Dubai Hotel Travel

Best Western International, one of the world’s largest hotel chains with over 4,000 hotels in more than 80 countries, is to participate in this year’s Arabian Travel Market taking place in Dubai from May 6-8th 2008.

Best Western, which operates more than 120 hotels in Asia, aims to promote its hotels and resorts with brand initiatives and sales and marketing activities targeted at the travel trade industry and consumers.

This is the first time that Best Western International will be participating as an Exhibitor at the Arabian Travel Market. Since taking over the responsibility of development the Middle East region, The Best Western Head Office in Asia recognizes the importance and huge potential of this market and will use the ATM as a platform to launch Best Western Hotels & resorts within the region.

As for development in the Middle East, Best Western International recently entered into a partnership with the Zainal Mohebi Group. Through this agreement, Mohebi Investment has been appointed as the company’s Area Development partner for the Middle East. Its subsidiary, and Mohebi Aviation will act as BWI’s International Sales Office, looking after sales, marketing, and reservation functions in the GCC Countries. (more…)

Phase 2 of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, one of the most modern exhibition centres in the world, has entered its final phase of construction.

The main structural work of the AED 500 million Phase 2 development is complete and the main shell of the building is now in place; over the next few weeks glazing, marble and other key elements will begin to be installed. Some 2,300 highly skilled workmen are currently employed on the project in a concentrated 24-hour program of development. Construction is scheduled for completion in September this year. (more…)

The medical tourism industry, currently worth US$56 billion worldwide, is projected to be worth US$100 billion by 2012, figures have revealed.

Women’s Healthcare, an inaugural event at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, has been showcasing the healthcare travel industry, which is growing 15 – 20% per annum, highlighting the benefits of traveling abroad for both preventative and curative medical procedures. (more…)

Emaar Properties PJSC has unveiled plans for an advanced tram system for its AED 73 billion (US$20 billion) Downtown Burj Dubai flagship project.

The 4.6 km Downtown Burj Dubai Tram System tramway has a development value of AED 500 million, and will be the first of its kind in Dubai by offering two synchronized services within one tram transportation system.

The Downtown Burj Dubai Tram System will be developed in line with RTA’s Vision for the Dubai Strategic Plan and has been designed to meet the commuting needs of Downtown Burj Dubai’s residents and visitors. It will provide sustainable links for users to and from the development with Dubai Metro in a timely and affordable way. The transportation network should meet the demands of a mixed-use neighbourhood comprising over 30,000 homes, residential towers, nine world-class hotels and over 3.77 million sq ft of retail space. (more…)

In less than one week from now (20-22 April), government and industry leaders will gather in Dubai for the annual Global Travel & Tourism Summit. This important gathering will once again provide the industry with the opportunity for debate, exchanging ideas, building new relations, and reflecting on travel and tourism’s progress to date - as well as mapping out its future path.

The travel and tourism sector’s ability to look ahead and to adapt has made it what it is. The same is true for forward-looking destinations like Dubai. But now, at a period that is at the same time more challenging yet more open to opportunities than ever before, there is a need for a more conscious and strategic commitment to working for the future of the sector and of the global community.

In today’s instantaneous world, vision and long-term thinking are crucial. Over the two days of intensive presentations and discussions, the summit will address the global challenges facing the industry - in particular, in terms of its potential for sustainable, responsible growth, but also regarding key issues such as infrastructure, industry and government partnerships, economic influences and environmental and social concerns.

Discussions will highlight best practice case studies - some taken from other industries - as well as demonstrating the innovative responses of different mature and emerging destinations to new opportunities, pressures and changes. And these in turn will help develop transferable concepts and strategies to assist the industry in addressing all the complex challenges facing travel and tourism over the coming years.

With a clear remit to look to the future, the Global Travel & Tourism Summit will develop key messages in conclusion of each session to move dialogue from discussion and analysis to action, identifying attainable targets for action that can inspire participants and leaders from around the world towards greater commitment to being world citizens.

Finding hotel and meetings space in Dubai for medium to large size groups will soon be less of a challenge when the Bavaria Executive Suites Dubai opens late summer 2008 with 2,100 designer suites in two 40-storey towers located on Sheikh Zayed Road within the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone in the heart of the city’s vibrant business district.

With 2,100 luxurious 1, 2, and 3-bedroom suites ranging in size from 65 – 190sqm, offering well equipped work stations, high speed internet access, additional storage areas in all rooms and terraces from which to enjoy spectacular sunsets, Bavaria Executive Suites Dubai ensures that groups of all sizes can sleep, meet and relax under one roof. In addition, each bedroom has its own bathroom, enabling delegates to share accommodation without compromising privacy, and all suites offer a compact laundry room with washer/dryer facilities as well as full access to hotel laundry services. (more…)

The 2008 Gulf Incentive Business Travel and Meetings (GIBTM) Exhibition kicks off today (Tuesday, April 8, 2008) at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). The GIBTM is one of the Gulf’s only dedicated meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) events and has been organised to cater for the growing Middle East MICE market.

The three-day exhibition will gather 275 senior-level hosted buyers from Europe, Asia and the Middle East along with an expected 1,000 regional and local trade visitors; providing a valuable regional platform for venues, hotels, destinations and suppliers to network with meeting planners, incentive travel buyers, and other key MICE players.

A full range of new features will also be introduced to enhance GIBTM’s 2008 edition, such as the Abu Dhabi Day Family Trip for hosted buyers, a Technology and Events Services Village, and a European Pavilion.

Simon Horgan, CEO, ADNEC, said, “GIBTM is a crucial exhibition in ADNEC’s busy events calendar because it is Abu Dhabi’s opportunity to promote itself to an important regional audience. We expect this year’s GIBTM to eclipse the success of last year’s inaugural show; in fact, organisers, Reed Travel Exhibition (RTE), anticipate a 70% growth this year.”

Layia Hospitality, a new company which is aiming to transform the hospitality industry in the Middle East and North Africa, is getting ready to open its first property in TECOM, Dubai, this summer.

Founded by Daniel Hajjar, a veteran hotelier with over 25 years of experience gained in senior executive positions, and GGICO (a public trading company), Layia Hospitality has plans to create a world-class collection of four and five-star hotels, luxury serviced villas and fully furnished apartments.

Three distinct brands will make up the Layia Hospitality portfolio: Layia Hotels, Living Courts and a three-star hotel brand that is soon to be announced. Layia Hotels contains three elements: Layia Hotels, Layia Hotel Apartments and Layia Serviced Villas. (more…)

Emirates Airline is preparing to launch daily non-stop flights to Italy’s fashion hub of Milan, as well as the nation’s capital Rome, bringing a new tailored approach to its Italian services.

From July 1st, Emirates’ flights from Dubai to Milan and Rome will both be direct, non stop and running seven days a week - bringing more convenience to passengers, just eight months after the airline launched its Venice service.

Under the simplified routings, from July onwards, travellers to Milan and Rome can enjoy one continuous journey. The de-links will also increase passenger capacity on both routes, broaden passenger choice over seats and streamline the booking process for ticketing agents. (more…)

InterContinental Hotels Group has signed an agreement with The Chelsea Group, part of Crimson Hotels, to develop a third Crowne Plaza hotel in Dubai, UAE.

Crowne Plaza Dubai Business Bay, scheduled to open in 2010, will be located at the heart of Business Bay. Located next to Sheikh Zayed road and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the property will be ideally situated to capitalise on the thriving corporate travel market in the city.

The hotel will comprise 367 rooms and several diverse dining options as well as the business and corporate facilities which will include a 500 square metre function room and further meeting rooms. Leisure travellers will also be able to enjoy a health club, spa, an outdoor pool and terrace. (more…)