UAE: Louvre HotelsTo Open 40 Properties In Mena

Louvre Hotels Group, one of the largest hospitality groups in the world, is looking to expand its presence in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) by opening 40 budget and economy hotels over the next five years, a senior Louvre Hotels executive said ahead of his company’s participation in next week’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2016.

Driving the group’s expansion in the region will be two of its fastest-growing brands – Première Classe, a modern, limited-service budget hotel focused on comfort, connectivity and convenience; and Campanile, a value-driven mid-market brand that caters to new-age travellers.

Rami Moukarzel, vice president - development and acquisitions, Mena, Louvre Hotels Group, said: “The new hotels aim to fill the existing gap in the budget and economy segment. Louvre Hotels already has a formidable footprint in Mena, managing 60 hotels and more than 8,000 guestrooms, and our experience and presence in the region has ensured we understand better the needs and dynamics of diverse regional markets.

"Expansion opportunities have been identified across the GCC, commencing with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman, and we are also exploring opportunities in emerging markets in North Africa and the Levant,” he said.

“The potential to develop a footprint of our Première Classe and Campanile brands spreads across primary, secondary and even tertiary cities in markets such as Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar. Première Classe and Campanile are both globally established names, and in bringing these well-renowned brands to the region, we aim to redefine conventional notions of what a budget or economy hotel should be, by offering guests quality-focused serviced hotels that combine comfort, convenience and technology amenities in an affordable package.”

Première Classe will open its first hotel in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2018, while the first of many Campanile hotels in the region will be announced in the coming months for a 2018 opening.

Première Classe and Campanile operate more than 650 properties worldwide.

A highlight of the Campanile hotels is a specially designed hub at the heart of each property, created to offer an experience beyond a smooth check-in and check-out process, with vibrant open spaces meant for hotel guests or surrounding residents to meet, socialise, entertain, dine or simply grab a quick snack on the go.

“Creating vibrant social spaces all across the property has become vital for attracting young travellers who are always seeking opportunities for social interaction,” Moukarzel said.

The ATM runs from April 25 to 28 at the Dubai World Trade Centre and Louvre Hotels can be found at stand HC0565 located in Sheikh Saeed Hall.

UAE: Carlton Group Adds Five-star Hotel

Leading hospitality chain The Carlton Group of Hotels has added the former Metropolitan Palace Hotel to its growing portfolio in the UAE, rebranding it as Carlton Palace Hotel.

The new addition features 212 spacious rooms and suites including three Club Floors and executive lounge, roof top swimming pool and substantial meeting and conference facilities in the heart of Deira, Dubai.

“We are delighted to acquire this prestigious hotel, adding a well-established five-star property to our expanding portfolio” said Hosni Abdelhadi, CEO Hospitality Division First Investor Group and Group General Manager.

“Deira is a popular location with both GCC and international guests, due to its proximity to the international airport, historical and cultural areas of the city as well as the Dubai World Trade Centre, and we look forward to building on the already great reputation of this grand hotel” he said.

The hotel recently underwent renovation of public areas including the lobby, Al Shindaga Restaurant and the Gourmet Shop, as well as refurbishment of the spacious guest rooms.

UAE: Indian Man Detained In Dubai For Indulging In ‘ISIS Activities

Indian man hailing from the communally sensitive region of Bhatkal, Karnataka, was arrested by Dubai police for allegedly indulging in activities benefiting dreaded terror outfit Islamic State (ISIS). The accused has been identified as Adnan Hasan Damudi. He was tracked by the Indian intelligence for the past one year.

Damudi participated in all forms of online activities of ISIS including recruiting, spreading propaganda material on social media and interacting with like-minded fundamentalists.

The alleged ISIS recruiter is last said to be employed by Dubai World Trade Centre where he worked as an assistant delivery coordinator. The Dubai police apprehended him two months back based on inputs received from Indian intelligence.

The Twitter account which is supposedly linked to Damudi is @AdnanDamudi. However, it is seen as non-operational since the past few months.

Damudi came under the radar of Indian intelligence in late 2014, when early probe indicated that 4 youths from Hyderabad were in his contact through social media. Damodi was persuading them to join ISIS.

Apart from the 4 Muslim youth, Telangana Police claims that he attempted to recruit Muslims across the nation.

In September, Dubai deported five radicalized Indians back to New Delhi after identifying them as ISIS sympathizers, including Hyderabad-origin woman Afsha Jabeen who was leading the recruitment drive.

UAE: Emaar Said To Plan Mall, Hotel Venture For Expo 2020

The UAE’s largest developer by market value to build the properties in a joint venture with Dubai World Trade Centre.

Emaar Properties PJSC, owner of the world’s largest mall, plans to build a shopping centre and several hotels on the Dubai site that will be used to stage the World Expo 2020, two people with knowledge of the matter said.

The UAE’s largest developer by market value will build the properties in a joint venture with Dubai World Trade Centre LLC, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the matter is private.

Emaar said in a statement Wednesday that it’s in talks with DWTC to form a joint venture to “develop a mixed-use development” without providing further details. DWTC didn’t respond to calls and an email seeking comment.

Emaar, which owns and operates several shopping centres including the Dubai Mall, has been increasing its income from rentals to make up for fluctuations in Dubai’s residential property sales. The builder of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower, currently derives more than half of its revenue from retail and hospitality.

Dubai World Trade Centre is a state-owned developer of office space, hotel and conferences with some assets in Dubai. It’s developing an office district near the Dubai International Financial Centre.

The hotels, planned for the Expo 2020 site, will be designed to cater to business travellers, one of the people said. Details of the plans and costs are still being finalised, they said