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Swiss-Belhotel opens two properties in ME
Swiss-Belhotel International group has announced it has commenced the soft opening of its business hotel Swiss-Belhotel Doha Qatar alongside opening Swiss-Belhotel Resort Masirah Island, in Oman. The Swiss-Belhotel Doha is the group's first property in Qatar and has 165 rooms and 78 serviced residences, while the Swiss-Belhotel Resort Masirah Island is a 4-star deluxe resort located 15 km off the southeast coast of Oman.
ADTA launches business tourism planners guide
The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority has launched the third edition of its Business Tourism Planners Guide which aims to provide a comprehensive overview of conference accommodation and venues in the UAE. The new edition features 28 new venue additions from city centre hotels, to beachfront resorts and the extensive Yas Island destination. ADTA business tourism manager Gillian Taylor said the guide aims to assist meeting planners and expand business networks.
Fujairah sets up tourism authority
The ruler of the UAE emirate of Fujairah has established the Fujairah Tourism and Archaeology Authority (FTAA), which will replace the Fujairah tourism office and archaeology and heritage department. The FTAA will seek to develop tourism in the emirate while seeking to maintain its local culture and history.
GCC looks at single-visa system
Kuwaiti General Administration for Immigration's Director-General Brigadier Kamel al-Awadhi has told the Kuna news agency that GCC immigration chiefs are expected to approve a single visa application system that will enable Gulf visitors to tour all the six GCC member countries. During a meeting of immigration chiefs in Abu Dhabi, the Gulf delegates will also adopt an overture to give foreign residents in GCC countries a 'double residency permit' in order to allow them to study and open offices in any GCC country, he added.
Bookings from Middle East down 50%
Liesure travellers from the Middle East are making up to 50% fewer bookings for this summer compared to the same period in 2008, travel agents told Emirates Business. Last year Europe and the UK were the most popular destinations for Middle East travellers for the summer, while this year the focus has shifted to within the Middle East, led by Beirut and Cairo, agents said.
Anantara to operate Al Madina A'Zarqa
Anantara Hotels has inked agreement with Blue City Company 1 to operate and manage the first beachfront hotel in Phase 1 of Al Madina A'Zarqa on behalf of BCC1, under the name Anantara Al Madina A'Zarqa Resort & Spa, Oman. Anantara Al Madina A'Zarqa Resort & Spa is the first of the 20 hotels to be constructed in Al Madina A'Zarqa, consisting of 122 keys.
Alshamel plans regional expansion
Kuwait-based travel management company, Alshamel International, has said in a statement that it is eyeing extensive expansions in Saudi Arabia and Oman for the remainder of 2009, bringing the number of its regional offices to seven. Derin Cameron, CEO of Alshamel International Holding Company has also said the firm will also look at strategic mergers and acquisitions with successful travel agencies to expand its market reach and customer service capacity.
Media Production City to sell Movenpick
The Egyptian Media Production City (EMPC) has commissioned a consulting firm to promote the sale of its Movenpick Hotel, and distribute the tender document among a number of senior Egyptian and Arab investors. Sayed Helmi, head of the EMPC, confirmed the firm's intention to sell the hotel. 'For a long time we have been making the studies necessary to complete the sale at the appropriate time in order to provide quick liquidity and maximize returns in a way matching with the EMPC investments,' Helmi said.
Crowne Plaza launches recycling drive
Crowne Plaza Bahrain and Recycling for Charity have launched a joint recycling initiative that will be implemented at the hotel from June, and will position the hotel as the first in the kingdom to actively engage in recycling initiatives and manage energy consumption more effectively. The hotel aims to reduce the seven tons of waste it produces weekly to below two tons through recycling.
GCC hospitality sector on track for 2011 recovery
Emil Rademeyer, directory of Proleads market intelligence research has said that he expects the stabilisation of the GCC hospitality market in 2010 and growth beyond in 2011, despite the global recession. Since 2003, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain had witnessed an increasing growth rate, while the UAE had seen a similar rate of growth until 2005 when it stabilised, he said. Rademeyer estimated the average occupancy of hotels in the UAE to be currently set at 50%, whereas prior to the slowdown, the region saw an increase to 75%-80% occupancy, which remained stable; demonstrating that supply met demand.
Abu Dhabi lowers tourism projections
The chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority said the emirate has cut its tourism growth projections 'in light of the current economic climate'. In its prior forecasts, ADTA predicted that Abu Dhabi would receive about 2.7 million visitors by 2012. However, Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon said the authority was now targeting 2.3 million visitors. Abu Dhabi played host to about 1.5 million guests last year and Sheikh Sultan said he expected the same number of visitors this year.
UAE academy to offer MSc in hospitality
The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, part of Jumeirah Group, will offer a new Master of Science degree in International Hospitality Management starting on October 2009, reported Emirates Business. The program will be open to students continuing their education with the Academy, as well as external applicants looking to advance their careers into executive, corporate and senior management levels.
GCC hotel projects worth $140bn
A new report has found that GCC countries are currently building 306 new hotels, with 108,600 rooms, worth in excess of $140bn. The study, by the Proleads research house, finds says 2009 will be a challenging year for the hotel industry in the region, but it projects that occupancy levels will pick up to 2008 levels by the end of 2010 and then accelerate with real growth by 2013.
Best Western opens Doha hotel
Best Western International, Asia has expanded in Qatar, set to open this June its first hotel in the country, the Best Western Doha Seef Hotel. The hotel is within Doha's central business district, close to the city's 7km long corniche along the Arabian Gulf waterfront. The hotel is also within reach of the main cultural showcases, namely the Qatar Museum, the Museum of Islamic Art, and Fanar Qatar Islamic Cultural Centre.
Egypt tourism revenues fall 13%
Egypt's Tourism Minister, Zoheir Garrana has said that the country's tourism revenue has dropped 13.2% in the first four months of 2009 to $3.6bn due to the global slowdown and a sharp drop in eastern European visitors, Reuters has reported. Garrana said that the number of visitors from Ukraine had dropped over 57% while visitors from Poland and Russia had declined by around 23% due to the relative weakness of those countries' currencies against the dollar. However, luxury tourism had not slowed in the year to date, as Nile cruises were witnessing a high occupancy rate, Garrana said. The minister was hoping to keep the overall annual decline at 8% to 9%.
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