Dubai retains luxury crown in bounce back
Dubai drove a persuasive recovery after travel reopened with a combination of marketing, focusing on value, and expanding its family-oriented offering.
Press Releases
First 50 speakers signed up for the Future Hospitality Summit in Dubai
The Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) has confirmed the first 50 speakers for the region’s flagship hospitality investment platform taking place from 19-21 September at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai. Co-organised by The Bench and MEED, FHS consists of multiple conference tracks, awards, workshops and in-person networking features. These include the 18th edition of AHIC - Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, GRIF - Global Restaurant Investment Forum, AHIF Marketspace – Focus on Morocco, Startup Den, the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge Finals and plenty more - all under one roof. The overall theme of the Summit is ‘Lead the Change’, and Host Sponsor is Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts.
Sonder Holdings Inc. Expands Footprint in Dubai with Addition of 401-Unit Business Bay Property
Sonder Holdings Inc. (“Sonder”, Nasdaq: SOND), a leading next-generation hospitality company that is redefining the guest experience through technology and design, is set to open a 401-unit property at Business Bay in Dubai later this year. It will become the largest property in Sonder’s global portfolio.
Saudi Tourism Development Fund and Melia Hotels International join forces To develop new tourism concepts in Key Destinations
The Tourism Development Fund (TDF) today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Melia Hotels International, one of the world’s leading hotel groups in the leisure segment.
ENVI Lodges & Al Rasim to open ecolodge on the Red Sea of Saudi Arabia
ENVI Lodges, the recently launched ecolodge brand, and Al Rasim Hotels & Resorts, have announced plans to develop a waterfront ecolodge project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Red Sea coast.
FHS Saudi Arabia Preview
The Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) returns to Saudi Arabia this week, bringing together government leaders, hospitality investors, owners, and operators for the redesigned 2022 edition of the event on 24-25 May at the Riyadh Airport Marriott Hotel.
Israel’s Tourism Sector Ready for Recovery With Further Hotel Investment Encouraged, Hears Dubai Expo Event
London - The Israel Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with global hotel consultancy HVS, presented a live event last week at Expo Dubai focussing on hotel opportunities in Israel during which senior representatives of hotel, real estate and tourism companies – investors, developers, operators and financiers – discussed encouraging more investment into Israel’s hotel sector.
Marjan to Develop a Multibillion-Dollar Integrated Resort in Ras Al Khaimah with Wynn Resorts
Marjan, RAK Hospitality Holding and Wynn Resorts, Limited, the US-listed international developer and operator of luxury resorts, have announced a multibillion-dollar integrated resort development on the man-made Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.
Tourism Development Fund and Deutsche Hospitality sign exclusive agreement
In the presence of His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Tourism Development Fund. The Tourism Development Fund (TDF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Deutsche Hospitality, the umbrella brand of the German hotel company Steigenberger Hotels AG, to develop and operate Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels projects in Saudi Arabia. The agreement includes the right to exclusively launch the first Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels project in the Middle East. The MoU was signed by Qusai Al-Fakhri, CEO of TDF and Marcus Bernhardt, CEO of Deutsche Hospitality.
Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. Lead the Middle East Hotel Construction Pipeline at Q3‘21
According to the Q3 2021 Middle East Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics (LE), at the end of the quarter, the hotel construction pipeline in the region stands at 545 projects/168,042 rooms. While the number of total pipeline projects has increased over the previous quarter, project counts are down 6% and room counts are down 19% year-over-year (YOY).
Marriott International Signs Agreement with The Red Sea Development Company to Bring St. Regis Hotels & Resorts and EDITION to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Project
Marriott International, Inc. today announced it has signed an agreement with The Red Sea Development Company to develop two luxury hotels as part of the highly-anticipated Red Sea Project in Saudi Arabia. The St. Regis Red Sea Resort and The Red Sea EDITION are expected to further enhance Marriott International’s footprint across the Kingdom where it currently has a portfolio of over 30 properties with more than 9,000 rooms across ten brands.
Tourism Development Fund and Ennismore Sign MoU to Explore USD 400 Million Investment Fund
The Tourism Development Fund (TDF) and Ennismore today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the 5th Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh to explore the establishment of a USD 400 million (SAR 1.5 billion) fund that would bring Ennismore’s lifestyle brands to at least 12 destinations in Saudi Arabia.
Hyatt Announces Plans for Grand Hyatt The Red Sea in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with The Red Sea Development Company for a 430-room Grand Hyatt hotel on Shaura Island, the hub of the ambitious Red Sea Project on Saudi Arabia’s west coast. The luxury resort hotel will represent the largest of 11 hotels set to open on the island and will occupy a prime position within this innovative tourist development. Grand Hyatt The Red Sea will be the second Grand Hyatt hotel in the Kingdom and the seventh Grand Hyatt hotel in the Middle East, marking an important milestone in Hyatt’s growth strategy in the region.
Al Khoory Hotels to open sixth property as Dubai’s tourism rebounds
Al Khoory Hotels, the hospitality arm of Dubai-based Emirati family-owned diversified business conglomerate Al Khoory Group, is getting ready to open its sixth hotel – Al Khoory Sky Garden – in Dubai as Expo 2020 has started to attract international tourists to the UAE.
Radisson Hotel Group doubles its presence in Makkah, Saudi Arabia by adding nearly 1000 keys in Thakher Makkah
Radisson Hotel Group is proud to announce the signing of three hotels within the Thakher Makkah megaproject, an urban development in the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Further strengthening its presence across two brands, the Park Inn by Radisson Makkah Thakher City Tower West, the Park Inn by Radisson Makkah Thakher City Tower East and the Radisson Hotel Makkah Thakher City are set to open in Q4 2022. The new signings will add a total of 992 rooms and apartments, doubling the Group’s portfolio in Makkah, a key target growth market in Saudi Arabia. Despite the challenges due to the pandemic, Radisson Hotel Group is continuing its strong expansion as one of the fastest growing companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Rotana Expands Egypt Footprint With New Agreements
Rotana has signed new management agreements with Al Marasem Development and Marina Way Lagoon. The agreement includes the management of two new properties – Lake Residence, serviced apartments in New Cairo which will also mark Rotana’s debut in the capital city and Marina Bay, Hotel Apartments in Alamein, North Coast.
IHG Hotels & Resorts Debuts Hotel Indigo With A Four-Hotel Agreement In Egypt
IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, is expanding its presence in Egypt with four new Hotel Indigo branded properties. As part of a Management Agreement signed with real-estate specialists Mountain View, IHG will introduce the world’s first globally branded boutique hotel brand, Hotel Indigo, to Egypt with Hotel Indigo Mountain View North Coast, Hotel Indigo Mountain View icity New Cairo, Hotel Indigo Mountain View icity 6th of October City and Hotel Indigo Mountain View Ain El Sokhna. The signing ceremony was held in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, and Dr. Assem el Gazzar, Minister of Housing and Development.
Qatar Reveals Plans To Open Over 100 New Properties In FIFA 2022 World Cup™ Countdown
Qatar is adding 105 new hotels and hotel apartments to its already extensive portfolio of properties, as the country gears up to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. The new properties will broaden Qatar's appeal to a range of travellers and enhance the visitor experience, as Qatar Tourism continues its mission to turn the country into a world-leading destination.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts To Add Seven New Properties In Key Cities In Pakistan
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts the world’s largest hotel franchising company with a global presence of over 8,900 hotels across nearly 95 countries, today announced plans to further expand its presence in Pakistan with a number of key signings in some of country’s most popular destinations including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore and Hyderabad.
Hilton Reveals Plans To Bring LXR Hotels & Resorts And Curio Collection By Hilton To Tel Aviv
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) has signed an agreement for the development of two new hotels totalling 577 guest rooms in a prime beachfront location in Tel Aviv. The ambitious new development will see the introduction of Hilton’s LXR Hotels & Resorts and Curio Collection by Hilton to the dynamic Israel market, joining Hilton Tel Aviv, Vista at Hilton Tel Aviv and Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem.