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Middle East hotels see drop in occupancy, daily rate in H1
The Middle East was the only region globally to see declines in occupancy and average daily rate in the first six months of the year as the supply of new hotels entering the region remained high, a new study has found. However, despite these declines hotels in the region are still the highest performers in the world in several key categories.
Middle East carriers shine at Farnborough
Middle East carriers spent billions of dollars on new aircraft at the Farnborough International... Read full article »
Etihad sees record first-half performance
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has said that it achieved its best first half performance in its history, with large increases in both passenger and cargo traffic. The carrier's success coincides with a big jump in aircraft movements at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Dubai hotels take social media plunge
Hotels in Dubai increasingly are using social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter to communicate with customers and drive brand awareness. These online tools are gaining importance, experts say, because more travellers are using them to research and choose where to stay on their next vacation.
Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum Airport set to make history
This week Emirates Airline became the first carrier to land its aircraft on Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International, the world's largest airport, as part of final preparations prior to the official launch of the airport. The successful test paves the way for the airport to open as scheduled on June 27, launching a new chapter in Dubai's emergence as one of the world's leading aviation hubs.
UAE positions itself as sports hub
Sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup have become an increasingly popular way for countries to gain visibility and grow their economies, experts say, and the UAE is no exception. It has successfully staged a number of high-profile events over the years that have attracted some of the biggest names in sports and helped raise the country's profile.
Dubai hotels expect World Cup boost
The FIFA World Cup could not come at a better time for hotels in Dubai, as they are expecting hordes of customers to watch the games at their food and beverage outlets, providing a welcome extra revenue boost during the slow summer period.
Mideast aviation sector to swing to profit this year, says IATA
The International Air Transport Association has revised its 2010 forecast upward for Middle East carriers, predicting that that they will post a profit of $100m - their first since 2005. In its previous forecast released in March IATA had predicted that the region's carriers would lose $400m this year.
Emirates to add 750 pilots as expansion continues
Emirates Airline said last week that it plans to hire more than 750 pilots over the next 18 months to support new routes, new aircraft and increased frequencies. The statement follows on the heels of the carrier's recent announcement that it posted record profits for the 2009/2010 financial year, with the group's annual results showing net growth of 248%.
Middle East carriers top global recovery
Middle East carriers continued their strong recovery in April, posting the highest traffic growth in the world at a time when passenger demand slowed across the globe due to the fallout from the volcanic ash cloud in Europe, according to a new report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Iraq's aviation sector in flux
Iraq is investing heavily to revive its aviation sector in the hope that increased passenger traffic to and from the country will help boost its economy. However, although a slew of international carriers have launched services to the country in recent months, the industry still faces a number of challenges that could derail its growth, including security issues and the closure of its national carrier.
Dubai downplays concerns on hotel oversupply
Dubai has the largest hotel pipeline in the Middle East, but the influx of new rooms into the market should not be viewed as a source of concern, but rather an opportunity for the emirate to attract more guests in the wake of the recession, a Dubai tourism official has said.
Ras Al Khaimah eyes tourism growth
Eager to capitalise on its tourism potential and develop its own niche as a travel destination in the UAE, Ras Al Khaimah has made tourism a centrepiece of its growth strategy and is investing heavily to boost visitor numbers. Several luxury hotels have recently opened in the emirate and many other projects are in the works as part of an effort to boost its tourism sector.
Qatar makes tourism push
Flush with cash thanks to its large natural gas reserves, Qatar is investing heavily in efforts to boost tourism as part of an initiative to diversify its economy. However, tourism officials are quick to point out that Qatar has no plans to compete with the likes of Dubai for leisure guests due to its continued focus on preserving its heritage and cultural identity.
Airline mergers unlikely in Middle East
Earlier this month the head of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said more airline mergers were needed across the globe to help cut costs and boost competitiveness in the industry. However, while merger and acquisition activity has picked up throughout the world, experts say consolidation is less likely to occur among carriers in the Middle East due to a variety of social, political, and economic factors.
