Gulf Tourism and Aviation
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Dubai hotels see rise in demand as pipeline slows
As the influx of new hotels slows in Dubai, the emirate's hotel sector is forecast to stabilise this year as the market begins to see a better balance between supply and demand.
Emirates remains confident despite oil price rise
Emirates Airline says it has yet to see a drop in demand after raising its fares in response to the surge in oil prices, but it acknowledges that rising fuel prices are a 'worry'.
Will Middle East hotels embrace iPads?
Last week Movenpick announced that it will be introducing iPads across its hotels in the Middle East to help improve the guest experience, becoming one of the first hotel companies in the region to incorporate this popular device in their operations. However, it remains to be seen how many other hotels in the region will follow suit.
High oil prices to hit Middle East carriers' profits
The unrest sweeping the Middle East has caused a dramatic surge in oil prices as traders fear that the unrest could slow or halt crude exports in key oil producing countries. The spike in prices will surely curb profits for carriers in the Gulf, as oil is the biggest cost for airlines.
Mideast carriers to see sharpest growth in passengers
The International Air Transport Association predicts that the Middle East will be the fastest growing region for international traffic from 2009-2014, with passenger demand expected to rise 9.4% over the period, according to a new forecast by the trade body.
Mideast political upheaval to boost Dubai tourism
The fallout from the political upheaval in Egypt and other parts of the Middle East is likely to benefit Dubai's tourism industry as travellers seek out alternative destinations, according to a new report by CitiGroup.
Abu Dhabi boosts hotel guest target to 2 million
Abu Dhabi tourism officials have expanded their target for hotel guest arrivals in 2011 to 2 million, up from the current 1.9 million, following an 18% rise in visitors in 2010.
Cruise tourism on track for growth on Dubai-based route
Royal Caribbean says that it expects strong growth in cruise tourism in Dubai, as it adds more itineraries in the region and raises prices on the back of strong performance in its inaugural season in the Gulf.
Mideast carriers see biggest rise in passenger traffic as routes grow
Fuelled by their rapid expansion, Middle East carriers posted the strongest growth in passenger traffic in the world last year at 17.8%, according to a new report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Accor to open 18 more hotels across the Middle East
French hotel group Accor has revealed plans to open 18 new hotels across the Middle East over the next three years, raising its total to 54 in the region. Many of the new properties will be in the economy or mid-market segment as the company aims to target budget-minded travellers.
Hawker Beechcraft expects upturn in Mideast private jet market
US-based Hawker Beechcraft believes the private aviation sector in the Middle East will see strong growth over the next two years as the region's economy recovers from the downturn. The company expects much of its business in the region to come from it special mission aircraft.
UAE looks to boost its golf tourism industry
Although world-class golf courses and sunny weather are in abundance in the UAE, golf tourists represent a surprisingly small portion of visitors to the country. However, as hotels face increasing competition for guests in the wake of the economic downturn, golf tourism is seen as a promising sector that offers great opportunities for the UAE's hotel industry.
Ritz-Carlton opens new hotel in Dubai, pushes growth target
As part of an aggressive growth strategy in the Middle East, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel group says it plans to more than double its hotel volume in the region between now and 2012. The first of these new properties will be the company's long-awaited hotel in Dubai's financial district, which opens its doors this week.
Abu Dhabi sees rise in hotel guests, but revenues fall
Abu Dhabi's tourism authority has released new data showing that the emirate is on track to exceed its 2010 target for hotel guests, but a large influx of new hotel supply in the emirate has led to a decline in revenues and occupancies.
Middle East hotel investment lagging
Hotel investment activity is gaining pace worldwide, but remains relatively sluggish in the Middle East due to market uncertainty and lack of strategic investors, according to Jones Lang Lasalle Hotels.
