Tourism and Hospitality

Lebanon's tourism takes hit
Lebanon's tourism minister Joseph Sarkis said the country's tourism industry could miss out on billions of dollars in revenue this year because of tension that has prompted travel warnings from Gulf states, reported Reuters. Sarkis said the outlook for the tourism sector was 'not encouraging' as the country has dealt with war, assassinations, bombings, a deep political dispute and civil strife over the last three years. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain have all advised their citizens against travelling to Lebanon.
Lebanon: Wednesday, March 05 - 2008 at 11:52

Starwood to operate Ras Al Khaimah hotel
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced that it will operate The Luxury Collection hotel in Ras Al Khaimah under a long-term agreement with Saraya Islands. The property will be located in the heart of Ras Al Khaimah between the Hajjar Mountains and the Arabian Gulf. The hotel will have 300 guest rooms, including 40 suites. It is expected to open in 2011.
United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, March 05 - 2008 at 11:45

Six flags to open Dubai theme park
Dubai-based developer Tatweer has announced that it is partnering with US-based Six Flags, the world's largest theme park company, to develop projects across the Arab world, reported Gulf News. The partnership will include the development of Six Flags Dubailand, a five million square feet, multi-billion dirham theme park within the world's largest tourism, leisure and entertainment destination. The park will be the first Six Flags project to be developed outside of North America. Six Flags Dubailand will join the list of Tatweer-owned projects at Dubailand destination that includes Bawadi, The Tiger Woods Dubai, Universal Studios Dubailand, DreamWorks Animation Park, Hit Entertainment and Global Village.
United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, March 05 - 2008 at 07:05

Accor to open 26 hotels across Mideast by 2015
Accor Hospitality Middle East has announced plans to open 26 Ibis hotels, or a total of 6,500 beds, across the Middle East by 2015, reported Khaleej Times. Christopher Landais, managing director for Accor Hospitality Middle East, said about three or four per cent of Accor’s total revenue of about 8.1 billion euros comes from the Middle East. In the Middle East, unlike other parts of the world, most of the revenue comes from management fees, he said.
Tuesday, March 04 - 2008 at 09:07

Al Mulla plans $2bn Islamic hotel chain
Dubai-based Al Mulla Hospitality is seeking partners for a $2bn plan to develop a hotel chain that complies with Islamic law, reported Reuters. The company plans to develop as many as 90 hotels in the Gulf, Egypt, Thailand and Europe. The firm's chairman Abdullah Mohammad Al Mulla said the market for Islamic hotels is 'fragmented' due to lack of professional management. The company estimates the value of investment in hotels across the Middle East over the next 12 years will be about $1tr and is aiming to capture about five to 10% of the market.
United Arab Emirates: Tuesday, March 04 - 2008 at 07:28

Millennium Dubai becomes Grand
The Millennium Towers Hotel Dubai has rebranded and is now called Grand Millennium Dubai. The hotel is part of the luxury hotel brand under the Millennium & Copthorne portfolio, is the first Grand Millennium in the Middle East.
United Arab Emirates: Monday, March 03 - 2008 at 15:08

Gulfood signs $500m deals
Gulfood has recorded more than $500m worth of deals signed during the event, according to organisers, cited Gulf News. Organisers attributed this year's strong commercial performance to record number of visitors, reaching 39,000 people registered, and also participation of more than 2,500 companies.
United Arab Emirates: Monday, March 03 - 2008 at 09:27

Limitless on Saudi travel expo
Limitless said it is investing more than $200,000 to sponsor this year's Saudi Travel and Tourism Investment Market (STTIM), taking place in Riyadh. STTIM takes place at the Al Faisaliah Hotel, Riyadh, from 23-27 March.
United Arab Emirates: Monday, March 03 - 2008 at 09:16