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InterCon launches global 'free nights' incentive
The InterContinental Hotel Group has launched an incentive for guests at any of its 4,100 properties whereby they will receive one night's free stay for every two spent at any Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Staybridge Suites or Candlewood Suites between May 4 and July 3.The stay can be redeemed at any hotel in any country up to a maximum of four free nights.
Hotel occupancy drops in ME and Africa in March
Hotel occupancy in the Middle East and Africa fell 11% in March, with Dubai and Egypt seeing the biggest declines, according to STR Global. Hotel occupancy in Dubai was down 15.8% in March while revenue per available room (revPAR) fell almost 41%. In Egypt, hotel occupancy rates fell almost 15% in March and revPAR was down over 18% compared to the same month of last year.
Gulf Hotels Group Q1 profit up 30%
Gulf Hotels Group, the owner and operator of the Gulf Hotel, Gulf Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gulf Executive Residence and Gulf Brands International, said it posted a net profit of BD3.151 million ($8.359m) in the first quarter of this year, compared to BD2.429m achieved in the same period last year, an increase of 30%. Gross operating revenue for the period was BD7.973m compared to BD6.924m in Q1 last year, an increase of 15%.
Five Abu Dhabi hotels to award contracts
Five major hotel projects in Abu Dhabi will make construction awards in the coming months, reported MEED. The hotels, which will have more than 1,700 rooms in total, are the Fairmont and Eastern Mangrove on Abu Dhabi island, the Al-Gurm development in the west of the emirate, and the St Regis resort and Hyatt hotel on Saadiyat island. The new projects will take the emirate a step closer to reaching its target of having 25,000 hotel rooms by 2012, up from 12,000 today.
Abu Dhabi guides given cultural training
The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) is hosting a series of training programs, which are conducted by Embrace Arabia, to address issues such as how to tailor messages according to different audiences and how to engage visitors with the places they are visiting. The course is attended by ADACH's 15 Emirati guides who are currently working at Al Ain National Museum and Shaikh Zayed Palace Museum in Al Ain.
Planet Travel signs as Uzbekistan GSA
Planet Travel & Tours has recently won a deal as General Sales Agent for Uzbekistan Airways in the UAE. The agency is planning to launch a standalone brochure on Uzbekistan during the Arabian Travel Market as Uzbekistan Airways mulls opening more flights between Uzbekistan and the UAE.
Kingdom Holding upgrades hotels
Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal's Kingdom Holding group has said in a statement that it is upgrading and expanding its luxury hotels in Singapore and London, amid reports that the properties are up for sale. The group said it has obtained permission to expand its top end Raffles Singapore Hotel with up to 78 new rooms, while its Savoy Hotel in London is set to undergo a $175m renovation with plans to reopen the luxury property in late 2009.
Major hotel companies eye Abu Dhabi
Major international hotel operators such as Ritz-Carlton, Hilton Hotels and InterContinental are looking to expand in Abu Dhabi to capitalize on the sharp rise in tourism that is projected for the capital, reported The National. Abu Dhabi is drawing interest from hotel companies because of its acute lack of accommodation and the billions of dollars that government is investing to boost tourism, say analysts.
Hilton halts new brand over espionage claims
Hilton Hotels Corp has suspended several employees on its 'luxury and lifestyle' team pending an internal review of corporate espionage claims by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Hilton has also halted development of its nascent Denizen Hotels brand, which Starwood claims was conceived using stolen documents related to the W Hotels brand.
Dubai hotels see 15% rise in revenue in 2008
Dubai hotels reported an 8% rise in the number of guests in 2008 compared to the previous year, according to figures released by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing. Revenues were up 15.1% for the year, the DTCM said, as hotels and hotel apartments in the emirate accommodated 7,531,299 guests last year compared with 6,951,798 in 2007.
TDIC says projects are 'on schedule'
Abu Dhabi's Tourism Development and Investment Company said it is moving forward with all of its announced projects, including its flagship project on Saadiyat Island, reported The National. James Pringle, executive director of development at TDIC, said the projects are all on schedule.
Mubadala inks deal with Kor Hotel Management
Mubadala Real Estate and Hospitality has signed up Kor Hotel Management, owner of Viceroy Hotels, Resorts and Residences, to operate a five-star hotel on Sowwah Island, the core of Abu Dhabi's new Central Business District. The new hotel will be adjacent to Sowwah Square and planned to offer up to 250 hotel guest rooms and suites, as well as branded residences, in addition to health and recreation and food and beverage facilities.
Jumeirah mulls Saudi expansion
Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts has announced expansion plans into Saudi Arabia, The National has reported. The group's executive chairman Gerald Lawless has said negotiations are ongoing in Saudi. The kingdom is being highlighted by analysts as an important market for hoteliers and hotel investors.
Rosewood to manage hotel on Sowwah Island
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts have signed a management contract with Mubadala Development Company for a new business hotel on Sowwah Island in Abu Dhabi. Opening in early 2012, Rosewood Abu Dhabi will be a 34-story hotel offering approximately 190 guest rooms and suites and approximately 140 serviced residences. The hotel will be developed by Mubadala Real Estate & Hospitality in partnership with John Buck International.
Hyatt moving ahead with expansion plans
Hyatt says its global expansion plans are still moving forward despite the economic downturn. Peter Fulton, managing director, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts - South West Asia International Operations, said this year will prove to be a significant milestone for Hyatt's growth plans in the Middle East, following the opening of Grand Hyatt Doha and the near-completion of Park Hyatt Jeddah, Saudi Arabia's premier luxury resort and spa, in September. Two additional UAE properties - Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi and Hyatt at Capital Centre - are also under development and set to open by 2010.
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