New connections. Fresh perspectives. The travel developments to know.
5,425 reports
The Geneva based Swiss company, Swiss Hospitality Holding, SA, has launched their first hotel in the Middle East. Dr. Christian Rey, President of the company, said they plan to have 20 Alps Hotels in the GCC in the next five years. Their first Alps Hotel is located in Ras Al Khamai, and is franchised to UniEstate, a master franchise in the Middle East and North Africa which covers 23 countries. The next two UAE…
The Abu Dhabi Investment House (ADIH) launched a $300 million Hospitality Development Fund (HDF), which will invest mainly in projects in the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia. ADIH said in a statement the minimum projected IRR for the fund is 20 per cent. Middle East Gulf Finance Bank and Ithmar bank are among the fund advisors for HDF. Managing Director of ADIH said “HDF will cater mainly to investors…
The Hospitality Management Holdings (HMH) company is moving forward with aggressive expansion plans, mainly throughout the Muslim world, and plans to have 100 properties under development within the next three years. Michel Noblet, chief executive of the alcohol free chain, said they want to export the development beyond the UAE, and are targeting Asia and Africa as well. The hotelier’s brands include Coral…
Etihad Airways announced Sunday they will resume flights to Colombo, Sri Lanka in January 2010. The move follows the recent end to the civil conflict in Sri Lanka and is expected to give the tourism sector and wider economy a boost. The carrier will use an Airbus A320 aircraft to fly four times a week from Abu Dhabi, to Colombo, Sri Lanka’s biggest city and commercial capital. Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive…
The famous Hollywood Biltmore brand will be launched in the Middle East by Millennium & Copthorne Hotels. The company plans to open a Biltmore property in every city. The landmark Biltmore hotel was built in 1923 and many celebrities and presidents have been guests there on a regular basis. It has appeared in numerous movies including Bugsy, The Fabulous Baker Boys, Chinatown, and Ghostbusters. Ali…
A report by the Saudi Center for Information and Tourism Data said that attended 10.3 million people attended 13 festivals this summer in the Kingdom. The report said that 3.9 million of the visitors were tourists and most of the visitors were families. Visitors spent more than SR1.2 billion at festivals held in Jeddah, Riyadh, the Eastern Province, Taif, Hail, Baha, Najran, Madinah, Onaiza, Buraidah, Al-Jouf,…
The Arab Air Carriers Organization Conference concluded in Jeddah on Sunday, and the main buzzwords for the event were formation of alliances and mergers. The impact of the global economic crisis, and how to deal with it, were discussed at the conference. Abdul Wahab Tofaha, Secretary General of the conference explained that after a difficult six year period the air transport industry began a prosperous period…
Malaysian Airlines is marking 30 years of operations with low fares to five destinations and special travel packages and value deals from the UAE and the Middle East. Malaysian Airlines 5 star deals offer low fare packages from Dubai to Kuala Lumpur for Dh1,945, Manila/Cebu for Dh1,805, Indonesia for Dh2,083, and Australia and New Zealand for Dh4,025. The travel packages are for trips between October and…
Abu Dhabi’s new 203 room Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi will be able to charge Dh1,750 (US$476) per room during the Formula 1 Grand Prix event. The hotel’s General Manager, Sid Sattanathan, said this will make the room one of the chain’s most expensive in the world. The Dh1,750 rate is much higher than the rate charged by other luxury hotels in Dubai, and the maximum allowed for a four star hotel under Abu Dhabi…
STR Global’s September Construction Pipeline Reports says that more than 120,000 rooms are in the construction pipeline for the Middle East and Africa region. The report said that 442 hotels comprising 120,589 rooms are in the development stage. UAE reported 57,126 rooms in the total active pipeline stage, more than any other country in the MENA region. Saudi Arabia accounts for 10,986 rooms in the active…
Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) announced they will participate in the International Tourism Bourse Asia (ITB Asia). The exhibition is being held in Singapore at the Sontec Conference and Exhibition Center between Wednesday and Friday. SCTDA’s participation is part of the emirate’s strategy to promote tourism and investment opportunities to new markets. SCTDA Director General…
One must first register with the DNRD to use this service, which will also soon be available for use by visitors entering Dubai. The orange colored physical copy of entry permits will not be required if one has the M-visa. Users are charged each time they log in, and they may check their personal DNRD record, visa status, fines and fees. Users will be notified via email and sms text message when their entry permits or visas are issued.
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts will open its doors in Beirut in December, 2009. Four Seasons has been appreciated for its warm, caring, and personalized services for more than 50 years. The Four Seasons hotel in Beirut will have 230 rooms and suites, and boast panoramic views of the Mediterranean, city of Beirut, and surrounding mountains. A glass enclosed, sun drenched pool awaits travel weary guests on…
The Hilton Garden Inn opened its first Hilton Garden Inn in the Middle East, in Riyadh, Olaya. The hotel has 180 rooms. President and CEO of Hilton Worldwide, Christopher J. Nassetta, said “The opening marks the entry of our first mid-market, mid priced brand into the Middle East and Africa, and is expected to be the first of many Hilton Garden Inn Hotels in Saudi Arabia that we are developing with the owners,…
Saudi Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah said talks regarding purchase of major stakes in Liverpool by his F6 company are nearly complete, with club co-owner George Gillett visiting Riyadh. Gillette is visiting Riyadh mainly to talk about a project that will create Liverpool soccer academies around the region. He is one of two US owners of the English football team, which is heavily indebted. Mr.…
The Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), and Jeddah municipality signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to make Jeddah a world class city able to host major international events. Jeddah Mayor Adel Fakieh said “The MoU aims at strengthening the relations between JCCI and the municipality to improve services required for the city’s development plans and investment projects.” The mayor said the…
The government of Malta opened its tourism office in Dubai in order to promote tourism from the UAE and the Gulf. Chief executive of the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) said “We are now offering a three night stay in five-star hotels, including airfare and taxes at Dh2,290, which is very attractive.” Josef Formosa B. Gauci explained they are looking at other markets because of the current economic situation and…
Chief executive of Hilton Worldwide said Dubai can handle more hotels even though demand has declined and more hotels will open soon. The hotel operator is moving forward with aggressive expansion plans in the Middle East, and will open at least 3,264 more rooms over the next three years. Yesterday Hilton Worldwide opened its third hotel in Ras al Khaimah, and its third Garden Inn hotel in the region in…
