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New ibis to open in Jordan
Kuwait-based Action Hotels Company and Accor Hospitality Middle East have announced the official opening of Jordan's first internationally branded economy hotel, ibis Amman. The 158-room hotel offers three meeting rooms, three non-smoking floors, a restaurant and snack bar, indoor car parking, free safety deposit boxes at reception, and an airport shuttle service.
Aloft Hotel set to open in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide have announced the Aloft Hotel in Abu Dhabi will be opened on October 25 during the inaugural Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix. The 408-room Aloft Hotel, which is connected to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, is 20 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi and 15 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Hilton launches second RAK hotel
Hilton Worldwide has announced the official launch of its second Hilton hotel in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. The Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa features 324 guest rooms and 151 villas designed in classic Arabesque style. The new property also offers four free-form temperature controlled pools including one with salt water, a rooftop bar, Italian and Asian restaurants, a spa and Turkish Hammam.
Hilton to offer brand at Marsa Alam, Egypt
Hilton Worldwide has announced it will manage another Hilton brand in Marsa Alam, on the west coast of Egypt's Red Sea. Hilton has signed a management agreement with Concord Co. for Tourist Development S.A.E. for the 370-room new-build property, scheduled to open in 2012. The property has 1.5km ofbeachfront, located approximately 20km south of Marsa Alam International Airport, and 30km from Marsa Alam town.
TDIC issues $1bn sukuk
Abu Dhabi's Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) has issued the largest GCC sukuk of 2009 with its inaugural $1bn 5-year Reg S Sukuk Al Ijara, the group has said. The Sukuk was issued under a $1.45bn Global Sukuk Trust Certificate Issuance Programme. This transaction is the first sukuk issuance by a 100% indirect Government of Abu Dhabi-owned entity.
Hilton opens first regional Garden Inn
Christopher J. Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton Worldwide has opened the first Hilton Garden Inn property in the Middle East and Africa, the Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya in Saudi Arabia. The new hotel is the first of several openings within the Strategic Development Agreement signed between Hilton and the Al Hokair Group. The Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya features 180 guest rooms and suites, a complimentary business centre, and three meeting rooms.
Four Seasons Beirut to open in December
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has said that its Four Seasons Hotel Beirut is all set to open in December 2009. The new property offers 230 guest rooms and suites, glass-enclosed swimming pool, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, a full-service spa, in addition to meeting and event facilities including a grand ballroom.
Syria sees 37% rise in tourists in September
Syria has recorded a 37% increase in the number of tourists visiting the country during September, with a total number (including expatriates, Arabs and foreigners) of 518,905, compared to 379,289 in September 2008, the Syrian Arab news agency has reported. European tourists' number during the first 9 months had grown by 24% to 272,402, while Gulf tourists' number increased by 19% to 643,447m according to the country's ministry of tourism.
Holiday Inn Express to be built in Bahrain
Ishraq Gulf Real Estate Holding, the exclusive developer of the Holiday Inn Express brand of hotels in the GCC excluding Saudi Arabia, has started construction work on the first Holiday Inn Express hotel in Bahrain. The 279-room limited service hotel, will offer a mini-gym, an 'Express Communications Centre', in addition to meeting rooms, lounge, and an all-day dining restaurant.
Millennium and Copthorne to open hotels in Kurdistan
Iraq-based Faruk Group Holding has signed a hotel management and operation agreement with Millennium & Copthorne Middle East for three hotels in Kurdistan, Iraq. The three hotels are two 4-star hotels branded as Tara Hotel with 100 rooms and Copthorne Hotel featuring 140 rooms with full service and facilities, and a 5-star hotel, which will be branded as Grand Millennium offering 254 rooms.
Al Ain Rotana given 5 star rating
Al Ain Rotana has received the official classification of a 5-star hotel from the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA). 'Being the only 5-star hotel in town, we are aiming to introduce as many new concepts and facilities as possible in order to give the truly Rotana hospitality to all our guests and clients,' the hotel's General Manager, Ayman Gharib said.
Abu Dhabi Tourism launches stakeholder programme
The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) has launched its 'Partners in Progess' stakeholder programme which aims to coordinate industry-wide destination development and tourism promotion efforts, Khaleej Times has reported. Under the programme, the authority has established five industry development committees representing the tour operators, retail and attractions, accommodation, transport and business tourism sectors. The committees will meet regularly with the authority to identify challenges and opportunities and give inputs to drive product development.
Travelport opens Abu Dhabi office
Travelport, a global distribution system provider, has announced the launch of its new direct operations for Galileo-connected travel agents in Abu Dhabi. Travelport's new office will offer a wide-range of Galileo solutions and services and will house dedicated sales, training and helpdesk teams focussed on providing the highest levels of customer support, the firm said.
The Address adds The Montgomerie to portfolio
Emaar's The Address Hotels + Resorts has added The Montgomerie Dubai golf club in its portfolio and will now operate and manage the boutique-styled clubhouse effective October 8, 2009. The Address Hotels + Resorts will manage all operational aspects of the property, while the golf course and adjoining golf academy will still be managed by Troon Golf.
Aldar to open seven hotels in Abu Dhabi
Paul Bell, Managing Director of Aldar Hotels and Hospitality, has unveiled plans to open seven hotels on Yas Island in time for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 1, Emirates Business has reported. Six of the hotels are in a plaza and are about 200 metres from the track. The track runs underneath Yas Hotel, which is managed by Aldar. There will be one five star, four four-star and two two-star properties, Bell said.
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