Tourism

Cinema Co to open 20-screen multiplex

Bahrain’s leading cinema house, Bahrain Cinema Company has set the stage for the opening of what it claims is the Middle East’s biggest multiplex - comprising 20 screens.

The BD7m state-of-the-art Cineplex being developed in one of Bahrain’s landmark developments, the Bahrain City Centre, will open on October 1. The centre has 330 retail units.

US Six Flags, Dubai plan Arab world theme parks

US theme park operator Six Flags Inc said it agreed with a company owned by the ruler of Dubai to develop theme parks in the Arab world, including one in Dubai, in Six Flag's first foray outside North America.

Six Flags and Tatweer, a unit of Dubai Holding, will next year start building a 5 million square foot (464,500 sq metre) theme park in Dubai, the two companies said in a statement.

NoozzView; Prophet’s Museum enhances Dubai

In a move that will transform Dubai’s image as a bustling commercial centre noted for its banks, skyscrapers and tourist excellence, the emirate is to build the first ever museum dedicated to the Prophet Mohammed.

Qatar scores the best in tourism among Gulf countries

Qatar has beaten countries of the GCC and fellow Arab countries in the worldwide tourism index, in which it clinched the 37th spot.

Known as the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI), the report ranks 130 economies on the basis of 14 variables. The rankings are an integral part of the second Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2008, issued by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Religious tourism can be an economic pillar for Iraq

Dr. Aqeel al-Khazaali, governor of the holy city of Kerbala, has demanded the central government in Baghdad to allocate 1 percent of oil revenues to boost religious tourism in Iraq's holy cities, including Kerbala, regarding it as a source for growth in Iraq's economy.

He cited the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims that come to Iraq every year as a continuous and lucrative revenue stream that should be invested in to create a stable economic sector.

GCC hospitality projects worth US$90 billion

Independent surveys confirm region's robust hospitality industry is bucking negative economic trends affecting other parts of the world.

With around US$90 billion in tourism related developments currently being built, the Arabian Gulf is set to enjoy growth rates that hoteliers in other parts of the world will only be able to dream about.

US$70bn in investment committed to UAE tourism industry

The Gulf region's hospitality industry is bucking negative global economic trends by registering double-digit growth.

"With $70 billion in committed hotel and tourism-related developments, the UAE is set to enjoy growth rates hoteliers in other parts of the world will only be able to dream about," a report said.