ADTA chairman Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, unveiled the new graphic signage which greatly differentiates it from conventional five-star visuals.

“This unique, sustainable classification scheme has been produced in collaboration with the private sector and demonstrates how, together, stakeholders can deliver destination integrity,” said Sheikh Sultan.

All hotels and hotel apartments have been classified with hotels categorised on a sliding scale of one to five stars, and hotel apartments as either deluxe, superior or standard.

“We have received positive feedback for the scheme from the international travel trade which has welcomed it as a major stride forward in delivering destination confidence,” explained Nasser Al Reyami, director tourism standards, ADTA.

“The system delivers consistency to tour operators selling the destination, successfully manages the expectations of our respected visitors and ultimately ensures a level of quality performance from all the emirate’s accommodation providers.

“The system also gives hotel investors a framework for property design  in that they can now tailor their developments to specific categories of guests.”

The product of two years of consistent co-operation with the emirate’s growing hospitality sector, the system has been bench-marked against global well known destinations and scoring systems.

“Our studies revealed that throughout the entire industry, classification systems were either mandatory or based on scoring methodology and often resulted in disappointing gaps between theory and reality.

“We seized the advantage of learning from others to create a best-in-class system, with fair and transparent implementation mechanisms and one which is geared to delivering quality throughout the entire hospitality chain,” said Al Reyami.

The ADTA system combines both mandatory and scoring methodologies to deliver a quality standardisation system which is aimed at developing industry standards and procedures, enhancing tourism standards and encouraging their continuous improvement.

And five value-added categories have been added – environmental issues, special needs, comprehensive detailed standards, consideration for cultural tourism sustainability and implementation planning.

Founded in 1934, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts has received numerous prestigious awards. The Oberoi brand is acknowledged by business and leisure travellers alike as being amongst the finest in the industry. 

The Oberoi Hotel, Doha will provide its guests, residents and  visitors to Qatar with a distinctive luxury hospitality experience, featuring 225 rooms and suites and 30 serviced apartments in addition to premium outlets for fine dining, leisure and health amenities.

“This MoU is a great example of how Al Wa’ab City is consistently aiming at achieving growth and excellence and remaining true to our mission and commitment to being Qatar’s leading real estate developer,” said Sheikha Hanadi Nasser Bin Khaled Al Thani, CEO of Al Wa’ab City Management.

“Since the launch of our project, we made sure to build our momentum by defining and meeting numerous benchmarks. To sign an MOU with a group of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts’ exceptional quality and character is exactly the level of association we expect the Al Wa’ab City project to be aligned with. I’m sure this will be a great partnership,” she added.

“Oberoi is a name that is globally known owing to its accolades, class, luxury, exclusivity and its quality. There are no more  than 30 Oberoi hotels across the whole world. This MOU is proof of the benchmark we have set for Al Wa’ab City, one that dictates that nothing but the best will do and a measure of the Oberoi’s confidence in our project as an outstanding development of a global scale.” said Carla Issa, director of marketing Al Wa’ab City Management.

The Oberoi Hotel, Doha, located at Al Wa’ab City, is due to be completed by 2014. It will crown what is soon to become Qatar’s premium retail, leisure and entertainment destination, the 44,000-sq-m Piazza, Barahat Al Wa’ab.

“I feel that Oberoi and Al Wa’ab City are natural partners.” said PRS Oberoi, Chairman of The Oberoi Group. “We are both dedicated to providing a very special personalised service and are committed to our clients.”

The Oberoi Group operates 27 hotels and three cruisers in five countries, under the luxury ‘Oberoi’ and five-star ‘Trident’ brands.

The Group is also engaged in flight catering, airport restaurants, travel and tour services, car rentals, project management and corporate air charters.

In spite of the global economic downturn, the Brussels-based group has opened five new hotels (representing 1,224 rooms) in the region since January 1, 2009, with another three (1,208 rooms) planned by the year end.

One of the company’s 2009 highlights was the introduction of its mid-market brand – Park Inn – to the region, which saw properties opened in Muscat, Oman and Al Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A third Park Inn opening is scheduled in November on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, the home of the inaugural 2009 Formula One Etihad Airways Grand Prix.

According to Rezidor’s CEO and president, Kurt Ritter, the increased mid-market brand openings are indicative of growing regional demand for cost-effective travel solutions.

“Generally, the Middle East is an extremely tough and fast moving market. It has always been very luxury orientated but we are now seeing an escalating trend for mid-market brands such as our Park Inn. This was a natural progression and one which we identified early on as a key growth area,” said Ritter.  

This year has also seen the group, which has a combined portfolio of more than 380 hotels in operation or under development in 59 countries, open properties in a host of new Middle East and North African markets including Alexandria and Cairo in Egypt, Al Khobar and Al Madinah in Saudi Arabia and Tripoli, Lybia.

And according to Ritter, Rezidor also plans to introduce two new brands to the region in the next few years, with the planned openings of the designer Hotel Missoni Kuwait due in 2010 and the luxury Regent brand in Abu Dhabi, UAE and Doha, Qatar.

‘The Middle East is an area with great potential. There are many development projects in the pipeline which offer solid investment opportunities for hotel growth. We are also seeing best-in-class business regulation and support networks being established on regional, federal and city levels,” said Ritter.

“In addition, the growing international network offered by regional and international carriers, both commercial and low-cost, means the Middle East is easily accessible from all corners of the globe. As such, our commitment to this region as a core, long-term growth market is well evidenced by our continued investment.”

Rezidor was one of the first hotel companies to put policies in place to deal with the global market downturn, when in August 2008 the company introduced its ‘Hedging for Turbulence’ cost saving initiative targeting a €30 million-a-year expenditure reduction.

But Ritter, on a regional fact finding mission, confirmed the company remains committed to its medium and long-term development strategies.

Rezidor currently operates 22 hotels and 5,649 rooms in the Middle East, with this figure expected to swell to 25 properties representing 6,677 rooms by the end of the year.

Almaza Bay Resort near Mersa Matruh on Egypt’s Mediterranean north coast is home to three five-star Jaz resorts which will be featured in the Thomson and First Choice Summer 2010 brochures as part of Tui UK’s expansion into new resorts in Egypt.

The Jaz Almaza Beach Resort will feature in Thomson’s Beach Club Collection while its sister Jaz Oriental Resort will be included in the Thomson Platinum Collection. Along the same stretch of white sand beach, the five-star Jaz Crystal Resort features in the First Choice all-inclusive programme for 2010.

Holidays to the three Jaz properties will be offered on an all-inclusive basis with new direct weekly flights from both Gatwick and Manchester to Mersa Matruh from May 4, 2010.

The resorts are located on a beach front setting with family rooms, kids’ clubs, a choice of restaurants and plenty of leisure and beach activities. 

Peter Grace, vice-president, Jaz Hotels, Resorts & Cruises, said: “Opening up Mersa Matruh to the UK market represents a new and exciting proposition for Jaz and we are delighted that Thomson and First Choice have chosen to feature Almaza Bay in their new 2010 programme and commence new charter flights in May 2010.”

The premium hotel company has just signed a management contract with the owning company, Consortium Tuniso-Koweitien de Développement, with the official launch scheduled for spring 2010.

Gammarth is a modern and prosperous suburb of Tunis and  the Mövenpick Hotel Gammarth Tunis will enjoy a prime location on the shoreline only 15 minutes from Tunis-Carthage International Airport and Carthage Golf Course.

The hotel features 102 rooms and 15 suites and will be an important addition to the Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts portfolio in Tunisia complementing the services of the Mövenpick Resort and Marine Spa Sousse scheduled to open this month.

There will be a choice of three different restaurants, a spa with indoor swimming pool, a health club and a wide selection of treatments, in addition there will be to two outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts and a 300m golden sandy beach.

The hotel will have a modern conference and banquet hall for over 350 participants, as well as three executive boardrooms.

“With Sousse and now with Gammarth we are proud of our extended expansion in Tunisia, which will give our guests more choice,” said Jean Gabriel Pérès, president and CEO Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.

“We are delighted to partner with the Consortium Tuniso-Koweitien de Développement, who are renowned and experienced professionals.”

“An icon of Marrakech, La Mamounia is the incarnation of Moroccan identity and a true jewel among international hotels,” said general manager Didier Picquot.

A legendary property, La Mamounia is steeped in history and grace and has hosted a ‘who’s who’ of international royalty, politicians, celebrities and the jet set.

French fashion design team Terre & Ciel Conseil recently sewed the final buttons and sequins on La Mamounia’s tailor-made staff uniforms  which clothe all 777 employees and now the venue is ready to welcome a new generation of guests.

As well as the usual luxury facilities visitors to La Mamounia will find that little extra with a host of designer touches.

During the restoration a  fragrance expert, Olivia Giacobetti, famed as one of the seven ‘noses’ in the world, worked tirelessly to produce a series of scents for La Mamounia. 

The hotel’s hair salon by Jean Michel Faretra Paris offers high-class styling for both men and women.

And Essences du Maroc, a specialist division of marocMaroc has created a luxurious skin care line exclusively for La Mamounia. 

Room rates start at $775 and La Mamounia has 136 stylish guest rooms; 71 suites, including seven signature suites and three riads, each with three bedrooms.

Moroccan salons and a private terrace complete the scene with an ozone swimming pool.

Hyatt Regency Hong Kong opened on Nathan Road in 1969 – the year Neil Armstrong landed on the moon and The Beatles released Abbey Road.

It was the first Hyatt hotel established outside the US and throughout its 36 years, maintained its position as one of the premier locations to stay, wine and dine in Hong Kong.

Now, Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui has opened, re-energised in a new location but retaining the spirit and qualities of the much-loved former hotel. By updating nostalgic favourites and veritable Hong Kong institutions like Hugo’s, the Chin Chin Bar and The Chinese Restaurant, the hotel continues the legacy of the former Hyatt Regency Hong Kong.

The hotel spans floors three through to 24 of the new K11 multi-use development which runs the length of Hanoi Road in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui and sits atop ‘The Art Mall’: six stories of boutiques and restaurants.

There are 381 rooms, including 33 suites, with Regency Club guest rooms, private lounge and meeting rooms on levels 22 to 24.

Less than a year after opening, both Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara (pictured) and Anantara Si Kao Resort & Spa have topped the charts in Elite Traveller’s annual ‘101 Top Hotel Suites of the World 2009’ list.

As the only property in Abu Dhabi to make the Elite list, Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara’s exclusive Royal Villa was chosen for being the ultimate in privacy.  Each of the two Royal Villas come equipped with the best standards of luxury.

Anantara Si Kao Resort & Spa was awarded for its secluded Private Villa, hailed as a ‘private haven’ by Elite Traveller.

Anantara Brand Expands into China

Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, a leading hospitality and leisure organisation in the Asia-Pacific region, announced its expansion into the Chinese market with Anantara Sanya Resort & Spa, due to open at the end of 2010.

Building upon the presence of its existing Anantara Spas, Anantara Sanya will further complement the brand’s growing network of luxury hotels and spas throughout Asia and beyond.

Occupying a tranquil section of beach on the serene Luhuitou Peninsula, Xiaodonghai, on the southernmost tip of Hainan Island in south China, Anantara Sanya will comprise 128 guestrooms and 20 pool villas within a luxury boutique property.

Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah wins best resort

Just three years after opening, Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa, Oman (pictured) was awarded ‘Best Resort Hotel’ at the Business Traveller Awards 2009 held in London recently.
The runners-up in this global category were Madinat Jumeirah Dubai, Conrad Bali and Four Seasons Bali at Jimbaran Bay.

“It is a great honour for Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa to receive this coveted hospitality accolade,” said Arbind K Shrestha, the resort’s general manager.

“The award acknowledges our dedication to offering our guests excellent service and a quality product. We will continue to strive towards setting new benchmarks in the hospitality industry.” 

Residential tower turns traveller haven

Cristal Hotel Abu Dhabi, the 20-storey blue-glass tower, was originally designed as a residential property offering studios and one bedroom apartments.

But earlier this year the Cristal opened for guests offering  92 rooms and suites, state-of-the-art conference and business centre, as well as indoor pool and spa facilities. The hotel offers a mix of dining outlets from a café to the all day restaurant and there is also a health club and spa on the 19th floor.