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Marriott expands its hotel footprint in Middle East
Marriott International has announced plans to open five hotels across the Middle East & Africa and establish a regional headquarters in Dubai, signalling its continued confidence in the long-term growth prospects for the hospitality industry in the region. The US-based hotel chain said today it plans to open two properties in Algeria, and one each in Ghana, Morocco, and Egypt. The hotels are scheduled to open under long-term management contracts over the next 36 months and represent the company's Marriott Hotels and Resorts and Marriott Executive Apartments brands.
Sharjah's tourism sector up 4% in Q3
The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority has said the emirate's tourism sector had experienced 4% growth in the third quarter of 2009, compared to the first quarter of this year. 'Sharjah will continue to establish tourism oriented projects and developments to attract tourists and investors, despite the global financial crisis. The first of these projects will be announced in Q1 2010,' Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, Chairman of SCTDA said.
Qatar's Faisal Holding to buy hotels
Qatar-based Al Faisal Holding is shifting its focus to the hospitality industry and plans to buy hotels in Europe, North America, and big Arab cities, Reuters has reported. The company is in talks with a number of parties and would 'definitely acquire hotels in a year', Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani told the news service. 'The plan for next five years is to have between 5-10 hotels in the medium-term,' he said.
Ramada to open its 12th hotel in Saudi
Ramada Worldwide has announced that it is continuing its expansion in Saudi Arabia with the signing of an agreement for the five-star, 700-room Ramada Plaza Makkah hotel. The property will be the third Ramada hotel in the Holy City and twelth overall in the kingdom.
Abu Dhabi National Hotels' profit up 27.8%
Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH) has reported that its net profit rose 27.8% in the first nine months of the year, despite a drop in its hotels division. The company, which owns the Hilton, Le Meridien and Al Diar line of hotels in the capital, reported that net profits rose to Dhs372.5m ($101.4m), from Dhs291.5m for the same period last year. However, ADNH's hotel division reported that net profit fell by 17% to Dhs217m in the first nine months of this year, compared with Dh263m for the same period last year.
FutureBrand: UAE to become top destination
According to the Country Brand Index, compiled by brand consultancy FutureBrand, The UAE, is one of three nations likely to become top tourism destinations in the next five years, Emirates Business has reported. China and Vietnam are also listed. The index is based on a survey of about 3,000 business and leisure travellers from nine countries, with the USA, Canada and Australia named as the top three destinations this year.
'No H1N1 ban' on Hajj pilgrims
Saudi Arabia has said it will not bar anyone considered high-risk for swine flu from performing the hajj pilgrimage this year, while urging pilgrims to take necessary precautions, the Associated Press has reported. 'Saudi Arabia does not ban anyone because hajj is a religious event,' the kingdom's health minister Abdullah al-Rabeeah told reporters. 'Saudi Arabia has put in place strong recommendations that we hope individual countries will abide by,' he said.
Saudi warns pilgrims from bogus companies
A special toll-free number and website will be provided by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Haj for local pilgrims to protect them from bogus companies offering to take them on Haj, Saudi Gazette has reported. Accredited companies will be published on the Ministry of Haj's website. The toll-free number is 800-244-4480 and, once activated, will be operational from 10 A.M. to 10 p.m.
Minister: Lebanon to receive 2 million visitors in '09
Lebanon is on pace to receive two million tourists in 2009 for the first time in its history despite the global economic downturn, Dr Nada Sardouk Ghandour, Lebanon's director general for the ministry of tourism, told AMEInfo.com on the sidelines of the Middle East Tourism Marketing Summit 2009 today.
Unemployment, H1N1 pose challenges for tourism industry
The biggest hurdles that the global tourism industry faces on its path to recovery are high unemployment and a potential worsening of the H1N1 crisis, Geoffrey Lipman, Assistant Secretary General, United Nations World Tourism Organisation said today at the Middle East Tourism Marketing Summit 2009.
Aloft Abu Dhabi opens
Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide and its new destination sensation brand, Aloft Hotels, have announced the opening of Aloft Abu Dhabi, the first Aloft hotel to open in the Middle East and the only hotel in the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec). The 408-room hotel is linked directly to the Adnec, and features the soon-to-open Re:lax@12 rooftop bar, Mai Restaurant and Bar and Dine Restaurant.
Middle East hotels eye expansion in India
UAE-based hotel firms Jumeirah and Rotana are among a growing number of hotel chains looking to expand in India, Emirates Business has reported. Jumeirah finds the growth of the Indian hospitality industry encouraging and sees the country as an opportunity to continue growing its global brand presence, Jumeirah's Executive Chairman, Gerald Lawless told the newspaper. Meanwhile, Rotana is currently negotiating with property owners to establish its brand in India, according to Amal Harb, Associate Vice-President Marketing and Communications. 'India is one of the world's most dynamic economies and a country that offers significant prospects for the development of hotels,' Accor Asia-Pacific Chairman and CEO, Michael Issenberg, told the daily.
New hotel planned for Jordan
Jordan's Dead Sea Development Corp. has signed an agreement with the Amazon River Company for Tourism Investment to build a 4-star hotel on the shores of the Dead Sea, Jordan Times has reported. The $45m hotel is expected to be completed within 34 months.
IHG opens two hotels in Abu Dhabi
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has opened two new hotels in Abu Dhabi, a Crowne Plaza hotel and Staybridge Suites, its first extended stay property in the Gulf region. The Staybridge Suites Abu Dhabi is located in the centre of Yas Island and offers a choice of 164 suites, ranging from studios to two bedroom suites, all with fully equipped kitchens and access to a 24-hour convenience store. Located on the banks of the Yas Creek, the 428-room Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi is the second Crowne Plaza hotel in the capital and features six restaurants, including a Pool Bar with outdoor dining, as well as full business facilities, a 25-metre part shaded pool, steam rooms, sauna and a squash court.
Rotana to open tallest hotel in the world
Rotana Hotels has announced plans to open the tallest hotel in the world in Dubai in mid December 2009. Opening under Rotana's alcohol-free 'Rayhaan' brand, the 72-storey Rose Rayhaan will rise 72 storeys, reaching a height of 333 metres. The hotel offer 481 rooms, suites and penthouses along with a range of food and beverage venues, eight meeting rooms, business facilities, a fitness centre, outdoor swimming pool, and sauna and steam rooms.
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