Category Archives: Hotels

As part of its ongoing efforts to boost the local tourism, Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) has launched the fourth edition of its ‘WithinOman’ tourism promotion campaign, which provides a wide array of special packages for all citizens and residents to enjoy leisure experiences across OMRAN Group’s hotels and resorts. The emphasis of this year’s edition is on inspiring individuals, families, and groups of friends to enjoy and discover new places and things to do, as well as take part in leisure and adventure activities at 21 hotels and resorts throughout the Sultanate. The campaign’s deals are available to visitors till the end of September, and there are four major packages with flexible accommodation options and hospitality services to choose from. Commenting on the campaign launch, Mohammed bin Khamis Al Ghufaili, Chief Operations Officer of OMRAN Group, said, “The ‘WithinOman’ campaign aims to boost domestic tourism and attract tourists to spend the peak summer travel period at the Group’s hotel assets around Oman. The variety of perks and services offered at participating hotels and resorts will make the tourist season enjoyable for both individuals and families.” “The Group provides well-turated and special offers to make the most of Oman’s distinctive accommodations, hospitality services, and facilities in order to promote local tourism. Revive, Enjoy, Relax, and Chill are the four packages offered under the promotion”, he continued. “Revive” package (30 OMR) is part of the campaign and is available at Crowne Plaza Muscat OCEC, City Hotel Duqm, Sohar Beach Resort, Atana Stay Ashkhara, Atana Khasab Hotel, Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve, Barcelo Mussanah Resort and Sifawy Boutique Hotel. “Enjoy” package (45 OMR) is available at Atana Musandam Resort, DusitD2 Naseem …

The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) entered into a Joint Venture (JV) agreement with Almutlaq Real Estate Investment Co. (AREIC), a subsidiary of the Al Mutlaq Group (AMG). Under the agreement, valued at over SAR 1.5 billion, the two companies will develop Jumeirah The Red Sea, a 159-key luxury resort situated on The Red Sea destination’s hub island, Shura, currently under construction and expected to open in early 2024. Shura Island forms part of the first phase of development, and will comprise 11 luxury, premium and lifestyle hotels and resorts, residential units, a championship golf course, 118 berth marina, and a comprehensive retail, dining, and entertainment offering. The strategic partnership marks the first Joint Venture established by TRSDC and demonstrates the private sectors confidence in the future success of the Red Sea destination and their willingness to be part of it. “We are delighted to partner with Al Mutlaq Group, a prominent global investment family group in Riyadh. The formation of a Joint Venture with their subsidiary, AREIC, demonstrates growing interest from the investment community to participate in our journey and is an encouraging reflection of their belief in not only our project but the wider tourism opportunity in the Kingdom,”said John Pagano, CEO of TRSDC. This Joint Venture investment reinforces the private sector’s alignment with our commitment to regenerative tourism and sustainable development. Our project naturally lends itself to promising business opportunities, with the ability to leverage the Kingdom’s key strategic assets, and drive economic growth and diversification as outlined by Vision 2030,” he added. “We are extremely pleased to partner with TRSDC and its best-in-class management team on this exciting and compelling project. We have been studying the …

The Ascott Limited (Ascott) announced it is acquiring Oakwood Worldwide (Oakwood) from Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd. The acquisition increases Ascott’s global portfolio by 81 properties and about 15,000 units. Oakwood’s approximately 8,500 operational units are expected to immediately contribute to Ascott’s recurring fee income streams upon completion of the transaction slated in 3Q 2022. Ascott’s acquisition of Oakwood will leapfrog Ascott’s global presence to more than 150,000 units in about 900 properties across over 200 cities in 39 countries. It will add new markets which include Cheongju in South Korea; Zhangjiakou and Qingdao in China; Dhaka in Bangladesh as well as Washington D.C. in the United States of America (USA). Recently named the ‘Best Serviced Residence Brand’ in DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards 2022, Oakwood’s award-winning portfolio includes flagship properties Oakwood Premier Tokyo and Oakwood Premier Coex Center Seoul which were ranked top 10 properties in their respective countries in the DestinAsian awards. New properties such as Oakwood Premier Melbourne and Oakwood Hotel Oike Kyoto, will also add to the group’s destination highlights. Kevin Goh, CLI’s Chief Executive Officer for Lodging, said: “This acquisition of Oakwood is part of Ascott’s roadmap to playing a bigger role in the lodging market. There are significant synergies between Ascott and Oakwood, given our complementary footprint and product offerings. We intend to build on the strong reputation and heritage of the Oakwood brand, especially in markets across Southeast Asia, North Asia and North America. Oakwood will continue to grow alongside Ascott’s current portfolio of global brands as we continue to build growth momentum for our lodging business. We will be able to leverage Ascott’s extensive expertise as a global lodging player to deliver greater value …

Hudini, and Incode Technologies announced their strategic partnership to transform hospitality guest experiences. The partnership with Incode will enable Hudini cus-tomers to deploy identity verification during the check-in and check-out processes through enhanced digital bio-metric technology. This association will automate these processes making it quick, seamless and at the conven-ience of the guest. The hospitality industry relies on its ability to connect people and the places they visit to create memora-ble experiences for its guests. In its revitalization post-pandemic, the industry is realizing the impact that technology can have on a guest’s stay, and the potential it holds to increase customer loyalty and create additional revenue. In fact, a recent study found that 76% of hotel executives are looking to introduce “a fully contactless experience” by 2025. Prince Thampi, Founder and CEO at Hudini said: “Hotel guests crave seamless experiences when they travel. Long check-in processes and complex payment procedures can ruin a guest’s stay. As a leader in biometric identity verification, Incode’s solution removes these challenges and helps to maximise the dig-ital guest experience, without compromising on security or privacy. Through our partnership with Incode, we are excited to offer fully automated identity verification to our check-in and check-out features across our partner hotels.” Both organizations have realized the potential identity verification holds across the hospitality industry and share the ambition for its widespread adoption during hotel check-in and check-out. To further that vision, the partnership will include the following experiences: Transparent guest identification: In a matter of seconds, even before arrival, the industry’s only fully automated identity verification engine validates the identity of a guest. This allows guests to identify themselves at their convenience, triggering Hudini’s systems to …

With borders open in full, GCC travellers are now ready to take the plunge and confident to explore the new post covid world especially as eid coupled with summer vacations sets in the region. Over the past few days the airline and hotel bookings have increased despite the fact that airline fares have increased a considerable amount. Our GCC line up of industry professionals share their observations. Mamoun Hmedan, Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director, Middle East, North Africa (MENA) and India of Wego, “The demand for travel continues to see significant growth and recovery post COVID-19. With summer approaching, travelers began planning and booking their holidays, and we are witnessing an increase in bookings and demand for flights to and from the UAE. Travelers are also looking for new experiences and exploring places they haven’t visited before to make up for lost travel in the past two years due to the pandemic. And they are ready to spend more on leisure trips than before. Flight and hotel searches from the UAE during the month of June reached about 3 million, an increase of 77% over the same period last year. Despite the increase in airfares, we continue to see an increase in demand and people are booking longer stays. The airfares for the upcoming Eid Al Adha holiday have spiked for most destinations. If we look at the top destinations from the UAE during the Eid break, the average airfare to Egypt is $551 with an increase of 41% in comparison to the same period last year, the airfare to India is around $379 a rise of 114%, Jordan saw an increase of 45% with an average airfare of $689, …

Sonder Holdings Inc. is set to open a 401-unit property in Business Bay, Dubai later this year. It will become the largest property in Sonder’s global portfolio. Developed by SAAS Properties and operated by Sonder, the 35-storey building is meticulously finished throughout. Its guest amenities will include an elegant lobby with marble flooring, a swimming pool surrounded by cabanas, a F&B outlet, and a state-of-the-art fitness centre. “We’re building the future of hospitality, applying design and technology to meet the needs of modern travellers, while offering developers flexibility and freedom from daily operational responsibilities. Opening our third location in Dubai makes us one of the largest full-building serviced apartment operators in the market, and the region remains a focus for Sonder. We’re proud to partner with SAAS Properties, a highly regarded real estate developer,” said Martin Picard, Co-Founder and Global Head of Real Estate at Sonder. “Sonder combines local expertise with a global brand that appeals to the modern generation of travellers. Sonder is an experienced and well-capitalised partner and we’re pleased to have them manage and operate our Business Bay property, which will provide guests with high-end accommodation and amenities in a premium location moments from the Dubai Mall and Downtown Dubai,” said Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Chief Executive Officer at SAAS Properties. Driven Properties, a Dubai-based real estate development management consultancy, advised both parties on the deal. Sonder Business Bay occupies a prime, central location, near the Dubai Mall and iconic Burj Khalifa, ideal for both business and leisure travellers. The property features 401 thoughtfully designed serviced apartments, available for both short and extended stays. They range in size from studio to 3-bedroom, and many have skyline …

As it finally starts to emerge from crisis mode, new predictions from Aruba reveal how businesses in the hospitality sector will proactively leverage technology to deliver enhanced total guest experiences across the next decade. Following a transformative few years, which saw the entire industry adopt critical technology solutions in order to survive, hotels and venues have grown increasingly adept at offering seamless digital-first experiences. As they look ahead, however, this reliance on digital technology poses potential challenges to an industry that is built on human-to-human experiences. Aruba worked with global trends agency Foresight Factory to uncover five ways in which hospitality businesses will adapt to evolving consumer demands to offer the perfect balance between the digital and physical worlds. HOSPITALITY COMPANIES WILL BE SERVING UP PRESENCE-FREE OPTIONS Building on current contactless trends such as digital check-in and biometric payments, hospitality companies will be able to welcome guests that are not present at their venue at all, using innovative technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and the metaverse to offer presence-free experiences to “visitors” anywhere in the world. THE GUEST EXPERIENCE WILL START WELL BEFORE THEY ARRIVE AND CONTINUE LONG AFTER THEY LEAVE (AKA THE RISE OF ‘PRETAILTAINMENT’) Forget looking at photos or scanning the menu. In the future, guests will no longer do anything without first trying out the fully interactive, immersive digital option. As the virtual experience becomes a non-negotiable precursor to the real event, companies will begin to offer more creative, elaborate and personalized “pretailtainment” options. Meanwhile ‘post-stay’ services will also be available, rounding out the total experience.   THE GUEST EXPERIENCE WILL HAVE BECOME A COMMUNITY UNDERTAKING The future will see hospitality companies form …

Barceló Mussanah Resort welcomed over 100,000 guests over the past year since its opening and as they celebrates their first anniversary this July offers residents and visitors of the Sultanate a host of summer activities to commemorate its successful first year since its launch in 2021. The four-star property has launched a variety of exciting and tantalising summer activities, catering to the needs of every type of traveller. One of the main attractions is the 175-metre long zip-line, which will exhilarate thrill-seekers as they glide across the picturesque views of the Mussanah marina. Focused on guest safety, the zip-line is managed and operated by the resort’s trained staff, promising hours of thrilling fun. In 2021, following the successful operations of four properties in the region, trailblazing Spanish hotel chain – Barceló Hotel Group launched Barceló Mussanah Resort intending to support Oman’s vision to diversify the hospitality and tourist sectors in the Sultanate. Since opening its doors, Mussanah’s flagship has rapidly risen in popularity, hosting nearly 100,000 guests, becoming a popular travel destination for national and international travellers. The stellar property has also hosted eight international sporting events in the past year in partnership with Oman Sail, including the 11th edition of the coveted Sailing Arabia – The Tour (SATT) and Youth Sailing World Championships that attained Barceló Hotel Group and Oman Sail the Silver Award for ‘Best Sports Event of the Year 2021’ at the Middle East Sports Industry Awards 2022. Adventure seekers looking to beat the summer heat can indulge in a wide range of water-sports activities, including sailing across the smooth waters of Mussanah or an early morning kayak across the beautiful marina. Snorkel among the vibrant coral …

Jumeirah Group further expands its international portfolio with the unveiling of an exceptional new resort in the Middle East – Jumeirah Muscat Bay. Nestled within the secluded cove of Bandar Jissah between the Hajar mountains and Gulf of Oman, just 15 minutes from the capital Muscat, Jumeirah Muscat Bay will offer a true sense of serenity and escapism. With sea, mountains and a historic city on its doorstep, it is the ideal spot to disconnect and spend blissful days on the beach, explore the great outdoors via an array of adventurous wellbeing experiences, or venture out to discover the Sultanate’s rich history. Mr. José Silva, Chief Executive Officer of Jumeirah Group, said: “Oman is a popular destination for those looking to combine nature and wellness with cultural interest. At Jumeirah Muscat Bay, we have focused on taking cues from the natural landscape and its restorative energy and have brought this to life through design and architecture and in keeping with the hallmarks of Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, our innovative dining concepts, signature service and exceptional experiences are well represented throughout this resort. As we continue to expand our portfolio, we are delighted to open the doors to this beautiful resort and bring our brand promise of Stay Different, for the first time to Oman.” Jumeirah Muscat Bay will offer 206 spacious rooms and suites, all assuring breath-taking ocean vistas, with connecting rooms available for the perfect family holiday. In addition, five secluded summerhouses in two- and four-bed configurations, and the exceptional Sanctuary Villa, will provide the ultimate hospitality experience, each with a private pool, dedicated butler service and access to an exclusive private beach. Modern arabesque design features throughout the resort …

Hatta Resorts and Hatta Wadi Hub Season 5 will commence on 15 September 2022, following a successful extended Season 4 that welcomed more than 200,000 visitors from 125 nationalities in eight months. In line with the emirate’s vision to create opportunities and engage businesses in Hatta, Season 4 also witnessed a 32 percent increase in the number of partners from the Hatta local community reaching 25 partners, who have been instrumental in the development of Hatta’s eco-tourism. Increase of footfall was influenced by the new additions to the destination’s experiences, the Hatta Caravan Park and the Hatta Dome Park, complementing the existing Damani Lodges and Sedr Trailers, and giving people more opportunities to enjoy Hatta’s views, activities and charm. In the meantime, Hatta Kayak as well as biking and hiking activities will continue to operate throughout the summer. Summer Activities Adventure seekers can continue to enjoy Hatta’s hiking and biking trails. Spanning 32.6 kilometers, the Hatta hiking and biking trails are divided into different grades and five routes to accommodate every level and experience of hikers and riders. Visitors can explore the area on their own mountain bikes or rent a bike from Hubbers, the mountain bike centre at Hatta Wadi Hub. A day in Hatta is not complete without kayaking on the iconic lake formed by the Hatta Dam. Hatta Kayak is open daily from 7:00AM to 11:00AM, and 3:00PM to 9:00PM. Pedalos, water bikes and electric donut boats are also available for thrill seekers. The New Season A new multipurpose adventure ropes course catering to both children and adults will be the latest addition to the exciting range of activities and experiences at Hatta Wadi Hub and will …