FEATURE ABU DHABI
Tourism Update ROTANA HOTELS
SELIM EL ZYR President and CEO Rotana will this year embark on a
$750m investment in two mid- market Centro properties in Abu Dhabi, helping to maintain its position as the largest hotel brand in the region. The openings, in the Capital Centre, are among seven new
hotels planned for the UAE in 2012 and reflect recent Hotstats survey results which showed robust results and growth for the Middle East hospitality sector. Abu Dhabi reported a surge in occupancy in October while hotels in Dubai were as full as they were in 2007. Abu Dhabi registered the largest increase in occupancy in the region, growing 9.7 percentage points to 82.8% in October 2011 and moving closer to Dubai which saw occupancy increase to 87.3% during the month.
The two new Centro Hotels by Rotana will be in the Capital Centre which will feature a commercial zone, a marina, bustling outdoor cafés, retail, restaurants and premier residences, creating a vibrant
business and lifestyle destination for residents and visitors alike.
The Centro Capital Centre – Abu
Dhabi will open in the third quarter of the year offering 414 rooms and suites, the latest in-room technology, two meeting rooms and a well-equipped sizeable gym. Capital Centre Rotana – Abu
Dhabi will open towards the end of the year offering 300 rooms and suites, a wide variety of restaurants and state-of-the art fitness centre. Despite the generally gloomy
global outlook, Rotana is proud to be growing and expanding. We believe our growth is supported by our commitment to keep evolving our products in line with trends and guest preferences. One of the key areas for growth that we are currently addressing is the mid-tier market, for which we developed the Centro Hotels by Rotana brand.
26 May 2012 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
NATURE IN THE DESERT BY ANN BARBER
Travel Counsellor, Bury “I’ve been to Abu Dhabi twice and have stayed in Abu Dhabi itself and Sir Bani Yas island, a nature reserve which is a 30-minute flight away. Abu Dhabi is so warm and clean, with green spaces. Yes, there is building work going on, but not as much as Dubai. Abu Dhabi is more traditional and has a very Arabic feel. "There is a big marina mall near to the
Beach Rotana, which is a popular hotel. And the Grand Mosque is stunning. "We ate in a restaurant in one of the
souks and it was wonderful. There is a good variety of restaurants. Taxis are good value too – it costs about £15 from the airport. "If you are going to do just Abu Dhabi,
then I would recommend going for four full days, but you could spend another two or three on Sir Bani Yas island, which is a wonderful side trip. You get so close to the animals.”
“Abu Dhabi is a very new, clean destination with hotels of a fantastic standard, great beaches and shopping”
CARRIER – 0161 492 1358
www.carrier.co.uk The luxury operator has five nights for the price of four at the swish Emirates Palace in September, including breakfast and flights from Heathrow with Etihad Airways, for £1,260pp, a saving of up to £280 per couple.
HAYES AND JARVIS – 0871 200 2211
www.hayesandjarvis.com/agents Suggest a four-night break at the four- star Le Meridien Abu Dhabi, including return British Airways flights and transfers, from £829pp in June.
Who Flies There Direct flights include: Abu Dhabi’s national airline, Etihad Airways, operates 35 flights a week
from the UK (21 from London Heathrow and 14 from Manchester). ETIHAD AIRWAYS – 020 3450 7300
www.etihadairways.com
British Airways is the only other airline offering direct flights from the UK to Abu Dhabi, with a daily Heathrow service. BRITISH AIRWAYS - 0870 850 9850
www.britishairways.com
Airlines with indirect flights include: QATAR AIRWAYS -
www.qatarairways.com AIR FRANCE -
www.airfrance.co.uk OMAN AIR -
www.omanair.com •
Above: Abu Dhabi's a great suggestion
for honeymooners, beach activities, desert experiences and cultural experiences
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