Abdullah Tawakul, Senior VP, Dnata Dubai

Luxury hotel brand Jumeirah has reported a strong growth in sales, led by a surge in occupancy rates across its Dubai portfolio this year. The group has also unveiled plans to launch a new lifestyle brand, VENU Hotels, later in 2010 as its global expansion continues apace.

The biggest players of Arabian travel and tourism are gearing up for the most important evening of the year – the World Travel Awards 2010 Middle East Ceremony, which takes place on 3 May at the Address Dubai Marina, with His Highness Prince Bandar as Guest of Honour.

The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, one of the world’s leading hospitality management schools and part of Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality company and member of Dubai Holding; is now recruiting for its new Master of Science Degree in International Hospitality Management - the first of its kind in the GCC region.

Nominees for the Africa World Travel Awards have been announced, with over 400 top travel brands competing to be named as the best of the best. The winners of the Africa & Indian Ocean Ceremony will be announced at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa on Wednesday July 7th 2010 – with voting now open.