The famous luxury ocean liner Queen Elizabeth II, which has been docked in Dubai since it was decommissioned from service with Cunard in 2008, is now to become a commercially managed hotel property under Accor’s MGallery Hotel Collection brand. Dubai’s state-owned PCFC Hotels (Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation) first began operating the ship as […]
Old Muscat yacht club and marina to be redeveloped into new Four Seasons property
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts continues to invest in its expansion throughout the Middle East with the announcement of the brand’s first property in the Sultanate of Oman. A former yacht club and marina in Muscat will be renovated to form the core of the new property, which will feature 200 upscale rooms and suites […]
Ritz-Carlton moves into the Jordanian market with more soon to come
Marriott International has announced the commencement of operations for the first phase of its new Ritz-Carlton branded complex in Amman with the opening of a Ritz-Carlton Residences in the Jordanian capital. The residences portion of the luxury complex offers 90 apartments for residents to begin moving into immediately. The property also used the opportunity of […]
Ras al Khaima welcomes the UAE’s first casino in deal with Las Vegas-based Wynn Resorts
In a first for the UAE, the emirate of Ras al Khaima will create a new Department of Entertainment and Gaming Regulation within its existing Tourism Development Authority to oversee what they are calling “integrated resorts,” or developments that will feature casinos and gaming. Gambling has thus far been banned across the UAE, so the […]
Habitas opens its first resort in the Middle East region at Saudi Arabia’s Al Ula
Following the establishment of sustainable retreats in Bacalar, Namibia, and Tulum, Meixco, Habitas has recently opened a 96-room resort in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia. On-site are a range of exclusive villas, a swimming pool, fitness center, yoga deck, and restaurant. As Habitas’ first foray into the Middle East, the selection of Al Ula as the site for this resort […]
KSA unveils plans to develop an oil rig themed complex as an offshore tourism destination
In a unique embrace of an otherwise uninteresting aspect of its economy, Saudia Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has announced plans to develop a 150,000-square-meter complex of hotels, restaurants, and entertainment and sporting venues that will be located not within a city or even on land, but on an offshore oil rig. The project, aptly named […]
Dubai’s Burj Al Arab launches new guided tours open to the general public
For the first time since it opened its gilded doors 21 year ago, the hotel that bills itself as the world’s only “7-star” hotel is offering something for those who cannot afford to shell out enough dinars for a luxurious over-the-top stay here. The property just announced that it will begin offering tours to the […]
Hyatt brand returns to greater Cairo with the opening of Hyatt Regency Cairo West
A new 250-room, Hyatt-branded resort property has opened in the Pyramids Heights Business Park, just southeast of Sheikh Zayed City and northeast of 6th October City. While not exactly ideal for touristic visitors, given that a car ride would still be needed to go anywhere from the grounds, the opening adds much needed new hotel […]
Egypt tourism showing initial signs of recovery after 73% drop in 2020 due to Covid
The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has reported that the country welcomed 500,000 tourists during the first quarter of 2021 despite the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic. Egypt has strict testing requirements in place for international arrivals and has largely been spared the severe impacts of the pandemic that other countries have suffered. The heavily […]
Egypt’s Almasa Royal Palace property to become a St. Regis
Marriott International has announced plans to take over and operate the Almasa Royal Palace hotel property as a St. Regis in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital east of Cairo. The announcement was made at a joint press event with the National Authority for Management and Investment (NAMI), which was attended by the advisor to the president […]
