ee suicide attackers shot their way onto the grounds of a five-star hotel in the northwest Pakistani city of Peshawar and set off a car bomb, killing at least seven people and wounding dozens, officials said. Peshawar Police Chief Safwat Ghyour said about 40 people were wounded in the attack on the Pearl Continental Hotel, which is often frequented by foreigners and diplomats.
Abu Dhabi has cut its target to more than double the number of hotel guests staying in the emirates by 2012 due to the impact of the global economic downturn, the chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) said on Monday. Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon al-Nahyan said the authority has reduced its forecast by 15 percent to 2.3 million guests annually by 2012, down from 2.7 million guests, in a sign of how the downturn is hitting the emirate's economy.
Burj Al Arab, the World's Most Luxurious Hotel and recognised as the symbol of Dubai, has today received four new bespoke model Phantom Rolls-Royce's into its already extensive luxury vehicle range.
Dubai's tourism industry slowed in the first quarter with hotel guest nights falling 16 percent and revenues dropping 15 percent as a global recession hit the sector, official data showed. Gulf commerce and trade hub Dubai, which attracts more visitors each year than any Arab country outside of Egypt, hosts a major shopping festival in the first quarter that typically attracts streams of regional visitors.
Raffles Hotels & Resorts has announced that it will be managing a new hotel in the Holy city of Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The all-suite hotel is set to be the jewel of the prominent Abraj Al Bait Complex developed by Saudi Binladin Corporation in the Development of King Abdal Aziz Endowment Project, and will enjoy an outstanding location, with suites as well as a spacious outdoor dining terrace overlooking Al Masjid al Haram.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. has signed an agreement with Palm Hills Developments to manage The Ritz-Carlton Cairo, Palm Hills and a Jack Nicklaus-designed 27-hole golf course and clubhouse, set to open in 2012.
Hilton Hotels Corporation today announced the entry of the Doubletree by Hilton brand into the Middle East with the signing of a Management Agreement with Mohamed Ahmed Ali Hassan Ruqait for the Doubletree Suites by Hilton Ras Al Khaimah in the U.A.E set to open Q1 2010.
Best Western International Asia has announced a strategic plan to expand into the Arabian Gulf Region, with 25 hotels targeted within 2010. Best Western International, The World’s Largest Hotel Chain®, has entered the Middle East in 2008, with the strategy to drive Best Western hotels, its value-for-money accommodation, and a higher brand, Best Western Premier®, a unique collection of upscale hotels and resorts offering superior standards and services, across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
W Hotels Worldwide, the hotel category buster and industry innovator, marks its entry into the Middle East with the opening of the highly-anticipated W Doha Hotel & Residences. Designed by London-based United Designers, W Doha merges traditional Arabian imagery with the contemporary cool design of the W brand and modern creativity of United Designers. Immediately upon arrival, guests are welcomed into a world of “Wow.” The W living room (W’s re-imagination of the hotel lobby) combines water features, ceiling-suspended seating and modern hand-blown hanging lanterns, energizing the entry and providing a dynamic social atmosphere. Symmetrical designs, clean lines and innovative lighting create private, tranquil areas within the sweeping, dramatic public spaces.
The social networking website Twitter has become one of the fastest growing communities over the past year, seeing a 974% increase in 2008 alone. Leaping from being the 2,953rd most popular website in the UK last year to 291st in mid January 2009, Twitter is fast becoming a contender for the social networking hub of choice. Used by everyone from celebrities and politicians to brands and companies, the possibilities of ‘Tweets’ as a communication tool of the future seem almost limitless.
The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority has said that it estimates that the emirate will have an additional 4,000 hotel rooms by the end of 2009. The added units will bring the UAE capital's total room numbers to 17,000, including hotel apartments.
Hotels in the Middle East, as in other parts of the world, are looking at ways to increase revenue per available room (RevPar) penetration in a contracting market, according to senior hotel executives. John Podaris, Associate Director, Tri Hospitality Consulting, told Emirates Business: "We understand hotels in the region are constantly evaluating the market and adjusting their sales and marketing strategies to ensure their competitiveness, particularly in these challenging economic conditions."
Best Western International – Asia has signed agreements with Mohammad Bin Haider Group to operate the first two Best Western Premier hotels in Bur Dubai. The agreements were signed on March 29, 2009 at the Grand Ballroom of Best Western Premier Dhow Palace.
The Address Hotels & Resorts, the five-star premium hotel brand owned and operated by the Emaar Hospitality Group, has introduced a 24-hour stay benefit across all its hotels. This innovative service, which is a marked departure from scheduled 12 noon check-outs followed by hotels world-wide, is currently available at The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai and The Palace - The Old Town, the two properties currently operated by the brand in Dubai.
Rotana announced details today of significant change among the company's senior executives, which sees Omer Kaddouri, formerly Area VP Dubai & Northern Emirates taking over as Senior VP - UAE Operations.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai, the flagship property of The Address Hotels + Resorts and the newest hotel brand in the international luxury hospitality scene, has opened Neos, the highest lounge in Dubai city.
Dubai, U.A.E & Beverly Hills, CA | Hilton Hotels Corporation (HHC) today announced that it has signed a management agreement with Diyar Al Bahrain, to open the first Conrad hotel in the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2011. The Conrad Bahrain, will be located in one of Bahrain's most luxurious developments, the newly-built Reef Island off Bahrain's capital city Manama and will feature 250 guest rooms and 50 apartments.