The Middle Eastern affiliate of the globally renowned Hospitality Asset Managers Association (HAMA) hosted its first annual general assembly during AHIC 2016. The event was attended by professional asset managers & senior executives from leading Hospitality real estate investment organizations from across the region.
The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management (EAHM), one of the world's leading hospitality management schools and part of Jumeirah Group, recently signed a cooperation agreement with the Hospitality Asset Managers Association of Middle East and Africa (HAMA MEA).
Rotana, is getting ready to celebrate the opening of its first hotel in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the Centro Shaheen Jeddah. Perfectly suited for business and leisure travelers, the Centro Shaheen features 252 modern, stylish, contemporary and affordable rooms and studios.
London -- Israels hotel pipeline remains strong and, buoyed by new laws facilitating hotel developments, investor interest is expected to grow further in the country, according to a new report from global hotel consultancy HVS.While the impact of continuing terrorist activity has resulted in fewer visitors travelling to Israel, those cities with strong corporate-driven business, such as Tel Aviv, have proven to be more resilient than mainly leisure-driven markets such as Jerusalem and the Dead Sea area, the report highlights.Over the past year, the country saw a 25% drop in the number of Russian visitors, while Italian visitation fell by 19%. As a result, hotel occupancies and average rates have been under pressure, said report co-author Jill Barthel, associate, HVS London.Despite this, the number of visitors from Germany, the UK and France has improved since the 2014 summer conflict, with the German and UK markets proving particularly resilient, recording remarkable growth of around 20% and 18% in 2015, respectively. Not only did visitor numbers from those markets rise, but also the investment appetite of both domestic and international developers seems unsatiated, added Barthel.Israel currently has a healthy development pipeline of some 7,600 hotel rooms. Around 2,000 of these are affiliated with international hotel brands, accounting for 27% of the total pipeline. The strongest investment interest is being shown in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, as well as the northern coastal areas. A new regulation, introduced by the Knesset earlier this year aiming to speed up the completion of hotel developments and enable up to 20% of each hotel to be classified for residential purposes, is expected to stimulate demand further still.Nevertheless, the number of bednights accounted for by international visitors to Israel fell in 2015 by 10.5%, indicating that many people reduced their stays. Airbnb has also claimed around 5% of hotel bednights, constituting a non-neglectable competitor to regular hotels whose impact the Israel Hotel Association is actively trying to limit by fighting for the implementation of tax laws and stricter regulation on this market.The overall outlook for Israel isnt as negative as might be perceived though, considering the prevailing geo-political environment. Overall, investment appetite in the country has not weakened over the past year so the outlook for Israels hotel sector gives reason for positivity and renewed hope, concluded Russell Kett, chairman, HVS London.To download a full copy of the report Trends and opportunities: Israel Hotel market Overiew 2016 by Russell Kett and Jill Barthel click http://www.hvs.com/article/7731/israel-hotel-market-overview-2016/
Kempinski Al Othman Hotel Al Khobar has officially opened its doors to welcome visitors and guests. As Europe's oldest luxury hotel group, Kempinski is synonymous with personal service and hospitality. It is complemented by the exclusivity and individuality of its properties, personified in its new hotel located on at the crossroads of Al Khobar, Dhahran and Dammam on King Saud Road offering spectacular view of the city.
The Palace hotel (formerly known as the Ramada Palace hotel) concluded a franchise agreement with Swiss International, with effect from July 1, 2016. The signing took place on Monday June 20th at the hotel in Gudaibiya Avenue Road in Manama, Bahrain. The Managing Director of the owning company, Sheikh Mohammad Sajid and the Chairman of Swiss International, Mr. Henri Kennedie signed the agreement in the presence of the management team of the hotel, under the guidance of Mr. Harish K. Bhojwani, the hotel's General Manager.
Dubai Parks & Resorts (DPR), the Middle East's largest integrated theme park destination, is set to open its many gates to the public in October this year. This massive amusement park in Dubai will incorporate motiongate™ Dubai, Bollywood Parks™ Dubai, Legoland® Dubai and Legoland® Water Park. Each of these unique parks will offer guests a variety of entertainment options that have been built to international standards.
Swiss International is glad to announce the signing of the management agreement with the Al Zamil real estate group to develop the Swiss International Hotel & Resort at Al Qassim Touristic city project.
The Holiday Inn Club Vacations® brand, developed and exclusively operated by Orange Lake Holdings through a marketing alliance with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), announced today the addition of the 230-villa Galveston Seaside Resort to the Holiday Inn Club Vacations brand portfolio. The Holiday Inn Club Vacations brand now includes 22 resorts with more than 6,900 villas in 12 states. A new sales center is also under construction at the resort, which will provide additional Holiday Inn Club® sales opportunities in the Texas market.
Rezidor, one of the most dynamic hotel companies worldwide and part of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, announces two new hotels in Dammam: the mid-scale Park Inn by Radisson Hotel & Residence Dammam Industrial City will feature 300 units and open in 2016. The upper-upscale Radisson Blu Hotel Dammam Al Faisaliyah with 260 keys is scheduled to welcome the first guests in 2018. Rezidor already operates a Park Inn by Radisson in Dammam, so increases its local portfolio to 3 hotels with 650 rooms and serviced apartments.
Corinthia Hotels has signed agreements with UAE-based Meydan Group to provide technical services and manage a luxury beachfront resort under construction in Dubai. The luxury hotel and residences is the latest in a series of mega developments being undertaken by Meydan Group, which include large scale mixed-use urban and leisure developments across various prime locations in Dubai. Corinthia and Meydan Group have entered into a strategic relationship, with Corinthia engaged to support the design development and operate the resort property being built on the site of the former Meydan Beach Club.
Conrad Hotels & Resorts today celebrates the opening of its first hotel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – the 438- room Conrad Makkah. Set in the heart of the Holy City and overlooking the Sacred Mosque, Al Masjid al Haram, and the Holy Kaabah, the hotel is designed for today's smart luxury traveler, combining intuitive service with sophisticated, locally inspired surroundings.
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Worldwide's (NYSE:HLT) luxury brand of iconic landmark hotels, today announced the signing of a management agreement with Ward Holdings to open a property in the Middle East's leading gateway for capital and investment, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
Dusit Hotels and Resorts announces the signing of a technical design agreement with ACES Property Development to bring a new hotel apartment project under the DusitPrincess brand to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The agreement was formalised at a signing ceremony recently held at the Dusit Thani Bangkok presided over by executives from both companies, including Dusit's Group Chief Executive Officer Ms Suphajee Suthumpun and Founding Director of ACES, Mr Kashif Shahzad.
Aldar plans to open more hotels as part of its ongoing efforts to diversify revenues beyond those earned from property sales.
“There is definitely a need for serviced apartments in Abu Dhabi, there is demand for four- and three-star level hotels in the city of Abu Dhabi," says Mohammed Al Mubarak, Aldar’s chief executive.
Its development projects will increasingly feature serviced apartments and hotels to complement residential and retail components. “A lot of our future thinking is going that route," he says.
Set in the stunning azure waters of the Arabian Gulf, today marks the unveiling and official launch of the highly anticipated Burj Al Arab Terrace. Located at Dubai's most iconic hotel, the terrace is a remarkable, one-of-a-kind restaurant, pool, beach and cabana space, offering hotel guests and Burj Al Arab members the finest Arabian hospitality.
YOTEL, an affiliate company of Kuwait-listed IFA Hotels & Resorts KSCC, broke ground last week on their first property in the Middle East, expected to open in 2018. This follows the technology-focused hospitality brand's signing of a long-term agreement with Dubai Investment Properties LLC ('DIP') to operate a new hotel in Dubai, UAE.
For MGallery by Sofitel, spring 2016 has been a strategic season filled with key regional expansion and important 'firsts'. Following MGallery by Sofitel's recent development in Southeast Asia, the brand has set its sights on growth in Israel. David Tower Hotel Netanya MGallery by Sofitel, opening in May 2016, will be its first address in Israel.
The mid-range hotel sector in the UAE is set to welcome the third largest hotel brand in India, Lemon Tree Hotels, as the hospitality group embarks on a Middle East expansion plan. Lemon Tree Hotels has partnered with Raine & Horne Dubai, the Australian real estate franchise, in an agreement to sign a minimum of eight Middle Eastern developments over three years.
A shimmering new landmark of warm hospitality and luxury accommodation is now open in a prime waterfront location in the United Arab Emirates capital: welcome to the all-new Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island. The Hotel is solely developed by Mubadala Real Estate & Infrastructure, which is also the developer of Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi's business and lifestyle destination.