Tourism and Hospitality

Nakheel buys stake in US hotel
Dubai-based Nakheel Hotels has bought a 50% stake in the Fontainebleau Miami Beach resort in the US for $375m, reported US newswires. The hotel is undergoing a $500m renovation and is expected to open during the second half of 2008. Aventura-based Turnberry Associates bought the hotel in 2005. The Fontainebleau, which is located on 17 acres of oceanfront, will offer more than 1,500 luxury guest rooms and suites, along with a 40,000 square foot European-style spa, when its renovations are complete.
United Arab Emirates: Thursday, April 10 - 2008 at 07:45

Monarch Hotel to launch in Dubai
A multi-million dollar Monarch Hotel and office tower project on Shaikh Zayed Road in Dubai will be officially launched next month, reported Khaleej Times. The hotel project is part of a mega complex, which also has a 38-storey office tower. The hotel, which has 33 levels of luxury rooms, suites and serviced residences, is owned by Abu Dhabi's Capital Investments.
United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, April 09 - 2008 at 10:24

Abu Dhabi needs 20,000 more hotel rooms
Up to 20,000 aditional hotel rooms will be needed in Abu Dhabi to meet the emirate's projected tourist traffic of 3.5 million, according to Shaikh Sultan bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, who inaugurated the second edition of Gulf Incentives, Business, Travel and Meetings Exhibition. He stressed the importance of involving the private sector to revitalise the tourism sector in the emirate and the role of ADTA in supporting partnership between public and private sectors in achieving the desired goals of the tourism development strategy.
United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, April 09 - 2008 at 10:21

Shuaa Capital to launch hotel fund
Dubai-based Shuaa Capital is launching a new investment fund that will raise capital to develop hotels in Saudi Arabia, reported Khaleej Times. The hotels and other tourism infrastructure developed from the investment fund will be managed by Rotana Group, said Selim El Zyr, president and CEO of Rotana.
United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, April 09 - 2008 at 10:17

Premier Hotels to build 50 hotels in ME
Premier Hotels, a 50-50 joint venture between the Emirates Group and UK-based Whitebread, is spending Dhs1bn ($272m) to build 50 budget hotels in the Middle East over the next five years, 16 of which will be located in the UAE, reported Khaleej Times. Premier's first brand hotel in Dubai will be located in Dubai Investments Park. It has 308 bedrooms and prices are fixed at Dhs450 per night per person and Dhs650 when the hotel is hosting major events.
Wednesday, April 09 - 2008 at 07:56

Thomas Cook buys Elegant Resorts
Travel giant Thomas Cook has acquired bespoke holiday firm Elegant Resorts for an undisclosed sum, reported the UK's Guardian. It plans to run Elegant as a standalone business and will retain the company's management team. Elegant employs 200 people in the UK, Dubai, Barbados, and Mauritius.
Tuesday, April 08 - 2008 at 08:51

The World visits Abu Dhabi
The World, the first and only private ship-based residential community at sea, has made its maiden call with its multi-millionaire occupants, taking a two-day sojourn in Abu Dhabi. It docked at Port Zayed, reported Gulf News. The ship will continue on to Oman. The luxury vessel is privately owned by 110 multi-millionaires from 40 countries.
United Arab Emirates: Monday, April 07 - 2008 at 09:48

Eva Hotel to open in Abu Dhabi
United Group Holdings has appointed Southern Sun Hotels for the full operations of the 4-star deluxe Eva Hotel, Southern Sun's second venture in Abu Dhabi. Situated at Mina Street, the hotel will be accessible to major shopping centres, ports, and dining places. The hotel is set to open in 2010.
United Arab Emirates: Sunday, April 06 - 2008 at 09:14