Emaar Hospitality is planning to open new properties in the UAE and the Middle East and North Africa region this year and next as part of a continued recovery in international tourism from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The hospitality arm of UAE's biggest developer Emaar Properties is eyeing expansion with a new hotel in Bahrain in 2022, followed by openings in Egypt and Saudi Arabia in 2023, Mark Kirby, head of Emaar Hospitality, told a press conference at the Arabian Travel Market on Monday.
In the UAE, it will expand with new properties in Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Dubai Creek Harbour and Fujairah.
Emaar Hospitality recorded occupancy levels of more than 75 per cent in the first quarter of 2022 and expects an "upward trend" for the rest of the year, Mr Kirby said.
Expo 2020 Dubai, the return of business conferences and exhibitions, the continued popularity of staycations, seasonal boosts from Easter holidays and the UAE remaining open as a tourism destination were the key drivers of growth, he told reporters.
"Into May, we're seeing very strong pace and pickup in all of our hotels," Mr Kirby said. "It's really just making sure we now get through the summer and then I think we would have a very solid quarter."
UAE hotels recorded a 24 per cent increase in occupancy rates in the first quarter of 2022, compared to the same period last year, with the increased demand due to the winter holidays and last three months of Expo 2020, a Mena hotels report by Colliers released on Monday found. Dubai and Sharjah posted the highest growth in occupancy of 33 per cent and 30 per cent year-on-year, respectively.
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ATM 2022 day one - in pictures
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The branded hospitality market in the UAE reached 116,330 keys by the end of the first quarter, compared with 106,890 in the same period in 2021, with Dubai being the largest contributor to the new supply, the report said. Around 2,054 branded hotel rooms and suites opened in Dubai during the first three months of the year.
Emaar Hospitality said it will open Palace Fujairah in the coming months as a luxury resort in the emirate. It also has five new openings in Dubai, with Vida Dubai Marina scheduled for the end of 2022 and Vida Dubai Mall set to open in 2023. The Address Grand Creek Harbour is scheduled to open at the end of 2022, followed by the openings of Palace Dubai Creek Harbour and Vida Creek Beach in 2023.
As part of its international expansion, Emaar Hospitality will open the Address Beach Resort Bahrain, adding to its currently operating Vida Marassi al Bahrain.
In Egypt, the openings of Address Marassi Marina and Vida Marassi Marina will follow in 2023.
"With these projects, the group will significantly add to the success of the master-planned lifestyle and tourist potential of Egypt," Emaar Hospitality said in a statement.
Egypt's easing of travel restrictions led to "significant inbound leisure demand" in the first quarter of 2022, positively affecting demand for hospitality products in the country, the Colliers report said. The strengthening of political ties between Egypt and some of its vital source markets such as Europe and the Middle East further supported the recovery of this market, it said.
Overall supply in the Egyptian market is expected to increase at a compounded annual growth rate of 1 per cent between 2022 and 2024, with 4,210 keys anticipated to enter the market, Colliers said.
In Saudi Arabia, the opening of Emaar's Address Jabal Omar Makkah near the Grand Mosque is scheduled for 2023 and will offer 1,484 rooms. An Address hotel in Diriyah Gate is planned for 2025, Mr Kirby said.
The Fifa World Cup in Qatar this year is also expected to boost international tourism, Mr Kirby told reporters.
Asked about the effects of the Ukraine war on visitors from Russia, who make up about 3 per cent of the group's total guests and 10 per cent of those hiring its beachfront properties, Mr Kirby said the number of Russian visitors remained stable compared to 2019 but with longer holiday stays.
Pakistanis%20at%20the%20ILT20%20
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Why are you, you?
Why are you, you?
From this question, a new beginning.
From this question, a new destiny.
For you are a world, and a meeting of worlds.
Our dream is to unite that which has been
separated by history.
To return the many to the one.
A great story unites us all,
beyond colour and creed and gender.
The lightning flash of art
And the music of the heart.
We reflect all cultures, all ways.
We are a twenty first century wonder.
Universal ideals, visions of art and truth.
Now is the turning point of cultures and hopes.
Come with questions, leave with visions.
We are the link between the past and the future.
Here, through art, new possibilities are born. And
new answers are given wings.
Why are you, you?
Because we are mirrors of each other.
Because together we create new worlds.
Together we are more powerful than we know.
We connect, we inspire, we multiply illuminations
with the unique light of art.
Ben Okri,
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Results
4.30pm Jebel Jais – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (Turf) 1,000m; Winner: MM Al Balqaa, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Qaiss Aboud (trainer)
5pm: Jabel Faya – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (T) 1,000m; Winner: AF Rasam, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
5.30pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Mukhrej, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: The President’s Cup Prep – Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mujeeb, Richard Mullen, Salem Al Ketbi
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club – Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Antonio Fresu, Abubakar Daud
7pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Pat Dobbs, Ibrahim Aseel
7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Nibraas, Richard Mullen, Nicholas Bachalard
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'
Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.
Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.
"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.
"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."
Profile Idealz
Company: Idealz
Founded: January 2018
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Size: (employees): 22
Investors: Co-founders and Venture Partners (9 per cent)
Jawan
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