May 27 - The overall hotel revenues in the Middle East have gone down with the biggest loser being the hotel industry in Abu Dhabi, said global research provider STR Global. According to a recent report released by the company, the revenue per available room (revPAR) went down by 48.5 per cent in Abu Dhabi to $126 in April over the same time the year before.
This is the fourth consecutive month that the revPAR has registered a consistent decline. Dubai's hotel revPAR is still higher than that of Abu Dhabi’s and has fallen by just 1.9 per cent. However, Elizabeth Randall, Managing Director of STR Global, remained optimistic about the hotel industry’s performance in the Middle East. "The region, which came later in the downturn in 2009, is making progress on the path to recovery," she said.
If Padrao dos Descobrimentos is the monument to Portugal’s Age of Discovery then Torre de Belem symbolises the essence of it. Almost like a stand-alone chess piece, the tower was built to be a defence point along Lisbon’s harbour with Manueline designed filigree stonework and even a stone rhinoceros below the western tower. You can explore the small dungeons and climb the narrow, rickety staircase...
Address: intersection of Nizami and Nazar Streets. Timings: 11am to 5pm. Known for the holy relics that it houses, including blocks of stone from the holiest church in Armenia that was razed, St George’s Church is held in high esteem by the Jolfa residents. The interior is simply treated, with subtle tile work that adds to an unseen element of beauty. ...
Murabba Palace (Qasr al-Murabba), (next to National Museum). (6-9 PM Sun-Fri). This is Riyadh's second old mud-brick palace, built by King Abdul Aziz after he conquered Masmak Fortress because he wanted a more strategically powerful fort. This two-story structure does have an intimidating look and feel to it, but permits are no longer needed to venture inside, where you can find interesting items ...
Kingdom Centre Daily 4-9 PM. Kingdom Center is situated in Al-Urubah Road between King Fahd Road and Olaya Road in the growing business district of Olaya. The Kingdom Center, opened in 2001, is currently the tallest building in Saudi Arabia with a height of 302 meters. It is Riyadh's most celebrated piece of modern architecture, and is quite a sight, especially when lit at night. T...