Jumeirah Group To Relaunch VENU Hotel Brand

Dubai-based hotelier says it is in talks with developer Meraas to operate the first VENU hotel in the Bluewaters Island development.

Abu Dhabi’s Hotel Guests Up 26% In July

Occupancy rates across Abu Dhabi hotels also rose three per cent year-on-year in July while revenues grew by 14 per cent, official figures show.

Ras Al Khaimah Nets $118m In Tourism Revenues In H1

Occupancy levels across Ras Al Khaimah’s hotels reached 64.11 per cent while the average daily rate amounted to $69.85, generating revenues worth $14.9 million.

Abu Dhabi Woos Chinese Travellers

The emirate is holding a Chinese Visitor Summit to boost tourist numbers and guest nights.

Dubai’s Hotels Welcome Over 5.8m Tourists In The First Half Of 2014

The emirate recorded a 26 per cent rise in the number of visitors from China.

Dubai’s Atlantis, The Palm Set To Refinance $880 Million Loan

Despite a more bullish market in the UAE it is unclear whether Atlantis would be able to reprice its loan as easily as expected.

UAE Tells Citizens To Avoid Central London Areas Due To Crime

The warning comes after two violent attacks on Emirati tourists in the UK capital this year.

Marriott Says Protea Acquisition Helps Boost Occupancy In MEA

Marriott saw occupancy rise 4.4 per cent and RevPar increase by 3.9 per cent in the Middle East and Africa region during Q2.

Omani Hotel Guests in Dubai Rise 12% in H1 2014

Up to 163,000 visitors from Oman stayed in Dubai’s hotels during the first half of this year.

New UAE Visa Rules Will Boost Cruise Tourism In Dubai – Official

Under the new ruling, cruise tourists can get a multiple entry tourism permit for Dhs200.

UAE Warns Citizens To Avoid Travel To Afghanistan, South Sudan, Somalia

The ministry of foreign affairs issued the warning citing security concerns in the three countries.

Qataris Move To Snap Up IHG’s Paris Flagship Hotel Le Grand

The sale, which is not expected to complete until next year, continues IHG’s strategy of selling on its hotels and then managing them under contract.

UAE-Based Time Hotels Inks Deal To Manage Red Sea Resort In Egypt

The hospitality firm will manage a beach resort comprising of a hotel and residences in the Sahl Haseesh development in Egypt.

Abu Dhabi Hotels Welcome 1.7m Guests In H1 2014

Occupancy rates across the emirate’s hotel and hotel apartments reached an average of 77 per cent during the first six months of the year.

Carlson Rezidor Inks Deal For 5 New Hotels In Saudi Arabia

The group, whose core brands are Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson, will open three hotels in Jeddah and one each in Riyadh and Dammam.

Accor To Manage New 3-Star Hotel In Dubai’s Business Bay

Accor has signed an agreement with Indian developer Hiranandani Group to manage an ibis Styles hotel.

Dubai Ranks Fifth Among Top Global Destinations For Travellers

The emirate is expected to receive around 12 million overnight international visitors in 2014, a new study says.

UAE Citizens To Travel Visa-Free To Kazakhstan From July 15

Kazakhstan is introducing a 15-day visa-free regime for citizens from 10 countries.

Oman Sees Rise In Tourism Numbers In 2014

Overall hotel revenues in Oman reached OMR65.9 million, up 10 per cent from the same period last year, when it touched OMR59.7 million.

UAE Visitors Spent $1.145m In First Two Weeks Of FIFA World Cup- Visa

Middle East travellers have spent around $2.7 million on their visa cards since the start of the tournament, the payments provider said.

Pictures: Dubai’s New Mega Mall Of The World Project

The development will include the world’s largest mall and a range of leisure, retail, cultural, wellness and hospitality options.

India, Pakistan Among 64 Nations Soon To Get Visa-On Arrival In Bahrain

The Gulf state is planning to implement a new visa policy in 2015, under which nationals from 64 countries can receive one-month visas on arrival.

Starwood’s Debuts Westin And Le Méridien In Bahrain

Global operator targets Bahrain shoppers with double opening at retail centre

New A380 Simulator Launched In Dubai’s Mirdif City Centre

The iPILOT simulator, located in Magic Planet, will offer the experience of flying the world’s largest passenger jet.

Hilton To Open New Hotel In Saudi Arabia

The hotel, which is situated in the province of Al Qassim, is expected to open by mid-2016.

Dubai’s Ruler Approves Expansion Of Jumeirah Beach Hotel

Under the plan, an ultra-luxury 350-room resort will be added to the existing Jumeirah Beach Hotel.

Guest Spending Across Dubai’s Luxury Hotels To Drop 15% During Ramadan

Hotels can actually increase guest spending by up to 24 per cent by targeting guests with individually relevant information.

Portugal Records 140% Rise In UAE Tourist Numbers

The increase in tourism numbers was spurred by the launch of a daily Emirates flight route to Lisbon back in July 2012.

Five Minutes With.. Elyes Mrad, VP Sales & Marketing, Hertz

Can renters are becoming younger, increasingly using vehicles for leisure purposes and booking online says Elyes Mrad, VP sales and marketing, Hertz.

UAE Warns Against Lebanon Travel Following Friday Bombing

UAE officials have also urged Emirati citizens in Lebanon to leave the country immediately.