Tourism

Oman sets Middle East’s responsible tourism trend

The Sultanate of Oman and Jordan lead the way in the Middle East for the development of responsible tourism and are model examples for others in the region to follow, an industry expert says. Justin Francis, co-founder of the pioneering travel website, responsibletravel.com, says Oman and Jordan have been consistently active in implementing sustainable strategies for tourism promotion in a region with “brilliant opportunities” to capitalize on. Oman’s embrace of ‘responsible tourism’ as the bedrock philosophy of its tourism development strategy was reaffirmed at the 4th International Conference on Responsible Tourism held in Muscat last October. A number of international organizations participated in the event aimed at supporting the Sultanate’s effort in pursuing a sustainable path to tourism development. Accordingly, tourism development in a number of locations deemed ecologically unique and fragile will be based on responsible tourism practices. These locations include Jabal al Akhdar — home to remarkable biodiversity, Ras al Jinz — a coastal swathe well known for its marine and natural ecology, and the Jiddat al Harasis — a largely barren desert-scape, but nevertheless a habitat for endangered and protected species, notably the Arabian Oryx. Francis will spotlight current consumer trends in travel related to responsible tourism when he joins an international line-up of speakers at the World Green Tourism conference taking place at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from December 5-7. Source: Global Arab Network

Jordan plans $1.5bn Star Trek theme park in Aqaba

Jordan is planning to build a $1.5 billion park themed on the cult American science fiction series 'Star Trek'. Jordan's Rubicon Group Holding (RGH) has announced that the ""Red Sea Astrarium"" will be constructed in the country's sole port of Aqaba, south of Amman, spanning 184 acres (74.4 hectares), and will include a Star Trek-themed center. The park is scheduled for opening in 2014, according to RGH. Source: Agence France-Presse

Sharjah invests $95m into Khor Fakkan hotel project

A senior government official has said that the Sharjah Government has allocated Dhs350 million ($95 million) for the construction of the Khor Fakkan Hotel and Resort, which will begin by the first quarter of next year. Project developer Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has signed an agreement with an international hotel operator from Asia which is entering the UAE market for the first time, said Shurooq chief executive Marwan Al Sarkal. Source: Gulf News

Beirut hotels see occupancy rates drop

Figures released by STR Global have shown that the occupancy rate at hotels in the Lebanese capital Beirut has dropped 64.5% during the first half of the current year, the Daily Star has reported. Occupancy rates have been below last year's throughout 2011. Ernst and Young's benchmark survey of the Middle East hotel sector reported in May the average occupancy rate at hotels in Beirut was 50% in the first four months of 2011. However, occupancy rates for June saw a much less steep decline, at 4.5% year-on-year. Revenue per available room declined by 15.1% for the month, to $136. Source: AMEInfo

Semi-submerged resort planned off Qatari coast

A semi-submerged extravagant resort project is planned on the Qatari coast, at a cost of $500 million. News reports have said that the Italian firm Giancarlo Zema Design Group is designing the Amphibious 1000, which will be built in the middle of a marine reserve. The project will feature both land and sea developments including four giant hotels with underwater rooms that resemble super-yachts. Source: AMEInfo