Category Archives: Hotels

Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH), a listed company at Abu Dhabi Stock Market operating Hotels, Catering, Tours and Transportation, has acquired a prime plot on Al Marjan Island to develop a AED 1 Billion luxury Resort with 1,000 rooms, spread over 1 million square feet overlooking the Arabian Gulf. The investment highlights the appeal of Al Marjan Island as one of the top tourist destinations in the UAE with several global hotel operators already having made significant investments. Arch. Abdulla Al Abdooli, CEO of Marjan, said: “Ras Al Khaimah’s strength is its fully diversified economy with the leadership focused on promoting trade, tourism, hospitality, and manufacturing. Over the years, the Emirate has strengthened its reputation as an investment, hospitality, and tourism hub, attracting high-profile investments and featuring world-class assets. Marjan continues to establish high-end projects in the hospitality, leisure and sports sectors to support the destination strategy of the Emirate. The investment by ADNH to develop a luxury resort in Al Marjan Island reflects its confidence in the potential of the destination and will catalyse additional investments.” Sheikh Ahmed Aldhaheri, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of ADNH, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to expand and position into other Emirates. Our strong believe in the potential, economy and leadership of the UAE were the main catalyst of this investment.” Khalid Anib, CEO of ADNH, said: “At ADNH, we are confident that our investment in Ras al Khaimah will create strong returns to our shareholders and enhance UAE as a leading travel and hospitality destination. This luxury Resort will complement our existing portfolio across Abu Dhabi and Dubai.” Al Marjan Island by Marjan has more than 3,000 hotel rooms, including Hampton by …

Marriott International announced that its unique hospitality training program, Tahseen, celebrated its first graduating class in Egypt. Developed in partnership with Helwan University and Professional Development Foundation, the company created the unique programme for Egypt in 2018 to support its commitment to further enhance tourism education in the country. The inaugural graduating class featured 80 students who completed the first of its kind Bachelors of Hotel Operations Management Degree. The celebration took place at The St. Regis Cairo with all 80 students accompanied by their families. The milestone event was hosted by Satya Anand, President, Europe Middle East & Africa, Marriott International and was attended by Professor Dr. Hosam Refai, Acting President, Helwan University and Mohammed Farouk Hafeez, Chairman, Professional Development Foundation, along with other senior officials from the organizations. Satya Anand, President, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International said, “We are excited to celebrate the first group of graduates as part of our Tahseen programme in Egypt.  Tahseen is focused on providing young people with the skills and experience to grow and thrive in the hospitality business and to be part of the success of Egypt’s travel and tourism sector. As a company, we remain committed to enhancing tourism education in Egypt and developing the next wave of exciting and impactful local hospitality leaders in the country.” Tahseen was launched in 2018 in partnership with Helwan University and Professional Development Foundation to focus on fast-tracking the next generation of hospitality leaders by providing them with firsthand experience of the industry and a springboard to launch successful careers in hospitality. In 2019, the programme received the Ministry of Higher Education’s approval in Egypt and earned bachelor’s degree accreditation. Today, …

Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the region with over 100 properties across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe and Türkiye, announced at the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS), the opening of two new hotels under its latest brand, Edge by Rotana. Arabian Park Hotel and Damac Hills 2 Hotel will open in October 2022 and November 2022, respectively. Launched in May 2022, Edge by Rotana is a collection of independent properties that maintain their individuality while receiving access to the group’s extensive network and systems. Through a four-pillared approach, Edge by Rotana ensures performance remains at the forefront while maximising revenue and establishing loyalty. Commenting on the announcement, Guy Hutchinson, President and CEO of Rotana, said: “We are excited to announce the upcoming opening of two new Edge by Rotana managed hotels in Dubai. The new properties will add 623 keys to our growing portfolio and further diversify our offering to respond to increasing demand. The tourism sector is thriving with global events around the corner and we look forward to new developments as we remain on track with our expansion plans.” Set to launch in October 2022, Arabian Park is an Edge by Rotana managed hotel located in the thriving Al Jaddaf district, a premier business and lifestyle community connecting old and new Dubai, offering guests convenience, leisure, and meeting facilities. With 328 bright and modern hotel rooms, all designed with the latest in-room technology and comfort, with a pool or city view, the newly refurbished hotel is ideal for business or leisure groups. Guests can indulge in an all-day dining restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Cheers Pub with a variety of bar bites, mocktails …

Launching in October, Steigenberger Residence Doha will include 278 uniquely furnished apartments offering the comforts of a home and a stylish space that allows guests to relax and recharge. Guest facilities include a rooftop swimming pool, gym, yoga room, the GOCO Spa and the culinary offer of five restaurants and bars. “The Qatar hotel segments have a lot of potential as it is accessible for all key tourism source markets, and with the country preparing to host one of the world’s largest sporting events in November, we believe the opening of Steigenberger Residence Doha will be a pivotal step in our expansion journey,” Nierhaus concludes. Deutsche Hospitality continues to strengthen its foothold in the Middle East to meet the ever-growing demand for hotel rooms in the mid to upscale segment in 2022 and coming year.  The group’s regional portfolio currently comprises 23 properties in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, UAE and Egypt. Its worldwide footprint extends to more than 160 hotels across three continents.    

Tourism Ireland will showcase their luxury offerings at TFest, the luxury B2B event to be held from 2nd to 6th October 2022 at the Atlantis the Palm. Olivia Frawley – Executive Pan Market Luxury, Tourism Ireland shared, “Tourism Ireland is excited to elevate our presence at TFest 2022 and partake as a Preferred Partner in the Global Village. As an organization we see the immense value in this unique tradeshow format which allows for relationships to be cultivated and enhanced through shared experiences and meetings.  After a difficult few years, the industry and Tourism Ireland realizes the importance of meeting in person and deepening existing relationships and growing the awareness of Ireland as a Luxury destination.” Frawley reiterated that they will be joined by 14 iconic luxury Island of Ireland industry partners. “These partners include: Adare Manor, Ashford Castle, Cashel Palace Hotel, Galgorm, Culloden Estate, Hayfield Manor, K Club, The Merrion Hotel, The Shelbourne Hotel, MHL Collection, Trump Hotel & Golf Resort Doonbeg, Irelands Blue Book, By Appointment DMC and Luxurious Ireland. As part of our afternoon Experiences on the Tourism Ireland stand in the Global Village we are excited to bring our concept to life as we are showcasing Ireland through unique experiences this year  – ‘Awakening your senses in Ireland’ and will be bringing friends from Ireland with us to bring this to life:” She mentioned some of the curated experiences available onsite at the event, not to be missed by the trade partners throughout the event. On Monday and Tuesday will be immersive taste and tour experiences, which would open the culinary sense of the word. She explains, “Have you ever wondered why you gravitate towards a …

Arabian Travel Market (ATM), the leading travel and tourism event for inbound and outbound tourism professionals throughout the Middle East, has signed an agreement with IHG Hotels & Resorts, to become its Official Hotel Partner for ATM 2023, which takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre on 1-4 May.  Leading international hospitality group IHG, will officially accommodate almost 200 leading international media and key industry buyers from the UK, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Israel, Turkey, India, the GCC, US, Egypt and South Africa. The agreement will enable IHG to showcase their InterContinental branded properties in Dubai, as well as voco Hotels, Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts and Hotel Indigo to top industry professionals representing luxury, leisure, MICE and business travel. In addition, IHG will also host the coveted Official ATM Party. The theme of next year’s ATM showcase is “Working Towards Net Zero” and RX (Reed Exhibitions) the organiser of ATM, will celebrate its 30th annual event by unveiling a dedicated sustainability pledge, not only to make the ATM 2023 event more sustainable, but to announce 30 long term goals, as ATM works towards Net Zero in line with the RX Global pledge. Commenting on the announcement, Haitham Mattar, IHG’s MD for IMEA said: “We are pleased to extend our long-term relationship with RX as their hotel partner for Arabian Travel Market 2023. We are especially keen on the show’s theme “Working towards Net Zero” as it is well aligned with IHG’s ‘Journey to Tomorrow’ – our ten-year responsible business agenda focused on our people, planet and communities. “The partnership presents a great opportunity for IHG to showcase the work that we are doing on a series of far-reaching …

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the opening of Grand Hyatt Kuwait – the first Grand Hyatt hotel in the country. The 302-room luxury hotel is situated at 360 Mall – one of the nation’s most immersive luxury, leisure and lifestyle complexes. Grand Hyatt Kuwait is the second Hyatt branded hotel in Kuwait, the sixth hotel under the Grand Hyatt brand in the Middle East, and the twenty-ninth Hyatt branded hotel in the region, all of which participate in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. Infusing regionally inspired art with modern interior design, the iconic hotel is the ideal destination for guests to discover the country’s cultural, entertainment, and artistic offerings. “Grand Hyatt Kuwait offers global travelers superior hospitality services against a backdrop of majestic architectural design coupled with world-class culinary, leisure and entertainment experiences under one roof; a truly distinctive proposition,” said Federico Mantoani, general manager at Grand Hyatt Kuwait. “We are thrilled to open the first Grand Hyatt hotel in Kuwait, and we look forward to welcoming guests seeking a memorable experience from this magnificent destination.” Grand Hyatt Kuwait represents a new era of progression and innovation in luxury tied to the government’s Vision 2035, which aims to boost tourism through innovative and sustained investment in hospitality infrastructure. Offering business travelers, leisure guests and locals a superlative selection of world-class culinary and leisure experiences the hotel features four unique restaurants, a fitness center, a premium spa and a variety of elegant event spaces. In addition to being centrally situated in the heart of the 360 Mall extension, the hotel also conveniently connects to one of the country’s premier event venues, The Arena Kuwait, which features 38,750 square feet (3,600 square …

Hatta Resorts by Dubai Holding opens today for its much-awaited Season 5 with captivating stay propositions, exciting new adventure attractions, and an expanded calendar of activities. Poised to drive record levels of local, regional, and international visitors to the scenic Hajar mountains, where temperatures are regularly several degrees cooler than the city, the eco-tourism hub’s diverse mix of accommodation, activities and dining options is now open to welcome visitors throughout the season. After attracting more than 1.25 million visitors in 2021, including more than 200,000 visitors from 125 countries who stayed overnight at Hatta Resorts, the exhilarating region is launching an all-new, multipurpose adventure ropes course catering to thrill-seeking children and adults. This season, yoga enthusiasts can also enjoy sunrise and sunset yoga sessions at the destination. In addition to the new rope course and yoga experiences, this year’s all-action attraction roster of activities includes ziplining, mountain biking, four-wheel electric off-roading ‘Rovers’, horse and camel riding, rock climbing, paragliding, hiking, kayaking, pedal boating, football zorbing, archery, axe throwing, and water slides ‘Hatta Drop-in’, just to name a few.   “As a major jewel in the crown of the emirate’s holistic tourism, Hatta’s position as a multi-faceted sustainable tourism destination perfectly complements the urban appeal of Dubai,” said Roudi Soubra, Executive Director – Asset Management, Dubai Holding. “Ahead of Hatta Resorts and its Wadi Hub Season 5 activities, the secret is well and truly out, and our year-on-year growth in overnight guests highlights the area’s undeniable appeal to adventure and relaxation seekers. We look forward to another record-breaking visitor season further cementing the destination’s unique potential,” Soubra added. Go-getting experiential travellers searching for unique overnight stays can now enjoy inclusive breakfast …

Marriott International announced that its unique hospitality training program, Tahseen, celebrated its first graduating class in Egypt. Developed in partnership with Helwan University and Professional Development Foundation, the company created the unique programme for Egypt in 2018 to support its commitment to further enhance tourism education in the country. The inaugural graduating class featured 80 students who completed the first of its kind Bachelors of Hotel Operations Management Degree. The celebration took place at The St. Regis Cairo with all 80 students accompanied by their families. The milestone event was hosted by Satya Anand, President, Europe Middle East & Africa, Marriott International and was attended by Professor Dr. Hosam Refai, Acting President, Helwan University and Mohammed Farouk Hafeez, Chairman, Professional Development Foundation, along with other senior officials from the organizations. Satya Anand, President, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International said, “We are excited to celebrate the first group of graduates as part of our Tahseen programme in Egypt.  Tahseen is focused on providing young people with the skills and experience to grow and thrive in the hospitality business and to be part of the success of Egypt’s travel and tourism sector. As a company, we remain committed to enhancing tourism education in Egypt and developing the next wave of exciting and impactful local hospitality leaders in the country.” Tahseen was launched in 2018 in partnership with Helwan University and Professional Development Foundation to focus on fast-tracking the next generation of hospitality leaders by providing them with firsthand experience of the industry and a springboard to launch successful careers in hospitality. In 2019, the programme received the Ministry of Higher Education’s approval in Egypt and earned bachelor’s degree accreditation. Today, …

Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in Oman conducted a special promotional roadshow in five major source cities in India recently. The roadshow comprised a delegation from the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Omani tour operators, hotels, and airlines. These roadshows were held in New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore. The aim of this five city roadshow was to showcase outstanding experiences in Oman’s unique destinations and promote unique travel experiences for leisure, weddings, conferences and exhibitions. In July alone, the number of visitors, including those from India to Oman reached 36,087, the highest in the last decade. This year, arrivals from India reached 167,678 between January to July. Commenting on the launch of the promotional roadshow, Ms Asma Salim Al Hajri, Deputy Director General for Tourism Promotion at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, said: “India is one of the most important source markets for the Sultanate of Oman under our marketing and promotional strategy for all target segments. The roadshow will showcase the unique selling points (USPs) of destinations in Oman that will pique their interest to inspire Indian tourists to travel.” “We also seek to promote the Sultanate as an attractive destination for weddings as this is one of the growing tourism segments, especially for visitors from India. With its pristine nature, picturesque beaches and unique architecture, Oman has seen many Indian weddings for its exceptional capabilities in terms of logistical facilities and accommodation,” she added. Al Hajri also said that the Sultanate of Oman is a multi-season destination known for its natural beauty, cultural heritage and hospitality. It has been attracting tourists of all categories for years. “We want to attract more high-income travellers from around …