Tag Archives: Middle East and Africa

The Middle East and Africa (MEA) is starting to see some positive developments with regards to the easing of lockdown restrictions and signs of business and travel gradually reopening as per Sojern’s insights on June 1, 2020. On May 31, Dubai allowed 50 per cent of government staff to return to their offices, which will increase to 100 per cent capacity in offices from June 14. Curfews continue to be shortened, and a second phase of easing restrictions is planned for June 21 which will see the coronavirus curfew end in all areas of Saudi Arabia except for Mecca. Looking more specifically at the travel market, Saudi Arabia announced that domestic flights have returned, as of May 31, and from July 1 bookings will reopen for flights to 12 Arab countries, including Morocco and Lebanon. Whilst volumes are still lower than 2019 levels, when looking at the months travellers plan on visiting the region, there is a long-awaited, steady incline from August onwards. Search levels for departure dates to Egypt in March 2021 are only 38% below those for March 2020, further highlighting the steady route to recovery. The relaxation of lockdown measures and the reopening of selected flight routes across MEA has initially been focussed with domestic markets in mind. This is reflected when observing hotel search and booking volumes, with domestic trips showing growth ahead of international travel. The same story when looking at searches and bookings in relation to distance from the hotel. The majority of the region has experienced an increase in searches and bookings from domestic travellers situated in a 0-160 kilometre radius when we compare May to January, suggesting an increased interest in local …

Marriott International announced the opening of Aloft Palm Jumeirah, the first Aloft to open in Dubai. Located on the Eastern crescent of the Palm Jumeirah, the hotel offers 206 loft-inspired guestrooms with airy 9-foot-high ceilings and excellent views over the Arabian Gulf. All rooms feature the brand’s signature offerings, such as an ultra-comfortable plush bed, walk-in shower, Wi-Fi, 49-inch LCD TVs linked to a Plug & Play connectivity panel. Rooms are also equipped with SPG Keyless, the industry’s first truly mobile check-in system where guests can utilise their mobile phones as room keys. “We are thrilled to celebrate the opening of our first Aloft in Dubai, situated on one of the world’s most sought-after destinations – the Palm Jumeirah,” said Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. “We see a strong demand for Aloft properties in the region as the brand continues to redefine the traditional hotel experience with its vision and innovation.  In the UAE alone, the brand will double its portfolio in the next three years with five new openings,” he added.  

Marriot International announced the opening of its second hotel ‘Four Points by Sheraton’ in Nairobi Airport, Kenya. The all-new 172 room hotel features spacious and modern rooms including suites. Strategically situated within the main complex of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the hotel is within easy reach from major highways and overlooks the famous Nairobi National Park. “Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport is a great addition to our East Africa portfolio and strengthens our rapidly growing presence in the region,” said Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. It also offers exciting dining options including an all-day dining, a lobby café and a rooftop bar and grill, Tazama. Guests can also experience the brand’s signature Best Brews programme featuring a local craft pilsner created especially for the hotel in collaboration with the well-known Big Five Breweries.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) signed a management agreement with Kingston Holdings International Limited to develop a new Holiday Inn & Suites at Dubai Business Bay set to open in 2021. The signing complements IHG’s hotel pipeline in the area and includes a Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza and an InterContinental Residences. Holiday Inn & Suites Dubai Business Bay will be centrally located in Dubai’s commercial and lifestyle hub and in close proximity to major attractions such as Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. With 350 rooms, the hotel will offer guests two restaurants and a ballroom as well as one floor of dedicated meeting rooms to cater to business travellers. Pascal Gauvin, Chief Operating Officer, India, Middle East and Africa, IHG said, “We are delighted to partner with Kingston Holdings International Limited to further expand our presence in Dubai, a city that continues to offer excellent growth opportunities for our hotels. Business Bay is the fastest growing district in Dubai and this agreement is in line with our strategy to grow the popular Holiday Inn brand in emerging epicentres.

Millennium Hotels and Resorts, Middle East and Africa has signed a management agreement with Makkah Construction & Development Company, to operate Makkah Millennium Hotel and Makkah Millennium Towers, with effect from September 1, 2017. The move solidifies the Group’s target to open over 20 hotels in Saudi Arabia within the next four years. The 614-key Makkah Millennium Hotel is scheduled to go under extensive renovation with the plan to convert the hotel into a unique luxury property part of The Biltmore Collection set to provide the highest level of guest experience to pilgrim travellers. Meanwhile, the 802-room Makkah Millennium Towers adjacent to Makkah Millennium Hotel will deliver the high service standards expected from Millennium Collection. As the nearest hotels to Al Masjid Al Haram, with direct access to The Holy Kaaba, the properties occupy a premium location in Makkah, providing an ideal base for pilgrim travellers.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) will re-launch its business class service in Dubai on 16 June 2017 at an introductory rate of Dh2850. This is a move brought about by the increased demand for premium leisure and the corporate travel market among locals and expatriates in the region. Features and benefits include a 20.6-inch-wide seat which converts into fully flat bed, access to airport business class lounges, a 64-kilo baggage allowance (32kg x 2 pcs), a seven-kilo hand carry allowance, inflight entertainment, free-on-board Wi-Fi (MyPAL Player, myPAL Mobile and myPAL Wifi enabled) and a business travel kit. PAL will fly its 368-seater, A330 aircraft with 18 seats for business class. The flights will leave Dubai at 05:25 hours and arrive in Manila at 18:25 hours. Genaro “Bong” C. Velasquez, PAL Senior Asst Vice President and Regional Manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), said, “The UAE is home to more than 200 nationalities and more and more residents are looking at either vacationing or doing business travels in the Philippines. PAL’s re-launch of business class service is in response to the growing international holiday makers and corporate travellers in the Gulf region.”

St. Regis Hotels and Resorts announced the opening of The St. Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club. Owned by the Al Habtoor Group, the resort is feted as the first St. Regis property of its kind, promising exhilarating polo experiences combined with the brand’s iconic personalized service across 136 rooms and suites, 25 St. Regis branded villas and six culinary venues. The St. Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club is set around four lush polo fields, approximately 25 minutes from Dubai’s Downtown area. The association between St. Regis and polo emerged at the turn of the 20th century, as both polo and The St. Regis New York were essential to New York’s vibrant summer social scene. Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Founding Chairman, Al Habtoor Group, said: “The Al Habtoor Group creates luxury lifestyle destinations in Dubai. We are committed to growing with the UAE and promoting it as a tourism destination. The St. Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club is a unique destination that will attract equestrian enthusiasts locally, regionally and internationally.” “Today we are proud to debut the first St. Regis polo resort in the brand’s history with the opening of The St. Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club, featuring the bespoke service delivery for which the St. Regis brand is known,” said Alex Kyriakidis, President And Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. “This opening not only strengthens our collaboration with the Al Habtoor Group, but it also reinforces our leadership position in the United Arab Emirates and brand’s commitment to the ‘sport of kings’.”