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Lebanons' hotel revenues up 80%
Dean of hotel owners in Lebanon, Pierre Al-Ashkar has said that revenues of the country's hotel sector have increased by 80% in 2009, KUNA has reported. Political and security stability in the country have contributed to the rise, he said. Hotels in Lebanon are currently preparing to receive an influx of tourists looking to celebrate Christmas and New Year's, Al-Ashkar told the news service, adding that hotels are already fully booked at the moment.
Qatar aqua park to open
Qatar-based Hala Group Enterprises has announced that the country's first aqua park, an entertainment centre spread over 100,000sq m, is set to open to the public in April 2010, the Gulf Times has reported. The park would feature a giant wave pool, a lazy river, an activity pool, a multiple slides complex, a family pool and a "dry" corner.
Makkah tourism sector makes SR1bn loss
Khaleel Bahader, Chairman of the Hotels and Tourism Committee at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) has said the income made by investors for hotels and furnished apartments for Hajj has seen a 70% decline, according to the Saudi Gazette. The ban on old, sick and infirm pilgrims had resulted in an estimated SR1bn loss to the holy city's tourism sector, he said.
Second Las Vegas CityCenter hotel opens
Dubai World and MGM Mirage have announced the opening of the second hotel at the big new CityCenter complex on the Las Vegas Strip, AP has reported. The 47-storey Mandarin Oriental has 392 hotel rooms and 227 condominiums and features a sky lobby on the 23rd floor that overlooks the Strip. The first hotel, which had been opened last Monday, is the 1,500-room Vdara hotel.
Acacia Hotel prepares for RAK opening
Hamra Hotels and Resorts will open its third property in Ras Al Khaimah later this month. Called Acacia Hotel, it is located next to the R AK Investment Authority and is targeting business travellers. The four-star hotel has 214 rooms, 56 suites and 103 apartments, as well as a health club and spa, a swimming pool and an all-day.
Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai reopens
Dubai's Jebel Ali Hotel reopened last week, after completing a five month refurbishment programme. Situated within the Golf Resort & Spa, the renovation covered all 260 rooms and suites, as well as facilities throughout the hotel.
Turkish hotel chain to open in Iraq
Turkey-based Divan Hotels has announced plans to open a 5-star hotel in Northern Iraq in the first half of 2011.Costing $90m to develop and located in Erbial, the Divan Erbil will have 146 guestrooms, 76 suites, two presidential suites and four lofts. Additionally the hotel will have six meeting rooms, a ballroom, fitness centre, indoor pool, four restaurants, a night club, and thirteen offices and shops which will be offered for lease. In a statement, company chairman Sarp Turanlıgil, said: "We believe that an international-standard chain hotel will meet an unserved need in this market and for that reason we resolved to make this investment."
Louvre, Golden Tulip to add 60 hotels in region
Louvre Hotels and Golden Tulip Hospitality Group, Starwood Capital subsidiaries, have announced plans to add 60 hotels in the Middle East in the next five years, Gulf News has reported. 'We are aiming at putting at least 10,000 rooms by 2014 — with each hotel having on an average 100 rooms,' Pierre-Frederic Roulot, President of Golden Tulip Hospitality Group and Louvre Hotels, told the newspaper.
Jumeirah to manage hotel in Panama
Dubai-based luxury hospitality firm, Jumeirah Group has signed a management agreement with Spanish developer, Grupo Mall to manage a luxury hotel in Panama City. The Jumeirah Los Faros de Panama will offer 400 guest rooms and suites, Jumeirah's signature Talise spa, fitness and leisure amenities, and 3,000 square metres of conference and meeting facilities.
First Doubletree agreement signed in Saudi
Saudi Arabia-based Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Almousa Trading Group has signed a management agreement with Hilton Worldwide for the first Doubletree by Hilton in the kingdom. Located in Al Khobar, the hotel will feature 244 guest rooms and 60 suites, as well as four food and beverage outlets, a lobby lounge and a juice and snack bar, banqueting and meetings facilities, a business centre, a health club and a swimming pool. The new Doubletree by Hilton - Al Khobar is set to open in the fourth quarter of 2012.
MGM says Vegas project unaffected by Dubai woes
US-based MGM Mirage has said it does not expect Dubai World's restructuring to affect their $8.5bn joint CityCenter project, Reuters has reported. 'CityCenter is fully funded, on schedule and ready to begin welcoming guests starting next week. Our joint venture is unaffected by Dubai World's announcement,' an MGM Mirage spokeswoman told the news service. The project is a Las Vegas Strip residential, entertainment and shopping complex.
UAE hotel revenues, occupancy tumble in October
Hotels in the UAE saw the sharpest declines in revenue and occupancy levels in the region during October compared to the same month a year ago, according to a new report by STR Global. Revenue per available room (RevPar) in UAE hotels plunged 32.1% to $194.5 and occupancy dropped 10% to 74.4% in the month. STR said the steep declines were due to falling demand and, in the case of Dubai, rising supply. Riyadh reported the largest occupancy increase in the region, up 7.9% to 70.4%, followed by Beirut with a 7.4% increase to 83.5%.
Egypt may see no drop in tourism in 2009, says official
The tourism industry in Egypt is beginning to turn around after a slow beginning this year, and the country is close to seeing no drop in tourism compared to a year ago, said Hisham Zaazou, senior assistant to the Minister of Tourism. Revenues and the number of visitors from last year are expected to be the same this year, as the effect of the crisis appears to be less severe than expected, he was quoted as saying by Daily News Egypt. Currently, the Egyptian tourism industry is 4-5% below last year's revenues, he said. 'We started the year with a negative growth, but the negative growth is going down," Zaazou added.
First Wyndham hotel to open in Middle East
US-based Wyndham Hotels and Resorts has signed an agreement to operate the first Wyndham brand hotel in the Middle East. The 210-room 15-storey upscale hotel will be developed by Rayada Investment Co. in the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The hotel is expected to open during the third quarter of 2011.
Dubai Global Village opens
Dubai's Global Village has announced that it will opens its gates today, running for the next 98 days spanning Eid, National Day, Christmas and the retail season in February, Emirates Business has reported. The cultural and entertainment event will begin its 14th edition with the participation of more than 45 different cultures within 31 pavilions. Doors open at 4pm and remain open till midnight except on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays when it is extended until 1am. Mondays are allotted for families only.
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