The city of Rome is fast becoming the new hotspot for Arab travellers, as bookings to one of the most sought after hotels, Rome Cavalieri, increase dramatically. 

Boasted as one of the leading hotels in the city, the Rome Cavalieri witnessed a 22 per cent increase in Middle East tourists between 2014 and 2015, with the majority of travel coming from the UAE followed by Saudi Arabia.

Figures from the Italian Tourism Board say trips to the Eternal City by Middle East tourists rose more than 26 per cent in the same year, despite the impact of the global financial crisis.

“Europe has always been a popular destination for Middle East travellers and Rome is creeping into the top 10. GCC residents are attracted to the region for luxury shopping and the ability to accommodate Islamic customs”, said general manager, Alessandro Maurizio Cabella.”

“At Rome Cavalieri we recognise each cultures requirements and needs and the hotel is well deserving of its Islamic friendly reputation. We’ve adopted new customs to make guests feel at home including certain Arabic speaking staff members, female housekeeping and Arabic TV channels”.

As shisha is such an important symbol of hospitality and an inherent part of Arabic culture, the hotel has a dedicated shisha menu, together with Arabian tea and coffee, plus female only therapists within the Grand Spa.

As Italy’s capital, Rome has long been popular among holiday-makers and is classed as one of the most important tourist destinations of the world. Lauded for its artistic heritage, historical legacies and high end retail outlets, the city welcomes over 6 million international tourists each year.

In November 2015, Dubai-based Emirates airline announced a daily service to Bologna, its fourth Italian destination, boosting its weekly flights to the country to 56. Over a third of these are direct to Rome and this new Bologna route provides the perfect stepping off point for travellers looking to explore the Italian capital, a three-hour drive away.

The Italian Tourism Board is expecting Middle Eastern travellers to the region to increase by another 20 per cent by the end of 2016, making it one of the most visited countries in the world by International tourists within a five year period. – TradeArabia News Service