Rotana Hotel chairman ups stake in firm | reuters.com
The chairman of Abu Dhabi-based Rotana Hotel Management said he had agreed to buy a 22 percent stake in the company from a private equity fund of Dubai's Shuaa Capital .
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easyHotel Dubai, Jebel Ali Opens for Booking to Mark the Brand's First Venture Outside Europe
easyHotel Dubai, Jebel Ali, the budget hotel chain’s first venture outside Europe, is now taking reservations through the brand website www.easyhotel.com ahead of opening its doors on August 1, 2010. Conveniently located inside Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) on Sheikh Zayed Road.
Gucci's Dubai Hotel Will Be First Of 40 Worldwide | Gulfnews.com
Dubai: Luxury hotelier Elisabetta Gucci is planning to open 40 hotels in the next 15 years in the Middle East, Far East and South America, an executive told the Reuters Global Luxury Summit this week. The hotelier expects to open its first hotel in Dubai at the end of this year, the executive said.
protel successful at Arabian Travel Market
Magued Malek, branch manager of German protel hotelsoftware GmbH in the United Arab Emirates, is very pleased to announce the conclusion of a significant business transaction with Auris. The hotel management group will operate their hotels and hotel apartments with protel MPE, protel's multi property edition, starting this June with 286-rooms hotel "Al Nawras". The announcement highlighted protel's appearance at this year's Arabian Travel Market, ATM, in Dubai City.
The Rocco Forte Collection Unveils Luxury Property in Abu Dhabi, opening in 2010
Europe’s leading luxury hotel brand, The Rocco Forte Collection, has unveiled the details of its first property in the Middle East, due to open in Abu Dhabi in autumn 2010. This will be followed by a 146-bedroom property opening in Jeddah in autumn 2011, A 90 All-suite Golf, Spa & Villa Resort in Marrakech in 2011 and a 275 bedroom property in Cairo in 2013. The Company currently has 13 luxury hotels in major cities across Europe.
Ratings make Dubai hoteliers see stars | gulfnews.com
Hotel star ratings have been adapting to an ever-changing tourism landscape, but experts have been wondering if they hide the real value of brands. Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) last month said they were thinking of changing the criteria of the star-rating system for hotel standards. This followed the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority's move to expand its hotel classification system to recognise properties which may exceed five stars
Dubai: Hospitality 'will fuel sustained economic growth' | business24-7.ae
The hospitality and tourism sectors will fuel sustained growth and investment in Dubai over the next decade, said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Supreme Fiscal Committee and Chairman of Emirates Group. Speaking at the Menasa Forum in Dubai last night, Sheikh Ahmed said: "Dubai is leading a strong tourism rebound in the Middle East. Tourism growth will continue to generate a powerful multiplier effect on the economy due to its strong indirect effect on various other key sectors."
Thomas Norberg has been appointed as General Manager at The Address Dubai Mall
Emaar Hospitality Group's five star premium hotel brand, The Address Hotels + Resorts, has appointed Mr Thomas Norberg as the General Manager of The Address Dubai Mall. Throughout his career Thomas has held various senior management positions with renowned hospitality brands, this includes: New York's 'The Plaza Hotel' and the Ritz Carlton, in addition to managing the transition of four resort properties as the Director of Operations for the Fairmont East Africa. With over 20 years of solid hospitality experience, Thomas has a proven track record in enhancing the overall guest experience and achieving optimum financial results. Thomas, an American National, has chosen to settle in Dubai, having worked with the finest luxury brands across the globe. He sees the city as an exciting venture and believes Dubai offers a unique lifestyle, diverse experiences and a professional work culture.
Dubai: Can they keep up the pace?
Over the past decade, Dubai’s growth as a tourism and business destination has been nothing short of phenomenal. But now that the recession has hit, what is the outlook for the next year or two? PHILIPPE DOIZELET, Managing Partner of HORWATH HTL’s offices in Paris, Rabat and Tunis, and SHASHI ASHOK, Consultant at HORWATH MAK in Dubai, share their view of the near-term future.
W Hotels Worldwide to Debut in the United Arab Emirates in 2013 With the New W Abu Dhabi Hotel
W Hotels Worldwide, the hotel category buster and industry innovator, has signed an agreement with Belbadi, a local UAE multidisciplinary corporation, to bring the design-led lifestyle brand to the United Arab Emirates in 2013. Located on the waterfront of Al Bateen Wharf, W Abu Dhabi will be part of a multi-component development, including high-end retail stores, restaurants and residences and will offer stunning views over the marina and the open sea. The luxury boutique hotel will feature 350 stylish guest rooms, including 25 suites and two “Extreme Wow” suites (W’s interpretation of a Presidential Suite), a signature spa with 12 treatment rooms, three restaurants, a lounge and a rooftop night club.
Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) attracts over 600 hotel industry professionals from 42 countries
AHIC 2010 is being attended this year by over 600 industry professionals from 42 countries, and has enjoyed a significant increase in participants from the hotel investment sector. One of the highlights of the day was the Leaders’ Panel, which look at how industry CEO’s are protecting and growing their businesses, and where and how they are unlocking investment opportunities in the region.
Video: Dubai opens hotly-awaited Armani hotel | AFP
Fashion giant Armani is due to unveil its newest collection -- not of clothing, but hotel suites. The luxury label is making its mark in the hotel industry with customary style -- opening its hotel in Dubai's 1.5 billion dollar Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world
The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management’s new Masters Programme now open
The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, one of the world’s leading hospitality management schools and part of Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality company and member of Dubai Holding; is now recruiting for its new Master of Science Degree in International Hospitality Management - the first of its kind in the GCC region.
World’s first Armani Hotel unveiled in Burj Khalifa, Dubai
The world’s first Armani Hotel opened today (April 27, 2010) with a ribbon cutting ceremony by fashion maestro Giorgio Armani and Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties PJSC. With its landmark location inside the iconic Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building developed by Emaar, the elegant Armani Hotel Dubai is poised to be the most exclusive hospitality destination in the city and a new benchmark for the industry globally.
Cornell School of Hotel Administration Dean to be Featured at Arabian Hotel Investment Conference
Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration (SHA) is pleased to announce its participation in and sponsorship of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC), which will be held May 1 through 3, 2010, at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, UAE.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Marks a Milestone in the Middle East with Plans to Debut Second St. Regis Hotel in Abu Dhabi
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) has extended its development pipeline in the Arabian Gulf with the announcement of a planned second St. Regis hotel in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Owned by International Capital Trading (ICT), The St. Regis Abu Dhabi will be located on the celebrated Abu Dhabi waterfront offering extensive views of the Gulf’s spectacular azure waters in a location that is both central to the business district and directly on the Corniche. Located just a short drive from the recently opened F1 circuit, Ferrari museum, Gary Player-designed golf course and the Louvre, Guggenheim and Maritime museums, The St. Regis Abu Dhabi will provide guests an entrance into a captivating world of opulence offering a unique expression of its location.
John Rogers has been appointed as General Manager at Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara
John began his hospitality career 25 years ago in his native UK as a management trainee in Chester, swiftly moving to London’s Athenaeum Hotel to become Assistant Food & Beverage Manager. Since then, he has worked around the world in a variety of senior food and beverage positions at hotels such as Shangri-La in Hong Kong, Vancouver, and Shanghai; Le Royal Meridien in Bahrain; and the Lanka Oberoi in Colombo. From 1999 until 2001, John was General Manager at The Tresantion Hotel in St Mawes, Cornwall, acclaimed in the Top 100 Condé Nast “Best of the Best” with an award in October 2000. Subsequently, John moved to La Residencia Hotel in Mallorca as Director and General Manager, orchestrating the successful transfer of ownership from Sir Richard Branson to Orient Express Hotels. During his tenure at La Residencia, John oversaw a series of major refurbishments and won annual recognition for the hotel in Condé Nast Traveller’s UK magazine as well as ensuring a place on the gold list in Travel & Leisure magazine’s top 500.
Andy Cuthbert has been appointed as General Manager at Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa
Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa, the award-winning desert resort in Dubai, is welcoming a new General Manager. Andy Cuthbert has been with Jumeirah Group for ten years, working as Executive Assistant Manager in Jumeirah Emirates Towers and Director of Operations for Jumeirah Hospitality. Mr. Cuthbert, an Australian and British national, brings more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, having worked for several prestigious hotels throughout Australia, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.
Doris Greif has been appointed as General Manager at Jumeirah Etihad Towers
After an 18-month gap during which she acted as Chief Operating Officer – City Operations for Dubai International Financial Centre, Doris Greif will be returning to Jumeirah Group. As General Manager, she will lead the pre-opening team of Jumeirah Etihad Towers, which will open in Abu Dhabi in 2011. Ms. Greif, a German national, brings a wealth of international operational experience in the luxury hospitality industry. Ms Greif joined Jumeirah and Jumeirah Beach Hotel in 1999, and in 2000 she was appointed General Manager of Jumeirah Beach Club Resort and Spa. She took over Jumeirah Emirates Towers in 2004, then was appointed to manage the pre-opening team for Jumeirah’s first hotel in China. Prior to joining Jumeirah Group, she occupied various front office roles for Munich Hilton (Germany) before moving to the United Arab Emirates.
Food for Thought... Sans Alcohol | khaleejtimes.com
Sauces, cakes, chocolates and other dishes containing alcohol may soon disappear from Dubai hotels as Dubai Municipality enforces a ban on their use. The civic body last week sent out a circular to hotel managers “strictly enforcing the ban on use of alcohol in food items and their sale,” an official said on Sunday. A local order from 2003 forbids the use of alcohol in the preparation of food. “Though most regulations under the local order have been enforced properly, Article 15, which bans the use of alcohol in food preparations, their display and sale was not implemented effectively,” said Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Ali, head of food inspection at the Food Control Department of the Municipality.