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).
Lifted by the opening of Expo 2020, Dubai’s hotel industry reported its highest monthly room rates since 2018, according to preliminary October 2021 data from STR.
Seeking to redefine affordable hospitality in Saudi through home-grown brands, Dur Hospitality unveiled "Nur by Makarem”, its new 3-star hotels brand during its participation at the World Travel Market London as part of the Saudi Tourism Authority's pavilion.
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.
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 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.
What will opportunity, mobility, and sustainability look like in the future? All three areas experienced tremendous paradigm shifts over the last two years and now this question is at the heart of Expo 2020 – happening now through March in Dubai. It's the region's first world expo (initially slated for last year) and the first to be hosted by an Arab nation.
HRH Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman announces multi-country, multi-stakeholder coalition - The Saudi Arabian Government has launched the Sustainable Tourism Global Center (STGC), a multi-country, multi-stakeholder coalition that will accelerate the tourism sector's transition to net zero emissions, as well as drive action to protect nature and support communities.
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.
Riyadh’s hotel industry reported mixed performance in comparison with recent months, according to preliminary September 2021 data from STR.
This year's most-awaited Educational Day of Les Clefs d'Or UAE with a theme "Be Vocal", was held at Infinity des Lumiéres, the ultimate immersive digital art experience in the Middle East, and the biggest digital art venue in the GCC region. As the regional epicentre of pioneering cultural expression, Infinity des Lumières provides infinite possibilities to be at the centre of art, fully immersed and connected to it.
The ‘Tourism Experiences of the Future’ challenge will source innovative ideas and disruptive business models related to the tourism needs of the future, in line with growing demand for new experiences. All proposals must be aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and should include the introduction or adaptation of digital and technological elements, as well as being focused at least one of the following areas:
The Group is a Platinum sponsor of the France Pavilion at the Expo 2020, which takes place from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
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.
Dubai’s hotel performance was up from the prior month, according to preliminary August 2021 data from STR.
Michael Levie and David Keen will be in conversation with Marloes Knippenberg (Chief Executive Officer, Kerten Hospitality) in a session entitled "How do we foster Transformation and Change in Hospitality". With the hospitality investment community coming together from across the Middle East & Africa region under one roof at AHIC, this year's programme will be a prime opportunity to spark conversations that bring real industry change as we rise together.
Sonder Holdings Inc. (“Sonder”), a leading next-generation hospitality company that is redefining the guest experience through technology and design, will add two additional buildings to its growing portfolio in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Through an agreement with Al Fattan Properties LLC, Sonder will manage and operate two of the three Al Fattan Towers in Downtown, with views on Burj Khalifa, to be operated as Sonder Downtown Towers.
Research conducted by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed that the Egyptian economy could face daily losses of more than EGP 31 million if it stays on the UK’s travel ‘red list’.
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.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has ramped up hiring activity across a number of different industry areas. The majority of this activity has occurred in the travel and tourism sector, largely coming from hotel chains and airline operators. Job postings have been increasing since January 2021, but has really picked up in July, finds GlobalData. According to the leading data and analytics company’s Job Analytics Database, job advertisements in the UAE have increased by 148% between July 2020 and July 2021.