Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth Cruise Ship To Make Debut Call In UAE

Cruise liner Queen Elizabeth will arrive on April 17 at Zayed Port as part of a 2014 World Cruise programme and will spend a day in Abu Dhabi.

Starwood, MAF Sign Deal To Open Westin, Le Meridien Hotels In Bahrain

Both the hotels are scheduled to open in July 2014.

UAE Warns Nationals Against Travel To Thailand

The Southeast Asian country has been facing political turmoil since November.

Dubai Nightlife Bubble Forming: Crystal Chief

Regional club owner expresses concern about the number of new night leisure venues opening in the emirate.

Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina F1 Circuit Boosts Capacity As Demand Rises

Organisers have announced the sale of tickets for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, to be held in November 2014.

Dubai’s RTA Awards Construction Supervision Contract For Water Canal Project

A joint venture between US-based Parsons and Halcrow has won the deal.

Nakheel To Launch 94 Plots For Sale On Deira Islands Project

The developer is launching 15 resort beach plots and 79 waterfront hotel plots across two of the development’s four islands.

Dubai To Host Largest Incentives Group

Up to 14,500 delegates from Nu Skin Enterprises in China will visit the emirate between April 6-16.

Virgin’s Branson Confirms Gulf Funding For Cruise Ship Project

Branson was looking for potential Middle East investors for his $1.7 billion cruise ship project, according to media reports.

Millennium To Open 11 Hotels Across The Gulf In 18 Months

The hotel chain is focussing on Saudi Arabia and the UAE with four hotels apiece.

Saudi Arabia To Add 1.7m Tourism Jobs By 2020

The Kingdom’s tourism sector provided around 751,000 new jobs in 2013, including around 27 per cent of them for Saudis.

UAE’s Travel And Tourism Sector Added Over 490,000 Jobs In 2013 – WTTC

The sector contributed around Dhs117.4 billion- 8.4 per cent- to the UAE’s GDP in 2013.

Emaar Reveals Details About 2,000-Seat Opera House In Dubai

Located in the upcoming Opera District, the multi-format venue will host operas, concerts, art exhibitions, film and sports events.

Jumeirah Group Signs Deal To Manage Luxury Apartments In China

Situated in an upscale hotel district in Guangzhou, the project is scheduled to open in 2015.

Dubai Approves Bridge To Link Mega Tourist Island Project

The Dh6 billion Bluewaters Island project will also be connected to the mainland via a monorail system and a footbridge.

Egypt Lobbies Germany To Ease Travel Advisory

The fatal bombing of a tourist bus in Egypt’s Sinai region prompted a travel advisory from Germany.

All EU Citizens To Get UAE Visa On Arrival From March 22

The UAE has passed a new ruling exempting citizens from 13 European member states from requiring a pre-entry visa.

Dubai Hotels’ Occupancy Rates Rise To 83% In January

New survey attributed the higher than average rates during the start of the year to the holiday season.

Dubai’s Hotels See 10.6% Rise In Guest Arrivals In 2013

Over 11 million guests stayed in the emirate’s hotels and hotel apartments last year with occupancy rates reaching 80 per cent.

Abu Dhabi Hotel Guests Up 36% In January

Guests numbers at Abu Dhabi hotels reached 276, 970 during January with hotels earning Dhs522 million in revenues.

Dubai Hotels Record 80% Occupancy In 2013

Dubai’s market rapidly absorbed an influx of new hotels in 2013 whilst maintaining a healthy occupancy rate throughout the year.

Qatar Plans To Invest $45bn In Tourism By 2030

Qatar is planning to increase tourism’s contribution to GDP by 5.1 per cent, up from 2.6 per cent.

Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel To Reopen In April After $50m Renovation

The hotel will offer 268 fully refurbished and brand new rooms and suites.

Dubai “Not There Yet” As A Global Conventions Hub, Says Expert

The International Congress & Convention Association shares global business events expertise in preparation for Expo 2020.

US Developer Reef Worlds Plans Underwater Project In Dubai

The new project, called Lost Cities, is expected to be unveiled in early March.

Le Royal Méridien Dubai Undertakes Dhs55m Refurb

New decor, modern technology and two fresh F&B concepts among the changes at established beachfront hotel.

Hilton Garden Inn Arrives In UAE At The Double

The brace of hotels will meet the growing need for affordable accommodation in the run-up to Expo 2020

New Tourism Fee To Be Levied In Dubai From March 31

Visitors will face an additional charge of between Dhs7 to Dhs20 per room, per night.

Marriott MEA To Open 13 New Hotels By 2017

New openings include Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Rwanda and Ghana.

Burj Khalifa’s ‘At The Top’ Dubai’s Biggest Attraction

Saudi Arabia provided the most visitors from another GCC country.