Swiss-Belhotel International has recently signed a four star hotel in Al Khobar which is expected to start operating by the end of this year, marking its first property in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.
RIU Hotels & Resorts and Dubai master developer Nakheel have formally signed their business partnership agreement. Ali Rashid Lootah, Chairman of one of the Middle East's biggest developers, travelled to Mallorca to sign the joint venture agreement with Luis Riu, CEO of RIU Hotels.
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Eastern Europe, has revealed plans to further expand its presence in the United Arab Emirates. The company is set to open 9 new hotels in the UAE over the next five years, including 4 properties in the capital Abu Dhabi and another 5 properties in Dubai, Guy Hutchinson, the company's Chief Operating Officer, stated during the hotel group's 2016 GCC Roadshow.
The new properties include five under the "Rotana Hotels & Resorts" brand, three under the "Arjaan hotel apartments by Rotana" brand, and one under Rotana's lifestyle affordable hotel brand, "Centro by Rotana". Together, these hotels will add 3,598 keys to the company's existing 9,584-strong room count in the UAE only, and will take the total number of Rotana properties in the UAE to 44 by 2020.
The Rotana Hotels 2016 GCC Road Show saw the region's premier hotel group signal its intent to consolidate its already formidable presence in the GCC, with a string of new projects in key markets including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE. Rotana announced the opening of five new hotels in KSA in 2016, three new hotels in Qatar and one new hotel in Kuwait by the end of 2018, in addition to the 9 properties announced for the UAE market.
The Rotana Hotels 2016 GCC Road Show had kicked off in Jeddah on January 31 and covered major cities around the Gulf including Riyadh, Al Khobar, Jeddah, Doha, Kuwait and Dubai before concluding in Abu Dhabi.
"The GCC remains the largest source market for Rotana properties in the UAE and elsewhere, and with intra-regional travel on the rise and accounting for a larger share of visitor spend than ever before, now is the perfect time for Rotana to strengthen our relationships with our travel trade partners and share updates on our expansion plans for the region," Hutchinson said.
With the decline in Ruble having had a major impact on spending by tourists from Russia, and with the Chinese economy slowing down sharply, Hutchinson said that Rotana is looking to increased tourist arrivals from the GCC to help the UAE hospitality industry maintain its growth pace in 2016. "The shift in the UAE's feeder market dynamic due to challenging global economic conditions has brought GCC travellers into sharper focus than ever before," he said.
Noting that 37% of Rotana's room nights and 40% of Rotana's room revenue are generated from the GCC region, Hutchinson stated that the company has been seeing an increase of more than 8% year on year.
"We are very optimistic about the outlook for the UAE and GCC tourism sector in 2016. Although the market environment continues to remain challenging, we see many positive trends and developments that could yet propel hospitality growth in the region in the year ahead – such as increased infrastructure spending by GCC governments, continuing rise in intra-regional travel percentage, and the rapid growth of MICE tourism," he said.
The increase in intra-regional travel, Hutchinson remarked, can only mean good things for the UAE, the Middle East's premier economic and tourist hub and home to the largest number of Rotana properties in the region. "With demand from tourists increasing, there is renewed investor confidence in the UAE's hospitality market. Abu Dhabi is projected to post a healthy RevPAR growth in 2016, while Dubai, which is set to add a further 28,000 hotel rooms by 2018, too is expected to witness greater occupancy rate in the year ahead," Hutchinson said.
Dubai attracted over 14.2 million overnight visitors in 2015, remaining on track towards its goal of attracting 20 million visitors per year by 2020, while in Abu Dhabi 3.8 million people checked into hotels last year. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, investments related to travel and tourism in the UAE touched AED 21 billion in 2015, or 6.2 per cent of the overall investments, and this figure is expected to rise by 9.7 per cent this year and by 5.1 per cent annually over the next 10 years to AED 37.8 billion in 2024.
Hutchinson singled out the aviation sector as a key driver of business and tourism growth in the UAE and GCC. "The aviation sector contributes to diverse industries by facilitating their growth and supporting their operations, and the connectivity and convenience provided by air transport has increased the opportunities for both leisure and business travellers to experience a host of cultures and geographic markets. Investments in expanding airports, such as the AED 117.5 billion expansion of Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central, will further drive international tourist arrivals, and we at Rotana look forward to continue working closely with various airlines, tourism bodies and other stakeholders in the UAE and the region to drive tourism growth."
Commenting on the top hospitality trends expected in the Middle East in 2016, Hutchinson said, "The Millennials, or the next-generation travellers, have been the latest focus for the industry. We're seeing a lot of growth in that area and then they're influencing the older generations as well. Rotana has been pioneering e-commerce-focused innovations in the Middle East hospitality industry. Furthermore, we have developed a Rotana Mobile App which has posted a 20% increase in monthly mobile bookings in 2015, delivering a significant return on investment in developing the mobility platform."
Rotana currently manages more than 100 hotels in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Eastern Europe, with an aggressive expansion plan for the future.
Jannah Hotels and Resorts is to start construction on a new five-star hotel that will make the reception check-in queue a thing of the past.
Rezidor, one of the most dynamic hotel groups worldwide and a member of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, introduces the lifestyle select brand Radisson RED to Jeddah, the second largest city in Saudi Arabia: the Radisson RED Makarunah featuring 280 units is scheduled to open in Q2 2018. At the same time, Rezidor announces the mid- scale Park Inn by Radisson Madinah Road: the 84-rooms property will be the first operational Park Inn in Jeddah and welcome the first guests in Q1 2017.
Best Western Hotels & Resorts has opened its first ever hotel in the city of Faisalabad, Pakistan. The new Best Western Faisalabad Hotel, which welcomed its first guests on January 1st 2016, is located in the Punjabi city's central business district, just steps away from the scenic Jinnah Gardens - the green heart of Faisalabad.
Meliá Hotels International has made further progress in its growth and positioning strategy in emerging Middle East markets with the announcement today of a new hotel in Doha (Qatar). The hotel will be operated under the Innside by Meliá brand, which becomes the third of the Spanish company's brands to achieve a presence in the destination.
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE:HST) proudly announces the eagerly-awaited opening of the new Axiom Hotel™ (28 Cyril Magnin St.) in San Francisco. Opening at the famed Cable Car turnaround at the nexus of historic Union Square and innovative Mid-Market, the boutique hotel offers 152 rooms and tech-forward amenities. Axiom Hotel™, managed by Kokua Hospitality with design from New York City-based Stonehill & Taylor, welcomes guests with rates starting at $279 per night.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced the signing of The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm, which is slated to open in 2018. Owned by Dubai master developer Nakheel, the hotel will be part of The Palm Tower, a 52-story mixed-use luxury development and the centerpiece of Dubai's world-famous, award-winning Palm Jumeirah island. This landmark signing marks the fifth St. Regis hotel to open in the United Arab Emirates.
The world's most opulent all-suite hotel, Dubai's sail-shaped Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, is bringing an expansive outdoor luxury leisure concept, called 'North Deck', to the market – by ship from Finland, over 8,000 nautical miles away. The hotel, which is renowned for pushing the boundaries of architectural design and luxury service, unveils a global first in hotel construction with a breakthrough combination of creative marine design, ingenious engineering and guest-friendly planning.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (H) today announced that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into an agreement with Ayla Oasis Development Company (AODC) for a 286-room Hyatt Regency hotel in Aqaba, Jordan.
Rezidor, one of the most dynamic hotel companies worldwide and a member of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, announces the Radisson Blu Residence Al Sufouh in Dubai/UAE. The upper upscale property featuring 264 serviced apartments is schedule to welcome the first guests in Q4 2017.
Langham Hospitality Group has signed its first hotel in Qatar with the announcement of Langham Place, Lusail, Doha. Located in the newly planned city of Lusail which 23 kilometers north of the capital of Doha, the luxury hotel will comprise of 238 rooms, 90 luxury serviced residences and 56 residences units within the development's new marina waterfront. Developed by RSG (Real Estate Services Group) and managed by Langham Hospitality Group, the hotel will be part of the first phase of the Lusail City development and is located at close proximity to Lusail Iconic Stadium – the scene of the opening and final matches of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The mixed-use project will span a gross built up area of 83,975 square meters and will feature a 207-meter high landmark tower overlooking the Arabian Gulf, with four above-ground podium levels and 34 upper levels. There will be six branded duplex sky villas at the top of the podium, residential apartments up to 17th floor, and the Langham Place hotel occupying the highest floors. Robert Warman, chief executive officer of Langham Hospitality Group states, "This hotel in Doha will be a welcome addition to the brand which has already established a strong presence in major cities such as London, New York, Chicago, Sydney, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. With all the great infrastructure and world-class events happening in Qatar, we are very fortunate to enhance our presence in the Middle East during these exciting times." Ali Taimour, chief executive officer of RSG said, "We are delighted to partner with Langham Hospitality Group to bring something new and exciting to the Qatari hospitality market. The design of Langham Place in Lusail City will embrace a contemporary arts theme which is very much in keeping with the luxury hotel brand." The signing of this hotel points to the growing presence of the Langham Hotels & Resorts brand in the Middle East further to the recent announcements of The Langham, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai (slated to open in 2017) and Langham Place, Downtown Dubai (opening 2018). Scheduled to open in 2018, Langham, Place, Lusail will introduce the contemporary style of the brand to the Arabian peninsula with additional Langham signature experiences that include the exclusive Club Lounge and award winning Chuan spa treatments that are based on ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) philosophies and practices. Langham Place, Lusail will provide extensive food and beverage outlets including the signature bar and grill concept, The Place for all-day dining, Ming Court Chinese restaurant (reminiscent of its Michelin-starred namesake in Hong Kong), a specialty restaurant, and a salon that will serve the brand's renowned afternoon tea service. For corporate meetings and events, the property will also offer extensive facilities including a Grand Ballroom, three multi-purpose function rooms, a screening room, an events centre and a VIP bridal room.
ARJ Holding L.L.C has announced soft launch of its first property 'La Verda Dubai Marina Suites & Villas'. It is located on the Marina touching the waterfront with over 100 meter long frontage. ARJ Holding has developed its own brand & service philosophy, 'La Verda Be Home' with the promise to create a Guest experience which is warm & caring, personalized & engaging as well as informal & friendly. The accommodation products are keeping in mind needs and expectations of high-end leisure families traveling on vacation.
Responding to heightened demand in the Middle East for high-quality, midscale accommodations, Wyndham Hotel Group today announced plans to open four new hotels across Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Bahrain under its growing, globally-recognised, Ramada Worldwide® flag.
Today, the Ascend Hotel Collection from Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's leading hotel companies, announced continued Caribbean growth with the addition of the elegant 25-room Opus Hotel in Georgetown, Guyana on the coast of South America to its growing list of unique upscale properties. The Opus is the twelfth hotel in Choice Hotels' Caribbean portfolio.
Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel companies, announced it has signed an agreement with Integrated 32 West Randolph LLC, an affiliate of Murphy Asset Management, LLC to develop a new Cambria hotel & suites in the Loop area of downtown Chicago, IL. The 198-room, 21-story Cambria property will be located above the Ford Center for the Performing Arts Oriental Theatre at 32 W. Randolph St., and is expected to open in September 2017.
The 112-suite SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Houston, Texas is scheduled to open this Friday. Located at 5851 Rogerdale Road, the SpringHill Suites Houston Westchase will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Vindhyavasini Hospitality and managed by Unique Hospitality of Houston, Texas.
Just a year after opening its first hotel in the city, Four Seasons unveils a second and completely distinct choice for today's sophisticated global travellers: the all-new Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre.
Swiss International is proud to unveil the first extended stay hotel ever under the brand name: Swiss International The Residences in Jeddah. It is the 3rd hotel of the company in Saudi-Arabia, where the Company has plans to expand to 30 hotels in 5 years. Earlier the Swiss International Park hotel in Baljurashi (Al Baha region) and the 46 rooms Swiss Spirit Hotel & Suites – Turaif were announced.