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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.
Abu Dhabi hotels benefit from lack of flats
The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority says up to 25% of hotel rooms in the capital are being occupied by residents seeking flats or professionals on short contracts, reported The National. The lack of available properties to rent in the capital is said to be the cause of the booming trend.
Hilton eyes expansion in Abu Dhabi
Hilton Hotels is studying opportunities on Saadiyat Island as part of its plans to expand in Abu Dhabi, reported The National. 'We are at various stages on different locations in Abu Dhabi,' Elie Younes, the vice president of development for Hilton in the Middle East, told the daily,. 'Some are very advanced, some are initial talks, but we will definitely be announcing something this year, probably in the last quarter.'
Nakheel One and Only opens in South Africa
Nakheel Hotels has opened the first One and Only resort in South Africa, in Cape Town. The 137 room hotel is built around two artificial islands and includes restaurants operated by chefs Gordon Ramsay and Nobu Matsuhisa. Nakheel Hotels' said the hotel builds on its relationship with Kerzner International, owners and operators of the One and Only and Atlantis in Dubai.
Elaf Group to open Jeddah hotel
Saudi Arabian hospitality firm, Elaf Group of Companies, has announced that it has won the contract to manage a five star Hotel at the Red Sea Mall in Jeddah. The hotel, Elaf Jeddah Red Sea Mall, will open its doors in July 2009, at a cost of SR72m.
Gulf has room for budget hotels
Tourism executives said the industry in the region needs more mid-scale and economy hotels. Robert O'Hanlon, the tourism, hospitality and leisure partner at Deloitte Middle East said there was enormous potential for the budget sector. 'As the market matures, the recognition that there's actually also a market for mid-range and budget products comes through,' said O'Hanlon. Christophe Landais, the managing director at Accor Hospitality agreed there was a strong need for more budget hotels in the Middle East. 'We have reached the situation where, effectively, on the five-star, Dubai is very much saturated,' Landais said.
Dubai may host Concorde
A Dubai-based consortium, advised by former British Airways (BA) Concorde crew, is planning to turn the last British Concorde into a tourist attraction, the Times has reported. A source close to the Dubai consortium said it would spend several million pounds restoring the aircraft's interior. 'It would be very well taken care of in Dubai,' the source said. BA admitted that it was considering removing Alpha Bravo from Heathrow, but refused to comment on its discussions with the Dubai consortium.
Abu Dhabi to have 4,000 new hotel rooms
The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority has said that it estimates that the emirate will have an additional 4,000 hotel rooms by the end of 2009. The added units will bring the UAE capital's total room numbers to 17,000, including hotel apartments.
CBRE inks Worldhotels deal
Derek Gammage, CBRE Hotels EMEA Managing Director said that the company has recently signed a 'co-operation agreement' with Worldhotels to become the preferred supplier of real estate services including valuations, asset management, buy side support and brokerage throughout Europe, Middle East and Africa. 'Especially in challenging times like these, our hotels can benefit from the expert advice and the support offered by CBRE Hotels in the field of real estate services,' Rob Hornman, VP EMEA and Worldwide Sales and Distribution at Worldhotels said.
Red tide closes Dubai beaches
Dubai Municipality has announced the closure of some of the city's beaches around the Burj Al Arab following confirmation of reports of red tide. Red tide is a bloom of algae, microscopic marine organisms. Some are harmful to humans as well as to marine life. Authorities expected the bloom to recede in the coming days.
Etihad to launch Destination Management arm
UAE national carrier Etihad Airways, is to launch its own destination management company (DMC). The new DMC aims to provide a diverse range of leisure and business activities for visitors to Abu Dhabi and the UAE. The carrier is currently in discussion with local tourism partners, with the new DMC set to support the development and enhancement of the capital's tourism infrastructure.
Agents hike pilgrimage fees
Saudi-based Haj and Umrah agencies have increased the fee for Umrah from Dhs250 to Dhs500 per pilgrim, according to Khaleej Times. Pilgrimage contractors in Abu Dhabi said that the increase was effective from March 29 after the Saudi Haj Ministry introduced a quota system for agencies, reducing the number of allowed Umrah pilgrims from 2,000 to
800 per agent. A quota system for Haj pilgrimage is already in force.
Nakheel invests in Koh Samui resort
Nakheel has partnered with Thailand's Amburaya Hotels and Resorts investing in Thailand's Koh Samui Island to launch an integrated resort development of 17 private residences and a 75-key all-villa hotel. Targeting the upmarket, W Koh Samui Retreat & Residences will be one of the first W-branded residential projects in Asia set for completion in 2010.
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