billion (Dh194.66bn) over the past eight years. It would change a 65 year old bilateral system that restricts the way…
{mosimafe}Abu Dhabi has become a major player in the global conference industry, which is worth US$56 billion (Dh205.66bn) a year, thanks to the investment of a few thousand dirhams. Rupert Murdoch and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair are two high profile men that have become part of the exhibition scene in the UAE capital, along with thousands of other delegates from industries ranging from fashion to…
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…
Abu Dhabi’s representatives at the World Travel Market in London are reporting a resurgence of interest from UK’s outbound market. The five star Shangri La Hotel in Qaryat, Al Beri, is one company that will benefit from negations currently under way between two leading UK operators. Director of Sales and Marketing for Shangri La Hotel, Levent Tekun, said “We found the level of enquiries is of a much higher…
The Port of La Goulette in Tunis was ranked 17th in the world as a cruise ship destination in 2008 according to a survey carried out by the “World Cruise Destinations” magazine. Renovations have modernized the port, which can now handle 433 berthing operations and transit 695,000 tourists, up from only 53,000 tourists in 1987. The port can now handle the worlds biggest ships (334 meters long and 60 meters…
A Korean musical and dance performance was held for the second time in the UAE, on Monday night in Abu Dhabi. ‘Vitality: A Grand Performance of Korean Traditional Music and Dance’ is part of ongoing efforts to promote cultural exchange between the UAE and South Korea. The event last took place in the UAE in 2000. The performance was well attended on Monday by many in the Korean community but also Emirates,…
The UAE is set to announce the much anticipated federal tourism and regulatory body which will represent the UAE’s tourism industry to the rest of the world. The National Council of Tourism will initially be developed within the Ministry of Culture, there will be coordination between the different tourism authorities in each emirate, and each emirate will have a member on its board. Government officials said…
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…
Dubai is reviewing a plan to centralize air traffic control in the Gulf region in order to reduce congestion. Director General of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, HE Mohammed Abdullah Ahli, said a committee has been established to look into ongoing problems in the aerospace sector. Under consideration is a plan to create a centralized air traffic control agency like the one in Europe. He said “We have a…
Abu Dhabi tourism chiefs have set a new goal of attracting 2.3 million hotel guests to Abu Dhabi by 2012. Officials say their adjusted targets forecast a ten percent increase in tourist’s numbers next year and another 15 percent increase for 2011, and 2012. The ADTA expects tourist numbers will stay at about 1.5 million visitors despite the effect of the global economic crisis. Earlier this week the ADTA…
Etihad Airways will increase its flights from Abu Dhabi to Frankfurt from ten times a week to thirteen times a week beginning on December 12th. The national airline of the UAE will increase to double daily flights beginning on March 28, 2010. Etihad launched its flight service to Frankfurt in June 2005 and it has been among the most popular of its European services. Etihad Airways chief executive James…
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…
A top executive for New Jersey based Windham Hotels and Resorts said they will introduce their global brand portfolio to the Middle East soon. President and chief executive of the hotel group, Eric Danziger, said they have an aggressive strategy for the Middle East and Asia. Earlier in the week the company announced it will open a 12th Ramada in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and signed an agreement for a new hotel in…
Saudi Health Minister said on Wednesday that nine people out of more than 500,000 thousand people arriving for the annual haj pilgrimage have been diagnosed with H1N1 swine flu. There has been increasing concern about the possibility of a major outbreak occurring during haj, when more than three million Muslims arrive in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, Saudi Arabia, in mid November. Minister Rabeeah said…
The Dubai National Air Travel Agency (DNATA) was set up in 1959 to help provide personnel and systems for reservations, departure control and IT in order to give Emirates a boost. It is known by the maternal nickname, ‘mother of Emirates Airline”. Over the years the company became such an accomplished and diversified provider of airport and travel services that it became known as ‘the airline without…
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has taken the top award at this year’s World Travel Awards (WTA), being voted World’s Leading Airline by more than 180,000 travel industry professionals from over 175 countries. The World Travel Awards recognise the very best airline, hospitality and tourism brands in the world, with industry experts vetting nominations for their customer relations,…
Al-Faisal Holding, a family run firm in Qatar, will switch its focus to the hospitality sector, including buying hotels in big North America, Europe, and big Arab cities. The company plans to expand its hotel business around the world. Al-Faisal Holding is a holding company for businesses ranging from entertainment and construction to information technology. Shiekh Faisal bin Qassim Al-Thani said they will…
Dubai has a history of pioneering some of the worlds’ most exciting and extraordinary developments, and 2010 will be no exception. The emirate is planning to complete a host of ground-breaking projects in 2010 including the Al Maktoum International Airport and the launch of Meydan, one of the world’s largest purpose built horse racing destinations. Also the world’s tallest hotel building, the 72 floor Rose…
