Tourism and Hospitality

Abu Dhabi lays out 5-year plan
The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority has revealed in its five-year plan 2008-2012 an upgrade in the projected annual hotel guests at 2.7 million by the end of 2012 as 12.5% higher than initial estimate. The plan looks into the emirate's hotel stock to jump by 13,000 rooms on its current available inventory.
United Arab Emirates: Sunday, April 20 - 2008 at 15:31

Etihad plans its own hotel brand
Etihad Airways said it is planning to have its own hotel brand in the coming years, reported Gulf News. The airline also plans to add catering and ground handling to its portfolio, which the airline currently outsources.
United Arab Emirates: Sunday, April 20 - 2008 at 09:38

Al Basel wins French hotels
Al Basel Consultancy has won contracts to promote four elite French hotels to Gulf markets. The Dubai-based team will assist renowned hotels Hotel Du Palais, La Soviliere, Raphael Paris, and Regina Paris in boosting their Middle Eastern presence.
United Arab Emirates: Saturday, April 19 - 2008 at 10:05

Saudi Arabia to run UN tourism initiative
The United Nations World Tourism Organization has asked Saudi Arabia to run its Capacity Building Program initiative, reported Arab News. The Kingdom will represent the Middle East in the running of this project and function as an intermediary to bring UNWTO expertise to other countries in the region.
Saudi Arabia: Thursday, April 17 - 2008 at 11:01

Travel and tourism summit begins next week
Government and industry leaders will converge in Dubai for the annual Global Travel and Tourism Summit which takes place on April 20-22. The niche industry gathering will provide participants with the opportunity to debate, exchange ideas, build new relations, and reflect on the progress of travel and tourism, while mapping out its future path.
United Arab Emirates: Thursday, April 17 - 2008 at 07:44

Palm Jumeirah Atlantis hotel opens in September
The Atlantis hotel on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai will open this September. It will be the first hotel resort to open on the man-made island. The hotel, owned by Kerzner International, has 1,539 rooms and it hopes people from the Middle East will make up 30% of its guests. The hotel is 460,000 square metres in size and includes 170,000 square metres of water parks. The hotel claims it will be home to 65,000 marine animals.
United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, April 16 - 2008 at 11:32 |

Dubai World enters Senegal
Dubai World has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Senegal to develop a five-star hotel and beach resort on Goree Island, as well as a bird sanctuary and reserve north of Dakar and another game reserve close to the Senegalese capital, the company announced. Sultan Ahmad Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai World, said Senegal has all of the ingredients needed to be one of the world's great tourist destinations. Dubai World's Africa portfolio includes Shamwari, Sanbona, Jock Safari Lodge and Nkomazi reserves.
United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, April 16 - 2008 at 07:42

UAE consumers to spend more on travel
More people in the UAE plan to increase spending on travel this year, according to a MasterCard Consumer Lifestyles Survey. The number of consumers willing to spend more on travel jumped from 88% to 99%, the survey found, with 51% saying they plan to increase their travel spend up to 25%. The survey, conducted between October 1 and 23, 2007, found that 78% of UAE consumers planned to travel for personal reasons in the months up to September this year, while a minority, about 5%, planned to travel for business and 8% for both.
United Arab Emirates: Tuesday, April 15 - 2008 at 08:35