Far west of Abu Dhabi, near the border with Saudi Arabia, is the Danat Resort Jebel Dhanna: part of the emirate's ambitious project to develop tourism. Manoj Kanwal, General Manager of the resort, explains why the remote location was chosen.
What are the key emerging trends in Arab travel and tourism? And will rival regional tourism projects weaken or strengthen the market? Chris Chackall, Group Exhibition Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions, gives insight into the Middle East travel sector, as well as the new features coming to ATM2006.
The first hotel has opened up in Dubai Media City, targeting business visitors to the emirates. The Radisson SAS offers a full range of facilities, from broadband wireless to spa treatment rooms and a rooftop swimming pool. AME Info brings you the first exclusive pictures and an interview with general manager Siegfried Nierhaus.
The Middle East aviation sector has a wide range of demands, from passenger planes to VIP helicopters and military craft. Gregor Kursell, International Media Relations, EADS, says there has been strong interest in the Eurofighter, as well as communications satellite.
Bombardier is the segment leader for business jets in the Middle East, with a 51 per cent share. Trung Ngo, VP Marketing & Communications, Bombardier, says the market continues to grow, driven by the need to service a high frequency, small and medium density regional market.
Demand for private and corporate jets continues to grow in the Middle East, with greater corporate profits on high oil prices. Mike Berry, Managing Director, ExecuJet Middle East, says convenience and cost-saving are the main motivators for buying a company jet, but inaccessible regions in the Middle East and unimproved runways are also important reasons.
Imagine flying around the world in the airborne equivalent of a luxury hotel: with suites, offices and even a gym. Exactly that was on display at the Dubai Air Show 2005, with Lufthansa Technik showcasing a model of the new Airbus A380 fitted out as a high-end VIP jet. CEO August Henningsen says the target market is corporates, royal families, and specialist, luxury travel operators.
There is a danger of overkill in the Middle East aviation sector, as governments massively invest in new airlines, warns Virgin Atlantic chairman Richard Branson. Branson says the amount of money that Abu Dhabi is pouring into Etihad could damage the situation for Emirates in Dubai.
Soaring oil prices are hurting airlines worldwide, with most contingency plans now inadequate. If doomsday "peak oil" predictions come true, does it mean an end to affordable air travel? Ian Ferguson Brown, Marketing Communications Manager, Etihad Airways, believes the future is still bright, particularly for newer airlines, and is continuing to add new destinations.
Dubai Media City's first hotel, the Radisson SAS, opens in late 2005, targeted predominantly at business travellers and professionals. Siegfried Nierhaus, General Manager, Radisson SAS, Dubai Media City explains the hotel's positioning.
Singapore Airlines is partnering with Singapore Medicine to offer healthcare packages to Middle Easterners, but can it compete with existing preferred destinations such as Europe? Jose Thachil, Marketing Manager, Singapore Airlines, looks at Singapore's advantages, as well as how the airline is coping with current sky-high fuel prices.
Land ownership problems, a lack of transparency and proper corporate governance, and restrictive agency laws are major obstacles to foreign investment in the Middle East hotel sector, according Sarmad Zok, CEO, Kingdom Hotel Investments. Zok says far-reaching reforms are needed to stimulate FDI in the region.
The Middle East is seen as a key emerging market by the Singapore Tourism Board, with shopping a major recreational activity. Alan Tan, Area Director, STB, says the plan is to attract 17 million visitors to Singapore by 2015.
Interest in golf is growing in the Gulf, with Scotland a popular overseas destination for golfing holidays. Christine Seaton, Operations Manager, Links Golf St Andrews, says the World Travel Award won by St Andrews' Old Course Hotel is important for raising awareness about Scottish golf.
Rail is able to provide the luxury travel demanded by Middle Eastern tourists, according to Alain Van West, Director of International Sales, Eurostar. The World Travel Award-winning rail service is also well equipped for business travellers between Paris and London, with laptop sockets and a relaxing environment.
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Experts say the persistence of a thriving grey market for business jets in the Middle East remains the biggest hurdle to the growth of the sector in the region.
The 13th Congress of the Middle East Society for Organ Transplantation (MESOT) was inaugurated by H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mubarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher...
Saudi Arabia occupies four-fifths of the Arabian peninsula. Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, the Gulf of Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen border it. To the west lies the Red Sea.