Category Archives: Hotels

Radisson Hotel Group announced the debut of its fourth brand in the United Arab Emirates, with the opening of Radisson Hotel Dubai DAMAC Hills. This latest addition brings the group’s presence to 14 hotels in the United Arab Emirates and 77 hotels, resorts and serviced apartments in operation and under development across the Middle East. Located in a newly-developed, family-friendly neighborhood, the Radisson Hotel Dubai DAMAC Hills is a perfect home base for both business and leisure travelers alike. The hotel is conveniently situated close to a range of activities and attractions including the nearby IMG Worlds of Adventure, Global Village and Dubai Autodrome. An ideal location for golfers, Radisson Hotel Dubai DAMAC Hills is in close proximity to five golf courses such as Trump International Golf Course and Els Golf Club, some of the finest in the Middle East. “We are delighted to introduce our fourth brand, the fast-growing upscale Radisson, to the United Arab Emirates and open the doors of our fourteenth hotel in the country. The UAE remains a key market for us with a robust pipeline of hotels scheduled to open within the next 24 months. The tourism sector in Dubai continues to grow and flourish as a result of the Emirates’ remarkable vision in creating a world-class destination for entertainment and culture and we are excited to contribute to this growth,” says Tim Cordon, Area Senior Vice President, Middle East and Africa, at Radisson Hotel Group. Siddhartha Sattanathan, General Manager Radisson Hotel Dubai DAMAC Hills, commented, “No matter if for business or leisure, with our dedicated team and modern facilities, we aim to create more meaningful and memorable experiences for our guests. Located in the …

Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche is offering unmissable staycation packages, so you can spend quality time with your loved-ones during the Holy Month of Ramadan.  Book a staycation in a deluxe room with a relaxing view of the Arabian Gulf for as low as AED299/ per night. This rate is inclusive of breakfast or suhoor for two people. Half-board options, which include suhoor and iftar, or breakfast and lunch OR dinner for guests who are not fasting start is priced at AED379/ per night, while the full board package starts at AED429/ per night. For Iftar, Gourmet Garden will serve a special Ramadan spread featuring a range of traditional Ramadan dishes and beverages from the region, alongside a selection of international cuisine. Originally priced at AED199/, Gourmet Garden offers a special rate of AED99/ for the iftar buffet throughout the month of Ramadan. Kids aged six and below dine for free.

Ascott Rafal Olaya is amongst Riyadh’s prominent hotel apartments. Home to both leisure and business travellers, the property offers studios, one-, and two-bedroom apartments that boasts urban city views. Those planning a little staycation with family and friends, or are on the scout for luxurious living standards, Ascott Rafal Olaya is currently offering up to 25% off with the Escape in Style promotion. Guests can indulge in varied exclusive lifestyle amenities, separate for men, women, and children. These include swimming pools, a gymnasium, sauna, children’s playroom, prayer rooms, and locally popular restaurants that are situated on its ground floor – Don Puro and Opaline, that offer delicious Lebanese cuisine, and are an ideal choice for families wanting to celebrate iftar outdoors.

Hotelbeds announced a strategic partnership with Banyan Tree Group. With this agreement, Hotelbeds has secured exclusive offers and privileges for its customers at Banyan Tree Group’s 48 hotels across 22 countries. This new partnership will provide Banyan Tree Group with access to Hotelbeds’ 60,000 travel trade buyers based in more than 140 source markets worldwide, that includes high value channels such as travel agents, tour operators, airlines and points redemption programmes. With this strategic partnership, and in anticipation of the resumption of safe travel, Banyan Tree Group will benefit from expanding its customer reach, while giving Hotelbeds’ customers access to exclusive rates designed to inspire travel and help fuel the industry’s recovery. Jorge Cortés, Global Sourcing Director at Hotelbeds said, “Banyan Tree Group is one of our key partners with amazing properties in top destinations worldwide. Thanks to an exceptional business relationship, we are looking to increase our business with them and in turn, provide our global travel trade buyers the opportunity to book and experience its amazing hotels once safe travel resumes.” Bobby Ong, Vice President, Head of Growth from Banyan Tree Group said, “Hotelbeds is well-established in the hospitality industry with its extensive network. This strategic partnership highlights the collaboration of two forward-looking industry brands. With wellbeing and sustainability at our core, our Group’s multi-brand portfolio will cater to discerning customers with different needs for travel post-Covid. With this partnership, we are pleased to strengthen our global reach to travel trade buyers and welcome more international travellers to our awe-inspiring destinations around the world.”

Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel launches a stay package to support the recent government initiative of a Remote Work Visa and Multiple Entry Tourist Visa. With an attractive monthly rate starting from AED 4,350++ per month, employees and tourists can stay in one of the hotel’s 384 rooms with complimentary high-speed internet and avail complimentary use of a small meeting room facility once a month, 30% discount on Food and Beverage, 20% off on Laundry and Dry Cleaning, a Dubai Parks and Resorts 30% discount voucher, and access to the hotel’s gym and rooftop pool. Those looking to stay longer and moving to Dubai through the Remote Work Visa program can obtain a one-time cashback of their USD287 (AED1,100) visa cost when staying for a minimum of three months which can be used as hotel credit for any incremental charges applicable to dining, laundry, and other services utilized during the stay. “We laud the government’s recent initiatives that allow employees and other nationalities to stay in the UAE and enjoy the country’s safe and attractive business and leisure environment. Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel is ready to welcome entrepreneurs and talents who would like to call the UAE home without the need for employment. Our facilities and our convenient location will boost their productivity while they experience a positive quality of life that the UAE offers,” said Colin A. Baker, Regional Director, Middle East, StayWell Hospitality Group.

IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a franchise agreement with Bonnington Hospitality JLT for voco Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers Dubai. Currently operating as Bonnington Hotel, home to the world-renowned McGettigan’s Pub & Restaurant group, the hotel will feature 208 keys and is expected to be rebranded to voco by Q3 2021. After the first voco opening in the Middle East in 2019, this latest development marks the tenth voco hotel in the Middle East and Africa region and adds to the growing brand portfolio with operating hotels in Dubai, Riyadh and Al Khobar and a strong pipeline across key cities such as Jeddah, Doha and Johannesburg. Commenting on the signing, Matthew Tripolone, VP Development, Middle East and Africa, IHG said, “We are excited to be adding voco Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers Dubai to our UAE portfolio, in partnership with Bonnington Hospitality JLT. Since launching globally in 2018, voco has enjoyed rapid growth with multiple signings across the Middle East, and we are proud to introduce our second voco to Dubai, which is a priority market for us in the region. He added, “The brand offers a simplified conversion process, making it quick and easy for owners of high-quality independent hotels to become part of IHG’s system and drive higher returns thereafter. The brand also allows guests to enjoy an upscale experience with the freshness of a unique, independent hotel under a brand name they can trust.” Dennis McGettigan, Chief Executive Officer, Bonnington Hospitality and McGettigan Group, added, “We are delighted to announce our partnership with IHG and the voco brand. As a unique family-owned and operated hotel in Dubai, Bonnington Hotel meticulously provides each guest with the highest levels of …

Dubai Holding launched Hatta Dome Park, an exciting new glamping experience situated next to Hatta Wadi Hub, one of the UAE’s most popular eco-friendly adventure destinations. The resort has opened its doors to visitors.  This latest addition to Hatta’s glamping experience entails 15 dome-shaped, permanent luxury tents designed with panoramic windows offering majestic views of the Hatta mountain range. Hatta Dome Park is the perfect weekend getaway for families and groups of friends alike. The rooms come with the full range of amenities and are designed to accommodate two adults and two children. Each dome tent is equipped with its own private BBQ and fire pit within a large terrace space that allows for comfortable gathering. Located just a short walk from Hatta Wadi Hub, guests at HattaDome Park can enjoy an assortment of exciting activities, from mountain bike coaching and rentals to downhill mountain carting and trampoline jumping; as well as recently introduced activities by Dubai Holding, which include Zip Line, Climbing Wall, Slingshot, and Paragliding. In addition, guests can choose from a variety of F&B options to suit every taste, from the onsite coffee shop to the mixed-cuisine food trucks; and in turn, help support Hatta’s vibrant UAE National entrepreneur community. Joel Russo, Chief Hospitality Asset Management Officer at Dubai Holding commented, “Dubai Holding has been playing a key role in building Hatta’s tourism and investment potential, showcasing the beautiful mountain destination and its dynamic offering to the world. Hatta Dome Park is an excellent addition to Hatta Resorts, including Hatta Damani Lodges and Hatta SedrTrailers, and Wadi Hub, which have been running for three consecutive seasons since they first opened to the public in 2018, having welcomed …

The UAE tourism sector performed outstandingly in 2020 despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, revealed by the Ministry of Economy, noting that the sector was among the least affected and fastest to recover around the world. The UAE recorded a 54.7% hotel occupancy rate in 2020 – the second highest in the world behind only China – while the global rate dropped to 37% under the weight of the pandemic, and hotels in the Middle East region recorded just 43% occupancy. This is in parallel to the significant decline in tourist activity, which fell by 74% around the world and 76% in the region. “The global tourism industry bore the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic,” noted H.E. Al Falasi. “Guided by the directives of its wise leadership, the UAE was able to quickly contain the outbreak’s impact on the local tourism sector, relying on innovation and agility in its efforts to provide incentives, launch initiatives, and create opportunities to accelerate the recovery of the tourism sector and boost its contribution to GDP.” “Despite the tremendous challenges it brought onto the industry, the pandemic also created new opportunities for domestic tourism, with a surge in demand recorded over the past year, especially during the holidays and vacation season, and some establishments even reporting full occupancy. This reflects the high quality of the services the sector provides, which rank among the best in the world,” H.E. explained. “Strengthening domestic tourism is essential for ensuring the tourism sector’s full recovery and driving faster economic recuperation. The UAE can benefit from its advanced infrastructure, modern facilities, and wide range of services and activities to promote itself as a tourist destination with a lot …

Dubai College of Tourism (DCT) has announced a strategic partnership with Chalhoub Group. This partnership comes as part of DCT’s Medyaf programme, the industry nationalisation initiative aimed at preparing talented young UAE nationals for careers across tourism touchpoints including the retail sector. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Essa Bin Hadher, General Manager of DCT and Wassim Eid, President People & Culture at Chalhoub Group . The MOU will pave the way for the development and career support of DCT students and UAE nationals in various roles in the retail sector. Essa Bin Hadher, General Manager of Dubai College of Tourism, commented, “Our partnership with Chalhoub Group will provide a major boost to our Medyaf programme to create more opportunities for talented Emiratis to work in the retail sector. The continuing collaboration with the private sector in Dubai comes within the framework of strategic measures being undertaken to meet a key goal of Dubai’s tourism strategy to make the city the world’s No.1 most visited, revisited and preferred destination.  During these challenging times, there is even greater urgency to expand the pool of local talent by working with industry partners like the Chalhoub Group to achieve the goals of our industry nationalisation drive, a critical element in strengthening the city’s tourist-facing workforce and adding to the sustainability and growth of our industry.” Commenting on the agreement, Wassim Eid, President People & Culture, Chalhoub Group, said, “We are proud to partner with the Dubai College of Tourism to support a new generation workforce and attract UAE nationals to join the luxury retail sector. DCT is giving young talents a great opportunity by introducing them to the private sector and …

IHG Hotels & Resorts has appointed Haitham Mattar as managing director of India, Middle East & Africa (IMEA), replacing the outgoing Pascal Gauvin who left the post at the end of 2020. Mattar will take up the position from April 18.With more than 25 years of experience, he will be responsible for driving IHG’s business in the Middle East, Africa and the South West Asia region, covering both development and operations responsibilities across a portfolio of 165 operational hotels and a pipeline of over 100 properties. Mattar joins IHG from the Saudi Ministry of Tourism where, as senior advisor and a member of the Executive Leadership Committee, he contributed to the development and implementation of Saudi’s sustainable tourism strategy to become one of the world’s top tourist destinations. Previously, he spent four years as CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, reporting to HH Sheikh Saud Bin SaqrAl Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of RasAl Khaimah. It is not the first time Mattar has worked at IHG, having previously spent 11 years at the group from 2000 to 2011 in various operations, commercial and sales and marketing positions based in the region. In his new role, he will be based in IHG’s Dubai office and will report to Kenneth Macpherson, chief executive officer, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa (EMEAA). Macpherson said, “I am very pleased to welcome Haitham back to IHG and lead our business in IMEA at such a crucial time for the travel and tourism industry. Haitham has a wealth of experience within the sector and has been at the forefront of several important strategic initiatives in the region over the last decade. …