Tourism and Hospitality

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

Dubai hotel rates up by 20%
According to hoteliers and tour operators, hotel room rates in Dubai has spiked up from 10% to 20% in 2007, cited Gulf News. The DTCM noted about 32,244 rooms in hotels and 10,113 rooms in flats serving as hotels at the end of September last year.
United Arab Emirates: Saturday, April 05 - 2008 at 07:56 |

UK's Premier Inn opens its first hotel in Dubai
Premier Inn, the UK's largest hotel brand, has opened its first hotel in Dubai. The new hotel marks the beginning of a partnership with The Emirates Group to develop the Premier Inn brand in the Gulf. Premier Inn will introduce its 'value' hotel model into the Dubai hospitality market with plans for at least a further five sites to be opened in the UAE in 2009. Owned by Whitbread, one of the UK's oldest companies, Premier Inn currently owns and operates over 500 hotels with nearly 36,000 rooms in the UK and Ireland.
United Arab Emirates: Thursday, April 03 - 2008 at 06:56 |

East India Hotels plans ME expansion
East India Hotels Limited plans to expand its portfolio internationally, with a focus on the Middle East and South Asia, reported Hospitality Biz India. Comany chairman PRS Oberoi said EIH is considering locations in the Middle East, Thailand, China, Cambodia, Singapore and Malaysia. EIH plans to develop these properties under the ‘Oberoi Hotels’ and ‘Trident Hotels’ brands. It will adopt joint ventures and management contracts, for the same.
Wednesday, April 02 - 2008 at 08:38

ME hotel bubble could burst by 2010
The current hotel market bubble in the Middle East could burst by 2010 due to the region’s over-reliance on GCC guests, according to Great Hotels Organisation, a global hotel sales and marketing company. This is possible due to the high demand for a limited number of rooms, meaning occupancy can be filled by these local markets alone. With hotel construction in the region being one of the highest in the world, however, the increased number of rooms available will cause intense competition for these regional guests, even if visitor numbers continue to rise. Adding to the situation are the high inflation levels in the Gulf, which may force industry and commerce to host their events outside the region, in areas like the Far East, where costs are much lower, GHO said.
Tuesday, April 01 - 2008 at 10:16