http://www.zawya.com/middle-east/tourismen-usCopyright 2012 Zawya Ltd. All rights reserved.Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:32:00 GMT4514476http://www.zawya.com/middle-east/tourismhttp://www.zawya.com/images/newsletter_zawya_logo.gifhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120214033204/Travelers_through_Riyadh_airport_rise_to_1527mThe number of passengers who traveled through King Khaled International Airport (KKIA) in Riyadh during 2011 rose by 10.2 percent to 15.27 million compared to the previous year when the figure was 13.87 million.Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:48:53 GMTArab News ZAWYA20120214033204Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120214035016/Festival_a_gateway_for_cultural_cohesion_says_Saudi_health_ministerHealth Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah said on Monday that the National Festival for Heritage and Culture at Janadriyah is one of the gateways for intellectual and cultural cohesion that connects the Kingdom's glorious past with the present.Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:36:47 GMTArab News ZAWYA20120214035016Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120214031729/Dubai_Mall_to_become_even_biggerEmaar Properties has announced an ambitious expansion of its flagship asset, The Dubai Mall, to add over one million square feet to the existing 12 million square feet.Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:13:09 GMTEmirates 24|7 ZAWYA20120214031729Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120213031317/First_club_on_Dubais_The_World_islands_to_open_this_monthThe first island on The World project is expected to get the final permit to open its shores for residents and tourists this week. The manager of the club, now rechristened, the Royal Island Beach Club, is confident of starting business before this month-end.Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:51:05 GMTEmirates 24|7 ZAWYA20120213031317Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120213031825/Older_Gulf_hotels_look_to_renovateOlder properties across the Gulf will undergo major renovations to keep pace with the quality of new supply, with some even closing for complete refurbishment, according to a new report by hospitality business property advisor Christie + Co.Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:47:19 GMTEmirates 24|7 ZAWYA20120213031825Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120213014648/Malaysia_draws_over_87000_Saudi_touristsMore than 24.7 million tourists Arabia arrived in Malaysia during 2011, Tourism Malaysia officials told Arab News. A spokesperson at Tourism Malaysia office in Dubai said Saudi Arabia topped from the Gulf with 87,693 tourists.Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:18:49 GMTArab News ZAWYA20120213014648Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_12022012_130225/Dubai_to_have_a_new_zoo_soonThe emirate is expected to have a new zoo soon. The Dubai Municipality has started a study on the new zoo project to be built in the emirate and aims to shift the animals in the existing zoo.Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:33:26 GMTGulf News GN_12022012_130225Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120212094325/Etihads_96hour_visa_sees_brilliant_response_from_IndiaAbu Dhabi is gearing up to attract a growing number of Indian visitors, with the number of tourists leaving the Asian country's shores reckoned to reach 20.5 million by 2015.Sun, 12 Feb 2012 09:44:57 GMTEmirates 24|7 ZAWYA20120212094325Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120212033452/National_Guard_chief_hands_rare_artifacts_to_SCTAPrince Miteb bin Abdullah, minister of state, Cabinet member, and commander of the National Guard, has handed a number of rare antiques and heritage pieces to the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA).Sun, 12 Feb 2012 06:37:08 GMTArab News ZAWYA20120212033452Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120212035040/Saudi_visitors_major_spenders_in_SwitzerlandThe Saudi market is important for Switzerland tourism promoters because visitors from the Kingdom spend SR2,000 per day on average, a Swiss official said.Sun, 12 Feb 2012 06:32:38 GMTArab News ZAWYA20120212035040Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120212035220/Hotel_industry_booming_in_Eastern_Province_MelhemA hospitality industry veteran says business is booming like never before in Saudi Arabia and 2013 will see the launch of many new hotels.Sun, 12 Feb 2012 06:32:02 GMTArab News ZAWYA20120212035220Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120212043233/UAE_tourist_arrivals_forecast_to_hit_9_millionThe number of foreign tourists heading to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this year is expected to reach almost 9 million, according to the latest industry forecast issued by international industry consultant Business Monitor International (BMI).Sun, 12 Feb 2012 06:30:40 GMTSaudi Press Agency ZAWYA20120212043233Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120211105900/Thousands_flock_to_Al_Qasba_for_breathtaking_Sharjah_light_fest_showsAl Qasba in Sharjah is attracting thousands of families who are flocking to the picturesque downtown area, known for its quaint lakeside cafes and restaurants, art galleries and play area for children, to watch the spectacular shows of the Sharjah Light Festival 2012. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 11:45:25 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120211105900Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120211091643/Emaar_Retail_welcomes_over_475_million_visitors_to_its_leisure_attractions_in_2011Emaar Retail LLC, the premium provider of leisure and entertainment, welcomed more than 4.75 million visitors to its varied attractions in Dubai during 2011, recording a growth of over 13 per cent in visitor numbers compared with 2010. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 09:30:20 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120211091643Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120210080048/CH2M_HILL_wins_2022_World_Cup_contractQatar 2022 Supreme Committee has appointed CH2M HILL -- a global full-service consulting, programme management, design, construction, and operations firm to ensure the successful delivery of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:43:27 GMTThe Peninsula ZAWYA20120210080048Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidpdf_100212121118/BMI_UAE_Tourism_Report_Jan12The tourism sector in the UAE looks set to record another good year in 2011, after a strong recovery in the previous year. In the period January-September 2011, Dubai hotels played host to 6.64mn guests (including UAE residents), an increase of 11% compared with the first three quarters of 2010. This is a slight moderation in growth though since Q111, when the number of guests rose a solid 14% year-on-year (y-o-y). In Abu Dhabi, during the first eight months of 2011 data show a good 13% y-o-y increase in tourists (including UAE arrivals) at hotels and hotel apartments (despite a fall in arrivals y-o-y in August), to over 1.3mn guests. Arrivals from Europe were up a marked 19% y-o-y, buoyed by a 24% increase in visitors from France, and growth of 18% and 17% in arrivals from the UK and Germany respectively. There was also a surge in arrivals from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), up by 25% y-o-y, and Asia (+23%). Of the GCC countries, substantial growth was recorded in visitors from Saudi Arabia (+56%) and Kuwait (+32%). In Sharjah, latest figures for the first nine months of 2011 show tourist arrivals (including UAE nationals) at hotels and hotel apartments reached over 1.1mn. Based on BMI estimates, this equates to a modest increase of just under 2% y-o-y.HospitalityIn 2011, there was impressive growth in the hospitality sector. Between January and September there was a 26% y-o-y increase in the number of guest nights at Dubai hotels, to about 23.7mn. The average length of stay rose noticeably, by 14% y-o-y, while occupancy levels of hotels and hotel apartments also increased favourably, to 72% and 74% respectively. Hotel and hotel apartment revenue rose a solid 19% y-o-y, to nearly AED11bn. In January-August 2011, in Abu Dhabi, total guest nights increased 25% y-oy, to over 4mn nights. Occupancy levels were up by 9% y-o-y to 67%, while the average length of stay rose by 12% to around three nights. Growth in domestic tourism was more muted, with a 6% y-o-y Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:03:00 GMTBusiness Monitor International Limited pdf_100212121118Subscriptionhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120210084621/Losses_force_Royal_Jordanian_to_clip_wings Royal Jordanian (RJ) announced this week that its board of directors decided to suspend operations to five destinations on its route network.Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:08:00 GMTJordan Times ZAWYA20120210084621Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120210072756/UAE_tourist_arrivals_forecast_to_hit_9mThe number of foreign tourists heading to the UAE this year is expected to reach almost 9 million, according to the latest industry forecast issued by international industry consultant Business Monitor International (BMI).Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:33:20 GMTArab News ZAWYA20120210072756Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidANA20120209T174619ZHUR64/Tunisia_uprising_sent_tourism_revenues_plungingTunisia's tourism sector saw revenues plunge by a third in 2011 as the uprising that felled Zine El Abidine Ben Ali forced hotels shut and led to thousands of job losses, a top official said Thursday.Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:08:00 GMTAFP ANA20120209T174619ZHUR64Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_09022012_100202/UAE_Apply_for_UK_visa_early_diplomat_saysDubai The British Ambassador to the UAE has assured residents here that entry into the United Kingdom to attend the London 2012 Olympic Games will not be too much of a hassle.Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:01:08 GMTGulf News GN_09022012_100202Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_09022012_100240/Etihad_will_launch_roadshow_to_finance_new_fleetEtihad Airways, which has just become profitable in its eighth year of operations, will soon launch a roadshow to raise funds to finance new aircraft purchases, James Hogan, President and Chief Executive, said.Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:52:03 GMTGulf News GN_09022012_100240Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_09022012_100257/Sharjah_Light_Festival_to_enlighten_heritage_loversHis Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, yesterday launched the second annual Sharjah Light Festival in Al Qasba. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:49:10 GMTGulf News GN_09022012_100257Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_09022012_100261/Etihad_Airways_turns_profitable_after_eight_yearsAfter eight years since it was founded, Etihad Airways earned its first profit in 2011 with a net $14 million (Dh51.4 million) for the full year. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:31:53 GMTGulf News GN_09022012_100261Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidWAM20120209123923312/President_issues_law_setting_up_the_Abu_Dhabi_Authority_for_Tourism_and_CulturePresident His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in his capacity as the Ruler of Abu Dhabi, has issued a law establishing the Abu Dhabi Authority for Tourism and Culture.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:47:50 GMTWAM (Emirates News Agency) WAM20120209123923312Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120209120040/Khalaf_Al_Habtoor_meets_with_Serge_Dassault_in_ParisOn a recent trip to Paris, Khalaf Al Habtoor, the Chairman of the Al Habtoor Group, met with Serge Dassault, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Dassault Group.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:44:14 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120209120040Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120209080758/Movenpick_Hotels__Resorts_celebrates_major_global_growthM?venpick Hotels & Resorts is delighted to announce 11 new hotel projects across nine countries bringing the company's total number of operating and planned hotels worldwide to 100.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:06:00 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120209080758Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120209040716/Emirates_allays_A380_safety_fearsEmirates airline, the world's fastest growing carrier and the biggest customer for Airbus A380, said on Wednesday that the aircraft remain fully airworthy and pose no risk to flight safety as European air safety regulators ordered inspections of the entire fleet of the superjumbo jets for tiny cracks in a wing component. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:24:26 GMTKhaleej Times ZAWYA20120209040716Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120209045404/Construction_of_31m_five_star_hotel_begins_in_KirkukThe foundation stone of a five star hotel and shopping center was laid in Kirkuk today, the first project of its kind in the city.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:07:28 GMTAK News ZAWYA20120209045404Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120209031902/Grand_start_to_Janadriyah_festival_in_KSACustodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah inaugurated the 27th National Heritage and Culture Festival at Janadriyah on Wednesday.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:39:00 GMTArab News ZAWYA20120209031902Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120209032816/Zubair_Corp_main_sponsor_for_Muscat_Festival_2012The Zubair Corporation has once again become a main sponsor of this year's Muscat Festival as the organisation continues its support for Oman's biggest and most influential cultural occasions.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:32:22 GMTOman Daily Observer ZAWYA20120209032816Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_08022012_090239/Tallest_hotel_to_open_this_year_in_DubaiTwin towers currently under construction are set to break the record as the world?s tallest hotel, currently held by the Rose Reyhaan Rotana on Shaikh Zayed Road.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:21:01 GMTGulf News GN_08022012_090239Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_08022012_090233/Bahrain_delays_issue_of_visas_due_to_high_numbersBahrain?s Information Affairs Authority yesterday said the unusually high number of requests from the international media to be in Bahrain at the same time is behind the decision to delay their visits to the kingdom. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:20:12 GMTGulf News GN_08022012_090233Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208140956/45000_Kuwaitis_visited_Iran_in_11Around 45,000 Kuwaitis visited various Iranian towns and cities last year, an indication of deep-rooted brotherly ties between the two countries, reports Al-Watan Arabic daily quoting a press statement released recently by the Iranian Embassy in Kuwait.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:23:30 GMTArab Times ZAWYA20120208140956Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208120344/UAE_tourist_arrivals_forecast_to_hit_9_million_in_2012The number of foreign tourists heading to the UAE this year is expected to reach almost 9 million, according to the latest industry forecast issued by international industry consultant Business Monitor International (BMI).Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:40:08 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120208120344Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208115355/JW_Marriott_Marquis_Dubai_set_to_be_worlds_tallest_hotel_and_landmark_of_global_business_hubA symbol of Dubai's resurgence and its growing importance at the centre of the global business crossroads will emerge later this year when the 1,608-room JW Marriott Marquis Dubai opens its doors to guests in Q4 this year. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:39:08 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120208115355Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208113646/flydubai_touches_down_in_50th_destination_in_less_than_three_yearsflydubai, Dubai's pioneering low-cost airline, has cemented its position as the world's fastest growing start-up airline ever with the start of flights to its 50th destination in less than three years.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:38:10 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120208113646Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208103448/Jumeirah_opens_Grosvenor_House_Apartments_on_Park_Lane_LondonJumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding, will open a new concept in luxury accommodation on Park Lane in London - The Grosvenor House Apartments by Jumeirah Living. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:01:35 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120208103448Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZW20120208000055/Jumeirah_Group_opens_hotel_residences_in_LondonDubai-based luxury hospitality company Jumeirah Group said it opened its Grovesnor House Apartments on Park Lane, London.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:22:05 GMTZawya Dow Jones News ZW20120208000055Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208030357/Rotana_to_hire_more_than_1000_employees_in_UAE_starting_next_monthFor hoteliers, it's time to spruce up their resume as there will be jobs galore from next month in the UAE hospitality sector. Abu Dhabi-based Rotana Hotels is initiating a major hiring spree from March 2012 to recruit more than 1,000 hoteliers prior to the opening of four new properties in the UAE.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:00:19 GMTEmirates 24|7 ZAWYA20120208030357Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208045113/Makkah_infrastructure_to_serve_10m_pilgrims_soon_says_KhaledInfrastructure in the holy city of Makkah will be developed soon to serve an estimated ten million pilgrims, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah region, has said.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:22:49 GMTThe Saudi Gazette ZAWYA20120208045113Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208031220/4700_arrive_as_Umrah_season_begins_in_Saudi_ArabiaMore than 4,700 pilgrims on 19 flights arrived at the King Abdul Aziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah on the fist day of the 2012 Umrah season at the Haj terminal on Tuesday.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:13:03 GMTArab News ZAWYA20120208031220Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208031335/Emirates_slashes_ticket_prices_by_up_to_30_per_centDubai's Emirates airline has announced a three-day sale offering customers discounts of up to 30 per cent to select destinations across its network.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:55:42 GMTEmirates 24|7 ZAWYA20120208031335Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_07022012_080228/More_UAE_travellers_opt_for_phone_paymentsAround 32 per cent of UAE travellers prefer using the phone as a method of payment to cash or credit cards, according to a new study released by Amadeus, the global IT solutions provider for the travel and tourism industry.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:14:00 GMTGulf News GN_07022012_080228Open