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Dubai To Hold Middle East's Largest Hotel Marketing Conference In October 2011

The Middle Eastern hospitality industry, conventionally more focused on the physical product is waking up to a consumer who is demanding consistent delivery of the brand promise.We were able to see consumer demand stabilizing by the end of 2009 and occupancy rates were once again growing during 2010 in the Middle East catering to the tourism sector across various segments.With 2011 already showing signs of sustained and stronger recovery, marketing strategies need to be developed for the US$ 16 Billion worth of business that the GCC region generates for the hotel industry on an annual basis.Leading up to year 2015, the Middle Eastern hospitality landscape is expected to herald the era of a consumer-led brand focus.With consumer trends changing faster than ever in both attitude and behavior, adopting the correct marketing strategy presents this region with an opportunity to be a game changer in the global tourism sector.Faced with new patterns of consumer behavior, the most successful brands in 2015 shall be those who can most efficiently engage with consumers and clearly differentiate their offering from that of competitors. Brands need to focus on implementing consistently simpler but more compelling promises communicated in the most efficient manner to combine value with experience in order to entice customers.The Middle East Hotel Marketing Conference, due to held on 17-18 October 2011 in Dubai, UAE is the region's largest industry specific gathering of hotel marketing experts. It offers hotel marketers the opportunity to meet with like-minded people, brainstorm with the best in business and learn how to make the most of the 120 million nights of hotel stay the Middle Eastern region has to offer every year.The conference is an ideal platform to examine challenges and discover new trends in hotel marketing. Hotel marketing experts along with government and senior industry professionals will present an exiciting array of topics including case studies, panel discussions and workshops.For more details on the conference, visit http://www.hotelmarketingconference-me.com.

Dubai launches new hotel classification at ATM | emirates247.com

The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Dubai Government’s tourism licensing and promotional body, today announced the launch of a new hotel classification scheme that broadens the existing system in line with the organisation’s vision to guide the emirate’s growing tourism industry. While the hotels have been categorised under 1-5 star ratings, the new classification system added a Budget hotel category that has been kept outside the 1-5 star-rating. The new scheme also added a number of new criteria in the classification, including Resorts, Guest House, Timeshare, Youth Hostel, Self-Catering and University Campus accommodations.

Rocco Forte Hotels announces 'Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi' as its flagship hotel in the Middle East | zawya.com

The Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi is a visually striking glass structure of fluid lines encasing 281 generously-sized bedrooms, with Abu Dhabi's largest spa, and three unique dining destinations, blending seamlessly into the future commercial district of the Emirate's capital. The group's first hotel in the Middle East is on-track to open its doors by the 4th Quarter 2011.

Heartbreak Hotel: drama in the UAE’s hospitality sector | kippreport.com

Yesterday, Kipp was going to write about the eyebrow-raising news that Angsana Hotels and Resorts pulled out of managing a luxury hotel in Abu Dhabi. The reason for the separation? They grew apart, realised they wanted different things and decided to go their separate ways. Very Hollywood, wouldn’t you say? (If you want the quote Banyan Tree, which manages the Angsana Brand, gave The National here it is. But trust us, it’s not half as good as how we’ve said it and it means exactly the same thing.) Anyway, partnerships come and go in the business world as much as it does on the red carpet so this story doesn’t really stand out, except that the Singapore-based operator has been having a hard time finding the right partners in the region.

Matthew Smith has been appointed as VP, vice president, human resources, Europe, Africa, Middle East & Asia Pacific at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Matthew Smith is heading to Dubai in the new role of vice president, human resources, Europe, Africa, Middle East & Asia Pacific. Smith has an extensive human resources and hospitality background having joined Fairmont in 1997. Since that time, he has held progressive positions throughout the Fairmont portfolio and in the company’s corporate office.

Dubai-based HMH to operate 50 hotels by year-end | zawya.com

Michel Noblet, President and CEO of the group, said, “Despite all the hiccups — first the global economic recession and now the Middle East political crisis — we will have 50 hotels operational before the end of the year and several of these will be unveiled during the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in May. We are extremely pleased to reach this milestone as until now most of the hotels were only on the drawing board but today they stand ready to welcome their first guests.”