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.

UAE’s First All-Inclusive Resort Targets Mid-February Launch

Opening of Rixos Bab Al Bahr in Ras Al Khaimah likely to spur regional interest in nascent sector

Abu Dhabi Hotels Report Record 2013

Guest intake was close to 8.8 million guest nights, a 26 per cent rise on 2012.

Viceroy Dubai Palm Jumeirah secures $201m Funding

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China marks its first project financing deal for a hospitality project in the Middle East

Dubai’s Ruler Sets Up New Body To Promote Brand Dubai

The body will be tasked with promoting the emirate as a prime destination for tourism, business, trade and entertainment.

Egypt Tourism Revenues Down 41% In 2013 Vs 2012

Egypt’s tourism sector has shrivelled since former president Hosni Mubarak was toppled by a popular uprising in 2011.

Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah Sees Growing Demand For Luxury Property

New report by Deloitte suggests that the Palm will remain a prime luxury beach resort destination in the emirate.

Dubai’s Ruler Announces New Directives To Boost Hotel Investment

The new rules aim to reduce red tape for businesses and cut short approval time.

Ajman Luxury Resort To Open February 1

Starwood will seek to attract well-heeled leisure guests to the less-developed emirate

Jumeirah To Sign Saudi Hotel Deal In 2014

Discussions are ongoing in the Kingdom, says Jumeirah’s president and group CEO, Gerald Lawless.

Qatar To Create 127,000 Tourism Jobs By 2030

Qatar’s hospitality sector is expected to boost job creation as the country continues investing heavily to promote tourism.

Abu Dhabi Exceeds 2.5 Million Hotel Guests Target For 2013

Around 2.5 million guests stayed in Abu Dhabi’s hotels in the first nine months of this year, up 17 per cent from last year.

UK Visa Waiver To Boost UAE Tourist Numbers

The UK has been aggressively targeting the wealthy Gulf tourists through various marketing campaigns this year.

Qatar Airways Starts Hangzhou Flights

Doha carrier flies into scenic Hangzhou which features a rapidly expanding hi-tech and hotel scene

Flora Hospitality Unveils Dhs750m Dubai Expansion

Non-alcoholic chain embarks on new growth curve following Expo win

Emirates Starts A380 Mauritius Services

Emirates signs 10-year commercial co-operation with Air Mauritius as part of A380 access deal.

Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah Targets December 24 Soft Opening

Hilton’s top-end brand will reach out to tourists and corporates