CEO and board member of Gulf Hotels, Aqeel Raees, today announced at Arabian Travel Market that the Bahrain-based hospitality group has acquired land for the construction of a five-star, 230-room hotel in Business Bay, Dubai, that will open in 2017.
“We are also sourcing a second site in Dubai and currently considering a number of prime locations,” he added.
In addition, Raees said plans were in hand for a new serviced apartment facility in Juffair, Bahrain, the third addition to the Gulf Residence chain of luxury serviced apartments operated by Gulf Hotels.
In other news, he said work had begun on a 3,100 sq metre spa facility at the flagship Gulf Hotel in Bahrain, as well as a new commercial laundry.
The group manages the Ocean Paradise Resort in Zanzibar and the four-star K Hotel in Juffair as well as the Gulf Residence Amwaj, the latter including two fully-serviced apartment buildings opening later this year.
Tuesday, 6 May 2014
SAUDI AVIATION MARKET SET FOR GROWTH WITH FLYNAS ENHANCED LOW COST OPTION
CEO of Saudi Arabia-based flynas, Raja Azmi, has predicted its enhanced low cost model (LCC+) will reap rewards by offering non-stop routes in to the Kingdom from international markets as an alternative to one-stop services on other regional carriers.
The Jeddah-based airline launched a three-times weekly A330 direct service from Jeddah to London Gatwick last month – its first European route - as part of an expansion strategy that aims to connect Saudi Arabia to Manchester, Paris, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Karachi and Casablanca.
Speaking at Arabian Travel Market, Azmi said flynas had amended its business model from that of a traditional LCC to accommodate demand from the regional market: “We had added a dedicated business class as the market in the Middle East is different to that in Asia or Europe, for example.”
While high fuel costs and a cap on domestic airfares handicap competition in the Saudi market, Azmi said the airline was tapping in to a variety of markets through a strategy that combined hub/spoke and point to point operations, low cost operations with a value proposition.
“Saudi Arabia has the biggest domestic market in the region but other GCC carriers are carrying (religious) tourists in to the country – we need our share of that market and can offer short haul connectivity with our new long haul routes.”
The Jeddah-based airline launched a three-times weekly A330 direct service from Jeddah to London Gatwick last month – its first European route - as part of an expansion strategy that aims to connect Saudi Arabia to Manchester, Paris, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Karachi and Casablanca.
Speaking at Arabian Travel Market, Azmi said flynas had amended its business model from that of a traditional LCC to accommodate demand from the regional market: “We had added a dedicated business class as the market in the Middle East is different to that in Asia or Europe, for example.”
While high fuel costs and a cap on domestic airfares handicap competition in the Saudi market, Azmi said the airline was tapping in to a variety of markets through a strategy that combined hub/spoke and point to point operations, low cost operations with a value proposition.
“Saudi Arabia has the biggest domestic market in the region but other GCC carriers are carrying (religious) tourists in to the country – we need our share of that market and can offer short haul connectivity with our new long haul routes.”
MOVENPICK ADDS MORE IN SAUDI ARABIA
Expanding on its presence in Saudi Arabia - where it currently has nine properties - Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts revealed plans at Arabian Travel Market for a new hotel in Jeddah - the 230-room Mövenpick Hotel Heraa Jeddah will be the group’s third property in the city.
Mövenpick currently operates 27 hotels in the Middle East, out of a global portfolio of 80, and according to president and ceo Jean Gabriel Pérès, is looking at the potential for additional properties in the UAE to augment its portfolio of six hotels in Dubai.
“During the course of the next 12 months, Mövenpick will launch seven new additions spread between Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia,” he said.
As well as opening the 137-room Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul Golden Horn this summer, a 184-room hotel will be launched in Casablanca and a 380-room hotel in Marrakech early next year.
In addition, the group will open a 167-room hotel in Kochi, India, plus a new resort in Pattaya, Thailand, early in 2015.
Meanwhile, summer promotions being circulated to the trade at ATM include offers of discounts of up to 30 per cent on room rates between June and end September.
Mövenpick currently operates 27 hotels in the Middle East, out of a global portfolio of 80, and according to president and ceo Jean Gabriel Pérès, is looking at the potential for additional properties in the UAE to augment its portfolio of six hotels in Dubai.
“During the course of the next 12 months, Mövenpick will launch seven new additions spread between Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia,” he said.
As well as opening the 137-room Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul Golden Horn this summer, a 184-room hotel will be launched in Casablanca and a 380-room hotel in Marrakech early next year.
In addition, the group will open a 167-room hotel in Kochi, India, plus a new resort in Pattaya, Thailand, early in 2015.
Meanwhile, summer promotions being circulated to the trade at ATM include offers of discounts of up to 30 per cent on room rates between June and end September.
Congestion in the skies affect Headlong growth by regional carriers of Middle East-Azmi
The CEO of Flynas, Raja Azmi has yesterday, said that despite Middle East being potentially the fastest-growing and most important global aviation market, congestion has been a major concern for regional carriers as it affect their headlong growth.
Speaking at an aviation seminar at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, he said congestion was already an issue at hubs such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as availability of slots at Jeddah.
“This has to be tackled when airlines here have orders for 200 aircraft or more each,” he said.
A reassuring note was given by Bashar Jawhari, VP corporate strategy & communications at Abu Dhabi Airports, who said there were ongoing talks at government level within the GCC and a breakthrough was expected to tackle potential congestion: “We expect to resolve this issue in the near future,” he said.
Despite these concerns, the outlook for the GCC aviation market remains bullish, with Boeing predicting a demand for at least 2,600 new aircraft over the next 20 years, according to Michael L Warner, Boeing customer leader for airplane development, who cited three key reasons for continued growth.
“The geographical location with 80 per cent of the world’s population within eight hours’ flying time, plus close co-ordination between players such as airlines, airport and governments and strong brands such as Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways are sustainable drivers for growth and an advantage over competition in regions such as Asia and Europe,” he said.
ABU DHABI LAUNCHES SUMMER ENTERTAINMENT SEASON AT ARABIAN TRAVEL MARKET
By: ZAINAB JUNAID
Abu Dhabi will host a three-month season of summer entertainments running from June 5 to August 31 that includes top international shows, film and theatre premieres, ballet, music concerts, comedy nights, illusionists, contemporary circus spectaculars, live shows for children and special arrangements to screen FIFA World Cup football matches, as well as a host of locally-produced activities in hotels, malls and attractions.
Announcing the programme at ATM in Dubai yesterday, Sultan Al Dhaheri, Acting Executive Director at Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) said that by linking with leading event producers and stakeholders in the emirate, the programme of events was designed to deliver an unforgettable season for residents and visitors, particularly those we are hoping to attract from throughout the GCC and India.
“We are moving towards becoming a year-round destination with this programme designed to appeal to all nationalities and ages to extend our seasonal appeal – and we want to persuade travellers that any time is a good time to have a great time in Abu Dhabi,” he added.
FLASH Entertainment will stage six headline events from July 28 until August 29. The du Forum, Yas Island, will be transformed into Abu Dhabi’s largest FIFA World Cup viewing venue seating 800 fans and the hub of Ramadan festivities from June 12 - while FLASH will also run family events in Al Gharbia, Abu Dhabi’s Western Region, and the emirate’s heritage heartland of Al Ain during August.
Other highlights include the inaugural event with the Royal Moscow Ballet performance of Cinderella from June 6 to 16 at ADNEC, plus shadow theatre performances and the contemporary circus theatrical La Verità – which features a gigantic, original backdrop created in New York in 1944 by the Spanish surrealist painter Salvador Dali.
Meanwhile, Yas Island’s hotels and attractions are offering 2 for 1 deals which will run until September 30. This includes offers at restaurants, spas and the key leisure attractions of Yas Marina Circuit, the Yas Links golf course, Yas Waterworld and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.
TCA Abu Dhabi will promote the summer season with a GCC roadshow from May 18-27 and through a partnership marketing deal with DNATA which includes mall activations in the UAE and India
Abu Dhabi will host a three-month season of summer entertainments running from June 5 to August 31 that includes top international shows, film and theatre premieres, ballet, music concerts, comedy nights, illusionists, contemporary circus spectaculars, live shows for children and special arrangements to screen FIFA World Cup football matches, as well as a host of locally-produced activities in hotels, malls and attractions.
Announcing the programme at ATM in Dubai yesterday, Sultan Al Dhaheri, Acting Executive Director at Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) said that by linking with leading event producers and stakeholders in the emirate, the programme of events was designed to deliver an unforgettable season for residents and visitors, particularly those we are hoping to attract from throughout the GCC and India.
“We are moving towards becoming a year-round destination with this programme designed to appeal to all nationalities and ages to extend our seasonal appeal – and we want to persuade travellers that any time is a good time to have a great time in Abu Dhabi,” he added.
FLASH Entertainment will stage six headline events from July 28 until August 29. The du Forum, Yas Island, will be transformed into Abu Dhabi’s largest FIFA World Cup viewing venue seating 800 fans and the hub of Ramadan festivities from June 12 - while FLASH will also run family events in Al Gharbia, Abu Dhabi’s Western Region, and the emirate’s heritage heartland of Al Ain during August.
Other highlights include the inaugural event with the Royal Moscow Ballet performance of Cinderella from June 6 to 16 at ADNEC, plus shadow theatre performances and the contemporary circus theatrical La Verità – which features a gigantic, original backdrop created in New York in 1944 by the Spanish surrealist painter Salvador Dali.
Meanwhile, Yas Island’s hotels and attractions are offering 2 for 1 deals which will run until September 30. This includes offers at restaurants, spas and the key leisure attractions of Yas Marina Circuit, the Yas Links golf course, Yas Waterworld and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.
TCA Abu Dhabi will promote the summer season with a GCC roadshow from May 18-27 and through a partnership marketing deal with DNATA which includes mall activations in the UAE and India
SHAZA HOTELS sets for regional expansion
The 203-room Shaza Amman Hotels will open on December 6 this year, according to the group’s hotel operations manager, Jamal Wick, who said it marked an important step in expansion plans that will take in four additional properties in three Middle East countries.
Speaking at the on going Arabian Travel Market, Jamal said that the Amman hotel would be the second Shaza hotel to open after the Shaza Al Madina in Saudi Arabia.
“In 2015 we will open at The Wave development in Muscat, and then the following year we will launch hotels in Salalah and in central Doha,” he said. “This will be followed in 2017 by a landmark property in Jeddah that will be connected on three floors to the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce building.”
The Shaza Amman will be part of a mixed use complex in the Jordanian capital, the nearest five-star hotel to the international airport, and will feature the city’s largest hammam and spa, two specialty restaurants and a ballroom with panoramic view.
It will have 45 suites, three Silk Floor executive floors, a rooftop garden cinema lounge, a theatre-style restaurant and another destination restaurant and a kids’ club.
Shaza Hotels is an independent five star hotel operator, supported by an affiliation with Kempinski and Guidance Hotel Investment Company - Shaza’s regional financial partner. It is also a member of the Global Hotel Alliance.
Sunday, 4 May 2014
Aviation workers to begin strike over planned
The date of the strike will be decided later.Nigeria’s aviation workers have warned of a two-day warning strike in protest of the federal government’s plan to merge all aviation regulatory bodies in the country, their unions said Sunday.The unions have yet to decide on the timing of the industrial action.The government had approved the recommendations of a presidential committee headed by former head of service, Stephen Oronsaye, for the merger of three aviation agencies: Nigeria Airspace Management Agency, NAMA; the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA; and the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, NIMET.The Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN), the National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, NAAPE, have kicked against the decision.The National President of ATSSSAN, Benjamin Okewu, said the unions were currently meeting to take a stand. He said the National Executive Council meeting of the unions would be scheduled for some time in May.“ATSSSAN has concluded plans to get the endorsement of the strike from all its organs as its National Administrative Council Meeting and the National Executive Council meeting are scheduled for May.“We have put our members on red alert, in preparation for the two-day warning strike aimed at paralysing the country’s aviation sector,” he said.Mr. Okewu said that the unions vowed to close down airports across the country as the warning strike would be the first of its kind in the country.He said that the unions have written to the National Assembly, the presidency and the National Security Adviser over the planned strike.He added that the unions have also itemised reasons why government should not go ahead with its plan on the merger.(NAN)
The date of the strike will be decided later.Nigeria’s aviation workers have warned of a two-day warning strike in protest of the federal government’s plan to merge all aviation regulatory bodies in the country, their unions said Sunday.The unions have yet to decide on the timing of the industrial action.The government had approved the recommendations of a presidential committee headed by former head of service, Stephen Oronsaye, for the merger of three aviation agencies: Nigeria Airspace Management Agency, NAMA; the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA; and the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, NIMET.The Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN), the National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, NAAPE, have kicked against the decision.The National President of ATSSSAN, Benjamin Okewu, said the unions were currently meeting to take a stand. He said the National Executive Council meeting of the unions would be scheduled for some time in May.“ATSSSAN has concluded plans to get the endorsement of the strike from all its organs as its National Administrative Council Meeting and the National Executive Council meeting are scheduled for May.“We have put our members on red alert, in preparation for the two-day warning strike aimed at paralysing the country’s aviation sector,” he said.Mr. Okewu said that the unions vowed to close down airports across the country as the warning strike would be the first of its kind in the country.He said that the unions have written to the National Assembly, the presidency and the National Security Adviser over the planned strike.He added that the unions have also itemised reasons why government should not go ahead with its plan on the merger.(NAN)
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