Category Archives: Hotels

The much awaited Hotel Show will be held from September 17-19, 2016 at Dubai World Trade Center. With a surge in technological innovations designed specifically for the hospitality industry, The Hotel Show Dubai 2016 is set to debut a dedicated new feature when it opens this week. Tech start-ups and major global brands will launch innovative new products in the ‘Tec-Innovation Zone’, to feature alongside The Hotel Show’s extended list of exhibitors and TecSec Summit conference. Combined, the Technology and Security Pavilion now takes up almost a quarter (22%) of the event’s 17th edition. LG will be unveiling the world’s first OLED Hotel TV to the Middle East market for the first time at the Tec-Innovation Zone alongside a Pro:Centric Direct hotel content management system which provides solutions such as 1-click service and IP-network-based remote management. Alongside the Tec-Innovation Zone, more than 75 technology and security suppliers will showcase extended ranges of the latest products and services of interest to the region’s hospitality industry including: Bang & Olufsen; GREENTEC Automation DMCC; ASSA ABLOY Hospitality; SALTO Systems; dorma+kaba, and INTEREL. INTEREL has the largest stand planned for the 2016 Technology and Security Pavilion. It is set to showcase its online Water Management System, awarded ‘Most Innovative Hospitality Technology of 2016’ at the Hotel Technology Next Generation (HTNG) TechOvation awards.

It is reported that Deyaar Development has signed a deal with hotel operator Millennium & Copthorne to operate three hospitality developments in Dubai spanning 953 units. The Dubai-based developer said in a statement that the move is part of its ongoing drive to support Dubai’s tourism and hospitality infrastructure needs. The strategic alliance with Millennium & Copthorne spans three of Deyaar’s current developments – a hotel and serviced apartments development in Al Barsha next to Mall of the Emirates, luxury residences at The Atria in Business Bay and premium serviced apartments at Montrose in Dubai Science Park. All three developments are scheduled for completion from late 2017 to early 2018, Deyaar said. Millennium & Copthorne will manage and operate the developments’ hotel and serviced apartments, as well as provide consultancy services during the construction phase of the projects. Deyaar’s CEO Saeed Al Qatami said: “The new developments will provide convenient overnight, short-term and long-term hospitality options for business and leisure travellers to Dubai. We have chosen our locations based on convenient access to the major business and transport nodes, including malls, metro stations and offices.” Ali Hamad Lakhraim Alzaabi, president and CEO, Millennium & Copthorne MEA, added: “We are delighted to partner with Deyaar, a company of excellence in the real estate sector, to bring these exciting developments to the market. The projects will add to the breadth of Dubai’s hospitality offering, boosting the number of international standard, high quality hotel rooms and serviced apartment accommodation to meet rising demand,” he said.

Marriott International, Inc. has continued to pursue an ambitious growth strategy across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region announcing an impressive 14 new property signings so far in 2016. The signings will add to Marriott International’s current operating portfolio of 147 hotels in 20 countries across the Middle East and Africa, with the company also confirmed to open 11 new properties across the region by the end of this year. The latest collection of signings will see Marriott International expand its Middle East footprint by eight properties across the UAE, Egypt, Qatar and Kuwait, encompassing the Marriott Hotels, Courtyard by Marriott, Marriott Executive Apartments, Residence Inn by Marriott and Protea Hotels by Marriott brands. The company has also announced further growth to its African pipeline with the signing of six new properties under the JW Marriott Hotels, Autograph Collection and Protea Hotels by Marriott brands. Within the Middle East, Marriott International currently operates a total of 40 properties spanning eight brands. Today’s announcement will add a further five properties to Marriott International’s UAE presence as well as one property each in Egypt, Qatar and Kuwait. In Africa, Marriott International’s acquisition of Protea Hospitality Holding in 2014 is continuing to yield positive returns as the company signs a further six hotels in 2016 adding 1,040 rooms to its Africa pipeline. That pipeline will include two properties in Uganda and one property each in Nairobi, Botswana, Zambia and South Africa. Amongst the signed properties is a JW Marriott brand hotel in Nairobi and an Autograph Collection hotel in South Africa. Aside from the 14 new property signings in 2016, Marriott International has also confirmed that 11 new properties are set to …

Louvre Hotels Group, one of the largest hospitality groups in the world, has announced further expansion of its regional portfolio with today’s opening of a new 3-star hotel in the UAE – the Tulip Inn Ras Al Khaimah. Located in the heart of the city, with convenient proximity to the central business district and just minutes from Ras Al Khaimah’s famed beachfront locations, Tulip Inn offers 104 spacious and modern rooms and suites along with state-of-the-art business facilities and an elegant selection of restaurants and cafes to meet the needs of families as well as business travellers. Tulip Inn Ras Al Khaimah offers guests comfortable and well-equipped rooms and a comprehensive range of business facilities including three meeting rooms equipped with the latest audio and video technologies, complemented by top-quality dining options and impeccable service. With facilities and services that go beyond segment standards, Tulip Inn Ras Al Khaimah is poised to enhance the midscale value proposition as guests now have a modern and affordable hotel that ticks all the boxes for a comfortable stay. Tulip Inn Ras Al Khaimah is the first of many ventures between Louvre Hotels Group and Action Hotels Limited; one of the pioneers in the midscale hospitality sector, with already the Tulip Inn Jeddah confirmed to open soon among others in the pipeline.

As the excitement begins, Dubai Parks and Resorts announced the daily ticket prices for the theme park destination which will open on October 31 this year. Pre-purchased standard adult tickets will range from AED 240 to AED 330 for a one-day single park ticket, and will range from AED 480 to AED 890 for a multiple parks multiple days’ ticket. This unique destination is comprised of three theme parks – Bollywood Parks Dubai, MOTIONGATE Dubai, and LEGOLAND Dubai, together with the LEGOLAND Water Park. Guests will have access to nearly 100 exciting rides, attractions and shows on opening day at the destination located on Sheikh Zayed Road opposite the Palm Jebel Ali in Dubai.The gateway to the destination is Riverland Dubai, offering over 50 themed retail, dining, and entertainment experiences set across a waterfront district which is free for all to enjoy. The destination also hosts the Lapita Hotel, a Polynesian themed family hotel. Online ticket sales will go live shortly. Dubai Parks and Resorts will also feature a VIP ticket priced at AED 1,500 per park per day that will give guests a wide range of benefits, including but not limited to Q-Fast front of line access, a personal tour guide, discounts on food and beverage and retail purchases.  Regular daily ticket holders will be able to purchase the Q-Fast line access separately to enjoy reduced waiting time on rides and attractions, prices of the Q-Fast access for each theme park will be announced closer to the opening. Dubai Parks and Resorts will open to the public on 31 October 2016. Annual passes are currently on sale and available at DubaiParksandResorts.com.

Ramy Khairallah has been appointed as the new General Manager of Grand Excelsior Hotel – Al Barsha. With his expertise in revenue management, sales and marketing, he is now entrusted by Bin Haider Hospitality division of Mohammed Omar Bin Haider Group to oversee the daily successful operation of this 230 rooms property as the leading hotel branch of its brand. His previous appointment includes Louvre Hotels Group and Starwood Hotels and Resorts-The Luxury Collections where he stemmed the passion in developing sustainable environment through sharing his ideas of green initiatives.

Binu S. Varghese joins Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai as the new Director of Sales to further develop their growing portfolio of international, regional and national accounts. Varghese served as Executive Assistant Manager of Operations at Wyndham Dubai Marina. His 19 years’ of experience includes seven years with the Wyndham Hotel Group. He has vast experience over the EMA region as well as pre-openings in Bahrain, Tanzania and Ethiopia for the Wyndham Group.

Mahmoud Tabbara has joined Corinthia Hotel Khartoum as Director of Sales and Marketing to lead their team in affirming the property’s position as a leading five-star luxury hotel in Khartoum. A Lebanese national, Tabbara has gained experience within the hospitality sector while holding several senior positions with international hotel chains around the world including, Rotana, IHG, Ritz Carlton and Warwick. Having previously worked in Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Baghdad, he brings with him an extensive knowledge of sales and marketing in the Middle East.

International Swiss hospitality company Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts (MH&R) has appointed Olivier Chavy, as new CEO. Chavy will take over the leadership from Jean-Gabriel Pérès in September 2016. Chavy is a veteran of the hospitality industry with a 28-year track record in hotel operations and brand management. He served as International Head, Global Brand Performance of Luxury & Lifestyle Brands for Hilton Worldwide. His experience in brand building and development in the hospitality industry has led him to his current role as President and Chief Executive Officer of Wilson Associates, the leading global interior architectural design firm. Chavy received his Master in Business Administration from Cornell University, a postgraduate diploma from ESSEC Business School and a BA in Hotel Management from Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Hotel Management School in France.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Guenter Gebhard as General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum. Guenter Gebhard joined the Group in January 2016 from One & Only Hayman Island. Gebhard brings with him over 20 years of experience in the global luxury hospitality industry, with senior management roles at Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort in Morocco, Atlantis the Palm in Dubai, St. Regis, Bangkok and a global role as Director of Operations, Restaurants & Food and Beverage Operations at Jumeirah Group, together with other assignments in the Middle East, Germany and New York. A German national, he speaks a variety of European languages and has a good understanding of Arabic.