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Confident Singapore
Tourism Goals
Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has announced its 2008 targets, setting
ambitious goals and laying out a thorough tourism plan which it aims to
implement in the coming year. Singapore has seen a significant boost in
tourism since 2004, with visitor arrivals increasing by 25 per cent to 10.3
million, and tourism receipts surging 45 per cent to $9.7 billion in 2007.
Middle East travelers choose Argentina
With
new routes being launched from the Middle East to South America, Argentina
is quickly becoming a leading travel destination for travelers from the
region. A city famous for its rich cuisine, sports, and glamour, Buenos
Aires is making its way to the Middle East region as a must see destination
for 2008. “Middle East travelers are looking for new, exciting destinations
that offer the very best in first-class services,” said area director of
marketing - Middle East, Hyatt International Hotels and Resorts, Thierry
Bertin.
IHG to develop Holiday Inn Express properties in Saudi
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed an exclusive franchise
development agreement with Siraj Capital Ltd (SIRAJ) to develop the Holiday
Inn Express brand in Saudi Arabia, with a total of 12 new properties set to
open within five years. The Saudi Arabian deal follows the official opening
of the Dubai Internet City property in November. IHG is opening on average
two Holiday Inn Express hotels every week around the world.
St.
Regis expands into Bahrain
Starwood Hotels &
Resorts Worldwide, announced plans of its latest development, St. Regis in
Bahrain, scheduled to open in 2011 in one of the most thriving travel
destinations in the Middle East. “The thriving city of Bahrain engages
visitors with its eclectic mix of mosques, markets, skyscrapers and casinos,
creating a richly textured cosmopolitan setting perfect for our global St.
Regis guests.
Increasing Oman Portfolio
Swiss-Belhotel
International has signed an agreement with Dubai-based HBG Holdings Ltd. to
develop a new hotel, Swiss-Belhotel Al Qurm, Oman, which will boast
distinctive Omani touches. The new addition will increase the company’s
Middle East development portfolio to seven hotels, while other developments
are underway in Doha, Saudi Arabia, Sharjah and Dubai in both resort and
city locations.
Hyatt Regency Paris caters to ME Business Travelers
Relations between France and the Middle East continue to draw
a large volume of business travel from the region to Paris, where demand for
first-class business hotels is on the rise. The Hyatt Regency Paris-Charles
de Gaulle, which opened its doors in November 1992, is the very first
business hotel in over 15 years to be located in the region of Roissy
Airport, one of the most convenient locations for Middle East business
travellers in Paris. |
