January 2012

Rotana to open eight properties in 2012

Abu Dhabi-based hotel group Rotana is to open a total of eight properties throughout the Middle East this year.  The Rotana brand is set to debut in Bahrain, Jordan (Amman) and Oman (Salalah) in 2012, along with the group’s second hotel in Qatar, two properties in Dubai, and a further two in Abu Dhabi. If all eight properties open as scheduled it will bring Rotana’s total portfolio to 14,380 rooms by the end of 2012.

Brussels Airlines to restart New York route

Brussels Airlines is to operate flights to New York for the first time in a decade, with a daily service to JFK airport commencing on 1 June.  The carrier has not flown the route itself since 2002, although it does currently codeshare on fellow Star Alliance member United Airlines’ service (along with Continental and Lufthansa).

Emirates starts Buenos Aires and Rio services

Emirates has begun daily services from Dubai to Buenos Aires via Rio de Janeiro.  The service is being operated by a B777-300ER with eight first class private suites, 42 lie-flat business seats and 304 economy seats.  It marks the airline's first services to Argentina and second to Brazil after Sao Paulo.

Sofitel launches flagship property in India

Sofitel Luxury Hotels welcomed its first hotel in India on 26 December with the opening of the Sofitel Mumbai BKC. The 302-room hotel is strategically located at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), the new financial district in Mumbai with easy access to the Bandra-Worli sealink, which connects Bandra with Mumbai's city centre. The immediate area around the hotel consists of offices of many multinational corporations including BNP Paribas as well as the National Stock Exchange and the world's largest diamond trading centre, the Bharat Diamond Bourse. Sofitel has plans for two more hotels in the city: Sofitel Mumbai Mulund and Sofitel So Mumbai, both set to open in 2014.

Guangzhou-Shenzhen high speed rail opens

A high-speed rail link between the commercial hubs of Guangzhou and Shenzhen, in southern China's Guangdong Province, opened late in December.  The fast trains will be a new option for the many passengers who commute between the two cities. And in 2015, the rail line will be connected to Hong Kong.  A total of 36 pairs of bullet trains will run every day, travelling at up to 300 kilometres per hour. They are equipped with a variety of advanced facilities. There’s audio and video entertainment and power outlets in the first-class carriages. The trains stop at five stations, including Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

Compared with the existing 139-kilometre rail between the two cities, the high speed line has several apparent advantages. Two key benefits - quicker total travelling time and cheaper ticket prices. In addition, the new line is a convenient choice for those transferring to other high-speed trains from Guangzhou.