Middle East travel headlines
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News round-up from Travel Daily Middle East.
Cairo, Muscat lead Middle East occupancy growth: STR
Cairo and Muscat are leading the way in Middle East occupancy growth, according to new data from STR Global. Figures from May 2012 showed Cairo’s recovery from the Arab Spring with occupancy increasing from 41.1% to 49.4%. Four other markets experienced occupancy increases of more than 20%: Muscat, Oman (+31.2% to 53.6%); Manama, Bahrain (+29.4% to 43.8%); Amman, Jordan (+25.9% to 72.1%); and Cape Town, South Africa (+20.2% to 54.8%). Overall, hotels in the MEA region saw occupancy jump 13.3% to 60.4%, its ADR fell 1.6% to £93 and its RevPAR rose 11.5% to £56.
“Across the region, we saw strong growth in occupancy as travellers return to the countries impacted by the Arab Spring last year; average room rates remained under pressure,” said Elizabeth Randall, managing director of STR Global. “Interestingly, despite the ongoing dramatic situation across Syria, where we track nine hotels, occupancy increased by 72.5%, however this relates actually only to 7.9% points growth to 18.7% occupancy achieved. This occupancy level is in line with recent months.”
Anantara launches Eastern Mangroves Hotel and Spa
Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara in Abu Dhabi has been officially launched. Developed by Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), the hotel will cater to both corporate and leisure travellers, as well as UAE residents. A retail complex and 30-berth marina will be added to the property in the coming months.
“Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara represents a significant addition to our portfolio of properties, as it is the first city-based hotel for Anantara in the Middle East, and will open doors to the business travel’ segment,” said Michel Koopman, general manager of Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara and director of operations for Anantara in the Middle East.
Bahrain International Airport welcomes Safi Airways
Bahrain Airport Company welcomed the inaugural flight from Safi Airways earlier this week. Flight 4Q241/2 flew from Kabul and touched down in Bahrain as its fourth international destination. The first commercial flight between Afghanistan and Bahrain, was serviced by an Airbus A320 with a two-class configuration, is expected to increase commercial ties between the two countries.
