The Qatar–Bahrain Friendship Bridge is a long-discussed bridge that is to be constructed between the two Gulf states of Qatar and Bahrain.

The link will be about 45 kilometers (28 mi) long. The beginning of the causeway in Qatar will be located at Ras Ashairij area, five kilometers South of the city of Al Zubara, and a similar spot will be located North of Askar village in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The link is expected to consist of a number of bridges combined with roads constructed on dams and will be a natural extension of the King Fahd Causeway that connects Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, thus linking the entire region.
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A complete visual and descriptive summary by Gulf News of the achievements in the Kingdom of Bahrain, marking the Bahrain National Day celebrations. Download or read the full supplement here: http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/2007tribute.asp
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The Westin Brand Makes Its Debut In The United Arab Emirates with the Signing of the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, ATM 2007 - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. ® (NYSE: HOT) announced the signing of its Westin flagship hotel in the United Arab Emirates, the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Set on the popular Jumeirah coastline, the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina will bring together the natural beauty of the region with the Westin brand’s signature products and services, designed to offer guests a new sensory experience to feel at their personal best. [Read More!]

It's amazing how news can be distorted nowadays! We received this email from someone very recently:

Subject: U.A.E. to Build $136 Million Human-Shaped Hotel

U.A.E. to Build $136 Million Human-Shaped Hotel, 7DAYS Reports 2007-01-11 02:21 (New York) By Zainab Fattah

Jan. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Dubai, United Arab Emirates, plans to build a skyscraper shaped as a traditionally-dressed Persian Gulf man to ``represent national culture and identity,'' the 7DAYS newspaper reported. [Read More!]

Here are some fantastic conceptual shots someone emailed us of the Durrat al Bahrain project that is coming up in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The project is a large scale endeavor and will be a 20 square km seaside resort based on 13 islands. According to the official site, it will feature "2,000 villas, more than 3,000 apartments, luxury hotels, restaurants, promenades, shopping centres, spas, a planned marina, and a proposed golf course among its many sports facilities."

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A view of the skyline in Manama in February 2006 .. and the Bahrain Financial Harbour in the distance - still under construction.



tags: bahrain

A view of the upcoming Bahrain World Trade Centre - the WTC is expected to be completed in 2006. The shot below shows the newly upgraded & colourful roundabout, the new carpark of the Sheraton Bahrain Hotel & Towers, the hotel itself and the World Trade Centre in the background.

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May seem like a good idea now...esp. with strong demand, but I doubt if the effects on individual hotel RevPAR is going to be pretty! Bahrain also has quite a few properties in the works, including Four Seasons, Al Areen Desert Spa, Mariott, Rotana, Sofitel, etc...

Excerpt:
As many as 80 new hotels are being developed in the Gulf to accommodate an increasing flow of inbound traffic for business and leisure travellers.

In all over 25,000 rooms and suites will be added to the existing regional hotel room stock by 2008.

Read the whole article: The Tourism and Hospitality Diaries » Gulf region to house 80 new hotels by year 2008

tags: bahrain