Category Archives: Hotels

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) is working closely with hospitality partners and government authorities to safely welcome guests back to the Emirate as restrictions are gradually eased, and hotel pools and beaches become accessible to visitors. To ensure the wellbeing and safety of visitors and employees, the Authority is in ongoing dialogue with hotel partners to ensure they are strictly adhering to government and public health guidelines and complying with all social distancing advisories from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the UAE Federal Authorities. RAKTDA is also working closely with the Public Service Department (PSD) to oversee a dedicated certification process – the RAK ‘Stay Safe’ Hotel Certification – whereby hotels are required to fulfil a detailed set of measures to attain the certification. Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority comments, “We are working closely with our hospitality partners and Government Authorities to ensure the highest standards of hygiene are maintained and that all social distancing advisories are strictly adhered to across the Emirate. Detailed guidance has been shared with our industry partners indicating best practice measures to be implemented across all operations and divisions.” He added, “To help reassure our guests, colleagues and residents, we have also introduced the RAK ‘Stay Safe’ Hotel Certification that, once awarded, hotels can use to demonstrate their adoption of all the measures in place to protect everyone’s wellbeing. We know that many people are looking forward to what we’ve termed a ‘shortcation’ or longer holiday and our aim is give them the confidence that they can comfortably enjoy their time in Ras Al Khaimah.”

Ascott has offered ‘Advanced Purchase’ promo of up to 25 per cent across its properties in the Middle East and Turkey region. The hotel apartments cater to both long- and short-term guests on business and leisure. The promo which can be availed on bookings made minimum 21 days in advance, offers discount on exclusive and comprehensive living throughout the year in Al Khobar, Dubai, Jeddah, Istanbul, Manama, Muscat and Riyadh. Ascott, a renowned name in the hospitality world, prides itself as a home-away-from-home brand.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has introduced an exclusive ‘Booking with Confidence’ group meeting offer. Valid until January 31, 2021, Mandarin Oriental will waive any cancellation fees should government and travel guidelines give rise to event cancellation, provided that advance notice is received at least 30 days ahead of the event. Meeting planners can also enjoy a range of group concessions and will have the unique opportunity to create meeting environments conducive to success with Mindful Meetings by Mandarin Oriental, a global initiative designed to enhance and energise meetings and conferences with creative wellness-centric solutions. Examples of wellness enhancements include healthy and invigorating menu choices, yoga sessions, guided meditations, digital wellness and jet lag tips, massage and movement breaks, custom spa events, expert health talks and group exercise activities to help participants feel refreshed, motivated and ready to absorb information, implement new ideas, and establish connections, which are more important than ever in challenging times. The ‘Booking with Confidence’ offer is applicable to group bookings with a minimum of 10 rooms over a duration of two nights or more, and includes the following benefits: Complimentary Mindful Meeting Wellness Break which features a 30-minute guided wellness activity such as meditation or yoga for participants in the meeting space; One complimentary guest room per 20 guest room nights paid; One complimentary room upgrade to a suite per 20 guest rooms paid (subject to availability); Complimentary Wi-Fi for attendees registering online for Fans of MO, Mandarin Oriental’s guest recognition programme; Complimentary amenities for all guests upon arrival; Room rate applicable three days pre- and post-group arrival; A dedicated Conference Service Manager on-site; A two-night complimentary stay for a site inspection prior to the event.

Radisson Hotel Group announces its Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol, a new program of in-depth cleanliness and disinfection procedures, in partnership with SGS. The Group’s highest priorities is the continued health, safety and security of its guests, team members, and business partners. The company has conducted a thorough review of all existing health and safety processes and worked with a team of experts to develop and validate additional protocols. These enhanced protocols, operational guidance and comprehensive health and safety procedures validated by SGS, will be adapted based on local requirements and recommendations, to ensure guests’ safety and peace of mind from check-in to check-out. Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol will further strengthen Radisson Hotel Group’s existing rigorous sanitation, cleanliness and disinfection guidelines at hotels globally. “The world has been fundamentally changed by COVID-19 so it is key that we strive to protect all who work, stay and partner with us as we re-open our doors to a new era of travel. To do this we have thoroughly examined all areas of the hotel experience, and we are proud to have partnered with SGS to create our Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol program.” says Federico J. González, CEO, Radisson Hospitality AB and Chairman of Radisson Hotel Group’s Global Steering Committee. Frankie Ng, CEO of SGS, adds that, “SGS’ global leadership in the Travel & Hospitality sector has enabled our network of health and safety experts to develop a comprehensive and straightforward protocol to check management procedures and disinfection status of hotels. Our goal is to ensure that maximum hygiene standards are met, to protect guests as well as Radisson Hotel Group team members.”

TIME Hotels has launched two new promotional packages making it more convenient and wallet-friendly to book a stay at any of their properties in the UAE, as the country takes tentative steps to ease out of COVID-19 lockdown. Due to the current uncertainty surrounding the lifting of travel bans and the commencement of flights, TIME Hotels is rolling out a fully flexible booking option. Not only will guests be able to book now and pay for their stay when they check-in, they will also be able to take advantage of free cancellations, modify their booking free of charge, and enjoy a 4pm check-out on their final day. Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TIME Hotels, said, “We’ve designed this package to give our loyal customers the confidence to book their stay in the knowledge that regardless of the circumstances, if bookings are cancelled or moved to alternative dates, no payment or penalties will be incurred.” “COVID-19 has impacted people more than we could have ever imagined. We therefore want to make the booking decision as simple and as risk-free as possible to ensure our guests have the opportunity to book a future trip, whether that’s with family or on business, with the understanding they won’t be impacted financially should their circumstances change. We fully believe offering uncompromising flexibility and value to our guests during these difficult times is not only the correct thing to do, but also provides the first steps of tentative recovery after COVID-19,” he added.  

Guy Hutchinson, President and CEO of Rotana, has issued a statement outlining his hopes for the future of the hospitality industry in the wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Hutchinson praised the region’s governments, frontline healthcare professionals and other key workers for their decisive response to the global crisis, and urged the public to adhere to social distancing guidelines during the holy month of Ramadan. “Although we will miss our traditional gatherings, this is a sacrifice we must all be prepared to accept for the greater good. By uniting behind this shared sense of purpose, we are coming together as a community in new and profound ways,” commented Hutchinson. He went on to share details of Rotana’s efforts to support guests, staff and communities across the region, which include the adoption of stringent hygiene protocols and extending the use of Rotana properties to governments to assist in their efforts to combat the spread of the virus. The statement ended on an optimistic note, as Hutchinson shared his vision for the industry in a post-crisis landscape, “The hospitality sector will surely recover. Whether our new reality will be the same as before remains to be seen. Speaking as a passionate hotelier, I would like to think there will be some differences. I believe the dark hours we have faced will lead to a heightened appreciation for the joy of travel, making us realise just how privileged we are to serve our guests through this incredible industry. Together, we will reach those brighter days ahead.”

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) is working closely with the Emirate’s Public Service Department (PSD), to create a certification programme, Deemed as the RAK ‘Stay Safe’ Hotel Certification, aimed at the Emirate’s hospitality providers. The certification process will be determined by a series of measures targeted at the various hotel departments and an official assessment, once in the recovery phase of the COVID-19 outbreak. The effort aims to boost confidence and rebuild trust in the destination’s tourism once the necessary travel restrictions are lifted. Measures will include a full sterilisation programme, conducted alongside the PSD, currently implementing the National Sterilization Program in the Emirate, as well as training on appropriate guest interactions, employee engagement, elevated property hygiene standards, and operational procedures to be actioned in the recovery phase. “Achievement of this certification will result in the hotels being endorsed by the relevant authorities, thereby supporting the public’s confidence in their offerings”, shared Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority. The Authority’s four-step road to recovery places initial focus on the domestic market, followed by the GCC and wider Middle East, to then be extended to Asia and Europe. The first phase of recovery will see the launch of the UAE ‘Shortcation’ campaign, offering guests staying three nights at Ras Al Khaimah hotels, two complementary passes to attractions such as the Jais Adventure Peak and the Suwaidi Peal Farm. This will be introduced when the necessary travel restrictions are lifted and the federal authorities deem travel safe to proceed and will run in addition to the ‘Kids Go Free’ promotion across hospitality and dining sectors. These efforts alongside the RAK ‘Stay Safe’ Hotel Certification, aim to …

The CEO of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) Amr AlMadani joined fellow hospitality leaders this week to discuss the future of the industry in the Hospitality Tomorrow virtual forum, hosted by Bench Global Events and watched by a global audience of thousands. The talk was co-hosted by Anita Mendiratta, Special Advisor to the Secretary General at the United Nations World Trade Organisation and member of RCU’s Advisory Board, under the title ‘Legacy, Sustaining Growth through Adversity’. Amr AlMadani, CEO, RCU began by highlighting resilience and innovation as key to the industry’s growth, emphasising that travel in the future will be driven by a desire for deeper, transformative experiences founded in a strong sense of community. As an example, AlMadani noted that AlUla had 250,000 years of history, amid an authentic Arabian landscape, with its own community creatively engaged in its tourism industry. Expanding on the theme of growth, AlMadani emphasised that AlUla remained open to investment, and argued that the future growth of the wider industry is dependent on lowering barriers to investment to fuel innovation. In this regard, he noted that RCU was taking an open-minded approach to current challenges but also that RCU was still signing contracts and remained committed to its partners. Amr AlMadani said, “In RCU, we are banking on a strong recovery for the industry, but one that will newly focus on offering people deeper, more experiential and transformative tourism options – rather than simply a photograph. In AlUla, we have 250,000 years of history for visitors to experience a true, unique locality of Arabian and world heritage, supported by creativity and innovation in our community, projects, and our partners.” Anita Mendiratta said, “Legacy  …

Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH) requested all hotel groups to be considerate towards their staff members in time of COVID-19 outbreak, when hospitality industry is at a standstill. Giant hotel groups operate in different countries, some with strong social security systems while others offering weak or totally inexistent support, leaving employees at risk when forced out of work. Khalid Anib – Chief Executive Officer – Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH), said “I urge operators to act responsibly and share a tiny portion of their generous fees collected during the previous years to support the staff across all levels, particularly associates at the properties; and to seriously consider creating some sort of solidarity fund dedicated to preserve the dignity of employees should something like this arise in the future.” The hospitality industry all over the world has been dramatically disrupted by the ongoing drastic measures imposed yet critical to preserve life. The main focus facing every hotel owner today is how to deal with this unprecedented challenge of occupancies having reached unbearable levels in a very short period of time with growing uncertainties around the rebound and related timing. Forcing employees to be on paid / unpaid leaves is unfortunately necessary to partially reduce payroll costs; owners will continue to bear in full all other employee benefits: accommodation, food, insurance etc. along with other massive fixed liabilities such as loans and interest repayments / building maintenance and insurances / necessary capital expenditures and others. Anib added, “I have recommended the release of a portion of each employee’s accrued end of service benefit to financially help them to support their loved ones’ back home during such difficult times. I would like to …

Today more than half Accor branded hotels worldwide are closed, likely over two thirds in the coming weeks. The abrupt deterioration in the situation has prompted the Group to take drastic actions across its global operations; hence it has launched ‘ALL Heartist Fund’, a COVID-19 special financial program. In these unprecedented times, the Group stands more than ever by its employees, partners and communities, providing time, resources and access to its local and global network. Given the situation, the Group has decided to take aggressive, incremental actions. Collectively, these include: travel ban, hiring freeze, reduced schedules and /or furloughing for 75 per cent of global head office teams for Q2, resulting in a minimum €60m reduction in G&A for 2020; reviewed recurring investment plan for 2020 resulting in a €60m reduction in capital expenditures; the Group is further streamlining all other costs (e.g. sales, marketing, IT), in line with lower system wide revenues. In these unchartered territories, Accor’s Board of Directors has decided to complement management actions outlined above, by withdrawing its proposal for a 2019 dividend payment of c. €280m. After consulting with the Group’s main shareholders, JinJiang International, Qatar Investment Authority, Kingdom Holding Company and Harris Associates, Accor has decided to allocate 25 per cent of the planned dividend (€70m) to the launch of the ‘ALL Heartist Fund’, a COVID-19 special purpose vehicle. This fund will typically assist: Group’s 300,000 employees, pledging to pay for their COVID-19-related hospital expenses, for those who do not have social security or medical insurance; on a case by case basis, furloughed employees suffering great financial distress; on a case by case basis, individual partners facing financial difficulty This fund reflects the ambition …