Category Archives: Hotels

Majid Al Futtaim has announced a new opening date for its flagship Mall of Oman. The mall is now scheduled to open its doors to customers in September 2021. The revised opening schedule has been put in place to ensure that Mall of Oman’s tenant partners are best placed, with ample time, support, and resources, to prepare their new stores adequately. This will enable them to deliver the quality of service they and Majid Al Futtaim are renowned for. Shireen El-Khatib, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim – Shopping Malls said, “We take great pride in crafting cherished memories for the friends and families that make up the communities in which we operate. To accomplish this, we believe we must make use of every resource and take every step that we can to deliver the standard of customer service for which we are acclaimed. That is precisely why we have taken this considered and thought-out decision to put in place a new opening date for Mall of Oman.” Mall of Oman is primed to become Majid Al Futtaim’s fifth and largest shopping and entertainment destination in the Sultanate. It will have 145,000 sqm of retail space, comprising of dining outlets and a range of lifestyle experiences. In addition to 350 retail outlets, the mall will also house Oman’s largest VOX Cinemas, a Magic Planet family entertainment centre, a 12,100 sqm Carrefour Hypermarket, and the largest indoor snow park in the Sultanate. Additionally, the mall will play a significant role in supporting local communities, enhancing the Sultanate’s retail and entertainment offerings for both residents and tourists, and boosting the local economy by creating 3,500 jobs once opened.

Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) has extended the deadline for implementation of the 19 Sustainability Requirements and Carbon Calculator submissions by 12 months. The requirements have been laid out to support the emirate’s hotel establishments in their compliance with Dubai Tourism’s hotel classification system, and the long-term objective of advancing sustainability performance across the sector.In light of the current situation surrounding the global COVID-19 pandemic, hotels will benefit from an additional 12 month implementation period to finalise their sustainability compliance, a decision that has has been announced by Dubai Tourism to strengthen the foundations for recovery of the hospitality sector. All requirements will now be mandated from 1 July 2021 with the extension also including the postponing of the Carbon Calculator monthly submissions until the same deadline. The 19 Sustainability Requirements include sustainable management approaches, performance metrics, energy, food and water management plans, guest education, employee training initiatives, the presence of sustainability committees within hotel establishments and corporate social responsibility programmes for local communities. Through improving internal sustainability operations, hotel establishments in turn will enhance the competitiveness of Dubai’s tourism-linked economy. Since its inception in January 2017, the Carbon Calculator – part of the Tourism Dirham Platform, is a tool that has been measuring the carbon footprint within Dubai’s hospitality sector. On a monthly basis hotels submit their consumption of 11 carbon emission sources, including; electricity, district cooling, water, waste, fuel for transportation, fuel for generators, fire extinguishers, and liquefied petroleum gas for analysis. This information is aggregated and analysed to provide valuable industry insights on the sector’s collective carbon footprint. In addition, by formulating a baseline along with consistent tracking, this information enables hotels to …

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) announced a partnership agreement with Accor as part of its strategy to develop AlUla as a tourism destination for nature, culture and heritage. The agreement will see Accor operate an expanded Ashar Resort under the Banyan Tree brand. There will be 47 new units added, which will bring the resort’s total number up to 82 high-end villas, along with a luxury spa and several gourmet restaurants. This will be guided by a sensitive design that allows each villa to blend discreetly into the striking natural scenery of the Ashar valley, located 15km from the Kingdom’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra. Commenting on the agreements, the CEO of the Royal Commission for AlUla, Amr Al Madani, said, “We’re working with the world’s best developers and hotel operators to deliver projects that complement our cultural oasis, as well as benefitting our local community. The partnership agreement with Accor is part of a major series of capital projects and multiple investments made by RCU into fifteen plans in AlUla, many of which will be announced in the coming months.” Sebastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Accor said, “In line with our commitment to grow Accor’s unique portfolio in Saudi Arabia, and as one of the first global hospitality groups to set foot in the Kingdom, we are extremely proud to take part in the development of the historic county of AlUla, thus celebrating the Kingdom’s vast heritage and culture.” Commenting on the agreement, Bander M. Alharbi, Head of Hotels and Resorts at the Royal Commission for AlUla, said, “The Ashar Resort forms part of our strategy to create an immersive boutique destination that offers transformative experiences …

Marriott International welcomed Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa to its unique ensemble of iconic hotels, marking the debut of the portfolio in the UAE capital. Just a 30-minute drive from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa is located deep within the expansive landscape of Abu Dhabi. With a design reminiscent of a historic desert village, it is an intimate retreat suffused with natural beauty, unique tranquillity, and rare experiences. “We are delighted to welcome Al Wathba, Desert Resort & Spa to our ensemble of hotels that define the destination and offer our global explorers an authentic desert experience alongside warm Arabian hospitality,” said Guido De Wilde, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East, Marriott International. “Abu Dhabi’s legacy as an international cultural destination with a rich history and heritage, together with the diversity of its dramatic landscapes, offers a unique opportunity for us to guide our guests on transformative journeys that touch their spirits and enrich their lives.” Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa offers cultural immersion opportunities to discover the rich heritage and history of the region. Guests can discover Fossil Dunes or tour the surrounding desert on horseback for an understanding of the Emirati passion for all things equine. The Al Wathba camel race track educates guests about the UAE’s 7th century tradition, and skilled falconers offer private shows of the UAE’s national bird. Al Wathba is also home to diverse flora and fauna, including 4,000 greater flamingos that call the Al Wathba Wetlands home. Guests can take a guided tour of the sabkhas, or sand flats, and dunes, for an insight into their inhabitants and bird migration patterns as well as discover the …

Heralding growing confidence among travellers in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Rotana has revealed that occupancy levels are continuing to rise at its properties. The company’s UAE portfolio recorded an average of 60% to 65% occupancy during the weekends since last month, with growth in guest numbers fuelled by an increasing demand for short ‘staycation’-style breaks among residents. Reflecting on the latest developments, Guy Hutchinson, President & CEO, Rotana commented, “The hospitality industry is embarking on the next phase of its recovery as guests begin to regain confidence in travel by enjoying local breaks. We are proud to contribute to the acceleration of this process through our industry-leading Rotana Safe Space programme, which has been very well received and enables guests to relax, safe in the knowledge that they are in caring hands at all of our properties.” Rotana also revealed that between 5% and 6% of bookings at its UAE properties have been made by overseas travellers, a number that is projected to rise as international flights gradually resume. The figures underline the resilience of the nation’s hospitality sector, which has successfully weathered the storm created by travel restrictions implemented around the world in response to the crisis. Hutchinson continued, “The UAE has done a tremendous job in containing the virus and is ready to welcome international guests, as highlighted by the recent WTTC Safe Travels stamps awarded across the country. While the journey toward a full recovery will take time, we are well on our way to rebuilding the trust of travellers and embracing the future with a renewed sense of optimism. We look forward to welcoming guests from around the world to share Treasured Time …

Aleph Hospitality took over the management of the Ramada by Wyndham Addis, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia earlier this year. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, which followed soon after takeover, the hotel was partially closed but fully re-opened on June 22, 2020. In support of Aleph Hospitality’s brand values and the company’s ‘count on us to put safety first’ campaign – featuring best in class health and hygiene protocols in line with the guidelines and regulations of the World Health Organization and local health authorities – the hotel has re-opened with a complete set of measures to protect the safety and wellbeing of its guests. Bani Haddad, Managing Director of Aleph Hospitality said, “The sector grew by 48.6% in 2018, according to the latest data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), and now represents 9.4% of Ethiopia’s total economy. Through our world-class systems and dedicated management support, as part of our third-party management model, welook forward to working with owners ADM Business PLC and to capitalising on this growth, which we are confident will deliver superior results for the owner in these challenging times.” Adugna Bekele, owner of the Ramada by Wyndham Addis said, “Addis Ababa is a truly cosmopolitan destination. Our hotel is in a superb location in the city centre and we offer warm, contemporary rooms and a choice of great restaurants. Now, with Aleph Hospitality as our trusted partner, I’m looking forward to both increasing the satisfaction of our valued guests and to boosting the profitability of our business for the long-term.” Haddad commented, “Makeda Abraham becomes the first female General Manager of Aleph Hospitality in Africa, a true milestone of which we are very proud. …

Radisson Hotel Group announced the acceleration of its expansion across the UAE with the signing of Radisson Hotel Fujairah. It is the group’s second hotel in the emirate, bringing its UAE portfolio to 24 hotels in operation and under development. Nestled between the Hajar Mountains and the Indian Ocean, Fujairah is situated on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates and overlooks the Gulf of Oman and the ocean. This picturesque town is the ideal well-rounded holiday destination with an abundance of natural beauty and countless activities. Fujairah has become a popular destination for both foreign and local travellers and is continually enhancing its tourism and infrastructure developments to cater to their needs. Boasting sea views, the hotel is located in Fujairah city centre, just 10 minutes from Fujairah International airport, making it an ideal location for both business and leisure travellers. Just one hour away is Dubai International Airport, allowing for convenient international travel Elie Milky, Vice President Development Middle East, Greece, Cyprus and Pakistan, Radisson Hotel Group, said, “We are extremely proud to further establish Radisson in the United Arab Emirates and particularly in the city of Fujairah with another prominent partner. We’re continuing to strengthen our position as the leading international hotel group in the region as we increase the contribution of tourism to the country’s economy. We thank our partners for their trust and look forward to an exciting and rewarding journey together.” Century Mall LLC said, “We are delighted to partner with Radisson Hotel Group on this project and look forward to successfully introducing the Scandinavian-inspired Radisson brand to the city of Fujairah.”

Rixos Hotels Egypt announced its highly-anticipated reopening, bringing in an exciting new chapter in the Rixos Hotels property after receiving the ‘safety certification’ from the Egypt Tourism Ministry. Rixos Premium Seagate and Rixos El Alamein will be opening its doors to the public on 1st of July, and RixosSharm El Sheikh is set to re-open on August 1. With the ongoing pandemic, Rixos Egypt made sure to meet the general regulations for hotels and tourism by the local tourism ministry in accordance with the World Health Organization’s standards to ensure the safety of both its staff and lodgers. Guests can rest assured that the three leading Rixos Hotels in Egypt complies with the highest standard of cleanliness and sanitation in line with the COVID-19 safety precautions. With precise cleaning and sterilisation implementation, vacationers will be ecstatic to experience soaking under the sun with related precautions at the hotel’s pool and aquapark pools. Sunbeds will also be available for guests to use with safety precautions. Guests gets to enjoy the scrumptious treat by the hotel’s main restaurants which will serve as open buffet but with proper food handling. Food choices of guests will be served by the chef themselves. Erkan Yildirim, General Manager of Rixos Egypt said, “Our guests are our top priority, and it is our goal to keep each one of them safe by bringing in a new prevention and safety initiative that focuses on what people value the most – a worry-free- luxury experience throughout their stay with us at Rixos. Even in the midst of adapting to the ‘new normal’, Rixos Hotel will never stop in providing guests the luxurious and first-class quality service they deserve during …

Radisson Hotel Group continues to expand its new brand architecture and further strengthen its presence across EMEA. The new signings re-affirm the Group’s commitment to its ambitious 5-year development plan. Elie Younes, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer, Radisson Hotel Group, said, “Our business is based on long term relationships built on trust and responsibility. Despite the unprecedented challenges we face, we continue to work closely with our stakeholders to support the business. We consequently expanded our footprint in Italy, France, Austria, Greece, Russia, Ukraine, the UAE and across Africa. This is thanks to the relevance of our brands and the dedication of our team. We are grateful to our hotel owners for trusting our brands and people” The fifteen new signings mark key milestones: Addition of six new hotels in Africa bringing the total to almost 100 hotels across 32 African markets; Cementing the groups’ position in Ukraine as the largest international operator with 7 hotels and 1,355 rooms in operation and under development; Further cementing the group’s leading position in Russia with two additional hotels; Third signing of the Radisson RED brand in Austria; Two new signings in the most renowned ski destination in Italy boosting the group’s portfolio to 10 hotels in operation and under development; and One new Radisson Blu property on the picturesque island of Santorini, one of the world´s most popular resort destinations.

The 235-room hotel in the heart of Dubai’s Media City extended its working relationship with Culligan Middle East as part of its health and safety measures following the lockdown, introducing a sanitiser produced at the company’s Dubai laboratory. Dubai’s drive to ensure a safe return for tourism has earned a five-star rating from a hotel which is seeing positive signals of business returning on a daily basis. “The government and all the local authorities put in a lot of effort to guarantee a very safe and smooth reopening process for all our hotel and F&B activities,” said Alfio Bernardini, General Manager of the Grand Plaza Movenpick Media City. “We should all be thankful for the way this new phase has been managed, and for the clear marketing and communication strategy by Dubai Tourism to keep Dubai as one of the safest and most desirable travel destinations.” Bernardini said, “As part of our new health and safety measures, the sanitiser is used in all public areas and restaurants to keep a safe environment for guests and team members.” Bernardini is cautiously optimistic about the speed of recovery for tourism in Dubai. “It would be challenging to predict how business will develop overall, as we face a global crisis that has impacted many dynamics at all levels,” he says. “Additionally, some countries that are typically considered key feeder markets for Dubai are not yet fully reopened, so it might take time to recover volumes. Nevertheless, we are slowly witnessing some initial improvements, and positive signals keep increasing on a daily basis. We understand that embracing change, being resilient and becoming more agile have become key factors to properly responding to and being …