Exclusive: Al Ghaith Says New Routes, New Planes For Flydubai

Speaking at Arabian Travel Market, al Ghaith revealed the carrier will welcome five new aircraft before the year is out.

Best Western Dubai Deal ‘In A Couple Of Weeks’

Last year Best Western opened its first hotels in Oman, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

Damac Properties Considering IPO To Fund Growth

DAMAC to continue focus on key markets UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Exclusive: Rotana To Launch Residences Brand

The first property under the new brand is due to open on The Pearl, Qatar in September.

World Bank Unit Helping UAE Draft Law To Aid SME Lending

The new legislation will allow small and medium-sized firms to use machinery and other assets to back loans.

Prince Alwaleed’s Kingdom Holding Plans Hotel Sale

The Saudi billionaire’s investment vehicle plans to sell its stake in 20-30 hotels in the next two years.

Tourists Spend $4.7bn On Visa Cards In UAE

The UK continues to be the top source market to the UAE with British Visa cardholders spending $540.4 million in 2012.

Qatar Airways Announces Routes In US, Africa, Phillipines

The airline announced route expansion on three continents together with a huge increase in capacity in Pakistan.

Emirates Plans 180 Destinations By 2020

The Dubai-based airline currently flies to over 120 destinations across six continents.

‘Emiratis Must Choose Career Progression Over Fat Salaries’, Experts Warn

Local leaders have urged Emiratis to prioritise knowledge and personality development over fancy job titles.

Aston Martin, Bentley Join Dubai Police Fleet

Not content with a Ferrari FF or Lamborghini Aventador, Dubai Police now use a rare Aston Martin One-77.

Arabian Travel Market 2013 – Day 1 Roundup

The most important news and announcements from the opening day of the region’s biggest travel event.

Emiratis Consider The Private Sector As Opportunities Dry Up

Young Emiratis still prefer government jobs but those are becoming scarcer. That fact is encouraging them to take a fresh look at opportunities in the private sector.

Anantara To Have 50 Properties By 2015

Luxury hotel chain to post significant expansion in the Middle East and enter new market of Qatar.

Etihad-South African Airways Become Codeshare & Interline Partners

The MoU between the two airlines makes provision for reciprocal ‘earn and burn’ with frequent flyer programs

Emirates-Qantas Deal Not A “Reaction” To Competition – Clark

Emirates president Tim Clark said the airlines were not influenced by Etihad’s partnership with Virgin Australia.

Oman Visitor Traffic Surges With Air Route Expansion

Increased services from aviation hubs like Dubai and Doha boost Salalah’s tourism.

Commercial Bank Of Dubai Plans First Bond Issue

Gulf Arab banks have stepped up bond sales this year with over $5 billion of dollar-denominated bonds issued so far.

Regional Airlines And Hotels Honoured At BTME Awards 2013

Emirates and Intercontinental Hotel Group starred at the Business Traveller Middle East awards.

Emirates Islamic Bank Reports 101% Q1 Profit Jump

The bank recorded strong growth in net profit and net income compared to its first quarter in 2012

SriLankan Airlines Posts 26% Rise In ME Passengers

The national airline carried a total of 463,999 passengers in the last year.

Dubai Says Repays $909m Bonds On Maturity

The repayment was part of a dual-tranche facility issued in April 2008.

Gulf Airlines Prepare For Boeing’s 777X Offering

Emirates and Qatar Airways are expected to be among the first and possibly biggest customers for Boeing’s latest aircraft.

Oman May Issue USD Bond For First Time In 17 Years

The government hopes to facilitate debt sales by its private sector, says finance minister Darwish al-Balushi

Dubai’s Vision Is To Be World’s “Number One” Tourism Destination

The emirate’s new tourism strategy is aimed at achieving that vision, says senior official.

Damac Develops Donald Trump Golf Course

The Trump International Golf Club Dubai will be the first course by the organisation in the Middle East.

All You Need To Know About The Arabian Travel Market

Exhibitors are queuing up to promote themselves at the 20th edition of the ATM next week, as the region’s travel and tourism operators embrace the upturn.

RMAL To Develop Marco Pierre White Portfolio

The deal would allow RMAL to develop venues under the chef’s name both regionally and internationally.

Wyndham To Open First UAE Hotel In Dubai

The Wyndham Dubai Marina is expected to open within the next three years and will house 497 guest rooms.

Jumeirah RevPar Up 22% In Q1

President and CEO says plans to double the number of hotel rooms in Dubai is ‘100 per cent achievable’.