Abu Dhabi Hotel Guests To Increase By 15 Per Cent To Reach 1.9 Million In 2011

Cristal Hotels and Resorts on track to open Cristal Salam Hotel in Q1 2011 to augment existing hotel room supply

Abu Dhabi is poised to open more lucrative business opportunities for the hospitality sector after the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) disclosed that some 1.9 million hotel guests are expected to visit the emirate in 2011, representing a 15 per cent increase from 2010. The robust growth forecast has driven major hotel developments in Abu Dhabi, while encouraging collaboration between key industry players such as hotel chains, travel agencies, tour operators and airlines in a bid to capture a bigger share of the steadily expanding tourism market.

Cristal Hotels and Resorts, one of the most dynamic hotel chains, has revealed that it will be opening the Cristal Salam Hotel in Abu Dhabi during the first quarter of 2011, as part of a long-term strategy to capitalize on the strong growth potential of Abu Dhabi. In line with its growth plans in the UAE capital, Cristal Hotels had also revealed recently that it has signed a contract to be the new partner of Etihad Guest, the award-winning loyalty program from Etihad Airways, providing a wide range of exclusive privileges to Etihad Guest’s 850,000-plus members.

"The launch of the Cristal Salam Hotel and the aggressive expansion program that we have implemented in Abu Dhabi is part of a broader regional expansion plan that aims to increase the company’s portfolio to 25 properties all over the Middle East and Africa. Abu Dhabi has enormous growth potential because of the emirate’s expanding economic activity and increasing influx of tourists and investors, as manifested by the positive growth forecast of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. We believe that our success in Abu Dhabi will provide the momentum to strengthen our expansion programs in other high-growth markets across the region," said Peter Blackburn, CEO, Cristal Hotels and Resorts.

Cristal Salam Hotel is centrally located, providing easy access within a key business hub in Abu Dhabi. The hotel offers 112 luxurious rooms and suites and is equipped with a premium range of business and leisure amenities such as four meeting rooms with city views, the exclusive Cristal Spa, Figure 8 Health Club, sauna/steam rooms, an outdoor pool, free internet, and free underground parking. Cristal Salam Hotel also has a fine selection of food and beverage outlets with the “2.35” all-day dining, “Blendz” lobby café and a soon to be announced specialty outlet.

Cristal Hotels and Resorts has earlier confirmed plans to open new properties in Saudi Arabia as part of its regional expansion program, targeting the cities of Riyadh, Jeddah, Khobar and Mecca. The company has also revealed that it will open new hotels in Qatar and will soon release details about its other projects in the rest of the GCC.
 

View News Headlines