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The global economic downturn is impacting the sale of luxury and leisure boats in the Middle East. Marine Consultant Mike Derret said boat sales in the Middle East will decrease by about half in the next one to two years. Last year 1,200 boats were sold and in 2007 1,500 were sold. Mr. Derret predicts the effect of the credit crunch will not be as severe as in the United States or Europe where sales are…
Both Etihad Airways and Emirates Airlines have added new regional flights to meet increasing demand. International Air Traffic Association released new statistics showing demand for services in the Middle East increased 3.1 per cent in January 2009 even as the global economic downturn continues. Emirates Airlines added three weekly flights to Beirut and two weekly flights to Damman, and Tehran. Etihad…
Senior Executives say Middle Eastern travel management companies are searching for ways to survive the economic crisis as all travel segments slow and yields decrease. Under consideration are streamlining processes, new revenue streams, and resource management. Executives say three challenges presented by the economic crisis are collection and credit terms yield drops, and resource management. General Manager…
Peter Larson has been appointed Director of Flight Operations for Silver Air, the airline that specializes in charter aircraft. The airline also made other appointments including Tim Lee as Commercial Director, Paulo Rodriquez as Director of Ground Operations, and Lars Sondergaard as Director for Training and Standards. Chief Executive Steffen Harpoth said the diverse background and experience of the new…
Sri Lanka has received numerous enquiries from Saudi Arabian and other Middle Eastern investors interested in developing the countries hospitality and tourism sector. Faizer Mustapha, Deputy Minister for Tourism, talked about the new interest at a road-show organized by Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau. Sri Lanka hopes to make their island state a ‘full-fledged” value for money destination sooner than…
Syria’s Minister of Tourism, Dr. Saadalla Agha al-Qalla, emphasized the importance of tourist relations with Spain during a meeting with a Spanish media delegation on Saturday. He said it is important to improve tourist relations and reviewed tourism and its role in the national economy. Mr. Agha al-Qalla highlighted Ministry of Tourism achievements in recent years and said Syria is an appropriate place for…
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) says the new navigational system being implemented by the Abu Dhabi International Airport will boost airspace efficiency and decrease congested skies. Abu Dhabi International Airport is the first airport in the Middle East to use the new system, and airports in Dubai and elsewhere will follow. The new navigational system, called RNAV 1, decreases airspace corridors…
The Dubai City Center project in Las Vegas is still on track for now because MGM Mirage made a $200 million funding payment on Friday. The $8.7 billion City Center project is being developed jointly by the hotel and casino operator MGM Mirage and Infinity World, a unit of Dubai World. The $200 million funding payment means construction can continue for another month on the 67 acre site between the Bellagio and…
Prime Minister of Dubai, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Al Maktoum, is visiting Moscow in order to increase interest and business activity of Russian traveler in UAE. The high profile visit is expected to increase areas of engagement between Russia and the UAE. Prominent citizens say that the UAE is already a popular tourist destination for Russians. The executive director of Imex Real Estate Company, Artur…
Abu Dhabi based carrier Etihad Airways on Sunday launched an expanded summer season programme. The summer flying program is 20 per cent larger with new destinations, new aircraft, and better flight connections. 900 flights will operate weekly compared to 750 flights last year and five new international services are being added including Melbourne this week. The five new international services will increase…
Emirates Airlines is increasing weekly flight services to Beirut, Tehran, and Damman from 1 May 2009. There will be two additional weekly flights to Damman and Tehran, and three more for Beirut. Emirates Senior Vice President for Commercial Operations in the Gulf and India, Ahmad Khoory, said the Middle East is an integral part of Emirates operations and one of the most active aviation markets in the world.…
The Director General of Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department (DNRD) again said DNRD will support the tourism sector by ensuring smooth entry an exit, simplifying procedures, and attending to travelers needs quickly. Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Mari urged relevant authorities to coordinate their efforts in order to boost the economy, and help Dubai to become the regions tourism hub. Mr. Al Mari…
Geneva based International Air Transport Association (IATA) said on Tuesday that air travel demand in the Middle East will increase 1.2% this year. However because of current overcapacity, airlines will post a loss. Capacity has increased 3.8% this year. The IATA just revised its projected loss estimate for the coming year at $800 billion, four times their initial forecast . IATA said that the airlines in the…
Low cost carrier Flydubai announced a fresh new approach to air travel in the region. Check in process has been simplified with the elimination of e-tickets and paper, instead a boarding pass will be issued. In effect this means passengers will have already been checked in once they have paid for their booking. For a small fee, passengers will be able to book flights at the new flydubai.com website, which will…
Dubai’s financial chief said Tuesday that urgent action is necessary to shore up Dubai World’s Nakheel, and Dubai Holding. However, Nasser Al Shaikh, Director General of Department of Finance, said the company is not asking for emergency help as they think they can handle the crisis. Dubai’s properties are a lynchpin for the economy, and they have been slumping since last year as oil prices and the global…
Dubai World’s Infinity World subsidiary on Monday filed suit against MGM Mirage because it is concerned that funding commitments for the $8.6 billion project will not be met. The 67 acre city center project is currently being built on the Las Vegas strip. MGM recently filed SEC returns indicating it may not be able to meet its debt repayment obligations. MGM has over $13 billion in outstanding debt…
According to the new 2009 Hotel Pipeline Report by Lodging Econometrics Dubai is the tops in the region for the number of new planned hotels. New hotels in the pipeline in Dubai account for 34% of all the hotel projects in the region The Middle East has 503 projects planned representing 147,488 rooms. Dubai’s 136 planned new hotels accounts for 50,514 rooms. Abu Dhabi is second in the region with 73 projects…
Budget carrier flydubai confirmed it will charge passengers a separate fee for checking in their bags when it begins service this summer. Checked-in baggage weighing between 10kg and 32 kg will be added to the bill, while baggage weighing less than the 10kg ticket price will be included in the ticket price. The airline will also charge additional fees for seat selection, food and drink. The airline is…
