Plans to open 42 properties by 2012 unveiled
Rotana has unveiled plans to open 42 new properties by 2012, doubling its current portfolio within two years.
The hotel company hopes to add ten properties a year to its existing 24 under new management agreements, which will increase its presence in the Middle East and North Africa.
"This is part of our strategic aim to have a property located in every key city in the Middle East and North Africa," said Selim El Zyr, Rotana's president and ceo.
He said the agreements will introduce Rotana to Egypt, Oman, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, while expanding further into Jordan, Qatar and the UAE.
Rotana has signed a joint venture with Orascom and SHUAA to manage five Centro by Rotana properties in Egypt.
Jiwar Real Estate Management & Marketing Company will manage Rotana's first Saudi Arabian property, the Al Marwa Rayhaan in Makkah, due to open in January 2009.
SHUAA Capital Saudi Arabia, cjsc (SCSA) will develop 17 four- and five-star hotels, resorts and apartments across Saudi Arabia, amounting to 5,500 rooms.
"It's a period of very rapid expansion for us throughout the Gulf," said Michael Marshall, corporate vp sales and marketing for Rotana.
In an ABTN interview next week, Mr Marshall added: "We may see some delays but we haven't had any communications that any of the projects have slowed."
Rotana plans to open three properties in Dubai by the end of 2008 - the Amwaj Rotana, Media Rotana and the world's tallest hotel, the Rose Rotana.
www.rotana.com
See Michael Marshall's further insights into Rotana's expansion in his interview as next week's (November 24) Hotelier of the Week.