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.

Accor To Develop Middle East’s Largest Ibis Hotel In Dubai

The 588-room hotel, located in the Dubai World Trade Centre District, is scheduled to open in Q1 2016.

Air Arabia Adds Four Flights Between Ras Al Khaimah And Muscat

The low-cost carrier will now operate 21 weekly flights between the UAE and Muscat.

Dubai Among Top Three Destinations For Wealthy Chinese Travellers

A new study shows that the emirate rose to the third position this year, up from the eighth position in 2013 in the list of most popular destinations for China’s rich travellers

Five Minutes With… Richard Weilers, Chief Operating Officer, Tsogo Sun Hotels

Weilers reveals why the South African hotel operator opened its first Middle Eastern property in Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi Ports Awards Dhs20m Contract For Phase 2 Of Marfa Port

Construction firm Alba Tec won the contract and will build landside infrastructure and new marina facilities at the port.

Hilton To Develop Largest Resort In The Middle East

The 362-key property will be located 97 kilometers from Doha.

Nakheel Signs On Shangri-La For Luxury Hotel on Palm Jumeirah

Shangri-La will manage the 52-level luxury hotel in Nakheel’s Palm Tower development.

Up to 75% Of Tickets For Abu Dhabi’s Grand Prix Are “Spoken For”

The event, which takes place from November 20-23 this year, offers 60,000 tickets in total this year.

Tech-Savvy Users To Drive Growth In GCC’s Travel Industry- Study

The ‘coming-of-age’ population will turn to mobile travel solutions and will plan, book and manage their options online, a study says.

New Dhs860m Resort Planned For Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island

The beach resort will include a 295-room low-rise hotel, spa and 11 villas.

Abu Dhabi’s TDIC Secures Financing To Repay $2bn Bonds In 2014

TDIC is building iconic museums such as the Louvre and Guggenheim in Abu Dhabi.

Dubai’s Tourism Authority Starts Process To Issue Holiday Homes Licenses

The first phase of applications is restricted to entities that intend to operate a portfolio of at least 20 properties in Dubai.

Abu Dhabi’s TDIC Narrows 2013 Loss On Higher Revenues

The company made a net loss of Dhs1.13 billion ($307.7 million) in 2013 compared to a loss of Dhs2.15 billion in the prior year.

Expo Effect To Bring 28,000 Hotel Rooms To UAE By 2016

International players are expected to offer the bulk of additions to the market, with Expo 2020 being a major driving force.

Dubai’s Ruler Issues Decree To Establish Six New Wildlife Sanctuaries

The legislation aims to protect natural habitats in Dubai and develop and promote ecotourism.

UAE’s Bar And Restaurant Segment Becoming Too Overcrowded

Local restaurant chief warns the Emirates’ F&B market is being spread too thinly.

Exclusive: Hotel Star Rating System Obsolete, Says Starwood CEO

Brand was already more important than star rating up to a decade ago, according to Starwood’s president and CEO.

Luxury Hotel Chain Bulgari Partners With Meraas To Debut In Dubai

The Bulgari Hotel, located off the coast of Jumeirah Beach Road, will comprise 100 rooms and suites.

Exclusive Interview: HE Helal Saeed Al Marri, Dubai’s Tourism Chief

The director general of DTCM reveals how he plans to make Dubai the world’s number one holiday spot.

Dubai Tops Global Travellers’ List For Shopping, Hotels – TripAdvisor

The emirate beat New York and London to emerge as the favourite destination in the world for shopping.

US Woos High-Spending GCC Visitors

There has been a marked increase in the number of direct air connections between the two regions in the last year.

Dubai To Become ‘Open Air Gallery’ Under New Initiative

Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed launched the first project under the emirate’s Brand Dubai initiative.

Dubai Hotel Chiefs Dismiss Over Supply Fears Post Expo 2020

Although over supply fears are uncalled for, average Dubai room rates need to decrease, industry experts say.

Qatar’s Katara Hospitality Inks Deal With Starwood To Operate Milan Hotel

Katara-owned Excelsior Hotel Gallia will be a part of Starwood’s Luxury Collection portfolio, making it the brand’s seventh hotel in Italy.

Philippines Hoping To See 20% Rise In GCC Tourists In 2014

The Southeast Asian country is boosting social media promotion and working on improving air connectivity to lure more visitors from the GCC.

Abu Dhabi Targets Chinese Tourists Post Nu Skin Event

The emirate is organising a roadshow across Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.

Dubai’s Nakheel Partners With UK’s Premier Inn For Ibn Battuta Hotel

The 372-room hotel at Ibn Battuta Mall is scheduled to open in 2016.