Category Archives: Hotels

Ctrip.com International (Ctrip), one of China’s largest integrated travel services companies, has signed an agreement with Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR) to develop a global distribution strategy promoting MHR properties to Ctrip’s 300-million strong customer base. The agreement was announced jointly at ITB Berlin by David Zhou, Chief Business Officer—Accommodation Business Unit, Ctrip and Nayan Peshkar, Senior Vice President – Digital, Distribution & Revenue Strategy, MHR. It marks the start of an alliance enabling Ctrip to offer MHR’s iconic portfolio of hotels in the USA, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia to its China-based business and leisure travel clients. Zhou said, “Chinese outbound tourists reached nearly 150 million in 2018, and the growth for this year remains strong. By signing this China–focused distribution agreement with MHR, we are continuing to offer 300 million members the best hotel experience worldwide whilst enhancing MHR’s presence and boosting new business opportunities for them in the China market.” Through the aegis of a strategic collaboration agreement, MHR will partner with Ctrip’s membership programme, which will certify its properties as ‘Chinese-Friendly Hotels’ and enable them to benefit from Ctrip’s influential ranking system. MHR and Ctrip will also work towards customer initiatives such as the launching of a flagship store on Ctrip’s digital platforms, joint marketing campaigns as well as knowledge sharing and cross exposure programmes for team members. Ctrip is the number one platform for Chinese nationals travelling overseas. About one in four Chinese citizens use Ctrip to book and search for outbound flight tickets, making it the world’s largest outbound travel platform. Peshkar said, “We are delighted to be raising the profile of our hotel offering in the fast-growing China travel market. Asia …

The S Hotel Al Barsha has confirmed its participation at Arabian Travel Market 2019 to be held from April 28 to May 1 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Shailesh Grover, General Manager, The S Hotel Al Barsha, said, “As the region’s leading travel fair, Arabian Travel Market offers us a fabulous platform to introduce and showcase our first The S Hotel in the Middle East, The S Hotel Al Barsha.” A recent research report released by Arabian Travel Market ahead of the major event reveals that the UAE is set to welcome 8.92 million visitors from top five source markets by 2023. The report says that the country’s top three source markets for inbound tourism are India, KSA and the UK. The number of Indian visitors travelling to the UAE will increase at a CAGR of 7% to 3.01 million in 2023, while arrivals from Saudi Arabia and the UK will witness an increase of 2% and 1% to 1.76 million and 1.28 million respectively over the same period. “Our marketing efforts are geared towards attracting guests from these high-growth segments. Our focus is to get a bigger slice of the inbound tourists from India, KSA, the UK, China and Russia. We’re also targeting the GCC & Middle East, Southeast Asia, Far East Asia, Europe and Latin America,” Grover explains.    

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International’s most global brand continues its transformation journey with a nod to its timeless pioneering legacy, as it unveils a new logo that pays homage to its past and depicts its vision for the future. The new design reflects the brand’s holistic vision for the future, making Sheraton the central gathering place of communities around the world, welcoming guests and locals into a public space that embodies the modern town square vibe. “The logo’s evolution reflects the renewed energy and firm commitment we are making to our owners and guests to the resurgence of this iconic brand.  More than a logo, this is a symbolic statement of Sheraton’s vision for our new guest experience,” said Mara Hannula, Vice President, Global Brand Marketing, Classic Premium Brands. “This was the final piece of the redesign puzzle and offers a modernized look and feel to match our reimagined spaces while maintaining the powerful equity and recognition of the original logo.” The new Sheraton experience will be available to guests later this year in Phoenix. The transformed 1,000-room Sheraton Grand Phoenix hotel which the company purchased in 2018 will bring to life the first of Sheraton’s full on-strategy hotel along with other exciting innovations. “We are excited to introduce the new direction of the brand’s iconic symbol in the Middle East and Africa, where Sheraton has nurtured long-standing relationships with guests, owners and communities for over 50 years,” said Sandra Schulze–Potgieter, Vice President Premium & Select Brands, Marriott International Middle East and Africa. “In line with the transformation of the brand, we are excited to showcase our early adopter properties soon, the Sheraton Jeddah Hotel and Sheraton Grand Hotel, …

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Group, inaugurated Premier Inn Al Jaddaf, the seventh property of the brand within the UAE. During the opening ceremony, His Highness unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion and toured the guest rooms, restaurants and public areas. The event was also attended by Gary Chapman, President Group Services & dnata, Emirates Group; Adam Nicholls, Managing Director, Premier Inn Middle East and other senior officials. Premier Inn Al Jaddaf offers a mixed inventory of spacious guest rooms from double occupancy to those which can accommodate a family of up to four. The 389 stylish rooms come with a working desk space and Premier Inn’s signature Hypnos bed paired with a pillow menu and black out curtains fulfilling the hotels’ brand promise of a guaranteed good night’s sleep. Remaining true to its heritage, the new hotel utilises contemporary design while embracing British charm and local culture. Adam Nicholls, Managing Director, Premier Inn Hotels Middle East, said, “We’re really pleased to add Premier Inn Dubai Al Jaddaf to our portfolio, our strongest proposition in the UAE and our largest hotel in the region. Dubai is a city that continues to grow, and our investment into the region doesn’t stop here, with further hotel openings on the horizon. We’re continually looking at ways to enhance our guest experience to offer a market leading product and provide a proposition that represents excellent value for money.” A joint venture between Emirates Group and Whitbread, the flagship property signals a new era for Premier Inn Middle East, with greater emphasis on guest experience alongside convenience for mid-market business and leisure travellers. The partnership …

Leading international real estate and construction consultancy, Drees & Sommer, announced the launch of the specialised global hospitality team based in Dubai as an extension to the existing European operation. The new hospitality division will provide a full service offering for investors and owners throughout the Middle East, Africa, Asia, People’s Republic of China and the rest of the world. The extension is a result of the tourism growth in the Middle East region. Located in Dubai, Drees & Sommer will capitalise on the extensive experience of the team across all facets of the hotel industry. The team in the Middle East, led by the Managing Director of Global Hospitality, Filippo Sona, will provide a full service offering from feasibility studies, hospitality consulting, technical services, project management, construction management and asset performance management. “The dedicated hospitality team of 10 hospitality experts will benefit from the expertise of 3,200 employees based in 41 offices worldwide, combining local market knowledge with world-class international hospitality trend know how to deliver projects globally. The company will initially focus on key segments of the tourism industry which include hotels, resorts, serviced apartments, golf courses, marinas, spa, theme parks and the entertainment industry,” said Sona. Drees & Sommer has vast experience in the hospitality sector having completed over 1,114 projects in 28 countries and 88 cities worldwide. “Our remit is to draw on the vast hospitality experience the team has accumulated, which is underscored by the quality of our project delivery and in-depth understanding of all the markets we operate in, to the benefit of the client and the profitability of the owner,” concluded Sona.

Two Seasons Hotel Apartments was among the top 10,000 companies and organisations from over 180 countries to have participated at ITB Berlin. With several new hotels lined up for opening in 2020, the year ahead looks promising for the new brand Two Seasons Hotel. Two Seasons Hotel Management Company has an ambitious expansion plan for the next five years with a strong commitment to new destinations in the Middle East and North Africa as well as global cities where it plans to open Two Seasons Resorts. Freddy Farid, Managing Director, Two Seasons Hotel Management Company, said, “European and especially German markets are very important for the UAE as those markets are stable in terms of tourist numbers and business. We are showcasing our new brand as Two Seasons out of the idea of Dubai having just two seasons – winter and summer.” “ITB Berlin represents a fantastic opportunity to exhibit and promote our new brand and upcoming portfolio of hotels to a vast global network. In addition, it allows us to raise awareness about our superb products while targeting strategic business opportunities as we continue to reinforce our capacity to open and reach new markets. ITB is also a great forum to see the new trends in technology that are transforming our industry faster than ever. This is a perfect platform to meet the best of the industry minds and to forge partnership with them,” he concluded.

Millennium Hotels and Resorts, Middle East and Africa (MEA) and Dubai-based Deyaar Development opened Millennium Atria Business Bay that will serve the growing hospitality and tourism sector. Saeed Al Qatami, CEO, Deyaar Development and Ali Hamad Lakhraim Alzaabi, President, Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA, attended the ceremony that marked the opening of Deyaar’s first hotel and the 40th hotel operated by Millennium Hotels and Resorts in the Middle East. The 30-storey Millennium Atria Business Bay features 347 studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom and duplex apartments. Facilities within the hotel include an all-day dining restaurant, podium terrace with cinema projection, infinity pool on the 25th floor, gymnasium and kids’ club. Every unit in Millennium Atria Business Bay has a characteristic personality and flair, with a key focus on urban elegance paired with the latest smart technology. Saeed Al Qatami, CEO, Deyaar Development said, “With close to two decades of experience in creating unique, culturally-appropriate residential and commercial properties, Deyaar has developed a deep understanding of what residents, visitors, and investors look for in property. Deyaar’s vision to expand into exceptional hospitality offerings align with the vision of the UAE’s leadership, as detailed in the UAE National Agenda 2021 – and the time is right, with an estimated 20 million visitors expected to arrive in Dubai for Expo 2020.”

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has opened doors to its fourth property in Jeddah with Mövenpick Hotel Tahlia Jeddah. Owned by Hadia Abdul Latif Jameel Food Products Trading Company, the hotel is a sophisticated lifestyle property with a prime location on Hail Street, just 30 minutes from King Abdulaziz International Airport and within walking distance from both the thriving Jameel Square commercial building and Al Thalia shopping street. With a leading-edge noise cancelling system built into the structure, the hotel’s 161 rooms and suites, equipped with expansive living areas, are a haven for business and leisure travellers in the heart of the city. Ideal for families and long-term stays, special rooms are equipped with a full kitchenette, while children can be kept entertained at The Little Birds Club, featuring a range of entertaining and educational activities. The property is also set to become one of the city’s most sought-after dining destinations, with Jeddah’s first restaurant managed by Michelin star chef and restauranteur Vineet Bhatia whose culinary creations are brought to life at ‘Rasoi by Vineet’. “This contemporary property is a distinctive addition to our fast-growing portfolio in Saudi Arabia where we currently operate 12 properties and have four more pipelined. Mövenpick Hotel Tahlia Jeddah, through its design, unique dining options and spacious rooms and suites, will add to Jeddah’s upscale offering as the city continues to attract a greater number of visitors through Saudi Vision 2030’s economic and social reforms. Adding a fourth property in Jeddah bolsters our cluster strategy in the Kingdom, consolidating Movenpick’s reputation for innovation, culinary excellence and authenticity, reinforcing its we make moments brand promise,” said Sami Nasser, Chief Operating Officer—Middle East & Africa, AccorHotels. Guests can also embark on a gourmet …

STR data shows that the Gulf Cooperation Council is expecting an additional 58,761 hotel rooms to enter the market in 2019. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, says, “It is important to highlight that the GCC is one of the fastest growing regional hospitality markets on a global scale, with the UAE leading the way as it gears up for Expo 2020 which is now less than two years away. Dubai’s hotel supply alone is expected to reach 132,000 in 2019, with the emirate aiming to complete 160,000 hotel rooms by October 2020 – in time to welcome 25 million visitors for Expo 2020.” The leading contributors are the UAE with 31,517 rooms (53%) in the pipeline; Saudi Arabia with 24,170 (41%); and Oman with 2,984 (5%). Reed Travel Exhibitions, organiser of the annual Arabian Travel Market (ATM) showcase in Dubai, which will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from April 28 – May 1, 2019, has announced that it will host the first ATM Hotel Industry Summit as part of its line-up of special events. The inaugural summit, scheduled to take place on Tuesday April 30, on the Global Stage, will see various panels of experts discuss the latest hotel infrastructure developments, investment opportunities and digital innovations which are shaping the region’s ever-changing industry. The UAE hospitality market is expected to be worth $7.6 billion annually by 2022, growing at a five-year Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.5% between 2017 and 2022, driven by Dubai’s Expo 2020, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and various other government initiatives to boost travel and tourism across the region. Over the same period, hotel supply is expected to grow …

Shaza Hotels, a member of the Global Hotel Alliance, has announced the opening of Shaza Hotel Residences, Riyadh. The property is the first for the brand in Riyadh and its third in KSA. It is also the first extended stay property to open for Shaza Hotels. 205 residences at the property have been designed for the needs of long-stay guests, complete with walk-in wardrobes and kitchenettes. Adding a new dimension to the experience are the hotel’s bespoke services, restaurants and meeting spaces. Khalid Saud Abu Haimed, Chief Executive Officer of Sulaiman Abdulaziz Al Rajhi Real Estate Investments Company said, “After the successful launch of Shaza Makkah last year, it is with great pleasure that we bring Shaza Hotel Residences, Riyadh to the market. The unique hotel residences, by its design and excellent quality of services, will meet the ever-increasing expectations of local and international guests. We are looking forward to becoming the new preferred destination for families and business travellers during their stay in Riyadh.” Simon Coombs, President and CEO of Shaza Hotels, commented: “Opening of Shaza Hotel Residences, Riyadh marks a key milestone for Shaza Hotels. We are honoured to partner with Al Rajhi Investments for a second property, in opening their flagship hotel residences in the Riyadh. It is our endeavor to create a new approach, one of handcrafted guest experiences in an urban retreat in the capital. In tune with the potential of vision 2030, Shaza Hotels will strive to create distinctive hotels in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”