ALDAR partners with Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces

ALDAR Properties, the leading Abu Dhabi-based property developer's Hotels and Hospitality division signed an exclusive agreement with one of Asia's largest, premier international hospitality providers Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces.

The agreement was signed by Paul Bell, Managing Director, ALDAR Hotels and Hospitality, and Raymond N. Bickson, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of The Indian Hotels Company Limited, which owns and operates 79 Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces across the world.

The signing took place on the opening day of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference which included a Summit on India highlighting prime Indian investment deals and projects being undertaken in the Subcontinent as well as Indian brands making an entrance into the Middle East.

"Aligning with leading internationally recognised hospitality brands is part of ALDAR's strategy to bring high quality investment opportunities to our developments. This agreement signifies ALDAR's commitment to bring world-class players to our market, and to Abu Dhabi," commented Ronald Stephen Barrott, CEO of ALDAR Properties.

The exclusive agreement between ALDAR Hotels and Hospitality and Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces will cover a number of hotel projects. The first hotel to be developed by ALDAR Hotels and Hospitality under the agreement is a five-star, 500 room luxury resort hotel which will be in a spectacular waterfront location on ALDAR's mega entertainment destination, YAS Island. The hotel will be branded as a 'Taj Palace' Hotel on the lines of the elegant, original palace hotels of the Taj and will have facilities and services to match the exceptional location.

Commenting on the agreement Paul Bell, Managing Director, ALDAR Hotels and Hospitality stated, "Signing this agreement after the Summit on India during the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference is significant as it brings together Abu Dhabi's leading development company with one of India's foremost luxury international hospitality brands. This Summit on India is a testament to the growing popularity of Indian brands in this region and ALDAR Hotels and Hospitality is delighted to be able to partner with Taj Hotels and Resorts to further our objective of combining world class brands with world class locations " Raymond Bickson, Managing Director & CEO, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces commented, "We are delighted to enter into this strategic exclusive agreement with ALDAR Hotels and Hospitality as they re-define Abu Dhabi's hospitality landscape.

We are looking forward to becoming a part of the phenomenal YAS Island destination and to delivering the Taj brand of service and product to this exceptional project and others in Abu Dhabi. Indian international brands are becoming widely sought after as this Summit on India has revealed, and Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is very pleased to be working with leading companies such as Aldar Hotels and Hospitality to develop its brands in the region." "Today, the UAE, forms part of a strategic group of countries in the Gulf region. Leisure and hospitality in this region is growing exponentially and it is important for the Taj Hotels to be present in this region, which is rapidly morphing into a tourism hub of the future." The Arabian Hotel Investment Conference's Summit is taking place from 3-5 May at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai. WAM

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ADAC readies for 2.7 million tourists

Ahead of the Arabian Travel Market 2008 (ATM), set to run from May 6 - 9 May, Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), has acknowledged that both leisure and business tourism into the UAE capital are becoming key drivers in boosting passenger throughput at its airports.

"As Abu Dhabi looks to create a modern, cultural capital for the Middle East tourism, it is expected to grow in line with such designs. Abu Dhabi International Airport has ability to cater a growing number of tourists and passengers," said Mohammed Al Bulooki, director of Marketing and Communications, ADAC.

The gateway to the UAE; Abu Dhabi International Airport is the first point of reference for visitors and travellers to the Emirate and as such ADAC, the owner-operator of the airport, has stated that it recognises its responsibility as being the face of Abu Dhabi to millions of travellers and tourists per year.

With tourism figures to the UAE capital and the wider Emirate set to reach 2.7m by 2012, ADAC's airport developments can be seen as a series of complementary projects that will enable tourism growth and cater to an increasingly wider range of international travellers into Abu Dhabi.

In line with the growing number of tourists, by 2012 tourists arriving and leaving Abu Dhabi will be treated to a truly world-class airport experience at the new Mid-Field Terminal Complex, a 40m capacity airport which will offer some of the world's best retail and hospitality environments.

"While many parallels have been drawn between the hospitality industry and tourism, it is clear that a modern, aviation hub with best-in class infrastructure situated in the heart of the UAE capital will be essential to tourism growth and as a preferred destination into the UAE," he added.

"In enabling guests to enjoy smooth, hassle-free access to the country when coming via Abu Dhabi Airports, we have an opportunity and duty to enhance the tourists' experience and leave both initial and lasting impressions in the memories of all visitors," said Al Bulooki.

Working closely with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) as well as the 37 airlines operating out of Abu Dhabi, ADAC is constantly looking to enhance the passenger experience through its airports. This will continue later this year with the new Terminal 3 which will boost the airport's current passenger capacity from seven to twelve million per year.

"ATM 2008 is a great platform from which ADAC can establish and work closer with the travel, airline, tourism and other related agencies in order to develop, co-operate and enhance every tourist's visit to Abu Dhabi," concluded Al Bulooki. WAM

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Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority unveils new tourism strategy

Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), the apex body that manages the tourism industry in Abu Dhabi, has raised its hotel guest projections to 2.7 million for the coming five years from the original targets set in 2004.

The upgrade, revealed in the authority's five-year plan 2008-2012 unveiled today, puts projected annual hotel occupants at 2.7 million by the end of 2012 - 12.5% more than initially envisaged.

The new target also calls for the emirate to have 25,000 hotel rooms by 2012 end - 4,000 more than originally forecast. The plan means the emirate's hotel stock will jump by 13,000 rooms on its current available inventory.

The new targets are to be achieved by focussing on six service delivery priorities. These are: sector standardisation; tourism experience enhancement; improved access through transportation and visa processing upgrades; increased international marketing; further product development; capitalisation and preservation of the emirate's distinctive culture, and values and traditions.

"The plan has emerged after an extensive strategic planning process which addressed the incredible opportunity Abu Dhabi has to capitalise on its advantageous location, natural assets, climate and unique culture," said HH Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, chairman, ADTA.

He added that the plan is closely aligned to, and totally reflects, the Abu Dhabi Government's intention of maintaining and enhancing its confident and secure society in an open, global and sustainable economy and one which is diversified away from hydrocarbon dependency".

Sultan noted that the move is in line with the direction of Their Highnesses Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE president and ruler of Abu Dhabi and General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

"As our economy evolves, we have an opportunity to become an internationally recognised business and leisure destination. However, along with this comes a responsibility to ensure that we develop a tourism strategy that respects our culture, values and heritage and supports other government initiatives, including the attraction of inward investment. We believe our new five-year plan addresses this potential and need for accountability." ADTA is taking a conservative approach to guest targets to ensure the destination has the necessary infrastructure in place to satisfy demand and proceeds at a pace which will preserve its secure environment and much-valued cultural heritage.

"The five-year plan is based on the overriding principle of managing growth and ensuring that tourism not only benefits our valued visitors, but also our people - whether national or resident, investors and our society at large," said Mubarak Al Muhairi, director general, ADTA.

He added that by adopting this highly considered approach "we will deliver on our core brand value of respect, expand and improve our international reputation, create increased opportunities for investment partners, develop a skilled workforce of home grown talent serving a vibrant new sector, significantly upgrade services and ultimately deliver an intuitive visitor experience differentiated from all others." Abu Dhabi last year exceeded its hotel guest target by five percent receiving some 1.45 million hotel guests. It was named one of the world's top 10 destinations by the UK's largest online travel agent expedia.co.uk and won the World Travel Award for the 'Best New Tourism Destination' - achievements which, Al Muhairi said, have laid the groundwork for bigger things to come.

He added that since "our initial tourism strategy launched in 2004, we have achieved a great deal of success which has impacted Abu Dhabi city and the wider emirate - a policy which will continue. There is a long way to go and huge potential to be tapped, particularly with the completion of numerous major developments currently under way".

Al Muhairi noted that the ADTA will continue to focus on beach, nature, culture, sports, adventure and business tourism, and considerable support services will be required for these sectors - opening up new horizons for local, national and international investors on both big ticket and small-to-medium enterprise scales.

To enhance product integrity while assisting and encouraging investors, the ADTA will progress a series of initiatives across a breadth of operations - some 135 initiatives are to be auctioned within two years.

"The most imminent of these will be the introduction of a hotel classification star rating system which has been developed in close consultation with the private sector. We are also working towards streamlining regulations and enhancing their awareness, compliance and boosting online licence application and renewal capability", explained Al Muhairi.

He added that a collaborative approach will address improved access to the emirate across the full range of transportation as well as immigration, indicating that "We also intend to enhance tourism sector research, partnering the industry and our stakeholders, including universities and industry institutes, to produce relevant research, such as sector skills assessment and requirement forecasts." Also on the cards are plans for seven additional ADTA representative offices in new markets by 2012 end. Australia, China and Italy are being targeted this year joining an existing network of offices in the UK, Germany and France. Next year the authority will participate in 17 overseas trade forums which will rise to 25 a year in 2012. It will also pursue increased destination awareness by utilising and expanding on a range of promotional tools including familiarisation trips, workshops and road shows.

There are also plans to co-operate with the education sector to develop hospitality and tourism-related degrees, programmes and specialised training while the authority is hoping to add at least seven major international events in the next five year to its portfolio.

Quality provision is to be prioritised throughout the entire destination offering, according to Al Muhairi.

In addition to the six service delivery priorities which will drive Abu Dhabi's tourism development over the next five years, the authority will implement four priority enablers to build organisational and sector capacity to cater to planned targets and growth. The four are; improved collaboration mechanisms, national sector workforce development, enhancing organisational effectiveness and the strengthening of the sector's research capabilities.

Al Muhairi remarked Abu Dhabi's increasing hotel guest trend will continue and is expected to show a significant increase towards the end of 2009 when numerous major infrastructure projects come on line. These include the Qasr Al Sarab desert retreat in the Liwa Desert, the boutique Desert Islands Resort on Sir Bani Yas island, the Park Rotana Hotel, the Yas Island Formula One race track, which will host a new F1 meeting in 2009, and the eco-friendly, Par 72 Saadiyat Beach Golf Course, designed by golfing legend Gary Player and the Arabian Gulf's only ocean course with several beachfront holes to name a few. WAM

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Czech Company plans 2km indoor slope in Abu Dhabi

The Czech company ‘Vitkovice’ has announced an initial proposal to build the world’s longest indoor ski slope at Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. At 2km (1.25 miles) long it would be more than three times longer than the current longest indoor slopes in the world in Holland and Germany (both around 550m) , and four times longer than the 400m slope of Ski Dubai.

The proposed slope, which, at 200m, would also be double the width of the current widest indoor slopes in the world in Germany and the UK, was announced during the visit of the Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek to Abu Dhabi which ended last week.

The ski slope would be build on an existing hill in the desert and incorporate hotels, restaurants and golf courses. Source

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Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. & Sorouh Real Estate join forces

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc and Jordan-based Rubicon agreed to develop entertainment facilities with Abu Dhabi-based Sorouh Real Estate in the United Arab Emirates, the companies said on Thursday.

The first project will mix Western and Middle East cultures and traditions, they said in a joint statement, without giving details.

"It is our hope this partnership will enhance Sorouh's position to further cement Abu Dhabi's reputation as a leading tourism and lifestyle destination," Sorouh Vice Chairman Mohammed Khalaf al-Mazrouei said in the statement.

Daily Variety magazine, said the projects will cost as much as $1 billion to develop.

Sorouh is developing 45 billion dirhams ($12.25 billion) of real estate projects in Abu Dhabi as the emirate seeks to use its record oil wealth to diversify its economy into tourism and business.

Last year, Sorouh's biggest Abu Dhabi rival, Aldar Properties, agreed with Warner Bros Entertainment to set up a film and video-game production company that includes development of a theme park, hotels and cinemas. (Reuters)

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The issuance of licenses for the tourism-related activities in Abu Dhabi goes online

The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) to facilitate the online completion of formalities for the issuance of new and renewal of existing licenses for the tourism-related activities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The unique facility of its kind is expected to become operational in a month's time and will eliminate the need of personal visits to both the offices by the license-holders or their representatives to get the work done.

The agreement was inked at the ADTA headquarters on Monday (March 24, 2008) by the ADTA Director General Mubarak Hamad Al Muhairi and ADCCI Director General Ahmed Hassan Al Mansouri.

Al Muhairi said the facility reflects the cooperation between various government organizations towards promoting tourism and enhancing the pace and transparency of conducting business transactions with the private sector organizations.

The e-government initiative is in line with the ADTA's mission of developing the tourism industry in the emirate in partnership with its stakeholders while ensuring the highest quality standards. It is also in line with the ADTA's values of innovation, customer focus and leadership.

Ahmed Hassan Al Mansouri said the efforts of the private sector was crucial for the success of government services being improved and expanded in the emirate in line with the Abu Dhabi government's vision.

This agreement, he said, would save the time and energy of the license-holders and businessmen who are interested in tourism sector investments. The MoU strongly highlights the closer cooperation enjoyed by the ADCCI and ADTA in strengthening the local economy.

In the first stage, the facility will be utilized for the renewal of licenses, while the issuance of new licenses will be made possible in the second phase. There are plans to link the facility with the Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Economy to enlarge the scope of its benefits to the tourism businesses.

This facility will be of immense benefit to the existing license holders in 18 tourism-related activities licensed by the ADTA.

They don't have to visit ADTA and ADCCI to get their license renewed. This includes hotels, hotel apartments, spas and travel agencies.

Under the programme, all the existing license holders will be provided usernames and passwords. To complete the formalities, they have to visit the ADTA website and log on to their individual webpage using the individual username and password. Once logged in, they will be able to browse through all the details about their company and the fines, if any, they have to pay. The fines can be paid online through e-dirham or credit card. The following day, ADTA representatives will visit their offices to handover the renewed license. WAM

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Emirates Palace occupancy registers 19% growth in 2007

The Emirates Palace Hotel posted a phenomenal growth of 19 per cent occupancy in 2007 over 2006. The UAE premier hotel boasts of having doubled its bookings for leisure tourism last year.
The Emirates Palace has also bagged tens of prestigious international awards for its high quality services and as a host of an array of major world artistic and cultural events.

The iconic hotel is playing a vital role in establishing Abu Dhabi's stature as a capital of culture and a favorite tourism destination in the region.

Through hosting diverse cultural and artistic activities, the Emirates Palace has given a big boost to sports-cum-tourism movement like its sponsorship of the world most famous powerboat race - the Formula 1 - and the Abu Dhabi International Golf Championship.

In a short span of time, the majestic Emirates Palace, which bolstered its position as a feat landmark in Abu Dhabi, has become the leading player in the tourism and travel landscape in the region at large. The mammoth front beach resort has made a well-known name as organiser and host of world Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE).

Growth of Tourism Business : General Manager of Emirates Palace Hans Olberz said :''The Emirates Palace has recorded the highest occupancy rate in 2007. The number of guests were doubled, underlining the growing importance of the luxury hotel and its distinction worldwide.

''We expect this growth to gain greater momentum as our ambitious action plan for 2008 features wide-ranging promotional and marketing campaigns to reach out to as many tourism and travel companies, markets and the media organs. This will contribute to attract more holidaymakers from Europe and the Far East.

He continued :''The splendid hotel has made resounding success thanks to dedication shown by its professional staff who have put on great efforts to promote the top class services and strengths of the hotel during participation at exhibitions in Europe and the Arabian Gulf''.

Janet Abrahams, Director of Director of sales and Marketing Marketing, Emirates Palace, highly commended the crucial role the tourism and travel operators played in assisting the Hotel to strike the exceptional success.

''We have perfectly selected the companies and professionals representing us in important high-end markets. From our side, we have offered competitive packages to lure more tourists to stay at the Emirates Palace.

''Air bookings saw a marked growth last year buoyed by heavy streams of holidaymakers from all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Europe who chose to stay at the Emirates Palace during their vacation.

''The Emirates Palace management is committed to maintain prominent presence in all regional and international exhibitions to forge strong business relationship with tours operators specializing In elite and business tourism'', she affirmed.

World Awards for the Palace : In recognition of its superior hospitality services, the top rating hotel has swooped a series of global prizes and trophies. The Emirates Palace has for the second running year snatched three platinum prizes at the award-giving ceremony of the Middle East and North Africa Travel Awards 2007. The last evening of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2007 was a night of surprises and delights where over 600 of industry's leading companies gathered at in Dubai in May to celebrate the winners of the prestigious awards.

At the glamorous evening, the Emirates Palace was awarded three awards for categories of the Best Conference/Convention Hotel, Best 5 star Leisure Hotel and Best 5 star Business and Corporate Hotel.

Travel and tourism experts in MENA said the Emirates Palace winning of these coveted awards collectively and in one stroke consolidated its leading rank as one of the most luxury and opulence hotels in the region and the world alike. They added that these honors have stimulated the Hotel management to achieve more progress and success.

Nine Travel Awards at one Blow : In May, the Emirates Palace Hotel won nine awards at the annual gala of the 14th World Travel Awards for MENA, beating all its rivals in the region.

Among the top prizes, the Hotel was crowned as : Leading Conference Hotel, Leading Resort and Leading Suite.

On the UAE travel and tourism industry, the Emirates Palace has snatched a collection of awards as the Best Resort, Best Suite. In Abu Dhabi, the Emirates Palace was honored and recognized as the Best Hotel, Best Conference Hotel, Best Resort and Best Suite.

In a yet another remarkable achievement, the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences awarded in 2007 its coveted International Five Star Diamond Award to Emirates Palace, selecting the iconic resort above all others as the finest hotel in the Middle East.

The accolade followed a series of awards the Emirates Palace has obtained over the past years. The International Five Star Diamond is the latest in a series of global honors that the Kempinski-managed Emirates Palace has received recently, further cementing its status as the premiere luxury resort destination in the region.

''It is indeed an honour to be officially recognized by an esteemed organization such as the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences,'' Abrahams commented on the achievement.

''The high standards with which we operate and the distinctive luxury experience we offer to our guests transcends even the most premium hospitality offering," She said.

The New York-based luxury lifestyle reviewers cited Abu Dhabi?s iconic property for its dedication to excellence, and overall quality of hospitality, gastronomic offers and most importantly, service.

''These outstanding accomplishments enhance the representation of the hospitality industry worldwide and of Abu Dhabi's," said Vittorio Gai, International Manager of the Academy.

In the global travel and hospitality industry, the International Five Star Diamond award is the most prestigious emblem of achievement, an award many strive for, but few obtain. The decisions of the American Academy are based on whether the establishment demonstrates a commitment to excellence within its category and classification.

''Since the Emirates Palace was opened in 2005, we have been committed to provide our guests with the highest standard of quality and comfortable services. We have been striving to set new benchmarks for Luxurious facilities and amenities.

World Cultural Events : The Emirates Palace has hosted major cultural and artistic events that organised in an Arab capital for the first time in the Middle East. Top of these events, were the concert performed by the world pop star Justin Timberlake at the West Park of the Emirates Palace in December 2007.

Timberlake rocked the Emirates Palace grounds with his magnificent performance.

More than 15,500 music fans - most of them came from Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and other Arab and foreign countries - flocked to the Emirates Palace to to see and listen to the American pop star performing in the Middle East for the first time.

The concert, the last in his 19 months long world tour, which covered 60 countries, was the largest musical event ever seen by Abu Dhabi.

The pop star, who visited and performed in the UAE for the first time, said of Abu Dhabi ''It is an incredible place that is still growing and I'm sure the international music industry will grow with it. He added that he will put a good word for Abu Dhabi to his fellow pop stars.

He was also very impressed with the concert setting by the seaside, which he said reminded him of his hometown in Mississippi, Memphis.

By hosting the legendry concert, Abu Dhabi has carved a prominent place among the capitals of world in staging such premier musical events.

Yet,the spectacular performance by the ever-flamboyant Sir Elton John at the Emirates Palace on January 22,2008 has added an international dimension to artistic events organised by the Abu Dhabi's signature hotel.

Emirates Palace also broke ground for hosting last year the massive production of AIDA Monumental Opera on Fire in association with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. The breathtaking musical event marked critical juncture in the Palace's cultural calendar given the fact that the opera is the largest theatrical work in the world.

Authors and critics said the world fantastic theatrical show was in itself a vital, influential contribution by the iconic luxury hotel and Abu Dhabi to fostering and promoting artistic and musical culture in the community.

Emirates Palace Joins Club of World's elite 100 Hotels : Emirates Palace, managed by Kempinski Hoteliers, landed a top spot in the world's 100 best luxury hotels in the Robb Report, the luxury lifestyle authority.

The recent international citation came on the heels of the Palace's triumphs at the World Travel Market, and a special commendation from Seven Stars and Stripes, another luxury lifestyle specialist.

Emirates Palace was chosen as the best in Abu Dhabi, and one of the 100 best in the world.

Adding another feather in its cap, Emirates Palace was voted to the 2007 Conde Nast Traveller's Gold List, the ultimate guide to the world's hotels that conform to the prestigious publication's Gold standard.

Emirates Palace joined an exclusive list of renowned properties all over the world that feature the best service, rooms, food, ambience and design, location and leisure facilities.

Emirates Palace General Manager said :'' The selection and listing of the Emirates Palace in the world's most reputed tourism and travel organisations and publications doesn't only recognise the world highest standards of luxury and amenities the Palace boasts of but also assists us to present the Palace and its exceptional services to the readers and tourism industry alike.

Situated on a 1.3 km stretch of private beach and surrounded by hectares of manicured lawns, Emirates Palace comprises 394 luxury rooms and suites and a variety of fine dining options.

The resort's leisure facilities include two intricately landscaped swimming pools, a spa, tennis courts, and two state of the art fitness centres. Emirates Palace houses the most luxurious and technologically advanced meeting facilities in the region which include an auditorium with 1,100 seats, a main ballroom that can accommodate up to 2500 guests, over 40 meeting rooms, a Media Centre and a Business Centre. (WAM)

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Construction work commences on the largest Luxury Hotel at Capital Centre

Abu Dhabi-based National Corporation for Tourism & Hotels (NCT&H), owner of the five star brand Danat Hotels and Resorts, announced yesterday the commencement of the construction work on its hotel at the Capital Centre development project at a total cost of over AED 1 billion. NCT&H hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of piling and excavation works for the new 724 rooms five star hotel which will be built to the highest international hotel industry standards.

The function was attended by Mr. Fahad Ahmed Al Awadi, Deputy Managing Director of NCT&H, Ahmed Humaid Al Mazrouei, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company (ADNEC), Mr. Nasser Al Rayami, Director of Licensing and Classification, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA).

"We have decided to build the hotel at Capital Centre project, the largest in the capital Abu Dhabi, with the approval of ADTA, to cater for the growing demand for hotel rooms around the year," Al Awadi said in a comment on the grand occasion. ''Situated on the prime Al Khaleej Al Arabi coastal road and adjacent to Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, the five star luxury hotel property with over 724 rooms, suites and apartments is being built to the latest in architectural concepts. This will make it one of Abu Dhabi's largest hotel and conference facilities, due to open in 2010,'' Al Awadi added.

''NCT&H is also planning to launch new premier tourism developments to meet the rapid growth in the tourism and travel industry as well as Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector in Abu Dhabi in particular and the UAE in general,'' he said. He noted that the strategic location of the hotel next door to ADNEC and capital down town will tremendously help serve delegations of businessmen and tourists alike.

''This is a Dh1 billion ( one billion) investment for NCT&H, is yet another indication of the strength of our commitment to Abu Dhabi as a global capital. Furthermore this property promises to become an icon for Abu Dhabi's development as a multi-dimensional destination for tourism, trade and business ,''he affirmed. H.E. Ahmed Humaid Al Mazrouei, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company (ADNEC), praised NCT&H initiative to build such a world class hotel which he affirmed fits well into Abu Dhabi government's plans for developing and upgrading the hospitality sector which has become one of the key economic sectors in the UAE. ''The high significance of the hotel is derived from its excellent location in the capital which will allow it to provide luxury hotel rooms for business and tourist delegates participating in conferences and exhibitions organized in the capital throughout the year,'' he remarked.

On his part, Mr. Walid Nicolas Harouni, Director of Hotels Operations at NCT&H, said "this large hotel is one of four mega developments NCT&H is planning to carry out in Abu Dhabi, over the next 4 years."

He emphasized the Capital Centre hotel development project would add a much-needed valuable, luxury class hotel to satisfy vibrant demand for hotel rooms and cope with the breathtaking tourism boom witnessed by the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

''Designed by award winning, international leader in concept design and architecture RMJM, the concept will include state of the art component, with emphasis on space and light, maximizing the coastal views which the 10,360 square meter plot will provide,'' he explained.

Nasser Al Rayami, Director of Licensing and Classification, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), reiterated the ADTA full support for such feasible, important tourism projects which will provide more hotel rooms for the growing streams of businessmen, investors and holidaymakers coming to emirate of Abu Dhabi. ''We are keen that this hotel satisfies the five stars standards. We commend NCT&H for its active role in the development of the tourism sector in Abu Dhabi through the establishment of more facilities which deliver luxury hotel accommodation matching the high standards of tourism services in Abu Dhabi,'' he concluded.

The hotel will have a combination of executive suites, club suites, two bedroom suites and luxury apartments with floors dedicated for executive business club . The ballroom will have a capacity for 1,000 persons and in addition to 16 separate meeting and conference rooms. Food and Beverage will be represented by nine restaurants and a special roof top bar specializing in contemporary cuisine concepts with international flare. As a mixed-use development, there will be a retail area of 1200 square-meters providing premium brand retail opportunity, in addition to a 700 car park.spaces.

The manager of the company executing the project said that drilling will go deep into the ground for 20 meters to build a three-storey parking facility. ''Yesterday we broke the ground for casting 500 concrete pillars of the basement. Around 150 ready mix concrete trucks are used daily in the construction site. We are planning to increase the amount of ready mix concrete to 150 cubic meters over the next five months ,'' she indicated. Construction work of the hotel itself is scheduled to start this June 2008 on an area spanning 10,600 square meters. (WAM)

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Arabtec wins $98 Million hotel contract

Arabtec Construction Co. LLC, a wholly owned unit of Dubai's Arabtec Holding PJSC, won a 360 million dirham ($98 million) contract to build a 421-room four star hotel by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Co.

The building of the hotel at the Abu Dhabi exhibition centre will be completed by August 2009, the Dubai-based company said today in a statement posted on the Web site of the Dubai Financial Market. (Bloomberg)

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Ritz-Carlton sets sights on Abu Dhabi

Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has announced it will boost its UAE-based property portfolio with the addition of a new resort in Abu Dhabi's Coconut Island development, an Aldar Properties project.

Aldar is developing Coconut Island after signing a joint venture agreement with National Corporation for Tourism and Hotels last year.

Set to open in 2011, the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi will include 130 guest rooms, and 30 suites and villas.
Ritz-Carlton president and chief operating officer Simon Cooper said the property would play a "key role in our group's regional expansion in the Middle East".

"We are delighted that, with this agreement with Aldar Properties, we are able to introduce the Ritz-Carlton service values to this capital city and provide a new, exciting luxury hotel experience for our loyal guests."

All villas and suites at the property will include water features, with swimming pools and spacious sundecks. Rooms will be a minimum of 55 square metres, while the villas range from 130 to 230 square metres. Source

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