First Boutique Hotel Opens In Sharjah

72 By Hues is looking to capitalise on Sharjah’s growing tourism market.

Abu Dhabi Hotel Revenues Rise 11% In Q1 2014

Guest numbers in the emirate’s hotels and hotel apartments soared 32 per cent in Q1 2014, authorities say.

Meydan Signs Dubai Deal For World’s Largest Man Made Park

Wire World is set to cover 25,000 square feet and will be located adjacent to Meydan Racecourse.

Exclusive: Wealthy Russians Seek Second Citizenship To Beat Western Sanctions

Second citizenship expert says he has seen a significant jump in interest from Russian millionaires in the last month.

Etihad Airways Boosts Flights To Middle East Destinations

The airline is increasing its services to Beirut and Amman from July.

ISG Secures $35m Refurbishment Contract With Kempinski

The project will include the upgrade and refurbishment of all 393 guest rooms

Arabian Travel Market 2014: What To Expect

This year will see around 2,500 exhibitors and 66 national pavilions as industry players look to tap into the region’s lucrative travel and tourism sector.

Wealthy Middle Easterners Make Up 60% of Second Citizenship Applicants

Europe was the most popular location for second citizenship applicants, due to its proximity to the Middle East, as well as security and investment benefits.

Abu Dhabi Sees Sharp Decline in Hotel Rates

Average daily room rates in the capital decreased 14 per cent, reducing revenue intake for each room.

Deyaar Launches Hotel Tower In Dubai’s Business Bay

The launch continues Deyaar’s move into the hospitality sector.

Exclusive: No Negative Feedback From Tourism Dirham: Dubai Tourism Chief

The new charge, varying between Dhs7 and Dhs20, was introduced on March 31 and is applicable per room per night across hotels in Dubai.

Dubai’s IMG Theme Park Gets $327m Islamic Loan

Proceeds will be used to expand the $1 billion Worlds of Adventure theme park.

Exclusive: Dubai Not Building Any Hotels For The Expo – Tourism Chief

The current hotel supply pipeline is only linked to the emirate’s 2020 tourism strategy, says Helal Al Marri, the head of Dubai’s DTCM.

Dubai Ranks Among World’s Top 25 Places To Visit On TripAdvisor List

The Dubai Fountain and the Creek were some of the attractions highlighted in the emirate.

New Six Flags Theme Park To Open In Dubai In 2017

The project, being developed in partnership with Meraas, will be located in the Dubai developer’s multi-themed park project in Jebel Ali.

Nakheel Signs Deal With Accor For Dragon Mart Hotel

The 250-room hotel at Dragon Mart will be managed by Accor under the ibis Styles brand.

Oman’s $600m Saraya Bandar Jissah Tourism Project To Create 800 Jobs

The Saraya Bandar Jissah development includes two hotels to be operated by Jumeirah Group.

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.