Tourism and Hospitality

ATM up 15% in trade visits
Reed Travel Exhibitions announced this year's Arabian Travel Market(ATM) has recorded a hike of more than 15% in trade visits compared to last year. This year's show has over 2,200 exhibitors from 70 countries. More than 62 national tourist pavilions have joined this year including newcomers Bangladesh, The Philippines, Djibouti, Georgia, Senegal and Nepal.
United Arab Emirates: Sunday, May 11 - 2008 at 09:40

Kharafi to set up hotel in Syria
MAK Hotel Holdings has signed an agreement with InterContinental Hotels Group to develop a 370-room InterContinental Hotel due for completion in 2010. The project is part of M.A. Kharafi Group of Kuwait's venture into Syria's tourism industry with the Kiwan Tourist Investment Company. The project 'Kiwan' will build, finance, equip, and operate tourism projects in Damascus.
Syria: Saturday, May 10 - 2008 at 10:05

Aldar to build Radisson on YAS Island
Aldar Hotels and Hospitality, a division of Abu Dhabi-based Aldar Properties, has signed an agreement with The Rezidor Hotel Group to develop a 370-room Radisson SAS Hotel in Abu Dhabi on Yas Island.
United Arab Emirates: Thursday, May 08 - 2008 at 10:34

Hamburg Tourist Board opens Dubai office
The Hamburg Tourist Board is opening an office in Dubai with the aim of attracting more Arab tourists to the North of Germany. Since Emirate’s Airlines opened its new Dubai-Hamburg air route at the end of 2006, 33,000 overnight stays from Arabic countries were recorded in 2007, a 37.4% increase the previous year, according to a statement.
United Arab Emirates: Thursday, May 08 - 2008 at 09:20

Fairmont to launch hotel in Makkah
Fairmont Hotels and Resorts plans to operate a new hotel in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The Makkah Clock Royal Tower hotel will have 76 storeys be 577 metres high, and will feature a 40-metre clock that be more than five times larger than Big Ben. The hotel, which is scheduled to open in September, will be the focal point of the Abraj Al Bait complex, part of the King Abdul Aziz Endowment Project.
Saudi Arabia: Thursday, May 08 - 2008 at 07:35

Shaza Hotels signs land purchase deals
Shaza Hotels, a product of a partnership between Kempinski Hotels and Guidance Financial Group, has signed major land purchase agreements to develop hotels in Cairo, Bahrain, and Marrakech that it will own and manage. Speaking at a press conference at Arabian Travel Market, Chairman Mohamad Hammour said these new developments are just the first of a series of projects the hotel group has in the pipeline.
Wednesday, May 07 - 2008 at 13:53

Armani Hotels showcased at ATM
Armani Hotels & Resorts, a partnership between Emaar Properties and Giorgio Armani, is using the Arabian Travel Market 2008 as a platform for its first-ever public showcase. The company is developing a collection of luxury hotels, residences, and resorts across the world, including the Armani Residences to open at Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest building developed by Emaar Properties in Downtown Burj Dubai.
United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, May 07 - 2008 at 13:40

Nakheel plans 80 hotels in Mena region
Nakheel Hotels, the hospitality arm of property developer Nakheel, plans to have more than 80 hotels in its portfolio in the Middle East and North Africa, reported Gulf News quoting Joe Sita, CEO of Nakheel Hotels. Sita said Nakheel currently has 30 hotels in 18 countries in the luxury segment, and it plans to double this total in the next five years. In addition to these, it is planning to develop 25 to 30 easyHotels within the next five years in the budget segment.
United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, May 07 - 2008 at 07:35