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Park Hyatt Jeddah launched in Saudi
Hyatt Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of Park Hyatt Jeddah - Marina Club and Spa, marking its entry into Saudi Arabia. Located on the Corniche of Jeddah, the hotel offers 142 guestrooms, including 15 suites.
Dubailand theme park developer files for bankruptcy
The status of the multibillion-dollar Six Flags project in Dubailand was unclear yesterday after the US-based theme park operator filed for bankruptcy protection after its shares plunged 86% in a year. Six Flags and Tatweer, the owner of Dubailand and part of Dubai Holding, signed an agreement in March last year to develop theme parks across the Gulf. Tatweer has said that its plans will not be affected.
Travelport signs deal with ITL
Travelport has announced it has signed a regional multi-year agreement in the Middle East with ITL Tours & Travel that will give the latter access to the Galileo booking platform and its content, as well as technology training and support services. 'We are sure that with our newly established relationship with Travelport, we have a strong partner who will stand by us in our vision,' said Rajeev Nambiar, Vice President, ITL.
Oman Brand Mgt inks Oman Air MoU
The Oman Brand Management Unit has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Oman Air to enable the two organisations to work closer together in helping raise awareness of Oman's tourism offerings. 'It's more than apparent that local communities around the Sultanate are benefiting from the growing numbers of tourists. Combine that with Oman Air's expanded European network and I see a very positive future for our tourism industry,' said Sayyid Faisal, CEO of OBMU.
Park Inn opens in Al Khobar
The Rezidor Hotel Group has announced the opening of its mid-market brand, Park Inn in Al Khobar, while another one is scheduled to open soon in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The hotel caters to travellers to Dammam, Jubail and Hofuf, ideally situated along Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province with Dammam International Airport, a 45-minute drive and Bahrain International Airport an hour away.
Abu Dhabi Hotels to open Fujeirah units
The Abu Dhabi National Hotels group has joined with Fujeirah National Group to open Siji Hotel Apartments in Fujeirah, which features 78 apartments consisting of one-, two- and three-bedroom units. The complex also hosts a business centre and a health club.
Jumeirah Hotels to resume hiring
Jumeirah's executive chairman, Gerald Lawless, has said that the after a nine-month hiatus, the company expects to unlock a recruitment freeze by year-end ahead of the Shanghai hotel opening in 2010, and is aiming for expansion, Reuters reported. 'I can guarantee 100% we will be operating 30 hotels by 2013,' he said.
Walshe Groupe to represent Oman tourism in Australia
The Walshe Group has announced that it has been selected by Oman's Ministry of Tourism to be the market-based representative for the Sultanate in Australia and New Zealand. The appointment was effective 1 June 2009. which ended on Sunday in Bangkok, that three negative factors that caused the decline were the ongoing economic downturn, the country's political situation and the outbreak of H1N1 flu.
Visitors to Petra drop 19% in May
The number of foreign tourists visiting the ancient city of Petra dropped 19% in May to around 67,000, compared to 82,000 visitors during the same period last year, according to figures released by Jordan's Petra Archaeological Park. Revenues from Petra in May stood at JD1.215 million, compared to JD1.598 million generated in the same month last year.
Hyatt to expand 4-star segment in region
Global Hyatt is planning to expand its presence in the four-star limited services sector in the Middle East, reported Emirates Business. Peter Fulton, Managing Director of Hyatt for Southwest Asia, said the company hopes to have 10 hotels in the Gulf region by 2015.
Dubai hotels given green registration deadline
Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing has said that the emirate's hotels must begin registering this week with the tourism body's programme to cut carbon emissions or face fines. Eyad Ali Abdul Rahman, executive director of media relations and business development has said that a law which set out fines or other penalties is still being processed and while a deadline had not been announced, hotels are required to register as soon as possible.
ADIC invests in Russian resort
Abu Dhabi Investment Company (ADIC) has announced that it is buying a stake in a Russian resort being built for the 2014 Winter Olympics in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. ADIC, a government-owned fund, said in a statement it plans to invest with Russia's OAO Sberbank in the Gornaya Karusel resort project in the 2014 Winter Olympics host city of Sochi, Russia. The project, of which Sberbank owns 25%, includes building chalets, hotels, restaurants, retail outlets and health centres spread over 2.5 million square feet. ADIC said it will try to bring other investors into the project as well.
Holiday travel 'unaffected' by swine flu
Holiday travel from Dubai is picking up after being on a low key for three weeks following the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico in mid April this year. Dubai's travel agencies have also seen a change in destinations, with Middle East countries as the most favoured by families. However, corporate travel remained more or less the same for the European and North American sectors. Darshana Cabraal, Arabian Oryx operations manager, told Khaleej Times that swine flu is not affecting the travel industry as much as the economic downturn because inbound tourists are still on the rise.
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.
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