Category Archives: Hotels

Radisson Hotel Group announces its Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol, a new program of in-depth cleanliness and disinfection procedures, in partnership with SGS. The Group’s highest priorities is the continued health, safety and security of its guests, team members, and business partners. The company has conducted a thorough review of all existing health and safety processes and worked with a team of experts to develop and validate additional protocols. These enhanced protocols, operational guidance and comprehensive health and safety procedures validated by SGS, will be adapted based on local requirements and recommendations, to ensure guests’ safety and peace of mind from check-in to check-out. Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol will further strengthen Radisson Hotel Group’s existing rigorous sanitation, cleanliness and disinfection guidelines at hotels globally. “The world has been fundamentally changed by COVID-19 so it is key that we strive to protect all who work, stay and partner with us as we re-open our doors to a new era of travel. To do this we have thoroughly examined all areas of the hotel experience, and we are proud to have partnered with SGS to create our Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol program.” says Federico J. González, CEO, Radisson Hospitality AB and Chairman of Radisson Hotel Group’s Global Steering Committee. Frankie Ng, CEO of SGS, adds that, “SGS’ global leadership in the Travel & Hospitality sector has enabled our network of health and safety experts to develop a comprehensive and straightforward protocol to check management procedures and disinfection status of hotels. Our goal is to ensure that maximum hygiene standards are met, to protect guests as well as Radisson Hotel Group team members.”

TIME Hotels has launched two new promotional packages making it more convenient and wallet-friendly to book a stay at any of their properties in the UAE, as the country takes tentative steps to ease out of COVID-19 lockdown. Due to the current uncertainty surrounding the lifting of travel bans and the commencement of flights, TIME Hotels is rolling out a fully flexible booking option. Not only will guests be able to book now and pay for their stay when they check-in, they will also be able to take advantage of free cancellations, modify their booking free of charge, and enjoy a 4pm check-out on their final day. Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TIME Hotels, said, “We’ve designed this package to give our loyal customers the confidence to book their stay in the knowledge that regardless of the circumstances, if bookings are cancelled or moved to alternative dates, no payment or penalties will be incurred.” “COVID-19 has impacted people more than we could have ever imagined. We therefore want to make the booking decision as simple and as risk-free as possible to ensure our guests have the opportunity to book a future trip, whether that’s with family or on business, with the understanding they won’t be impacted financially should their circumstances change. We fully believe offering uncompromising flexibility and value to our guests during these difficult times is not only the correct thing to do, but also provides the first steps of tentative recovery after COVID-19,” he added.  

Guy Hutchinson, President and CEO of Rotana, has issued a statement outlining his hopes for the future of the hospitality industry in the wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Hutchinson praised the region’s governments, frontline healthcare professionals and other key workers for their decisive response to the global crisis, and urged the public to adhere to social distancing guidelines during the holy month of Ramadan. “Although we will miss our traditional gatherings, this is a sacrifice we must all be prepared to accept for the greater good. By uniting behind this shared sense of purpose, we are coming together as a community in new and profound ways,” commented Hutchinson. He went on to share details of Rotana’s efforts to support guests, staff and communities across the region, which include the adoption of stringent hygiene protocols and extending the use of Rotana properties to governments to assist in their efforts to combat the spread of the virus. The statement ended on an optimistic note, as Hutchinson shared his vision for the industry in a post-crisis landscape, “The hospitality sector will surely recover. Whether our new reality will be the same as before remains to be seen. Speaking as a passionate hotelier, I would like to think there will be some differences. I believe the dark hours we have faced will lead to a heightened appreciation for the joy of travel, making us realise just how privileged we are to serve our guests through this incredible industry. Together, we will reach those brighter days ahead.”

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) is working closely with the Emirate’s Public Service Department (PSD), to create a certification programme, Deemed as the RAK ‘Stay Safe’ Hotel Certification, aimed at the Emirate’s hospitality providers. The certification process will be determined by a series of measures targeted at the various hotel departments and an official assessment, once in the recovery phase of the COVID-19 outbreak. The effort aims to boost confidence and rebuild trust in the destination’s tourism once the necessary travel restrictions are lifted. Measures will include a full sterilisation programme, conducted alongside the PSD, currently implementing the National Sterilization Program in the Emirate, as well as training on appropriate guest interactions, employee engagement, elevated property hygiene standards, and operational procedures to be actioned in the recovery phase. “Achievement of this certification will result in the hotels being endorsed by the relevant authorities, thereby supporting the public’s confidence in their offerings”, shared Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority. The Authority’s four-step road to recovery places initial focus on the domestic market, followed by the GCC and wider Middle East, to then be extended to Asia and Europe. The first phase of recovery will see the launch of the UAE ‘Shortcation’ campaign, offering guests staying three nights at Ras Al Khaimah hotels, two complementary passes to attractions such as the Jais Adventure Peak and the Suwaidi Peal Farm. This will be introduced when the necessary travel restrictions are lifted and the federal authorities deem travel safe to proceed and will run in addition to the ‘Kids Go Free’ promotion across hospitality and dining sectors. These efforts alongside the RAK ‘Stay Safe’ Hotel Certification, aim to …

The CEO of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) Amr AlMadani joined fellow hospitality leaders this week to discuss the future of the industry in the Hospitality Tomorrow virtual forum, hosted by Bench Global Events and watched by a global audience of thousands. The talk was co-hosted by Anita Mendiratta, Special Advisor to the Secretary General at the United Nations World Trade Organisation and member of RCU’s Advisory Board, under the title ‘Legacy, Sustaining Growth through Adversity’. Amr AlMadani, CEO, RCU began by highlighting resilience and innovation as key to the industry’s growth, emphasising that travel in the future will be driven by a desire for deeper, transformative experiences founded in a strong sense of community. As an example, AlMadani noted that AlUla had 250,000 years of history, amid an authentic Arabian landscape, with its own community creatively engaged in its tourism industry. Expanding on the theme of growth, AlMadani emphasised that AlUla remained open to investment, and argued that the future growth of the wider industry is dependent on lowering barriers to investment to fuel innovation. In this regard, he noted that RCU was taking an open-minded approach to current challenges but also that RCU was still signing contracts and remained committed to its partners. Amr AlMadani said, “In RCU, we are banking on a strong recovery for the industry, but one that will newly focus on offering people deeper, more experiential and transformative tourism options – rather than simply a photograph. In AlUla, we have 250,000 years of history for visitors to experience a true, unique locality of Arabian and world heritage, supported by creativity and innovation in our community, projects, and our partners.” Anita Mendiratta said, “Legacy  …

Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH) requested all hotel groups to be considerate towards their staff members in time of COVID-19 outbreak, when hospitality industry is at a standstill. Giant hotel groups operate in different countries, some with strong social security systems while others offering weak or totally inexistent support, leaving employees at risk when forced out of work. Khalid Anib – Chief Executive Officer – Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH), said “I urge operators to act responsibly and share a tiny portion of their generous fees collected during the previous years to support the staff across all levels, particularly associates at the properties; and to seriously consider creating some sort of solidarity fund dedicated to preserve the dignity of employees should something like this arise in the future.” The hospitality industry all over the world has been dramatically disrupted by the ongoing drastic measures imposed yet critical to preserve life. The main focus facing every hotel owner today is how to deal with this unprecedented challenge of occupancies having reached unbearable levels in a very short period of time with growing uncertainties around the rebound and related timing. Forcing employees to be on paid / unpaid leaves is unfortunately necessary to partially reduce payroll costs; owners will continue to bear in full all other employee benefits: accommodation, food, insurance etc. along with other massive fixed liabilities such as loans and interest repayments / building maintenance and insurances / necessary capital expenditures and others. Anib added, “I have recommended the release of a portion of each employee’s accrued end of service benefit to financially help them to support their loved ones’ back home during such difficult times. I would like to …

Today more than half Accor branded hotels worldwide are closed, likely over two thirds in the coming weeks. The abrupt deterioration in the situation has prompted the Group to take drastic actions across its global operations; hence it has launched ‘ALL Heartist Fund’, a COVID-19 special financial program. In these unprecedented times, the Group stands more than ever by its employees, partners and communities, providing time, resources and access to its local and global network. Given the situation, the Group has decided to take aggressive, incremental actions. Collectively, these include: travel ban, hiring freeze, reduced schedules and /or furloughing for 75 per cent of global head office teams for Q2, resulting in a minimum €60m reduction in G&A for 2020; reviewed recurring investment plan for 2020 resulting in a €60m reduction in capital expenditures; the Group is further streamlining all other costs (e.g. sales, marketing, IT), in line with lower system wide revenues. In these unchartered territories, Accor’s Board of Directors has decided to complement management actions outlined above, by withdrawing its proposal for a 2019 dividend payment of c. €280m. After consulting with the Group’s main shareholders, JinJiang International, Qatar Investment Authority, Kingdom Holding Company and Harris Associates, Accor has decided to allocate 25 per cent of the planned dividend (€70m) to the launch of the ‘ALL Heartist Fund’, a COVID-19 special purpose vehicle. This fund will typically assist: Group’s 300,000 employees, pledging to pay for their COVID-19-related hospital expenses, for those who do not have social security or medical insurance; on a case by case basis, furloughed employees suffering great financial distress; on a case by case basis, individual partners facing financial difficulty This fund reflects the ambition …

The Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF) launches Middle East Restaurant Association (MERA); keeping in mind the major challenges faced by the local F&B industry during this unprecedented global crisis. MERA, a non-profit organisation, will act as a hub that connects, promotes and supports its members, while helping to frame the agenda for the UAE’s restaurant industry. Now more than ever, the Middle East’s F&B community needs to come together and support each other through these challenging times, and MERA will be a vital source of help, advice and information that concerned business-owners and members of the industry can come to for assistance and guidance. The association aims to look after everyone in the industry, at all levels, not just owners and management. MERA’s founders are currently in the final stages of registering the non-profit incorporated organisation (NPIO) as a legal entity. Nevertheless, the needs of the industry come first and the MERA team is eager to provide an inclusive support system for the wider F&B community. With that in mind, the association will host its first-ever ‘MERA powered by GRIF’ online Zoom session on April 1 at 10am (UAE time).

STR a leading global data benchmarking and analytics provider, shared preliminary data for Dubai’s hotel performance worsening, as concern around the COVID-19 pandemic broadens. Dubai hotel occupancy fell 9.4 per cent to 77.1 per cent in February, ADR decreased 14.4 per cent to 567.63 Emirati dirhams ($154.56) and RevPAR declined 22.5 per cent to 437.41 dirhams ($119.10). STR analysts noted that Dubai’s occupancy, ADR and RevPAR decreased for 37 consecutive days (February 1 through March 8) in year-over-year comparisons. The steepest declines occurred in the most recent of those days. Of note, the market was already experiencing some declines in the metrics during the last two weeks of January, and the more significant decreases started on January 26.While Dubai has seen negative performance comparisons like most other major cities around the globe, STR analysts highlight the market’s ability to sell six of every 10 rooms on average during the first week of March. STR provides clients from multiple market sectors with premium, global data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights.

Millennium Hotels and Resorts – Middle East & Africa pledged to provide all its rooms and facilities to support the nation overcoming the difficulties during the current situation. Ali HamadLakhraim Al Zaabi, President Millennium Hotels & Resorts – Middle East & Africa, announced on his official social media channel to make all the resources at Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA available for the benefit of the UAE. Millennium Hotels & Resorts MEA currently operates 45 hotels with almost 15,000 keys in addition to 32 hotels in the pipeline across the region. From a single property in Abu Dhabi, Millennium Hotels & Resorts, Middle East & Africa has expanded into various neighbouring destinations and is now recognised as one of the fastest-growing regional hotel management companies in the Middle East & Africa according to October 2019 report issued by STR. Along the way, the company has cultivated partnerships with reputable and respected owners.