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.
Data from STR Global, the leading provider of market information to the global hotel industry, illustrates the difference in performance of Dubai’s hotels in the Jumeirah beach area and those in the rest of the city.
The fifth Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) opens today (Saturday May 2 2009) under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Dubai’s Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman & CEO, Emirates Group.
Ahead of what maybe one of the most challenging summers in the global hospitality sector, Jonathan Worsley, co-organiser of the upcoming Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC), stressed that it is still the time to encourage and foster more investment activity.
Now the hospitality industry can bag an award for looking after their staff, with the launch of the 2009 Best Hotel Staff Accomodation Award at this year's Arabian Hotel Investment Conference. Accordingly to AHIC co-organiser, Jonathan Worsley, the initiative is the result of a 50-strong advisory panel call to acknowledge and recognize the value and effort that hotel operators and developers put into looking after their staff in the region's burgeoning hospitality sector.
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.
Where once hoteliers had their pick of jobs in Dubai now it is the employers who once again have the bargaining power as the economic crisis makes itself felt. Where will we find all the people we are going to need to run all our hotels opening in the next two years? Where will we house them? How can we stop our staff from jumping to the latest hotel for a few Dirhams more per week? How do we keep expatriate compensation packages from spiralling out of control? Why is it so tough and expensive to find and hire good talent?
Sol Kerzner, Chairman and CEO of Kerzner International is set to present His Excellency, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman, Dubai World with the AHIC 2009 Leadership Award at the fifth Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (on May 3, 2009).
The Spa Suite at Emaar's flagship hotel The Address Downtown Burj Dubai provides a stunning place to stay in Dubai's most happening 'new quarter'. Phil Blizzard takes in the view of the world's tallest tower, Burj Dubai, from the sun deck before starting his tour of the hotel.
As Group General Manager, Johannes Johns will oversee both Best Western Premier hotel properties in Dubai – Best Western Premier Dhow Palace and Best Western Premier Creek. Best Western International is currently rebranding the 320-room Best Western Premier Dhow Palace in Bur Dubai which is scheduled to open its doors to welcome its first guests on May 1, 2009. Best Western will also brand the Best Western Premier Creek, Bur Dubai, a new-built hotel scheduled to open in May 2009.
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.
Accor's sixth hotel in Dubai will add 480 rooms to the market, boosting potential to promote the city as a destination for visitors on a budget, whether travelling for business or leisure.
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.
Best Western International – Asia has announced the partnership with Mohammad Bin Haider Group to open the first two Best Western Premier hotels in the Middle East in May 2009.
Jumeirah remains optimistic about plans to have 60 hotels and 150 branded restaurants under management or development by 2012, according to the executive chairman of the group. Jumeirah already has 10 hotels in Dubai and others in London and New York. Currently, the group has 14 hotels under construction from Shanghai to Argentina, including three hotels in Aqaba, Jordan. The company is also looking to other locations such as the Maldives, Kuwait and Thailand.
Dubai | Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury international hospitality management group and member of Dubai Holding, has announced today the internal promotion of Thatcher Brown to the new position of Vice President Brand Strategy and Management of the Jumeirah Group. This appointment becomes effective in January 2009.
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.
Layia Oak Hotel & Suites was officially opened this morning in a ceremony attended by Lord Chris Patten, Former Commander in Chief and Governor of Hong Kong; H.E Khalid Bin Sulayem, Director General, Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing, Dubai Government; Mohamed Abdalla Al Sari, Managing Director, Gulf General Investment Company (GGICO) and Daniel Hajjar, Chief Executive Officer, Layia Hospitality.
Jumeirah has appointed Margaret Paul as General Manager for Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the most established hotel in the Group’s portfolio. Margaret has been with Jumeirah since 2002, and is returning to Jumeirah Beach Hotel, where she previously worked as Hotel Manager, after working as Pre-Opening General Manager for Jumeirah Business Bay in Dubai, and Hotel Manager for Jumeirah Carlton Tower. Prior to joining the Jumeirah Group, Margaret worked for Le Meridien Mina Seyahi in Dubai and Europe.