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Corporate jet market rebounds in Middle East
Despite the unrest in the Middle East, business jet operators in the region say they are seeing a strong recovery so far this year and are adding more aircraft to their fleets to meet rising demand.
Qatar Airways orders 55 Airbus aircraft
In a dramatic turn of events at the Dubai Airshow yesterday afternoon, Qatar Airways has... Read full article »
Middle East carriers to spend hundreds of billions on new aircraft in next two decades
Airlines in the Middle East are forecast to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in new aircraft over the next 20 years to meet continued strong demand and address their rapid expansion plans, according to new forecasts by Airbus and Boeing revealed at the Dubai Airshow.
Dubai Airshow orders may be relatively muted, analysts say
The Dubai Airshow, one of the largest events of its kind, has seen huge orders in past years but analysts say the volume at this year's event could be relatively subdued due to the global economic conditions and the large number of aircraft that the major Gulf carriers already have on order.
Room for growth fuels hotel expansion in Middle East
Experts are still predicting strong growth in the Middle East's hospitality pipeline, so what is attracting companies to the region and should they be more cautious?
Boutique hotels look to grab foothold in Middle East
An increasing number of companies are looking to develop boutique hotels in the Middle East, but they are likely to face challenges trying to lure guests away from the tower hotels that dominate the region.
Middle East looks to grow cruise tourism industry
The Middle East is seeing a rise in cruise passengers as governments in the region invest in new facilities to support the cruise tourism sector. However, while prospects for the industry are strong, it also faces a number of challenges that could hamper its growth.
Hilton to open Waldorf Astoria in Dubai on Palm Jumeirah
UAE-based Al Habtoor Group has announced that it is teaming up with Hilton Worldwide to develop the first Waldorf Astoria hotel in Dubai on the Palm Jumeirah. The company has also selected Hilton to manage its two hotels in Lebanon, which marks the first time that Hilton will be entering the Lebanese market.
Marriott plans major expansion of extended-stay brand in Middle East
Marriott International has announced plans to launch its mid-scale extended stay Residence Inn hotels across the Middle East and Africa as part of a major expansion of the brand outside the US.
Oetker Collection pursues expansion in Middle East
Luxury European hotel operator the Oetker Collection has announced plans to expand its portfolio of hotels into the Middle East and North Africa. The Germany-based company said it will open its first hotel in the region in Morocco in March 2012, and begin construction on a property in Abu Dhabi in four months.
Mergers in Middle East aviation sector unlikely anytime soon, say experts
Mergers and acquisitions in the aviation sector create headlines whenever they are on the cards, primarily because they rarely happen. However, experts say mergers in the Middle East are even less likely in the foreseeable future due to a range of factors, including national pride and lack of economic incentive for the major carriers in the region.
Marriott's incoming Middle East, Africa chief upbeat on region's growth prospects
Despite the struggles that the hospitality industry in the Middle East has faced in recent years due to the economic downturn and the Arab Spring, the incoming chief of Marriott's MEA division believes the region is well positioned for growth in the coming years.
Etihad reports spike in Q3 revenue amidst global airline slump
With the pace of growth slowing throughout the airline industry worldwide, Etihad Airways said this week that its revenues grew 39% to $1.1bn in the third quarter, its highest quarterly result in its history. The carrier said the strong results keep it on pace to break even in 2011.
Dubai's new hotel rating system to acknowledge budget boom
Hollywood, Bollywood, footballers and cricketers, Dubai has certainly built its lodging offering with the super-rich and world-famous in mind. But as the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) prepares the imminent launch of its new hotel classification system, it's not the luxury sector that is being paid the majority of attention, it's the opposite end of the spectrum.
IATA boosts profit forecast for 2011 but warns of bumpy road ahead
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has sharply raised its 2011 profit forecast for the global aviation industry due to higher than expected trade volume in the first seven months of this year. However, the transport agency also predicted that the industry will see sluggish growth and weak profits next year as the global economic outlook worsens.
