Articles tagged “middle east”

Qatar has made strides since my last visit a year ago, with more of a cultural pulse, less friction for guests as large-scale hospitality and infrastructure projects come online ahead of the World Cup. Officials are hoping once the players leave the pitch for a final time in December Qatar will have earned its credentials as a lasting tourism fixture in the region.

Qatar will be dropping its requirement of a pre-arrival negative polymerase chain reaction test from November 1, just in time for the FIFA World Cup that kicks off from November 20.

The Middle East and Africa was the only world region to show an increase in overall hotel pipeline activity in recent months. Plus other news in hotel deals and development from across the globe.

This is undoubtedly a vital and fascinating moment for travel’s future. Join Skift and several hundred travel leaders in Dubai December 13-15 as we explore the big trends and global forces that will reshape the industry in the years ahead.

Can a hotel brand retain a uniqueness across its properties when expanding? Selina thinks so, and has been trying to convince potential investors it’s (almost) got the magic formula for a mass market cool factor. Still, it admits it’s stepping into the unknown with these hurdles to face.

Abu Dhabi-based carrier Etihad Airways has got the former boss of Portugal's national carrier TAP, Antonoaldo Neves, as its new CEO.

In Skift's top stories this week, millennials spark American Express Travel's growth, hotels turn to mocktails to attract increasingly health-conscious guests, and a new low-cost airline launches in Sri Lanka.

Wooing spoilt-for-choice travelers to visit a particular destination may be an uphill task, but the road gets much smoother if you have a celebrity vouching for its wonders.

Choon Yang Quek surely has his work cut out for him. It would be interesting to witness how he juggles between convincing travelers that this is the new Saudi and educating locals that Saudi needs to open to the world.