EXPANSION PLANS
Gulf States
Mostly untouched by the regional conflict around them, the Gulf countries are busily adding sparkling new tourism infrastructure to their traditional charms, says Colin Ellson
States have been relatively isolated from the so-called Arab Spring which kicked off in early 2011. While calls for democracy erupted
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into bloodshed in the north of the Middle East, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar hardly registered shock waves and Oman acted swiftly to meet the demands of protestors. Only Bahrain has felt the full force of
unrest, with the sort of ongoing demonstrations that recently threatened the FI Bahrain Grand Prix.
42 June 2012 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
ituated at the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula, the main tourism destinations in the Gulf
Meanwhile, its neighbours have got on
with promoting tourism, recording growth against a background that had the potential to deter visitors but in the event had little or no effect. Both Abu Dhabi and Oman have posted year-on- year increases in UK arrivals, and overall guest nights in Dubai rose by 18% in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period last year; a sign of recovering self-confidence following the economic downturn is that the emirate will open half-a-dozen hotels this year. Dubai’s neighbouring emirates are also planning expansion, not to compete with their glamorous big brother but to offer a tranquil alternative. Ras Al Khaimah is investing heavily in
hotels and tourism products; Fujairah is to add more hotels and villas to its existing stock; and Sharjah is spending big to transform historic building into modern attractions. Elsewhere, Oman is developing
properties, Abu Dhabi will open the UAE’s largest water park next year, and Qatar has launched a £37 billion construction programme, including 80,000 hotel rooms, in preparation for hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2022. All things being equal in a volatile
region, clients can feel safe to enjoy Dubai’s cut-glass hotels and imaginative attractions, Abu Dhabi’s outstanding culture, Oman’s spectacular scenery, and the timeless quality of Qatar’s vast desert.
What’s New A new terminal is under construction at Abu Dhabi Airport. On completion it will increase the gateway’s capacity by up to 40 million passengers a year. The UAE’s largest water park will open on the emirate’s Yas Island in 2013. Emirates added a second daily
service from Glasgow to Dubai on June 1, including the route’s inaugural first class cabin. From September 1, the airline will increase capacity on the Newcastle to Dubai service by over 2,000 seats a week, when a Boeing 777 replaces the smaller Airbus A330 on the route. Mahiki, a favourite nightclub with celebrities in London, has opened a similar venue at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. A number of prestigious projects are underway in Oman, including The Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, due to open in 2014. Construction of a new terminal at Muscat International Airport is scheduled for completion by 2014, boosting capacity by 12 million. Qatar has launched a ’48 Hours in Qatar’ campaign to encourage visitors to stop longer than one night on the way to Australia, the Indian Ocean or Asia. The campaign highlights attractions like overnight desert safaris, archaeological sites and forts, rides on traditional souks,
Main picture: the stunning Emirates Palace
Hotel in Abu Dhabi; right, two of the favourite Gulf activities, shopping and desert tours
GULF STATES Top Selling Tips...
• Kids’ stuff… “Dubai is especially good for families, with resorts such as Atlantis, The Palm and Jumeirah Beach Hotel providing facilities for children”
SArAh BecKwiTh Market Manager UAe, Kuoni
• conservative charm… “compared to Dubai, Sharjah, the third-largest emirate in the UAe, is a sleepy backwater. Sharjah is conservative, a tranquil antidote to big city life, with waterfront hotels and restaurants, beautiful mosques, souks and many museums”
COLIN ELLSON Travel writer
• Tantalising trio… “Agents can sell multi-centre breaks in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Oman with confidence; Dubai is glamorous; Abu Dhabi is noted for its culture and grand prix; and Oman has spectacular scenery and exclusive hotels”
SArAh BecKwiTh Market Manager UAe, Kuoni
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