Abu Dhabi Sees Hotel Revenues Rise 6% In 2012

The emirate welcomed over 2.3 million hotel guests last year, up 13 per cent from 2011.

Kenya Sees 96.3% Rise In UAE Visitors

A total of 32,865 people arrived in Kenya from the UAE in the first ten months of 2012.

Accor Targets KSA Mid-Market Growth

Accor’s latest contract targets underserved sector

Abu Dhabi Awards $653m Louvre Contract To Arabtec

The Louvre museum in the emirate is due to be completed in 2015.

Emirates Gears Up for Double Daily A380s to New York and Paris

The expansion dovetails with the opening of Concourse A, the world’s first purpose-built A380 concourse, at Dubai International Airport in January

Abu Dhabi Eyes More Indian Tourists In 2013

The emirate’s tourism authority is holding a five-city road show in India in January.

Dubai-Based QE2 Liner Not To Be Scrapped

Former owner Cunard dismisses reports that the Queen Elizabeth II liner will be scrapped.

RAK To Open Two Key Hotels In 2013, Eyes More Tourists

The 632-room resort Rixos Bab Al Bahr will be joined by the 349-room Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah.

Top 10 GCC Travel Trends In 2012

Airline partnerships and new hotel launches marked a busy year for the region’s travel industry.

UAE Warns Citizens To Avoid Lebanon Travel

The warning has been issued because of the “difficult and sensitive political circumstances in Lebanon,” says ministry.

Dubai Taxis Rank Third Best In The World

TripAdvisor’s annual Cities Survey ranks the emirate’s cabs highly.

Starwood’s Aloft Opening In Iraq

It marks the global operator’s third property in the city, following deals for a Sheraton hotel and Four Points by Sheraton hotel earlier this year

UAE’s First Mega Waterpark Opens In Abu Dhabi

Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi is set to open its doors to the public in the New Year.

Dubai’s Habtoor Hotel Renovated In 2013

The five-star resort will see its 446 rooms and F&B outlets refurbished.

Emirates’ London Heathrow Flights All A380

Combined with daily Manchester A380 services, the world’s largest A380 carrier will be sending 360 flights to and from the UK each month

Accor Refocuses Al Barsha Strategy

Accor’s renewed focus in this fiercely competitive district follows yesterday’s announcement that its upscale Pullman brand will be reflagged Sheraton Mall of the Emirates early next year

Second Hilton Garden Inn for Riyadh

The 130-room Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Andalusia will be the mid-tier brand’s third property in the Kingdom

First ibis Opens In Saudi Arabia

First internationally branded three-star economy hotel in the Kingdom will be followed by many more as main hospitality groups target demand for affordable stays

Ocean View Hotel Opening December 22

Located along The Walk, the 341-room property will contain five restaurants and bars

Dubai Hotels See 87.1% Occupancy In October

Hotels in neighbouring Abu Dhabi posted a decline in occupancy and profit rates, says new survey.

Top 10 Global Cities For Hotel Investment In 2012

Dubai features among the top 25 global destinations for hotel investment in 2012, according to a new report.

Best Western Opens All-Suite Hotel In Bahrain

The chain is in the midst of an aggressive Middle East expansion with new hotels in Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and another property coming up in Bahrain

25% Of New UAE Hotel Projects On Hold

While 21 per cent of UAE hotel projects in the pipeline have been postponed, 54 per cent are confirmed, finds new study.

Dubai Plans $2.7bn Theme Park Complex

The project, to be developed by Meraas, will also include a Bollywood-themed section.

Jumeirah Opens In Mumbai; Rumours Of Delhi Opening

Hospitality company Jumeirah has signed an agreement to operate in Mumbai, India; CEO tells Gulf Business that Delhi may be next.

Dubai’s Ruler Orders Expansion of World’s Tallest Hotel

Sheikh Mohammed instructs work to begin on the second phase of the Dhs2.5 billion JW Marriott Marquis.

Dubai Plans Mega City; World’s Largest Mall

The mall will be part of a new retail and tourism complex that also includes a park bigger than London’s Hyde park.

World’s Tallest Hotel Opens In Dubai

The 355-metres tall JW Marriott Marquis Hotel opens its first tower, adding 804 rooms to Dubai.

REVEALED: Top 10 GCC Hotel Launches In 2012

As the Gulf’s hospitality industry grows, international and local hotel brands are ramping up their presence in the region.

World Travel Market Reveals Top Travel Trends

Global trends worldwide include the rise of shopping hotels in the Middle East and the attraction of forbidden lands in the Americas.