Day two of Arabian Travel Market 2009 proved a roaring success and was buzzing with exciting breaking news stories.
With Hoteliermiddleeast.com, you don't have to wait until tomorrow to find out the gossip, it's right here online.
So here are the highlights of day two:
HOTEL WRAP:
* Moroccan King to open country's most expensive hotel - Royal Mansour - in September, boasting rates at least 50% more than Raffles or Four Seasons.
* Address signs first European management contract in south of France.
* UAE revPAR down 28% year to date, according to Euromonitor International in association with STR Global.
* UK's Maybourne Group to open 20-25 properties over the next 10 years, with some planned for Middle East, and will launch Gulf trade roadshow later this month.
* Hilton introduces special services for GCC guests at its Egypt properties.
* Hyatt Dubai witnesses growth in spa business.
* Le Meridien Al Aqah Fujairah announces US $2.7 million spa refurbishment.
* Cutting rates debate rages on with GMs split as to whether or not it's the right move.
* Rosewood awarded two accolades at last night's World Travel Awards.
* Dusit signs up Bahrain property.
* Ritz-Carlton president predicts conversion trend worldwide as some hotels struggle to stay afloat and big brands step in.
* Customer-facing staff worst casualties of employee cutbacks (44%) according to research by Catererglobal.com
* Movenpick builds its own recruitment website in run up to opening of its four new properties in Dubai.
* Forty-five percent of current hospitality school students in Europe say they would take an internship in the Middle East for free, according to research from Hospitality Graduate Recruitment.
* Dubai's Jumeirah Group has just rolled out medical insurance for its 10,000-plus colleagues.
* Biggest challenge UAE faces where redundancies are concerned is the immediate cancellation of visas in the hospitality industry.
* First CampbellGray Hotel property to open in Middle East - Le Gray - in Beirut at end of June/beginning of July.
* Hilton's Extra Nights programme online for the first time.
* Swiss-belhotel has 54 hotels in the pipeline worldwide compared to 28 properties at present and will go on to sign a new deal every eight weeks.
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DESTINATIONS WRAP:
* Kenya Tourism Board reports 36% growth in UAE tourism arrivals in 2008 compared to 2007.
* Philippines Tourism aims to increase its number of tourism arrivals from the Gulf by 40% in 2009 (from around 40,000 visitors at present) after stepping up its promotional efforts in region.
* Maldives Tourism concedes it has been "shockingly negligents" of Gulf source market but promises that plans are in place to rectify situation.
* Dubai's Ferrari World on track for 2010 opening.
* Dubailand still on track says senior VP.
* Abu Dhabi triples the size of its 'Summer in Abu Dhabi' entertainment extravaganza.
TRAVEL AGENTS WRAP:
* Planet Travel and Tours launches new. outbound tourism brand - Planet Vacations
CRUISE WRAP:
* Cruise line Royal Caribbean reports 30% year on year growth in Gulf business.
AIRLINES/OPERATORS WRAP:
* Saudi Arabian airline nasair will add eight new destinations and buy 25 new aircraft by 2013, claims CEO.
* Arabian Adventures to recruit 10% more staff to cater to company's ongoing expansion.
IT WRAP:
Amadeus has taken GDS out of its mission statement and re-brands itself as an IT solutions provider.
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Travelport GDS signs a multi-year agreement with Dubai's Al Rais Travel for the Galileo reservations system
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