ABU DHABI: The Singapore Embassy has appointed Omeir Travel, a major travel agency based in Abu Dhabi, as its visa-processing agency for the emirate to ease visa applications for the growing number of UAE-based business and leisure travelers visiting Singapore. The first half of 2008 has shown that visitor numbers from the UAE to Singapore is up nearly 24 percent from 2007, proving a need for additional visa processing facilities. Omeir Travel in Abu Dhabi is the latest Singapore visa-processing agency, following the appointment of Versatile Service Agency, Uranus Travel & Tours (LLC) and VFS Global in Dubai earlier this year. With the new appointment, the Singapore Embassy in Abu Dhabi will no longer accept individual walk-in applications, effective from Aug. 1.
Air Arabia breaks ground on budget hotel
RIYADH: Air Arabia, described as the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, has begun construction of the 300-room budget hotel at Sharjah Airport. The company said that it has appointed Gustav Pegel & Sohn as general contractor for the hotel, which is due for completion in January 2010. This project follows a management agreement signed last year between Air Arabia and Rotana Hotels to manage this property under their innovative Centro by Rotana brand, offering affordable, superior-class accommodation and hospitality. The property, which will include both standard rooms and suites, will offer comfort and convenience for travelers passing through one of the region’s fastest-growing airports as well as for visitors to the emirate, said Air Arabia’s CEO Adel Ali.
InterCon, Visa partner for summer promotion
JEDDAH: Visa Inc and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) have partnered for a promotion this summer available across the Middle East and Africa whereby Visa cardholders can enjoy unrivalled benefits across several participating IHG properties in the region. When guests book online and pay with their Visa card at any IHG participating hotel they will automatically be offered a complimentary room upgrade with breakfast as well as one hour free internet access per stay. The promotion will run till Sept. 30 at selected hotel properties across the Middle East and Africa including Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express targeting both leisure and business travelers to the region this summer. “We believe this initiative will drive online booking,” said Haitham Mattar, director of sales and marketing, IHG Middle East & Africa.
City-center hotels gear up for affluent travelers
DUBAI: Luxurious city-center resorts are proving to be a favorable choice among affluent travelers from the region, particularly for those who opt to beat the increasing traffic problems and prefer the convenience of being minutes away from major attractions. “Visitors to Dubai want to be in the middle of all the action and within no more than a 10-minute drive away from all the major shopping, business, and cultural spots. However, these affluent travelers want to stay in a city-center hotel property that provides an element of distance from the inevitable noise and congestion that accompany life in big international cities. In this regard, Dubai can boast of many excellent city-center hotels, but very few that afford their guests the luxury resort amenities as well,” said Stuart Deeson, general manager, Park Hyatt Dubai.
