Older properties across the Gulf will undergo major renovations to keep pace with the quality of new supply, with some even closing for complete refurbishment, according to a new report by hospitality business property advisor Christie + Co. International Business Outlook 2012, the annual business intelligence report released by the Dubai-based MENA office of Christie + Co, offers an impartial v...

In Cairo, Egypt, where protests have been widely broadcasted, occupancy declined by 29.5 percentage points to 36.1 percent in 2011 and average daily rate (ADR) declined by 3.3 percent to EGP706.26. In the usually popular leisure destinations of Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, and Hurghada, Egypt, occupancy reached 48.1 percent (-38.6 percent) and 57.2 percent (-28.7 percent), respectively. Unlike Cairo, ...

Fairmont is considered to be among the ten most famous hotel groups of the world, says the international hotel critic Heinz Horrmann. Fairmont's top brand Raffles Hotels International (FRHI) is present in Germany with the more than one hundred years old Four Seasons Grand Hotel in Hamburg as well as the recently entirely renovated Savoy Hotel London. Now the FRHI push their worldwide expansion. A...

A symbol of Dubai's resurgence and its growing importance at the centre of the global business crossroads will emerge later this year when the 1,608-room JW Marriott Marquis Dubai opens its doors to guests in Q4 this year. A stunning addition to Marriott International's JW Marriott world-class luxury hotel brand, the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai will open in two phases, with the first section featur...

Marriott International (NYSE: MAR) announced today that it has signed agreements with Prime Hospitality S.A. to manage its first two hotels in the Central African nation of Gabon: an upscale, 250-room Marriott Hotels & Resorts branded hotel and a 40-unit Marriott Executive Apartments extended stay hotel in Libreville. The Libreville Marriott Hotel and Marriott Executive Apartments, expected to op...

Best Western International has continued its Middle Eastern expansion with the launch of its first ever hotel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Located in the booming Gulf city of Al Khobar, the BEST WESTERN PLUS Sand Rose Suite Hotel features 48 rooms and suites, and a range of facilities to excite both business travellers and family groups.

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts signed an agreement with Faisal Bin Qassim Al-Thani & Sons Holding Company W.L.L to manage Shangri-La Hotel, Doha, as well as Traders Hotel, Doha. Both hotels are scheduled to open in 2013. The hotels will follow the introduction of their five sister properties in the region; Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai in July 2003, Traders Hotel, Dubai in July 2004, Shangri-La's Barr A...

Slow but steady. Our 2012 assessment of key geographic markets for the hotel industry is rounded out with a look at Africa. The South African office of HORWATH HTL contributes a look at prospects in its own backyard, while the rest of the continent is reviewed by W Hospitality in Nigeria.

Louvre Hotels Group, a major player in the hotel industry, is actively pursuing its development in France and abroad, and opened 62 new hotels worldwide in 2011 (7,000 rooms), i.e. 55% more than last year. The Group sustained its growth in France last year with 28 new openings (2000 rooms). (for further information on France, see press release from 6th January 2012)

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into agreements with Naseel Holding Company to manage three new Hyatt-branded hotels in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. With the addition of these three new hotel agreements, there are six Hyatt-branded hotels under development in Saudi Arabia across five of Hyatt's brands. Currently, there is one Hyatt-branded hot...