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National Projects and Construction (NPC) announced yesterday they completed work on Abu Dhabi’s first Holiday Inn Hotel, the Holiday Inn Al Dana Hotel. NPC said in a statement they handed over the structure to Al Qudra Real Estate, which will now fit out the interior. Al Qudra Real Estate is the real estate arm of Al Qudra Holding. The Holiday Inn Al Dana Hotel will be the third Inter Continental Group…
The new charter airline Elite Aviation, the first carrier to connect Abu Dhabi with Berlin, will next week announce new routes between Abu Dhabi and Europe. Previously Emirates Airlines have attempted to launch services between the UAE and Germany but have been stopped because of aviation rights rules. Elite Aviation formed a partnership with the German airline Blue Wings to get around these rules. Elite…
Hilton Hotels Corporation signed an agreement with the New Doha Hotels Company for the Hilton Doha Residence scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2012. The 288 apartment Hilton Doha Residence will be Hiltons’ second property after the Hilton Doha which is currently being developed. The new residence will have 288 studios, one, two and three bedroom apartments, health club, outdoor swimming, a restaurant,…
The Sharjah Summer Promotions 2009 offers attractive hotel rates and themed Sharjah Summer Breaks for tourists. The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) launched the annual promotion on 15 June 2009. It ends on 25 July. The promotional campaign is consistent with SCTDA’s strategy to diversify tourism offerings to develop the tourism sector, attract more international and national…
The Sharjah Summer Promotions 2009 offers attractive hotel rates and themed Sharjah Summer Breaks for tourists. The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) launched the annual promotion on 15 June 2009. It ends on 25 July. The promotional campaign is consistent with SCTDA’s strategy to diversify tourism offerings to develop the tourism sector, attract more international and national…
A hotel industry executive says hotel rates in Dubai have dropped to dangerous levels and will probably drop further. Industry experts explain rates have come under severe pressure because of declining business travel and ongoing new supply entering the market. Data from STR Global and Deloitte Travel and Hospitality showed that hotel occupancy levels in the Middle East fell 9.6% in April 2009 compared to the…
An industry survey carried out by the hospitality research company STR Global showed that hotel revenues in Dubai dropped over 40% in May compared to the same period last year. Hotel occupancy in Dubai dropped 14.5% to 66.5%. The survey results underscore the impact of the economic crisis as travelers across the globe are cutting expenses and tightening their belts. The industry benchmark revenue per…
Dubai Airports vice president of strategy said carriers across the globe are competing for services to and from Dubai, despite the global economic slowdown. Richard Talien said compared to other airports of similar stature, “it’s a healthy picture and we are still actively talking to carriers to continue that growth going forward.” Talien spoke about the airports growth at the sidelines of a Kingfisher press…
The five star luxury Monarch Hotel in Dubai announced it will launch a “name your price for luxury” auction in July. People will have the opportunity to bid for rooms, meals and spa treatments in an online auction. Director of Business Development at the Monarch said the hotel was reluctant to lower rates in an attempt to attract guests away from competitors. Arshad Hussain explained “In a recession it’s…
Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) and Fujaira Tourism and Archeology Authority (FTAA) are planning to develop tourism ties and are exploring ways to co-operate for tourism promotion. Director General for the SCTDA – Al Noman talked with the FTAA Director about the importance of co-operation between the tourism departments in UAE government. Al Noman said “Domestic tourism is a very…
The government of Dubai launched a “kids go free” program to entice more tourists to visit during the global economic slowdown, which has severely impacted the tourism industry. New data from STR Global showed that revenue per available room in Dubai dropped by 40% compared to the same month a year earlier. The worldwide promotion will begin on 1 July according to the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce…
Dubai’s first low cost carrier, has seen their flight bookings soar to 6,000 during the first 24 hours from Monday night. Twenty four per cent of all flight bookings were for flights arriving in Dubai. Flydubai CEO said “for bookings to have reached more than 6,000 between midnight on Sunday and Midnight last night is quite incredible.” Ghaith Al Ghaith said a flydubai sale began on Sunday, 21 June at 23:59…
Stefan Pichler has been named the new chief executive officer of Jazeera Airways board. He will be responsible for the airline’s operational performance. Stefan joined Jazeera Airways on 21 June after an impressive career with many leading brands including Nike, Thomas Cook, Lufthansa, and Virgin Blue. As chief executive officer of Thomas Cook, Stefan transformed the national tour operator into the second…
Emirates Airlines disclosed its expected delivery date for Airbus A380s, shortly after the carriers CEO indicated there would be delays. Emirates is the biggest customer for Airbus A380s with 58 orders. Head of the airlines operations for France and Benelux countries said they are scheduled to receive six A380s in 2010, five in 2011, twelve in 2012, and eleven in 2013. They have so far received five A380s…
Al Jaber Engineering and Contracting (ALEC) was awarded a contract by Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH) to build a five star hotel on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi. The hotel will cost over Dh1 billion to build. ADNH is a hotel, tourism and catering organization in the United Arab Emirates. ADNH CEO said the new project is financed and scheduled to be ready by the first quarter of 2011. Richard W. Riley…
Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) reported the number of passengers passing through Abu Dhabi International Airport increased 6.6% in May and cargo traffic rose 6.4% for the same period. The increase is an anomaly for the global industry during this economic downturn. Most regions are experiencing a decline in air travel demand. During the month of May, 739,753 travelers passed through the airport and…
Dubai’s first low cost carrier flydubai will begin their first flights to India with the launch of flight services to the northern city of Lucknow on 13 July 2009. On 14 July flydubai will begin flights in the south of the country in Coimbatore, and on 23 July flight service to the north western city of Chandigarh begin. Flydubai CEO said there is a large population of Indian expatriates living in the UAE…
Park Hyatt Jeddah – Marina Club and Spa opened on the Jeddah Corniche, marking Hyatt Hotels and Resorts entry into Saudi Arabia. The Park Hyatt Jeddah is in an ideal and very desirable location at the heart of the city in the Al-Hamra district at the Equestrian Club of Jeddah and only a few minutes away from the central business district. The Park Hyatt Jeddah is an “innovative five star sanctuary where…
