October 15, 2018

South Asian hospitality chain OYO Hotels plans to have 12,000 rooms in 150 UAE hotels by 2020, the company announced.

In a statement, the company announced that it will begin operations in Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah before expanding into the UAE's other emirates.

The company said it will have ten franchised and operated hotels, with a combined total of 1,100 rooms across the UAE.

Last month, the company raised $1 billion in funding through SoftBank Investment Advisers. It is currently"...

October 14, 2018

The newest outdoor hangout spot in Abu Dhabi has been drawing crowds of sport enthusiasts as the UAE's winter weather is setting in.

A massive island spanning 3,000 acres near Al Bateen Beach, Al Hudayriat Island features a Dh184-million bridge with two loops of running and cycling tracks, measuring 5km and 10km respectively.

A project that was first announced in 2009 and took almost 10 years to be completed, Al Hudayriat Island was an outdoor leisure hub that many Abu Dhabi residents have long wished for.

Cyclists,"...

October 14, 2018

Abu Dhabi's hospitality sector witnessed a major drop in growth rates in September with the occupancy in the UAE capital's hotels down 7.4 per cent and the average daily rate (ADRs) falling by 1.9pc, according to STR's preliminary data for the month.

The year-on-year performance of Abu Dhabi's hotels for last month were negatively affected by an earlier Eid Al Adha in 2018, stated the report by STR which provides clients from multiple market sectors with premium, global data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights.

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October 12, 2018

The sixteen-day Tour of China 2018 is concluded in Anshun, Guizhou Province on 23rd September, as the 13th stage witnesses the victory of Jakub Mareczko from Wilier Triestina – Selle Italia. The last stage in Anshun is a circuit race of 127.8 kilometers with two sprints and one KOM of Category 4.

The stage remained exciting and unpredictable due to little difference between riders’ results after the 12th stage. No rabbit group was formed even after 40 kilometers, though riders had never stopped breaking out from the peleton since race started.

As the peleton"...

October 11, 2018

The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has unveiled improvements to its hotel classification system.

The move is part of plans to develop the emirate as a world-class destination, a statement said.

It added that the process of evolving and improving the classification system is in direct response to consultation with hotel partners, and seeks to more proactively facilitate and empower organizational flexibility and excellence of service delivery.

To ensure a smooth"...

October 11, 2018

Marriott International on Wednesday said it expects to add 11 new properties in the UAE by year-end, with a robust development outlook over the next five years.

Year-to-date, the company has added six new properties and is scheduled to add five more in the country - bringing its portfolio in the UAE to 59 properties and over 17,000 rooms across six Emirates by the end of the year.

Two of the company’s openings this year feature regional brand debuts - the eco-conscious Element Hotels brand, which opened earlier this year in Dubai, and the EDITION brand, which"...

October 10, 2018

V Hotel, Al Habtoor City, has appointed Vesna Vrankovic as its new lifestyle manager, a new and unique role well-fitted to the eclectic and forward thinking V Hotel Brand.

Vrankovic makes the move to the V Hotel from Tribeca Kitchen and Bar at JA Ocean View Hotel, a multi award-winning lifestyle venue which she created and unleashed onto the Dubai market in January 2016. Possessing both a passion and a strong creative vision, Vrankovic has also collaborated with other like-minded brands including Puro Beach, Masaki Restaurant, Pineapple Express, Penthouse Bar and Boutiq Ultra Lounge.

Bringing a vivacious energy and a multitude of key skills to the new role, all aligned with the hotel brand’s"...

October 6, 2018

Dubai has extended its tourism ambitions, announcing new targets for attracting visitors to the emirate up to 2025.

Building on the efforts to attract 20 million tourists annually by 2020, the year of Dubai Expo, Dubai Executive Council has now revealed new targets.

The Council’s members witnessed a presentation by the Department of Tourism on its directives and commercial marketing strategy, which aims to increase the contribution of the tourism sector to the emirate’s economy.

Its"...

October 4, 2018

UAE-based Indian investor Ivan Richard Menezes has announced the launch of a new $200 million, 300-room hotel and entertainment park on Al Marjan Island, the latest step in Marjan’s goal of having 8,000 available hotel rooms on the island by 2025.

The entertainment park will be history-themed and will include fitness elements, Menezes, the director of United Ventures and Investments Limited, announced on Wednesday.

In a statement, Marjan managing director and CEO Abdulla Al Abdooli said that “the announcement underlines Marjan’s focus on welcoming"...

October 4, 2018

Bentley Motors has created the UAE’s highest fine-dining restaurant on the summit of the emirates’ tallest mountain, Jebel Jais, in Ras Al Khaimah.

The Peak of Luxury is open for just seven days and will serve 150 diners a specially designed menu of classic British dishes created by renowned chef, Colin Clague.

The restaurant, which opened on September 30, has been constructed to celebrate the Middle East launch of the Bentley Bentayga V8 and Continental GT.

Located on the summit"...